The Lemon Index2009 Kia Rio.
The 2009 Kia Rio has too few complaints to score: 11 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 30 mpg combined. The best Kia Rio year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 39 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Rio year. 2009 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 18K to 85K miles on the car (30 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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 37 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Front passenger ocs sensor mat diagnosis and replacement - this bulletin provides information…
- Muffler pipe hanger bracket replacement - revised - some rio vehicles, produced from february…
- Wty002 - 2008~2011my rio passenger seat ocs sensor mat warranty extension (wty002) - this
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 $2150 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Passenger air bag does not activate when an adult passenger is in the vehicle's passenger seat. Passenger air bag remains "off". Malfunction occurs on an intermittent basis.
2009 Kia Rio owner · NHTSA complaint 10285232
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Kia Rio reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 11 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Kia Rio problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (45%), steering (18%) and brakes (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Kia Rio have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Kia Rio get?
30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Kia Rio problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,800 and 85,000 miles. The middle report was at 48,200 miles, from 30 complaints.
Does the 2009 Kia Rio have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Kia Rio cost in fuel a year?
About $2150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Kia Rio have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Kia Rio year is better than the 2009?
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