2011 Kia RIO Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 21%of 24 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,828miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Kia RIO, 21% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,828 miles. 4 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.
“My son was involved in an accident where he rear ended the car in front of him at approximately 35 to 40 MPH. The airbag in the steering wheel did not deploy!! Luckily, he was wearing his seat belt and suffered bruising on his hip and shoulder. I would like to know why the airbags did not deploy. I have viewed other reports online that reported the same thing where the bags did not deploy....updated 01/07/15”
NHTSA complaint #10664814, filed 2014-12, 66,000 miles“I was in collision on 3/28. I hit another car from the back. The airbags did not deploy. I hit my head on the steering wheel. I had my seat belt on. I was sent to the hospital via ambulance. The car was a total loss. Updated 07/16/14 updated 3/17/2015”
NHTSA complaint #10608963, filed 2014-07, 40,828 miles“As I was driving straight through an intersection of which I had a green light, the vehicle coming the opposite way through the intersection failed to yield and took a left turn hitting me head-on. We were each going between 30-35 miles per hour. I slammed my head on the steering wheel, shearing my brain from the inside of my skull resulting in a massive internal bleed. I also suffered a severe concussion and tore several ligaments in my neck. I currently continue to suffer from terrible migraines and have been unable to resume my previous profession as an architect. …”
NHTSA complaint #11320026, filed 2020-04, 76,090 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Kia RIO. While driving 70 MPH the vehicle crashed into the rear of a truck but the frontal air bags did not deploy. The front of the vehicle had extensive damage. There were no injuries. Police report #tx116x0irx001 was filed. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company. The dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,500.”
NHTSA complaint #10423937, filed 2011-09, 14,500 milesRelated 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 2011 Kia RIO
7 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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