The Lemon Index2005 Kia Rio.
The 2005 Kia Rio has too few complaints to score: 13 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about engine, it has 1 recall, and it gets 24 to 25 mpg combined. The best Kia Rio year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 37 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Rio year. 2005 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 14K to 78K miles on the car (24 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 1
- 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…
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 11 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 $2550–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl.
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Kia Rio reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 13 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Kia Rio problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (23%), speed control (15%) and fuel system, other (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Kia Rio have?
1 safety recall (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 2005 Kia Rio get?
24 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Kia Rio problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 14,800 and 78,800 miles. The middle report was at 51,000 miles, from 24 complaints.
Does the 2005 Kia Rio have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Kia Rio cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Kia Rio have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Kia Rio year is better than the 2005?
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