2008 Kia Rio: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Kia Rio: 1 recall, 46 owner complaints and up to 29 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #12V244000 · 2012 · 72,568 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.
The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ocs seat sensor mat, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2012.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 10 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (27): the most common themes are warning light on (14), fails to deploy (7).
- Speed control / throttle (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2008 Kia Rio has 46 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 24 Rio model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 54). Complaints peaked in 2010 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 46,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (46 complaints, 1 recalls), 2009 (39 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 35 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 32 | 29 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Kia Rio.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Kia Rio have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2008 Kia Rio. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Kia Rio problems?
Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (27), speed control / throttle (3), brakes (hydraulic) (3).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Kia Rio get?
EPA ratings run up to 29 mpg combined (1.6 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Kia Rio repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.