Kia · Rio · 2008
2008 Kia Rio
1
Recall
49
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 2008 Kia Rio has 1 recall and 49 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: air bags (25 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2008 Kia Rio 4-DR. w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 2432
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
Source: NHTSA Public Records
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
- Complaints
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Recalls
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Safety ratings
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Investigations
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Manufacturer communications
- Separate successful check not recorded.
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Apr 28, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
Research Context
The 2008 Kia Rio page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most frequent complete stored component label is air bags with 25 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2008 Kia Rio currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 49 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows no overall NHTSA safety rating in our current dataset.
- The most frequent complete stored component labels on this page are air bags (25), service brakes, hydraulic (3), air bags,seat belts (2).
- Vehicle
- 2008 Kia Rio
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 49
- Stored Configuration Overall Rating
- Not available in this dataset
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Configuration Test Results
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2008 Kia Rio 4-DR. w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 2432
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
No overall score is available in our current dataset. The individual results below are not a combined safety rating; compare vehicles within the same test program and model year.
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
No rollover risk estimate available in this dataset
Safety Features
ESC: NoForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 12V244000May 31, 2012
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 RIO VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 20, 2005, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT CAN EXPERIENCE FATIGUE CRACKING. IF SUFFICIENT CRACKING OCCURS, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) WILL CEASE TO FUNCTION SUCH THAT THE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DETECT WHETHER A CHILD PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY DURING A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT.
Remedy Status
KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OCS SEAT SENSOR MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Owner Complaints
49 totalAIR BAGS
Dec 4, 2021
AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD IS ALLWAYS ON EVER SENS THE CAR WAS PURCHASED.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
May 23, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE AND CLUTCH CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PROVIDED A COST ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER TO FIND OUT WHAT TYPE OF CLU...
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VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE
Jan 1, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. THE COMPUTER THAT TELLS THE TRANSMISSION TO SWITCH GEARS IS STUCK AND DOASNT WORK. MY CAR WILL ONLY STAY IN 3RD GEAR AND REVERSE. IT HAS NO POWER AND GOES IN LIMP MODE. I HAVE 3 SMALL KIDS AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE WITH IT LIKE THIS SINCE THE DAY I B...
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AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
CRASH1 injuryJun 24, 2017
FOLLOWING A TIRE BLOWOUT THE VEHICLE WENT INTO THEN OUT OF A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50MPH. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT OPERATE.
AIR BAGS
CRASHSep 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SKIDDED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COLLISION LOT. THE VEH...
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AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRASHJul 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNEDA 2008 KIA RIO5. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK, IT ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING.AS A RESULT, THE TIRES SPUN AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD AND OVER A CURB, SLIGHTLY STRIKINGTHE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL....
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AIR BAGS
Apr 1, 2016
AIR BAG LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED OVER NIGHT.(VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY) REJECTION INSPECTION STICKER BECAUSE OF AIR BAG LIGHT. KIA DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THE "PASSENGER PRESSANCE MODULE" IS MESSED UP AND IS CAUSING AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED,...
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AIR BAGS
Jan 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHI...
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EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
Jul 18, 2015
BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. REPLACED BULBS AND CHECKED FUSE BUT STILL NOTHING. GOOD SAMARITAN PULLED UP NEXT TO ME AT A RED LIGHT TO LET ME KNOW, LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND I WAS ONLY A FEW BLOCKS FROM HOME.
SUSPENSION
Mar 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY AND MADE A LOUD NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILED. THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED. ...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 49 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2008 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Kia Rio Years
2009 Kia RioCompare this year against 2008 for complaint and recall shifts.41c2007 Kia RioCompare this year against 2008 for complaint and recall shifts.1r46c2010 Kia RioCompare this year against 2008 for complaint and recall shifts.26c2006 Kia RioCompare this year against 2008 for complaint and recall shifts.1r73c2011 Kia RioCompare this year against 2008 for complaint and recall shifts.24c2005 Kia RioCompare this year against 2008 for complaint and recall shifts.1r36c
More 2008 Kia Models
2008 Kia SorentoAnother 2008 Kia option for same-year comparison.3r215c2008 Kia SedonaAnother 2008 Kia option for same-year comparison.5r170c2008 Kia OptimaAnother 2008 Kia option for same-year comparison.3r143c2008 Kia SpectraAnother 2008 Kia option for same-year comparison.136c2008 Kia SportageAnother 2008 Kia option for same-year comparison.3r98c2008 Kia RondoAnother 2008 Kia option for same-year comparison.3r97c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Kia Rio have?
The 2008 Kia Rio has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2008 Kia Rio?
NHTSA has received 49 owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Kia Rio.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2008 Kia Rio?
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 2008 Kia Rio. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Rio?
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 2008 Kia Rio are air bags (25 reports), service brakes, hydraulic (3 reports), air bags,seat belts (2 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Does the 2008 Kia Rio have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2008 Kia Rio. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.