2007 Kia RIO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
57,018 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 34 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 46 complaints (39.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 23.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 18 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
Air Bags: 18; Electrical System: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Seats: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2007: 5; 2008: 4; 2009: 5; 2010: 3; 2011: 5; 2012: 9; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10211578 · 2007-12-12 (December 12, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH DOWNHILL, THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-47 MPH WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET OR DURING A SUDDEN STOP, THE VEHICLE FISHTAILS OR SLIDES. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH HER CHILDREN ON BOARD. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,455.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,455 miles reported. Look up ODI 10211578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10243041 · 2008-09-22 (September 22, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES MANY TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. FINALLY, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF HIS VEHICLE SUSTAINED OVER $5,000 IN DAMAGES. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 13,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10992172 · 2017-05-30 (May 30, 2017)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10992172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11164017 · 2018-12-29 (December 29, 2018)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11164017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10252685 · 2008-12-23 (December 23, 2008)
FELL ASLEEP DRIVING 2007 KIA RIO ON THE INTERSTATE TO ARMY RESERVE TRAINING (TRAVELING 65 MPH). CAR HIT - HEAD ON - THE UPCOMING END OF A GUARD RAIL WHICH DROVE THE RADIATOR BACK INTO THE ENGINE. NEITHER FENDER GOT DAMAGED. HAD SEAT BELT ON AND HIT HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL; CUT HEAD; CONCUSSION; DISLOCATED PART OF HAND. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. UNCONSCIOUS FOR OVER AN HOUR. THE HIGHWAY PATROL WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE GUY REBUILDING THE CAR (3 HOURS FROM US; $7000 WORTH OF DAMAGE) SAYS IT DIDN'T NECESSARILY NEED TO DE…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10252685 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10206032 · 2007-10-17 (October 17, 2007)
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 AT 70 MPH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED FROM OVERDRIVE INTO 3RD GEAR. THE SUDDEN SURGE ALMOST SENT ME INTO THE MEDIAN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR UNIT TWICE AND PROBLEM CONTINUES. DEALER KEPT OLD PARTS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 15,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10206032 at NHTSA ↗