The 2004 Kia Rio has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 278,655 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
CHILD SEAT05V5570002005-12-1290,865 affected
Defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS WILL NOT FULLY LATCH ONTO THE LOWER LATCH ANCHORS LOCATED BETWEEN THE REAR SEAT BACK AND REAR SEAT CUSHION BECAUSE OF INTERFERENCE…
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE CHILD SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER ANCHORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE OF THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR IS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE OR CRACKING DURING REMOVAL OF THE QUICK CONNECT COUPLING SECURING THE MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLY TO THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE, OR WHEN FORCE IS ACCIDENTALLY APPLIED TO THE INTAKE NIPPLE DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS…
Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3
AIR BAGS
2
2crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2
2fires
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2
Total complaints53
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I bought this car used a little less than a week ago. There was a thumping noise under the hood so I took the car to the dealer twice for this issue. I looked under the hood tonight and found a bunch of pieces that are not bolted down and the battery is completely unsecured and can move around…”
“I bought this car used a little less than a week ago. There was a thumping noise under the hood so I took the car to the dealer twice for this issue. I looked under the hood tonight and found a bunch of pieces that are not bolted down and the battery is completely unsecured and can move around…”
“My wife got locked in her car in the garage at home. There is a spring on the door latch that holds up a lever, that broke, causing the lever to drop and jam the lock lever. When she tried to unlock her door it would not release and the auto lock function kept the other doors locked too. We were…”
“Takata recall 2004 kia rio locks in car broken unable to unlock and get out the car I don't know if there is something wrong with the locking system and it has become a major problem”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia rio. The contact stated that the drivers side door failed to open when using the key or by manually pulling the lock. The contact mentioned that in order to enter the vehicle she had to do so through the front passengers door. The manufacturer was not contacted. The…”
“Tl-the contact ct owns a 2004 kia rio. The contact stated that the windshield defroster and heating system failed. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the windshield defroster and heat button had to be held in to be able to have the windshield defrost and heat system operate. The…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia rio. While driving various speeds, there was an abnormal noise underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to multiple independent mechanics and a dealer on numerous occasions where it was diagnosed that the front driver side wheel bearing needed to replaced. The…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia rio. The contact stated that the manual door locks on both the interior and exterior front driver's side doors would not release. The contact had to enter the vehicle through the front passenger side door and exit in the same manner. The vehicle was neither…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 Kia Rio as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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