Check a VIN

2009 Kia Rio problems

The most common problem on the 2009 Kia Rio is airbags, typically around 63,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Rio model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
75/100
Owner complaints
39
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
37
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
30mpg

The worst 2009 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.

  • Airbags
    17
  • Engine
    8
  • Seats
    4
  • Body
    3
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Brakes
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Suspension
    2
  • Tires
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Kia Rio

Airbag light 11

Trouble codes owners of the 2009 Kia Rio mention

B1448 2

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Kia Rio 37

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 37 bulletins for the 2009 Kia Rio

2009 Kia Rio fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.6L 4‑cylFWD26-2733-3530

What 2009 Kia Rio owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 16, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · LA

Engine went out 8 months after there always been electrical issue has caused problems where it wnt accelerate causing a wreck the break light had shorts they didnt even have the radio n i went to a car lot dealership . this car left me in bad situations im just surprised its not recall I barely drive it it paid off after so many years n really only reason I have it cuz I put too much in n it n now it aint worth nuthin because of the issues that gave me

Filed Jul 6, 2022 · LA

The doors will lock and won't unlock. This happened to the front passenger door when the car was less than a year old and they repaired it. The rear passenger door locked and it won't lock so I don't load items on that side but yesterday, July 5, 2022 I got locked in on my drivers side! I had to exit the vehicle by crawling over the stick shift to the front passenger side. I've seen hundreds of complaints about this and can't understand why there has not been a recall.

Filed Jun 30, 2022 · Airbags, Seats · TX

My airbag light will not go off for my passenger side!!! I think it is absolutely ridiculous that my car is not included in the recall because it definitely should be! What everybody says about the 2005 to the 2008 Kia Rios and the 2001 to 2008 Kia Rios is the same thing that is happening with my Kia Rio which is a 2009... Can y please add my vehicle too??? Also in the latest class action lawsuit it talks about the passenger seat pad sensor being broken and that's what breaks the passenger airbag so how in the world is my car not included in this?

Filed Jan 2, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 75,000 miles · TX

My coils keep going out after replacing all 4. I've replaced the complete fuel pump but everytime I fuel up my car it hesitates to start which is why I replaced the pump to begin with.

Filed Dec 27, 2020 · Airbags · 90,000 miles · FL

My airbag light on my dashboard will not go out when it is reset, I don't know what sensor is bad, is there a recall on the senors

Filed Mar 15, 2020 · Engine · 197,000 miles · VA

Spark plug cylinder holes filling with oil due to valve cover oring failure a recall should be done on this issue could cause a engine fire in the picture the whole spared plug was completely covered over with oil in the engine

Filed Sep 8, 2019 · Engine · 85,099 miles · TX

Replaced ignition coils 1 and 3 at the end of 2018. Coil 1 had to be replaced again in january 2019. Coils 2 and 4 were both replaced along with all spark plugs february 2018. In july 2019 coil 2 started to fail again and now in august 2019 coil 4 is misfiring as well. This is an ongoing problem that I see many regular posts regarding the short life span of the ignition coils for this car. There is obviously and electrical issue if not something else is obviously wrong. With so many complaints there should be an investigation at least at this point as to why the coils fail so quickly in this type of car. Multiple issues of the car not wanting to start, shutting off while idling and I have even had an incident on the highway where it completely failed and I was lucky enough to get off the highway safely .

Filed Jul 10, 2018 · 69,000 miles · AR · 1 injury

Inside door handles. Vehicle was stationary. The chrome paint used on the inside door handles cracks forming razor sharp edges that has sliced my hands deep while opening doors twice. I have called to report this awhile back and was told it would be sent to higher. Have not heard any response to this day. I have had to put electrical tape around all door handles to prevent being cut while opening doors. I have read on kia forums where others have had this same problem. My question is, what are you (kia motors) going to do about this problem? My concern is that a child will if not already, be cut bad by this. It could be bad enough to require stitches as this is a razor sharp edge we are talking about. This should be put on a safety issue recall and fixed by kia motors just saying. At least use something different on future vehicles. Thank you [xxxx] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 1, 2018 · Airbags · 63,000 miles · FL

B-1446 passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor failure

Filed Oct 23, 2017 · Airbags · 115,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 kia rio. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to kia of tallahassee located at: 2755 w tennessee st, tallahassee, fl 32304, (850) 666-5407, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the passenger's side air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2009 Kia Rio before you buy

Compare the 2009 Kia Rio

Rio vs Nissan VersaRio vs Ford FiestaRio vs Honda FitRio vs Hyundai AccentRio vs Chevrolet SonicRio vs Toyota Yaris

Other model years

200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023

Questions about the 2009 Kia Rio

Is the 2009 Kia Rio reliable?

Owners have filed 39 complaints about the 2009 Kia Rio, close to a typical Rio model year.

What is the 2009 Kia Rio year score?

The 2009 Kia Rio scores 75 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 2009 Kia Rio?

Airbags, with 17 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles. Next is engine (8).

How many recalls does the 2009 Kia Rio have?

No recalls on record.

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 2009 Kia Rio get?

Official estimates for the 2009 Kia Rio range from 30 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 26-27 city and 33-35 highway.

Share your experience with the 2009 Kia Rio

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2009 Kia Rio?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN