VehicleVerdict

2007 Kia Rio problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2007 Kia Rio sits mid-pack among Rio years: 64 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 53, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 8 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 21 reports (33% of the total).

64

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

8

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2007 compare to other Rio years?

Rio NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted355 complaints2000: 4 complaints2001: 355 complaints2002: 171 complaints2003: 103 complaints2004: 53 complaints2005: 46 complaints2006: 89 complaints2007: 64 complaints2008: 57 complaints2009: 54 complaints2010: 38 complaints2011: 32 complaints2012: 73 complaints2013: 218 complaints2014: 74 complaints2015: 69 complaints2016: 110 complaints2017: 37 complaints2018: 39 complaints2019: 29 complaints2020: 37 complaints2021: 23 complaints2022: 12 complaints2023: 20 complaints
Rio NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rio years to avoid →

What are the most common 2007 Kia Rio problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2133%
Electrical System914%
Brakes813%
Other35%
Engine35%
Lighting35%
Seats35%
Transmission35%
Latches & Locks23%
Tires & Wheels23%
Fuel System23%
Steering23%
Body & Structure12%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Seat Belts12%

Does the 2007 Kia Rio have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12V244000AirbagsMay 31, 2012 · 72,568 units

Defect

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 RIO VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 20, 2005, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT CAN EXPERIENCE FATIGUE CRACKING. IF SUFFICIENT CRACKING OCCURS, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) WILL CEASE TO FUNCTION SUCH THAT THE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DETECT WHETHER A CHILD PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY DURING A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence

AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITH A CHILD IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THAT CHILD.

Remedy

KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OCS SEAT SENSOR MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DRIVER TBONED ANOTHER AUTO WHO FAILED TO YIELD ON A GREEN LEFT TURN. TOTALED KIA RIO. BUMPER WAS TORN OFF, DRIVE SHAFT ON TOP OF THE RIO. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AT MOVING RATE OF 35-40MPH. DRIVER DID NOT RECEIVE BAD INJURY, BUT DID HAVE WHIPLASH, MILD CONCUSSION, AND DEEP TISSUE TRAUMA TO KNEE. KIA…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 4, 2009 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED PERMANENTLY. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE INTERMITTENTLY AND BEGAN TO HAVE A CHEMICAL BURN SMELL 30 DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 25, 2007 · fire

“TRUCK STOPPED AT STOP SIGN RAINING AT THE TIME 1304 PM GOT ON BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP AND RAIN WET ROADS MADE THE CAR SLIDE INTO THE TRAILER HITCH OF THE TALL 4X4 TRUCK AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF ON THE RIO CAR HIT CENTER ON THE FRONT BUMPER OVER $3,000.00 IN DAMAGE TO CAR DONE TO TRUCK AND NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 3, 2011 · crash

“JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 61, 230 MILES WE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CUSHION BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND KIA WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THEIR RECALL. KIA'S SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS SC097. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · November 7, 2011

“DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 AT 70 MPH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED FROM OVERDRIVE INTO 3RD GEAR. THE SUDDEN SURGE ALMOST SENT ME INTO THE MEDIAN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR UNIT TWICE AND PROBLEM CONTINUES. DEALER KEPT OLD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 6, 2007

2007 Kia Rio — common questions

Is the 2007 Kia Rio reliable?

It is close to typical for the Rio: 64 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2007 Rio problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (21 complaints), electrical system (9 complaints), brakes (8 complaints).

Does the 2007 Kia Rio have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2007 Kia Rio. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Kia Rio years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Rio years to avoid are 2001, 2013, 2002, 2016, 2003, 2006, 2014, 2012, 2015, 2017. The cleanest record among Rio years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.