Kia sent me a recall notice for the passenger seat sensor to the SRS air bag system. I brought the car to the dealer, and they performed the recall work, but the "air bag" lamp continued to illuminate. On further inspection they told me the air bag module was defective and estimated replacement at $800 with labor. The module was not covered by the recall, nor by the extended bumper to bumper warranty I purchased from the dealer at the time the car was purchased. This is a critical safety component and numerous other complaints have been filed with the federal safety agency. A recall should be issued and affected vehicles should be repaired at no cost to owners.
2006 Kia Rio airbags complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 50, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have only had this problem with my car after the airbag was repaired after the recall in 2012. The passenger airbag light stays on even when someone is sitting in the seat. My boyfriend and I are the only ones that ever sit on the passenger side and both weigh more then the necessary weight. The car was taken in twice because the first time I took the car in they could not replicate the problem. The next day the airbags malfunctioned again. I took the car back in the following week and this time they kept it for the week and were able to get the light to stay on. They now claim that they need to replace the bottom half of the seat and it will cost almost $800. I feel that another recall is needed.
Nothing has happened yet but my airbag light is on. Garage says it's a dealer issue, however I am unable to pay for it nor should I.
I was driving down the road in my 2006 kia rio. ( never been in any auto accident or had front end damage) when my airbag light came on and stayed on.as to this complaint. Kia stated it is approximately $ 400.00 to $ 800.00 dollars out of consumers pockets to fix. I feel kia corp. Should cover this part since its a safety issue. Or airbags will not deploy and there is another case like gm . Let's get on this major issue and recall all kia s.[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
My airbag light came on for no reason. Did not have any sort of accident. Had it looked at by mechanic. Mechanic stated the crash sensor wad bad. Kia part only. Called kia they said it would cost around $487.00to replace it. As a safety feature , they should replace it free. Now my airbags won't deploy in an accident. I'll never buy a kia again. They need to fix the crappy safety parts they use for free. As a paramedic, airbags save lives. They need to fix this issue free. I have found numerous complaints about this same issue online.
I was driving approximately 60 MPH and another vehicle merged into my lane. I was unable to avoid the vehicle but turned to the right and hit their rear end with my front passenger side. I was wearing my seatbelt but my face hit the steering wheel and my knee jammed under the wheel. The impact knocked my car into neutral but no air bags deployed. The emts who responded to the accident were very surprised the air bags did not deploy and said they thought they should have. The car was bought new from the dealership in 2007 and had never been wrecked, so I don't see any reason why the air bags should have been defective.
To whom it may concern, I have a 2006 kia rio lx and at about 60,000 miles the passenger side airbag light came on. My concern is that the airbag will not deploy if there is an accident. My father also has the exact same car and it had the same issue. After reviewing consumer reports on the vehicle, I noticed that it is a common issue and it is definitely something that should be recalled. I noticed there was a recall for the kia optima airbags for that year but not for the rio lx. Please look into this issue and get back to me.
Engine light came on and obd scan indicated "front passenger airbag sensor" failed. Dealership wants $800 bucks plus to replace this sensor. Without it airbag will not deploy for front passenger. Have researched it and others have indicated it just goes out again. I will not pay this!!!!
Air bag sensor in front passenger seat. This has failed-three times since bought new in dec.2005.
Front passenger seat had to be replaced due to a failed air bag sensor after owning the car just 11 months. Now the car has 88,000 miles on it so the bumper to bumper warranty is out of date. On february 7, 2012 the car had to be taken into the dealer due to the dash indicator light for the air bag being on. The dealer reported that the passenger seat would have to be replaced for a charge of $880. The passenger seat has hardly been used due to the fact this is a second car and never used as a family car. There is usually only a driver and maybe a child in the back seat. I have talked to the dealer service manager, the dealer manager, and filed a complaint with kia motors. All complaints were a dead end with the reply being the same each time, it is out of warranty and is our responsibility. This is unacceptable since this impairs the ability of ever having a rider in the passenger seat without their life being in danger. With as many complaints being listed on the web with this same defect, it would appear this is a seat design imperfection and should be kia's responsibility. Does it take a death and a lawsuit to get any thing done in this matter?? Who reads this and will it make any difference?? I bought the kia rio because they advertised it was safe and economical...and it appears to be neither!
