2006 Kia Rio problems
NHTSA has received 89 complaints about the 2006 Kia Rio, and 57% of them involve air bags. After that come engine (8%) and steering (4%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 89 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 57% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 18 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 17 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 64,000 miles 65 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 12 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 4 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 14 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 15 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 10 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 65 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 64,000 miles. For air bags specifically, the median reported mileage is about 65,000 miles (37 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 18 complaints mention a crash; 17 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 92% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2006 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 20 model years of the Kia Rio with enough data (60 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 kia rio5. While driving approximately 35-42 MPH during rainy weather conditions she engaged the brakes and the vehicle hydroplaned and crashed into the vehicle in front of her. The air bag did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to her neck and upper back. The passenger was also injured. She was taken out of the vehicle by the fire department. She had no knowledge of whether the passengers in the other vehicle were injured or not. A police report was filed.
My daughter was a passenger in 2006 kia rio, restrained with seatbelt. Head on collision occurred,driver's air bag deployed, he sustained a broken ankle. Passenger air bag did not deploy, she had a subdural hematoma, internal injuries, chance fracture l3, compression fracture l4 of her spine, broke both legs. She was trapped in the car. Roof had to be cut off to remove her. Accident occurred 9/29/10 in indiana she was air lifted, required 3 surgeries, hospitalized for 4 weeks.
I was in an auto accident where I reneded two cars. My air bag sid not deploy. The vehicle was hydroplane on wet roads going about 55 when I hit the brakes.
Bought car in 01-06 started to get an air bag light on driver side in 05-06. First time was due to malfunction seat belt pretensioner ordered. Went back 06-21 replaced with seat belt retractor. Second time on 07-18 airbag light remained on was told due to seat covers. Airbag was reset, was told no seat covers. Hi-desert kia sells seat covers for 2006 rio. Third time 07-06 was told airbag system connection was knocked loose due to items under passenger seat, do not put items under seats. Air bag system was reset.
Engine light came on and OBD scan indicated "front passenger airbag sensor" failed. Dealership wants $800 bucks plus to replace this sensor. Without it airbag will not deploy for front passenger. Have researched it and others have indicated it just goes out again. I will not pay this!!!!