RideTruth

Owner report · 2004 model year

2004 Kia Rio

View garageCompare this car
2004 Kia Rio
Crash-test image: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 14 of 50 complaints (28%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 82 in 2003 to 50 in 2004.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
50
Recall campaigns
2
EPA fuel cost per year
$2,400–$2,600
Combined MPG
24–26

Complaints by model year

  1. 1492002
  2. 822003
  3. 502004
  4. 372005
  5. 742006

Where owners report problems

  1. Engine14 (28%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (18%)
  3. Fuel System7 (14%)
  4. Transmission & Drivetrain7 (14%)
  5. Electrical6 (12%)
  6. Body, Seats & Latches5 (10%)
Advertisement

Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category20022003200420052006vs. 2004 Compact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,400–2,6002,400–2,5002,400–2,6002,500–2,6002,150
Combined MPG24–2625–2624–2624–2529
City / Highway MPG22–23 / 27–2922–23 / 3021–23 / 29–3021–22 / 2925–27 / 32–35
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)342–370342–355342–370355–370306
Complaints filed14982503774Not compared
Recalls issued13211Not compared
Crash-involved complaints2885412Not compared
Fire-involved complaints92240Not compared
Injuries reported3182814Not compared
Deaths reported10010Not compared
Configurations compared22422

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Kia Rio have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2004 Kia Rio?

Engine: 14 of 50 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Kia Rio get?

EPA rates it 24–26 MPG combined across 4 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2004 Kia Rio?

EPA estimates $2,400–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (4)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd41.6LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars22 mpg30 mpg (high)25 mpg$2,500355 g/mi
Configuration 2Automatic 4-spd41.6LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars21 mpg (low)29 mpg (low)24 mpg (low)$2,600 (high)370 g/mi (high)
Configuration 3Manual 5-spd41.6LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars23 mpg (high)30 mpg (high)26 mpg (high)$2,400 (low)342 g/mi (low)
Configuration 4Manual 5-spd41.6LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars22 mpg29 mpg (low)25 mpg$2,500355 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine140000
Transmission & Drivetrain70000
Fuel System70200
Electrical60000
Brakes51000
Steering21000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires90000
Airbags & Restraints33020
Driver Assistance & Speed Control40000
Body, Seats & Latches50000
Visibility & Lighting30000
Other30000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (2)

  • CHILD SEAT

    Campaign 05V557000 · Dec 12, 2005

    Defect
    CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS WILL NOT FULLY LATCH ONTO THE LOWER LATCH ANCHORS LOCATED BETWEEN THE REAR SEAT BACK AND REAR SEAT CUSHION BECAUSE OF INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHILD SEAT ANCHORS AND A METAL WIRE LOCATED IN THE FRAME OF THE REAR SEAT BACK. UNTIL THE RECALL REPAIR IS COMPLETED, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY YOUR CHILD SEATS MANUFACTURER ON HOW TO PROPERLY INSTALL THE CHILD SEAT WITH YOUR VEHICLE'S REAR SAFETY BELTS RATHER THAN USING THE LATCH SYSTEM.
    Consequence
    IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE CHILD SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER ANCHORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

    Campaign 04V179000 · Apr 9, 2004

    Defect
    ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE OF THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR IS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE OR CRACKING DURING REMOVAL OF THE QUICK CONNECT COUPLING SECURING THE MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLY TO THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE, OR WHEN FORCE IS ACCIDENTALLY APPLIED TO THE INTAKE NIPPLE DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS OR DURING ENGINE COMPARTMENT REPAIRS.
    Consequence
    FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.