Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Compact Cars

2009 Kia RioRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 41 owner complaints for the 2009 Kia Rio. Most complaints involve air bags (18) and engine (7). The EPA rates it 30 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
30mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
41
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2009 Kia Rio as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

41 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2009 – Jul 2022
  1. Air bags18
  2. Engine7
  3. Seats4
  4. Structure3
  5. Electrical system2
  6. Fuel/propulsion system2
  7. Seat belts2
  8. Vehicle speed control2
  9. Power train2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Rio model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001224
2002152
200384
200450
200537
200674
200746
200849
200941
201026
201124
201254
2013153
201452
201552
201679
201731
201828
201922
202027
202115
202212
202312
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

18 reports3 crashes
“My airbag light will not go off for my passenger side!!! I think it is absolutely ridiculous that my car is not included in the recall because it definitely should be! What everybody says about the 2005 to the 2008 Kia Rios and the 2001 to 2008 Kia Rios is the same thing that is happening with my Kia Rio which is a 2009... Can y please add my vehicle too??? Also in the latest class action lawsuit it talks about the passenger seat pad sensor being broken and that's what breaks the passenger airbag so how in the world is my car not included in this?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2022Air bags, SeatsODI 11471872

Engine

7 reports
“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 . this car left me in bad situations im just surprised its not recall I barely drive it it paid off after so many years n really only reason I have it cuz I put too much in n it n now it aint worth nuthin because of the issues that gave me”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 16, 2022Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11474311

Seats

4 reports
“2009 KIA RIO LX: WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN AT 20MPH AND HAVING 26,875 MILES IN THE OD, THE AIRBAG RED LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN AUTORIZED KIA DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED USING A KDS HAVING 26,927 MILES, FINDING 3 CODES: B1448 OCS MAT DEFECT, B1513 BUCKLE SWITCH OPEN SHORT PASSENGER SIDE, B1511 BUCKLE SWITCH OPEN SHORT DRIVER SIDE. DEALER SAID THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR REPORTS FROM KIA ON THIS COMPLAINTS FOR 2009 KIA RIO AND DECIDED TO NOT REPLACE THE PARTS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER BUCKLE SWITCH AND THE PASSENGER MAT SEAT FOR A TOTAL CHARGE OF $1,700. THE VEHICLE IS USED BY ITS ORIGINAL OWNER, NEVER HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY CRASH EVENTS, HAVE LOW MILEAGE AND STILLS UNDER THE 10YEARS/100,000 MILES WARRANTY OFFERED BY KIA.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 7, 2017Air bags, Seat belts, SeatsODI 10993833
All 2009 Rio problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Rio
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263530$2,150296
Rio
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273330$2,150296
  • Rio
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    26 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Rio
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 33 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Kia Rio as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 5198Vehicle 5197
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Rio questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Kia Rio have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 29, 2026.

What are the most common 2009 Kia Rio problems?

Owners filed 41 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (18), engine (7), seats (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Kia Rio get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Kia Rio at 30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026