The Lemon Index

All cars · Kia Rio · 2005

2005 Kia Rio. Advanced data.

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

Lemon Index–100 = average car
Complaints13NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold30,290U.S. model year
Per 100K sold43complaints

Engines and drivetrains 2

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.6L 4-cylManual 5-spdFWD22 / 29 / 25Regular$2,500
1.6L 4-cylAuto 4-spdFWD21 / 29 / 24Regular$2,600

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 14,800 and 78,800 miles. Median 51,000, from 24 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine45,00023,000–68,00011

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
Engine23%
Speed control15%
Fuel system, other8%
Doors, locks & latches8%
Airbags8%

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

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
3744511

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 1

  • 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.

Manufacturer communications 11

Kia filed 11 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
200218710851,195Engine
20031405141,285Engine
2004742538,518Engine
2005–1330,290Engine
2006–1928,388Airbags
2007–1733,370Airbags
2008612236,532Airbags

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

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data