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia rio. The contact stated that the sensor for the passenger side air bag was replaced twice. The contact stated the air bag light illuminated again and the dealer advised him that the entire aig bag sensor system would have to be replaced. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileages were 62,990.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia rio. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated and the horn was defective. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable and the current mileage was 61,000. Updated 02/06/12*bf the consumer stated the air bag light has illuminated on and off since the vehicle was purchased in 2077. In the last two years the light remained illuminated permanently. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, but only a temporary fix was made. The consumer went back to the dealer to have the problem addressed, only to be told, the cost would be $800.00. The consumer stated a recall was issued regarding the air bag, but was told, the vehicle was not included. Updated 02/10/12
My mother ran off the road & hit a tree head on. The car was considered totaled, but the airbags never deployed on either the driver or passenger side of the vehicle. She received alot of facial trauma & brain injuries too.
After turning my car on, airbag warning light was illuminated on dashboard. Has remained illuminated ever since. My car has suffered no trauma or reason for the airbags to not work, but will not deploy in the event of an accident as long as this light is on. I fear for my safety while driving my car.
I have two 2006 kia rios both at approx. 65000 miles developed and air bag problem. I took them to the dealer and paid 105 dollars each for a diagnostic they tell me it is the passenger seat on both cars and want 600 dollars to replace the seats. Since there have been very few people sit in my passenger seats it seems to me this is a design issue. I have noted on the internet that it seems to be quite a problem for both the 2006 and 2007 model kia rio's. I also have met two other people who had the same problem between 60 and 70 thousand miles.
I have two 2006 kia rios both at approx. 65000 miles developed and air bag problem. I took them to the dealer and paid 105 dollars each for a diagnostic they tell me it is the passenger seat on both cars and want 600 dollars to replace the seats. Since there have been very few people sit in my passenger seats it seems to me this is a design issue. I have noted on the internet that it seems to be quite a problem for both the 2006 and 2007 model kia rio's. I also have met two other people who had the same problem between 60 and 70 thousand miles.
Having approximately 89,000 miles on my 2006 kia rio 5, the air bag light recently came on and would not go off. I took my car to the dealership as directed by the car's owner's manual and I was told that even though I had the 100,000 mile warranty on the car, due to the mileage that the basic coverage had expired and therefore doing the diagnostic and any repairs would not be covered. The diagnostic cost me $44.00 and they wanted $1,100 to replace the seat pad on the passenger side which they said is what was causing the light to stay on and if I did not replace the pad and I was involved in an accident the air bag on the passenger side would not deploy. I cannot afford this costly repair. I bought this car because I liked several features, its style - that it is a hatchback, the 100,000 mile warranty, the price, the handling and the smooth ride. Now 5 years later look what that 100,000 mile warranty is doing for me.
Component: air bags:frontal details: the drivers side airbag in my 2006 kia rio is apparently not working. Its warning light came on a little over a year ago, and has remained as such for ever.
The driver's side airbag in my 2006 kia rio is apparently not working. Its warning light came on a little over a year ago, and has remained as such for ever.
2006 rio passenger side safety airbag sensor is defective. Mine was replaced under warranty twice and now it is out for a third time. They want $871 to fix it. If you search on the internet thousands of people are experiencing the exact same thing. Airbag light comes on, kia says it is a defective sensor in the passenger seat. The passenger airbag will not work with this issue and you cannot sell or inspect vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia rio. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag light was illuminated. The contact had the front passenger seat replaced due to a faulty air bag sensor in the front passenger seat. One month after the repairs, the air bag sensor malfunctioned a second time. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for further diagnostics or repairs. The contact was concerned that the passenger side air bag may not deploy in the event of a crash. The failure mileage was 78,152.
