AI Damage2009 KIA RIO: common problems
Owners of the 2009 KIA RIO filed 39 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 39
- involving a crash
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 44% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 18% of all complaints
- 3 Seats 10% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 5% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 5% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- Air bags: 17 complaints (44% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 7 complaints (18% of all).
- Seats: 4 complaints (10% of all).
- Structure: 3 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (5% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 39 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 17 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Thankfully, driver (our son) was, as always, wearing his seatbelt and sustained no injuries.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 kia rio. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the contact was cut off by a truck and the wind force of the passing vehicle caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed head-on into another vehicle. A police report was filed.
No warning lights illuminated. There where no injuries the contact filled a police report was filled. The manufacture was notified. The vehicle to an auto body shop (brendans auto body - elmsford [ZIP])the failure mileage was 21,000. Jw
While driving straight on the road, the car unexpectedly veered off the road onto the shoulder and was unable to regain control. I tried bringing the car back onto the road but the steering wheel would not respond which resulted in the car spinning in one direction and then spinning in the opposite direction into…
Before the failure occurred, the contact previously rear ended another vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. The dealer stated that the air bags would not deploy if the collision was not frontal. The contact planned to call the manufacturer when the complaint was filed.
The vehicle sustained major front end damage including crushing the radiator and resulted inthe headlights dangling fromthe vehicle. The driver hit her head on the steering wheel , showed seat belt bruising marks, bruised knees, was in shock and had a severe headache and neck pain.
Engine went out 8 months after there always been electrical issue has caused problems where it wnt accelerate causing a wreck the break light had shorts they didnt even have the radio n i went to a car lot dealership .
Spark plug cylinder holes filling with oil due to valve cover oring failure a recall should be done on this issue could cause a engine fire in the picture the whole spared plug was completely covered over with oil in the engine
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,011 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the RIO has 52 complaints (25 years in the data). This year has 39, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
- RIO 20003 sources
- RIO 2001223 sources
- RIO 2002128 sources
- RIO 200374 sources
- RIO 200438 sources
- RIO 200537 sources
- RIO 200674 sources
- RIO 200746 sources
- RIO 200846 sources
- RIO 201026 sources
- RIO 201124 sources
- RIO 201254 sources
- RIO 2013153 sources
- RIO 201452 sources
- RIO 201552 sources
- RIO 2016160 sources
- RIO 201788 sources
- RIO 201885 sources
- RIO 201976 sources
- RIO 202093 sources
- RIO 202174 sources
- RIO 202232 sources
- RIO 202331 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 KIA RIO?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, engine, seats. Total complaints: 39. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (23%), warning lights, check engine (10%), seat belts (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 KIA RIO?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2009 KIA RIO from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2009 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.