KIA RIO · model year

2007 KIA RIO

64 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2007KIARIO carries 64 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 1 fire, 8 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2007 RIO is air bags with 18 filings, followed by electrical system (8) and service brakes, hydraulic (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 38 investigation files overlapping the 2007 RIO, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

64
Complaints
14
Crashes
1
Fires
8
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

64 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC4
SEATS3
SERVICE BRAKES3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
TIRES2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
STEERING1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR1
SEAT BELTS1

Recalls (1)

12V24400031/05/2012

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

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 SUC

Recent Complaints

20240724ENGINE

the engine has very bad Loss of oil pressure it consumption of a lot oil the engine knock very bad that engine has decreased its power the engine oil light always on so I stop driving the car and car blows white smoke from the engine my mechanic told he did not want to work on the car because of the engine but I can get a invoice he quoted me 3,000 dollars for a new engine i have not even had this car for long could not even drive it around or get my child to school

20230504AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2007 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the occupant classification system (OCS) seat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V244000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.

Mileage: 260,000

20210506TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 KIA RIO EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH TIRES, TIRE LINE: G-FORCE SPORT, TIRE SIZE: 195/55/R15, DOT NUMBER: BELN3P1107-15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRES SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE FLAT WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE TIRES AND FOUND THE TREAD AND STEEL WIRES WERE SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE SIX YEARS OLD. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,668.

Mileage: 102,668

20200209ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I DRIVING UP TO WISCONSIN DELLS FROM ILLINOIS AND THE VIT WOULNT GO OVER TWENTY MILES PER HR I HATE THIS VEHICLE AND A TUNE UP WAS DONE BEFORE I LEFT I HAVE A 2007 KIA RIO AND VEHICLE JUST DIED AND THEN STARTED AND HAD NO POWER I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO ILLINOIS WHICH COST ME 300 DOLLARS HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAS 95.600 MILES WAS

Mileage: 95,600

20200209FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I DRIVING UP TO WISCONSIN DELLS FROM ILLINOIS AND THE VIT WOULNT GO OVER TWENTY MILES PER HR I HATE THIS VEHICLE AND A TUNE UP WAS DONE BEFORE I LEFT I HAVE A 2007 KIA RIO AND VEHICLE JUST DIED AND THEN STARTED AND HAD NO POWER I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO ILLINOIS WHICH COST ME 300 DOLLARS HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAS 95.600 MILES WAS

Mileage: 95,600

20191104AIR BAGS

2007 KIA RIO HAS AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME, WITH A CODE SPECIFYING THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR. WHEN CLEARING THE CODE FOR THE AIRBAG, THE CODE IS RETHROWN AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS. NHTSA RECALL #12V244000 APPLIED TO CERTAIN MODELS OF THE 2005-2007 MODEL ERA, BUT DIDN'T INCLUDE ALL OF THEM, AS THE VEHICLE HAS NO OPEN SEAT MAT RECALL AND NONE HAD BEEN REPAIRED IN THE PAST. EVIDENTLY THE ISSUE IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN THE INITIAL RECALL. THE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME.

Mileage: 200,000

20191104SEATS

2007 KIA RIO HAS AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME, WITH A CODE SPECIFYING THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR. WHEN CLEARING THE CODE FOR THE AIRBAG, THE CODE IS RETHROWN AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS. NHTSA RECALL #12V244000 APPLIED TO CERTAIN MODELS OF THE 2005-2007 MODEL ERA, BUT DIDN'T INCLUDE ALL OF THEM, AS THE VEHICLE HAS NO OPEN SEAT MAT RECALL AND NONE HAD BEEN REPAIRED IN THE PAST. EVIDENTLY THE ISSUE IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN THE INITIAL RECALL. THE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME.

Mileage: 200,000

20181229AIR BAGS

I JUST RECENT HAD THE BATTERY PUT IN MY CAR. AN NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON FOR THE DRIVER ON THAT DASH BOARD. AN DON'T KNOW WHY IT'S ON. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. SO WE ARE SCARED TO BE OUT ON THE ROAD AN IT DOESN'T PROTECT US IF WE GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AN SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

20180205ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. RALLY KIA (438 AUTO VISTA DR, PALMDALE, CA 93551, (818) 492-3800) WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND DEALER (GALPIN KIA, 8425 SEPULVEDA BLVD, NORTH HILLS, CA 91343) PROVIDED A SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS WITH INSTRUCTIONS THAT THE CONTACT FOLLOWED FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE A FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A PERMANENT REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

20180205ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. RALLY KIA (438 AUTO VISTA DR, PALMDALE, CA 93551, (818) 492-3800) WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND DEALER (GALPIN KIA, 8425 SEPULVEDA BLVD, NORTH HILLS, CA 91343) PROVIDED A SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS WITH INSTRUCTIONS THAT THE CONTACT FOLLOWED FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE A FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A PERMANENT REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

20180108CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 KIA RIO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BY MISTAKE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. ALL THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER SUSTAINED A NECK AND BACK INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20170530ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL ISSUES, CONSTANTLY BROKEN AIR CONDITIONER, ENGINE PROBLEMS, SPARK PLUG ISSUES, COIL ISSUES, 3 BATTERIES IN 2 YEARS, LOSS OF POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY.

Mileage: 112,000

20170530FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL ISSUES, CONSTANTLY BROKEN AIR CONDITIONER, ENGINE PROBLEMS, SPARK PLUG ISSUES, COIL ISSUES, 3 BATTERIES IN 2 YEARS, LOSS OF POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY.

Mileage: 112,000

20170530UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ELECTRICAL ISSUES, CONSTANTLY BROKEN AIR CONDITIONER, ENGINE PROBLEMS, SPARK PLUG ISSUES, COIL ISSUES, 3 BATTERIES IN 2 YEARS, LOSS OF POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY.

Mileage: 112,000

20160317CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, HE FELL ASLEEP AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ *TR

Mileage: 107,000

20151005STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD WHEN APPLIED AND HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURERS RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT AN UNKNOWN LOCATION WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITY'S FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20151005SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD WHEN APPLIED AND HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURERS RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT AN UNKNOWN LOCATION WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITY'S FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20150202AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COUPLING WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

Mileage: 34,000

20140825AIR BAGS

THE 'AIRBAG' DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS THE SENSOR ASSEMBLY LOCATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT CUSHION. THIS PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED BY A 'VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN' CONDUCTED BY KIA AFFECTING "2006-2008 MY RIO OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAT" BUT ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP MY KIA RIO MANUFACTURED IN APRIL 2007 WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM/DIAGNOSIS/FIX IS IDENTICAL. *TR

20140825SEATS

THE 'AIRBAG' DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS THE SENSOR ASSEMBLY LOCATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT CUSHION. THIS PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED BY A 'VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN' CONDUCTED BY KIA AFFECTING "2006-2008 MY RIO OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAT" BUT ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP MY KIA RIO MANUFACTURED IN APRIL 2007 WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM/DIAGNOSIS/FIX IS IDENTICAL. *TR

Compare 2007KIARIO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2007 KIA RIO have?
The 2007 KIA RIO has 64 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 1 fires, 8 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2007 KIA RIO?
Yes, the 2007 KIA RIO has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2007 KIA RIO?
The most-complained component for the 2007 KIA RIO is AIR BAGS with 18 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Is the 2007 KIA RIO safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.