2008 Kia Rio airbags problems

27 complaints (59% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 65,000. 8 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 27
of this car's complaints: 59%
typical mileage: 65,000
crashes: 8
recalls: 1

Which part fails

Frontal
4

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Kia Rio airbags problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Kia Rio airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Airbag light 16 No deployment 6

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactiveReported May 31, 2012 · 72,568 vehicles affected

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

What 2008 Kia Rio owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 4, 2021 · Airbags · PR

Air bag light on the dash board is allways on ever sens the car was purchased.

Filed Jun 27, 2017 · Airbags, Seat belts · 125,000 miles · OR · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Oct 7, 2016 · Airbags · 87,292 miles · NJ · crash

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.

Filed Apr 25, 2016 · Airbags · 196,000 miles · NM

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.

Filed Apr 8, 2016 · Airbags · 101,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Apr 8, 2016 · Airbags · VA

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.

Filed Jul 17, 2015 · Airbags · 3,500 miles · HI

2008 kia rio-purchased 10/2008, airbag light illuminates at all times while car is operated, beginng late 2009 early 2010 problem arose. Car has been serviced at kia since 2009 and they new of this problem yet never resolved the issue.. 7/16/15 kia motors of kailua-kona hawaii scanned car for code, code shows b1448 ocs mat defect, they want me to pay 1200$ for a tanaka airbag recall. Why is my VIN# not showing up for recall? Theirs other VIN with same recall problems? My car will not pass safety inspection due to this problem done by west coast detailings. Car passed every year before why not now? Due to this ocs mat defect code b1448-airbag warning light illuminates at all times while car is operated, safety of lives are key factors not profit before people or reputation of kia / hyundai corporation.

Filed Apr 3, 2015 · Airbags, Seats · 130,000 miles · TX

The red air bag light is on. A sensor in the passenger seat is malfunctioning. There is a recall for 2006 to 2008 kia rios for this same fatigue failure on the air bag sensor, but my VIN is not included. The general fix is to replace the entire seat costing approximately 1500 or more.

Filed Mar 11, 2015 · Airbags · MD

2008 kia rio. Consumer writes in regards to passenger front seat airbag warning system problems. *smd the consumer experienced repeated problems with the air bag light illuminating while his wife was sitting in the front passenger seat. The air bag light indicated the air bag was off. There were other times when the light indicated it was on. The dealer stated the passenger was too light, as they were unable to find a problem.

Filed Feb 12, 2015 · Airbags · 90,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia rio. After starting the vehicle, the passenger side air bag off warning light illuminated intermittently. The failure occurred only when an occupant was present and while the vehicle was in motion. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v244000 (air bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Questions about the 2008 Kia Rio airbags

Does the 2008 Kia Rio have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the airbags of the 2008 Kia Rio, 59% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2008 Kia Rio airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 65,000 miles.

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).