I have a kia rio 2006 my air bag light on my dashboard came on all of a sudden. My car has not been in any accidents at all. I took it to the kia dealer ship in south florida paid $130.00 for the service department to run a diagnostic test for them to advise me my sensors are bad on my kia rio 2006 the service department wanted to charge me over $3,000.00 to replace the sensors as the service manager said that the sensor went bad. I feel as a safety feature and knowing my vehicle has never been in any kind of accident theses sensors should not need to be replaced. It is frustrating knowing that it is not too safe to drive my children in my car and this is the only reliable transportation I have.
I was involved in a three car accident on may 14th at about 1:15 p.m.. I was driving my 2006 kia rio slightly under 30 MPH when I was struck from behind by a vehicle going much faster, but undetermined speed. I was pushed into an SUV in front of me. My hood and front end crumpled, but the air bags did not deploy. I was wearing my seatbelt, but still hit my chest against the steering wheel and fractured two vertebrae in my spine. The occupants of the other two cars were not injured. The failure is that none of the airbags in the kia deployed. I had no warning lights that the system was not working properly or needed maintenance. There is no correction to be done; the car was completely totaled.
Purchased a 2006 kia rio new. About eight months ago or so the "air bag off" light would be on when someone was seated in the passenger seat, kia replaced the seat sensors, but nothing else in the system. A factory mechanic inspected the car and said it was working properly. They could not fix the problem to this day. I have been told that when the light is on that the air bag will not deploy in an accident. Kia makes a very poor product. I have a transmission leak and I went to the dealer and they said the transmission needed to be replaced, but kia would not honor their warranty even though I changed the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles as they recommend. Kia does not take care of their customers. Someone needs to hold their feet to the fire and make them honor their 100,000 mile warranty.
My air bag light came on at about 50,000 miles and will not go off. There has been no accident to the car, no trauma to the bumper at all. The light just doesn't go off.
My daughter was a passenger in 2006 kia rio, restrained with seatbelt. Head on collision occurred,driver's air bag deployed, he sustained a broken ankle. Passenger air bag did not deploy, she had a subdural hematoma, internal injuries, chance fracture l3, compression fracture l4 of her spine, broke both legs. She was trapped in the car. Roof had to be cut off to remove her. Accident occurred 9/29/10 in indiana she was air lifted, required 3 surgeries, hospitalized for 4 weeks.
My 2006 kia rio air bag light has come on & stayed on. Diagnoses-inoperative seat air bag mat. To repair, the cost would be $1000.00 with taxes. I have investigated this problem through the internet and have found that this is also a common problem with many kia vehicles causing some air bags to not deploy at all.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 kia rio. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH the vehicle stalled. The vehicle behind her almost rear ended her vehicle. The contact was barely able to drive onto the emergency lane. The vehicle would not pick up speed, it would only coast very slowly. The failure happened twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that they were unable to find a failure. The contact stated that the service manager of the dealership was rude and was banging his fist on the counter. She stated that she felt very intimidated by the ordeal. A diagnostic test was not performed. The vehicle was not repaired. A complaint was filed with the manufacturer. The contact also stated that the vehicle had electrical failures. The failure and current mileages were approximately 74,000. Updated 01/12/11*lj the consumer stated less than two weeks of owning of the vehicle she was involved in an accident and the air bags failed to deploy. Also, the radio/cd player did not work, and the shifter lights were inoperative. Updated 04/15/11
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 kia rio5. While driving approximately 35-42 MPH during rainy weather conditions she engaged the brakes and the vehicle hydroplaned and crashed into the vehicle in front of her. The air bag did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to her neck and upper back. The passenger was also injured. She was taken out of the vehicle by the fire department. She had no knowledge of whether the passengers in the other vehicle were injured or not. A police report was filed. Her vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure and current mileages were 90,200.
Passenger air bag light randomly comes on with adult passenger in seat indicating that air bag not functioning. Occurs approximately once a week. Dealership has replaced passenger seat cushion twice and it still does not work properly. Dealership is not able to fix the problem. I fear an accident occurring without proper release of air bag resulting in possible serious injury or death. I have seen that there are many complaints of this problem. Kia needs to take responsibility and recall all 2008 kia rio for this is a matter of life and death.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2006 Kia Rio?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history