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2005 Kia Rio

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2005 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: 17 of 36 complaints (47%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 50 in 2004 to 36 in 2005.

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

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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.
Category20032004200520062007vs. 2005 Compact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,400–2,5002,400–2,6002,500–2,6002,1502,150
Combined MPG25–2624–2624–252929
City / Highway MPG22–23 / 3021–23 / 29–3021–22 / 2925–27 / 32–3525–27 / 32–35
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)342–355342–370355–370306306
Complaints filed8250367446Not compared
Recalls issued32111Not compared
Crash-involved complaints8541211Not compared
Fire-involved complaints22401Not compared
Injuries reported828146Not compared
Deaths reported00101Not compared
Configurations compared24222

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 2005 Kia Rio have?

1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2005 Kia Rio?

Engine: 17 of 36 NHTSA complaints (47%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Kia Rio get?

EPA rates it 24–25 MPG combined across 2 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 Kia Rio?

EPA estimates $2,500–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

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EPA-Rated Configurations (2)

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 Cars21 mpg (low)29 mpg24 mpg (low)$2,600 (high)370 g/mi (high)
Configuration 2Manual 5-spd41.6LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars22 mpg (high)29 mpg25 mpg (high)$2,500 (low)355 g/mi (low)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine170210
Transmission & Drivetrain31010
Fuel System30000
Electrical40200
Brakes10000
Steering31010
Suspension, Wheels & Tires00000
Airbags & Restraints74071
Driver Assistance & Speed Control30000
Body, Seats & Latches30000
Visibility & Lighting10000
Other00000

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 (1)

  • CHILD SEAT · Campaign 05V557000 · Dec 19, 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.