The 2008 Kia Rio has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 72,568 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS12V2440002012-05-3172,568 affected
Defect
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 RIO VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 20, 2005, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT CAN EXPERIENCE FATIGUE CRACKING. IF SUFFICIENT CRACKING OCCURS, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) WILL CEASE TO FUNCTION SUCH THAT THE SYSTEM…
Consequence
AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITH A CHILD IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THAT CHILD.
Remedy
KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OCS SEAT SENSOR MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
23
6crashes7injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
4
2crashes2injuries
ENGINE
3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
3
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2
SERVICE BRAKES
2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
Total complaints57
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Air bag light on the dash board is allways on ever sens the car was purchased.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia rio. While driving various speeds, the engine and clutch ceased without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who provided a cost estimate for the repairs. The contact reached out to the manufacturer to find out what type of clutch was needed to…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia rio. While driving various speeds, the engine and clutch ceased without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who provided a cost estimate for the repairs. The contact reached out to the manufacturer to find out what type of clutch was needed to…”
“Takata recall. The computer that tells the transmission to switch gears is stuck and doasnt work. My car will only stay in 3rd gear and reverse. It has no power and goes in limp mode. I have 3 small kids and it is very dangerous for me to drive with it like this since the day I bought it. Plz help…”
“Takata recall. The computer that tells the transmission to switch gears is stuck and doasnt work. My car will only stay in 3rd gear and reverse. It has no power and goes in limp mode. I have 3 small kids and it is very dangerous for me to drive with it like this since the day I bought it. Plz help…”
“Takata recall. The computer that tells the transmission to switch gears is stuck and doasnt work. My car will only stay in 3rd gear and reverse. It has no power and goes in limp mode. I have 3 small kids and it is very dangerous for me to drive with it like this since the day I bought it. Plz help…”
“Following a tire blowout the vehicle went into then out of a ditch. The vehicle was traveling at approximately 45-50mph. There was significant front end damage. The driver was wearing a seat belt. The air bag did not deploy nor did the seat belt restraint operate.”
“Following a tire blowout the vehicle went into then out of a ditch. The vehicle was traveling at approximately 45-50mph. There was significant front end damage. The driver was wearing a seat belt. The air bag did not deploy nor did the seat belt restraint operate.”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 Kia Rio as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.