2010 Kia RIO Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 46%of 26 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,937miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Kia RIO, 46% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,937 miles. 8 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.
“We were involved in an accident where we rear ended another vehicle. The other car was at a standstill and we hit them at about 30 mphs. The driver and myself both had seat belts. The driver injuries her left knee. The airbags did not deploy. I think that if they did her knee might not have been injured because she would not have slid forward upon impact..”
NHTSA complaint #10629468, filed 2014-08, 123,000 miles“1) the passenger airbag off light on my new 2010 Kia RIO stays on even when someone is in the seat. This within four weeks of my purchase. 2) it occurs daily, numerous times throughout the day. 3) the Kia dealer has refused to help, even though the car has 4000 miles on it. They say that it is only happening because we are sitting on it incorrectly.”
NHTSA complaint #10347585, filed 2010-08, 3,000 miles“My 20 year old brother was on his way home and lost control on black ice trying to avoid a dog. He began to swerve and spun out, resulting in a single flip into a ditch. The front end of my vehicle is completely destroyed and believed to be totaled. The car landed on the passenger side head-first in the ditch. Not a single airbag deployed. I bought this vehicle for it's safety features considering the weather where I live. …”
NHTSA complaint #10437730, filed 2011-11, 12,000 miles“On february 19, 2013 I was in a collision I hit the car from behind and totaled the front end of my car none of the airbags deployed leaving me with neck and back injuries. I want to know why they didn't deploy and why isn't or wasn't there a recall because this is not the first reported incident of no deployment of airbags. My car is 2 years old and this is the first collision that I have ever had and for the airbags to have not deployed leaves me with a lot of concerns. My father is actually having me consider a lawsuit due to the airbags not deploying. …”
NHTSA complaint #10499518, filed 2013-02, 59,874 miles“Traffic came to a sudden stop, I could not stop in time. I hit the tires of a semi trailer, that collision threw me down an embankment where I hit a tree head on. The air bags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10609827, filed 2014-07Related service bulletins
- 10094135Jun 14, 2016Warranty bulletin: wty002 - 2008~2011my rio passenger seat ocs sensor mat warranty extension (wty002) - this bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the front…
- 10094563Jun 10, 2016Owner letter: wty002 rio - dear kia rio owner: kia motors americas highest commitment is to your safety. To that end, kia is extending the warranty coverage for the front…
- 10089310Jun 9, 2016Tsb: front passenger ocs sensor mat diagnosis and replacement - this bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the front passenger occupant classification…
- 10094564Jun 8, 2016"q and a: wty002 - certain 2008-2011 my kia rio vehicles and all 2006-2010 my kia optima vehicles front passenger ocs sensor mat kia new vehicle limited warranty extension"
- 10094169Jun 8, 2016Request for reimbursement form: wty002 rio - if you have paid to have the front passenger ocs sensor mat replaced, you may be eligible for reimbursement for some or all of that…
- 10094137Jun 8, 2016Dealer parts and service manager memo: wty002 - 2008~2011my rio passenger seat ocs sensor mat warranty extension (wty002) - kia motors america, inc. Is extending the warranty…
- 10094136Jun 8, 2016Dealer principal memo: wty002 - 2008~2011my rio passenger seat ocs sensor mat warranty extension (wty002) - kia motors america, inc. Is extending the warranty coverage for the…
- 10037244Oct 1, 2010Kia: the air bag occupant detection system in certain vehicles is sensitive and can be defeated by electronic devices or water.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 4% |
| 2019 | 3 | 14% |
| 2018 | 5 | 18% |
| 2017 | 3 | 10% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 5 | 10% |
| 2014 | 7 | 13% |
| 2013 | 34 | 22% |
| 2012 | 12 | 22% |
| 2011 | 5 | 21% |
| 2010 | 12 | 46% |
| 2009 | 17 | 44% |
| 2008 | 27 | 59% |
| 2007 | 21 | 46% |
| 2006 | 50 | 68% |
| 2005 | 4 | 11% |
| 2004 | 3 | 8% |
| 2003 | 4 | 5% |
| 2002 | 21 | 16% |
| 2001 | 33 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2010 Kia RIO
4 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Kia RIO
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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