The Lemon Index2004 Kia Rio.
The 2004 Kia Rio is better than average by owner complaints: 25 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 74, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 24 to 26 mpg combined. The best Kia Rio year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 50 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Rio year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 81K miles on the car (42 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 2
- child seat 2005
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 LA…
- fuel system, gasoline 2004
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…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 13 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rio (bc) engine hard to start, runs rough and stalls -- what to check -- crank position sensor…
- Improved timing belts for the kia rio and optima
- PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★☆☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2450–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Dt*: the contact stated the engine's timing belt chipped and dented an engine piston. The service dealer determined the engine needed to be replaced.
2004 Kia Rio owner · NHTSA complaint 10172592
More owner reports
Check engine soon light came on and there was not acceleration while in 1st gear. Replaced fuel injector harness.
NHTSA complaint 10099686
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle continuously stalled. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer six times but the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. Updated 12/01/06.
NHTSA complaint 10172888
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Kia Rio reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 74; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Rio year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2004 Kia Rio problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (44%), fuel system, gasoline (20%) and speed control (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Kia Rio have?
2 safety recalls (latest: child seat). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Kia Rio get?
24 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Kia Rio problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,900 and 81,700 miles. The middle report was at 64,600 miles, from 42 complaints.
Does the 2004 Kia Rio have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Kia Rio cost in fuel a year?
About $2450 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Kia Rio have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Kia Rio year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2022 and 2012.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works