2004 Kia Rio Cinco Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2004 Kia Rio Cinco has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 187,790 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 04V179000 2004-04-09 187,790 affected
Defect

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

SUSPENSION
3
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
2
STRUCTURE:BODY
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1
SERVICE BRAKES
1
Total complaints18

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Driver side door lock does not always work. When locked from inside the car you have to crawl out the passenger side and go around to driver door, put the key in the lock and wiggle the inside door lock lever. Sometimes it takes minutes to get it to unlock. If you were to have to exit the vehicle…”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2018-01-15

“I was driving with my girlfriend, headed out to dinner, going 15 to 20 mph through town (25 mph speed limit), when suddenly a loud clunking noise started, coming from passenger side rear wheel. I pulled over in a business lot & removed tire to find that the rear axel where the shock absorber…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2013-12-19

“I was driving with my girlfriend, headed out to dinner, going 15 to 20 mph through town (25 mph speed limit), when suddenly a loud clunking noise started, coming from passenger side rear wheel. I pulled over in a business lot & removed tire to find that the rear axel where the shock absorber…”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2013-12-19

“I was driving with my girlfriend, headed out to dinner, going 15 to 20 mph through town (25 mph speed limit), when suddenly a loud clunking noise started, coming from passenger side rear wheel. I pulled over in a business lot & removed tire to find that the rear axel where the shock absorber…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2013-12-19

“Ok, my car makes a thumping noise under the tire, thought was the wheel bearing it's not someone said it was the axle I don't know also, the engine light has been on I changed the air filter, I read that someone else had problems with the filter, I read that the axle rusts out, I think this car…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2013-07-01

“Fan control knob for heat intermittently would only work on some speeds and gradually would not work at times. It would "catch" every once in awhile only on high, I could smell something hot, now it does not work at all. After looking behind the cover, the clips that hold the relay switch to the…”

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT · reported 2008-10-01

“Fan control knob for heat intermittently would only work on some speeds and gradually would not work at times. It would "catch" every once in awhile only on high, I could smell something hot, now it does not work at all. After looking behind the cover, the clips that hold the relay switch to the…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2008-10-01

“While on a long road trip, I experienced a problem with the clutch on my 2004 kia rio cinco. At highway speed I attempted to pass a truck when, at approximately 70 mph, the clutch partially disengaged causing my acceleration to cease. I let off the throttle and when re-engaging the throttle, the…”

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY · reported 2006-06-26
Sources & methodology

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 Cinco as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.