The Lemon Index2008 Kia Rio.
The 2008 Kia Rio is better than average by owner complaints: 22 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 61, where 100 is the average car. 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 46 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Rio year. 2008 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 6K to 90K miles on the car (39 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 5K–101K 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 35 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Service action-rear door glass run wind noise repair
- Front passenger ocs sensor mat diagnosis and replacement - this bulletin provides information…
- Muffler pipe hanger bracket replacement - revised - some rio vehicles, produced from february…
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
Excessive brake fade when there is three adults in vehicle. Happens either when it is warm,cold,raining,dry, flat or going downhill. Took vehicle to dealer and they could not duplicate problem.
2008 Kia Rio owner · NHTSA complaint 10305833
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Kia Rio reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 61; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Rio year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2008 Kia Rio problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (45%), brakes (14%) and speed control (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 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 2008 Kia Rio get?
29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Kia Rio problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 6,500 and 90,000 miles. The middle report was at 46,000 miles, from 39 complaints.
Does the 2008 Kia Rio have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Kia Rio cost in fuel a year?
About $2200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Kia Rio have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Kia Rio year is better than the 2008?
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