Air bag light on the dash board is allways on ever sens the car was purchased.
The worst 2008 Kia Rio problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags27
- Brakes5
- Engine5
- Acceleration3
- Fuel system2
- Lights2
- Suspension2
- Transmission2
- Driver assistance1
- Electrical1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Steering1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Kia Rio
Recalls 1
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 12V244000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Kia Rio 35
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Transmission fluid application guide
- This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity...
- Transmission fluid application guide
- Information for headlamp condensation and moisture
- Technical service bulletin closed
- - Transmission fluid application guide
- Pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- WTY002
2008 Kia Rio fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | FWD | 25-27 | 32-35 | 29 |
What 2008 Kia Rio owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia rio. While driving various speeds, the engine and clutch ceased without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who provided a cost estimate for the repairs. The contact reached out to the manufacturer to find out what type of clutch was needed to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 103,000. The VIN was unknown.
Takata recall. The computer that tells the transmission to switch gears is stuck and doasnt work. My car will only stay in 3rd gear and reverse. It has no power and goes in limp mode. I have 3 small kids and it is very dangerous for me to drive with it like this since the day I bought it. Plz help me.
Following a tire blowout the vehicle went into then out of a ditch. The vehicle was traveling at approximately 45-50mph. There was significant front end damage. The driver was wearing a seat belt. The air bag did not deploy nor did the seat belt restraint operate.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia rio. While driving at any speed, the vehicle shook uncontrollably and made a loud noise without warning. The vehicle was driven to a mechanic who diagnosed that the front driver side wheel bearing failed. The front left wheel bearing was replaced. The failure recurred multiple times. The contact stated that the front driver side wheel bearing was replaced approximately nine times. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia rio. While driving 25 MPH in the rain, the contact's vehicle skidded and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an insurance collision lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,292.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia rio. While driving 60 MPH, the check engine light began to blink and the vehicle shook violently. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an ignition coil failed and need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia rio. While the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light illuminated. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the occupant classification system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v244000 (air bags). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 196,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia rio. While the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light illuminated. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the occupant classification system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v244000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.
Air bag light on instrument panel illuminated over night.(vehicle was stationary) rejection inspection sticker because of air bag light. Kia dealership says that the "passenger pressance module" is messed up and is causing air bag light to come on. Vehicle has never been wrecked, air bags have never deployed. Concern; over 72,000 '06- '08 kia rios have been recalled for the exact same thing. But mine wasn't? And now my local dealership wants thousands of dollars to fix something that I feel like needs to be investigated.
Compare the 2008 Kia Rio
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Other model years
200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Questions about the 2008 Kia Rio
Is the 2008 Kia Rio reliable?
Owners have filed 46 complaints about the 2008 Kia Rio, 1.2 times a typical Rio model year.
What is the 2008 Kia Rio year score?
The 2008 Kia Rio scores 67 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Kia Rio: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Kia Rio?
Airbags, with 27 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles. Next is brakes (5).
How many recalls does the 2008 Kia Rio have?
1 recall, covering air bags.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Kia Rio airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 12V244000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Kia Rio have bad airbags?
The Kia Rio model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (50 complaints), 2013 (34 complaints) and 2001 (33 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Kia Rio get?
Official estimates for the 2008 Kia Rio range from 29 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 25-27 city and 32-35 highway.
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