MYRModel Year Report

2009 Kia RIO

● Typical for this model
2009 Kia RIO
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:45:25.182Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Kia RIO Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2009 highlighted. 2000: 3 complaints 2000 2001: 223 complaints 2002: 128 complaints 2003: 74 complaints 2003 2004: 38 complaints 2005: 36 complaints 2006: 74 complaints 2006 2007: 46 complaints 2008: 46 complaints 2009: 39 complaints 2009 2010: 26 complaints 2011: 24 complaints 2012: 54 complaints 2012 2013: 153 complaints 2014: 52 complaints 2015: 52 complaints 2015 2016: 77 complaints 2017: 31 complaints 2018: 28 complaints 2018 2019: 21 complaints 2020: 27 complaints 2021: 15 complaints 2021 2022: 11 complaints 2023: 12 complaints 2023
2009: 39 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20003
2001223
2002128
200374
200438
200536
200674
200746
200846
200939
201026
201124
201254
2013153
201452
201552
201677
201731
201828
201921
202027
202115
202211
202312

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 46%

46% of complaints: air bags — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION 7/7/2017. IT REAR-ENDED A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WILL LIKELY BE TOTALED DUE TO EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END.

NHTSA ODI report, 20170708

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON A WET ROAD, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE LEFT SIDE COLLIDED INTO A WALL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100517

A 2009 KIA RIO MD. POLICE REPORT BY ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY POLICE . AT APPROXIMATELY 1800 HOURS THE VEHICLE HIT BLACK ICE AT 30-40MPH AND SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL HEAD ON INTO A WOODEN POWER POLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100216

ENGINE 18%

18% of complaints: engine — 7 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190908

SEATS 10%

10% of complaints: seats — 4 distinct reports on file.

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RIO 5 LX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, BOTH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATION PEDAL BECAME SEIZED. THEN THE CONTACT CRASHED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE INTO A CONCRETE WALL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140430

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 2 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2009 Kia RIO — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seats issues (4 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2017 ● 2005 ● 2004

WORST YEARS

■ 2001 ■ 2013 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2009 Kia RIO reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Kia RIO is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Kia RIO?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 46% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2009 Kia RIO have?

No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.