CarComplaints.com Notes: The only reason we don't give the 2009 Kia Rio our top award is because of poor side & rear crash test ratings.

2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,443 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Kia Rio engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Kia Rio Owner Comments

problem #7

Jul 162022

Rio

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Ponchatoula, LA, USA

problem #6

Jun 012020

Rio

  • 75,000 miles
My coils keep going out after replacing all 4. I've replaced the complete fuel pump but everytime I fuel up my car it hesitates to start which is why I replaced the pump to begin with.

- Watauga, TX, USA

problem #5

Mar 152020

Rio

  • 197,000 miles
Spark plug cylinder holes filling with oil due to valve cover oring failure a recall should be done on this issue could cause a engine fire in the picture the whole spared plug was completely covered over with oil in the engine

- Hurt, VA, USA

problem #4

Sep 082019

Rio

  • 85,099 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Replaced ignition coils 1 and 3 at the end of 2018. Coil 1 had to be replaced again in January 2019. Coils 2 and 4 were both replaced along with all spark plugs February 2018. In July 2019 coil 2 started to fail again and now in August 2019 coil 4 is misfiring as well. This is an ongoing problem that I see many regular posts regarding the short life span of the ignition coils for this car. There is obviously and electrical issue if not something else is obviously wrong. With so many complaints there should be an investigation at least at this point as to why the coils fail so quickly in this type of car. Multiple issues of the car not wanting to start, shutting off while idling and I have even had an incident on the highway where it completely failed and I was lucky enough to get off the highway safely.

- Mesquite, TX, USA

problem #3

Jun 282017

Rio

  • 67,000 miles
At 39,000 miles my car started lurching and had no power. Got it to a mechanic immediately, and spark plugs and coil #1 had to be replaced. I just got to 67,000 miles, emissions control light again came on, car had loss of power and shaking. Again got to mechanic immediately, again #1 coil and #2 coils had to be replaced. Seems to be an underlying electrical problem that the manufacturer has not addressed. Can this problem be permanently fixed? will a Kia dealership be able to fix it even though there seems to be no recall.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #2

Sep 012016

Rio

  • 35,000 miles
Ignition coil recall. They keep going bad every two months. The check engine light comes on I lose power to the car. Get the ignition coil and valve cover fixed. I have the same problem again. While I am driving in motion and stationary this happens.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #1

Jan 272012

Rio 4-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
When car sits over night, the next morning, the accelerator peddle is hard to press and disengage as to accelerate the vehicle. This also happens when ever the car sit for sometime after running. This part was changed under warranty and now at 20,000 miles is acting the same way and the dealer in san juan puerto rico doesnot want to change it as a continuing defective part. This part consist of plastic and metal. Maybe due to heat and cold temp., the contraction and explanation causes it to mal function. I believe this part show be reengineered to better performance standardsas to not fail. Failure of this part could cause an unexpected acceleration which could cause an fatal accident or blow up of engine.

- Memphis, TN, USA

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