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SteeringPart report

2009 Kia RIO Steering Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
5%of 39 total for the year
Median mileage
46,400miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Kia RIO, 5% of the 39 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,400 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The contact owns a 2009 Kia RIO. While she was making a left turn at a stop sign the tie rod and ball joints broke off of the vehicle. She stated that the vehicle turned in the opposite direction when the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be repaired but they stated that they needed to contact the manufacturer. A representative from the Kia manufacturer inspected the failure and stated she must have crashed into something. The manufacturer refused to repair the vehicle. She will contact the insurance company. The failure and current mileages were 46,400.”

NHTSA complaint #10344250, filed 2010-07, 46,400 miles

“While driving straight on the road, the car unexpectedly veered off the road onto the shoulder and was unable to regain control. I tried bringing the car back onto the road but the steering wheel would not respond which resulted in the car spinning in one direction and then spinning in the opposite direction into oncoming traffic, which then resulted in rolling multiple times into a ditch.”

NHTSA complaint #10356895, filed 2010-09

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2023325%
202218%
2021427%
2020415%
201929%
201814%
201713%
201634%
201512%
201412%
2013107%
201128%
201014%
200925%
200812%
200724%
200645%
200538%
200345%
200211%
200142%

Other parts of the 2009 Kia RIO

Air bags
17 complaints
Engine
7 complaints
Seats
4 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints
Other or unknown
3 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Electrical system
2 complaints
Seat belts
2 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Kia RIO

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology