2008 Kia Rio
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 27 of 46 complaints (59%) mention it.
Complaints filed held steady at 46 in both 2007 and 2008.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150 | 2,150 | 2,150 | 2,100 | 2,000–2,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30–31 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 25–27 / 32–35 | 25–27 / 32–35 | 25–27 / 32–35 | 26–27 / 33–35 | 27–28 / 34–36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 306 | 306 | 306 | 296 | 287–296 | |
| Complaints filed | 74 | 46 | 46 | 39 | 26 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 12 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 9 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
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 2008 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 2008 Kia Rio?
Airbags & Restraints: 27 of 46 NHTSA complaints (59%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Kia Rio get?
EPA rates it 29 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Kia Rio?
EPA estimates $2,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg (low) | 35 mpg (high) | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 306 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 27 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 306 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 27 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · Campaign 12V244000 · May 31, 2012
Defect: KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 RIO VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 20, 2005, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT CAN EXPERIENCE FATIGUE CRACKING. IF SUFFICIENT CRACKING OCCURS, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) WILL CEASE TO FUNCTION SUCH THAT THE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DETECT WHETHER A CHILD PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY DURING A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence: AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITH A CHILD IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THAT CHILD.
Remedy: KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OCS SEAT SENSOR MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.