2006 Kia Rio recalls and problems

The 2006 Kia Rio has 1 safety recall and 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

12 / 0

Injuries / deaths

14 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2006 Kia Rio vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2006 Kia Rio recalls

Recall 12V-244: Air Bags

Reported May 31, 2012 · 72,568 vehicles affected · KIA MOTORS CORPORATION

Problem: 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.

Risk: Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.

Fix: 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.

2006 Kia Rio problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	51
Engine and Engine Cooling	6
Steering	4
Unknown or Other	4
Electrical System	3
Structure	3
Equipment	2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	2
Fuel System, Gasoline	2
Power Train	2
Engine	2
Tires	1

Most reported parts

Air Bags › Frontal — 7
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module — 5
Structure › Body — 3
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner — 1
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor — 1
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Drum — 1
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 64,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2006 Kia Rio complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · at 145,000 miles · reported Dec 10, 2019

I was in an auto accident where I reneded two cars. My air bag sid not deploy. The vehicle was hydroplane on wet roads going about 55 when I hit the brakes.

Air Bags · at 189,000 miles · reported Apr 1, 2019

The contact owns a 2006 kia rio. While driving 50 MPH, the contact had a seizure and crashed head on into a tree. The contact was injured and hospitalized. A police report was filed. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 189,000.

Electrical System · reported Mar 22, 2019

My airbag light had come on. Then when I go to gasbuddy, it states that there is a recall involving the airbag on a 2006 kia rio that was made from february 20th 2005 to 2007. However my VIN number shows that there is no recall on my car. I think it's more than a coincidence that there's a recall and my sensor is on. If someone is killed because of this sensor oh, I will be suing kia, and anyone else that blatantly disregarded my complaint

Service Brakes · at 55,000 miles · reported Jul 17, 2018

Brake lights in rear came on during driving and remained on. After becoming aware of the issue, and replacement of the stop light switch which did not fix the issue, and after further inspection the problem was a design defect. The stop light switch has a "button" which when depressed interrupts the flow of electricity, there is an "ear" on the brake pedal which when your let off the brake pedal depresses the switch button and cuts the current. The problem is the button on the switch is around 1/16 in diameter, and for some strange reason kia drilled a 1/4" hole on the "ear" of the brake pedal…

Air Bags · reported Nov 15, 2016

The passenger air bag sensor went out at 170000 miles and they replaced it free. Now the same sensor went out at 70000 miles and the car is out of warranty and they won't replace it for free. The same sensor shouldn't go out twice in 10 years. There is a problem with the sensors. None of the air bags work if one sensor if broken. The repairs would be about $2000 and we don't feel we should have to pay if kia has a safety issue.

Other Kia Rio years

2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 200720062005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Compare all Kia Rio years · All Kia models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Kia Rio have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2006 Kia Rio: 12V-244 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Kia Rio?

Owners report air bags problems most often (51 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (6). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 64,000 miles.

Are Kia recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.