The Lemon Index2006 Kia Rio.
The 2006 Kia Rio has too few complaints to score: 19 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 1 recall, and it gets 29 mpg combined. The best Kia Rio year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 74 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Rio year. 2006 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 35K to 90K miles on the car (54 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 49K–92K miles
Recalls 1
- airbags 2012
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 RIO VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 20, 2005, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2007.
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 26 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during…
- Technical service bulletin: information for headlamp condensation and moisture - this bulletin…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been…
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 $2200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Letter from senator on behalf of his constituents, concerning problems experienced with the air bag sensor in their 2006 kio Rio vehicle.
2006 Kia Rio owner · NHTSA complaint 10227368
More owner reports
Consumer 2006 Kia Rio air conditioner blows hot air, heavy white smoke comes from underneath hood.
NHTSA complaint 10163708
2006 Kia Rio with a faulty airbag system. Consumer states that the airbag light does not turn off when his wife sits in the front passenger seat.
NHTSA complaint 10227314
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Kia Rio reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 19 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2006 Kia Rio problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (47%), engine (21%) and steering (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Kia Rio have?
1 safety recall (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Kia Rio get?
29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Kia Rio problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,000 and 90,000 miles. The middle report was at 63,500 miles, from 54 complaints.
Does the 2006 Kia Rio have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Kia Rio cost in fuel a year?
About $2200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Kia Rio have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Kia Rio year is better than the 2006?
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