The Lemon Index

All cars · Kia Rio · 2004

2004 Kia Rio. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index74100 = average car
Complaints25NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold38,518U.S. model year
Per 100K sold65complaints
Year rank#13 of 17#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 2

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.6L 4-cylManual 5-spdFWD23 / 30 / 26Regular$2,400
1.6L 4-cylAuto 4-spdFWD22 / 30 / 25Regular$2,500

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,900 and 81,700 miles. Median 64,600, from 42 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine38,5008,900–77,00012
Suspension69,20041,900–93,3006
Transmission & drivetrain30,00010,000–69,0007
Fuel system, gasoline54,00014,500–81,3005
Electrical24,00023,200–94,0005

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine44%
Fuel system, gasoline20%
Speed control16%
Transmission & drivetrain16%
Brakes16%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
5052200

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 2

  • 05V557000 Dec 2005 Child Seat

    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 T

    Risk. 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.

  • 04V179000 Apr 2004 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery

    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.

    Risk. 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.

Manufacturer communications 13

Kia filed 13 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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…

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
NoNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
200123216868,165Engine
200218710851,195Engine
20031405141,285Engine
2004742538,518Engine
2005–1330,290Engine
2006–1928,388Airbags
2007–1733,370Airbags

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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