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2010 Kia Rio problems

The most common problem on the 2010 Kia Rio is airbags, typically around 62,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Rio model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
77/100
Owner complaints
26
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
35
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
30-31mpg

The worst 2010 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
    12
  • Brakes
    4
  • Electrical
    4
  • Engine
    4
  • Body
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Kia Rio

No deployment 5

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2010 Kia Rio 35

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

See all 35 bulletins for the 2010 Kia Rio

2010 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‑cylFWD27-2834-3630-31

What 2010 Kia Rio owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 7, 2022 · Airbags · 140,000 miles · PA · crash

The contact owned a 2010 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while his son was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle crashed head-on into a guard rail. During the crash, the front-end of the vehicle was severely damaged; however, no air bags were deployed. No injuries were reported; however, the contact was concerned that the air bags had not been deployed to provide protection to the driver or the front seat passenger. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and the local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Jan 26, 2019 · Fuel system · 65,000 miles · GA

Having to replace at least one fuel injector each year. Usually number one plug.

Filed Oct 4, 2018 · 100,100 miles · WA

After driving to work approximately a 25 minutes to work I parked my vehicle and smelt something like burnt plastic. Assumed it was something in the area I work. After my shift roughly 8 hours I headed home and suddenly the car would not go more than 5 miles an hour then completely dead. After the tow trucked lifted the vehicle I was able to see severe melting of the undercarriage plastic. It could have been so much worse. It was towed to local kia dealership and have no idea to why yet this happened. This is an absolute danger to just happen to a well maintained vehicle randomly.

Filed Mar 28, 2018 · 131,000 miles · FL

Since january my 2010 kia rio has stalled at traffic stops. It usually starts again after several tries, although recently it needed a jump start. I've taken it to three mechanics who all say they can't find a code or what the problem is. I've tried gas additive, new crank shaft sensor, tune up. Nothing works. I've called kia customer service. There are no recalls but I still have a car I think is unsafe to drive. I've stalled in rush hour traffic on city streets and state roads several times. I have a case number with kia, and plan to take it to kia dealership in one more effort to find code or what's wrong. I don't have repair invoices handy but have spent more than $500.

Filed Jun 24, 2017 · Airbags · 62,000 miles · CA

Airbag indicator light on.

Filed Feb 18, 2017 · Airbags · CA

Airbag indicator light on.

Filed Dec 6, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 88,000 miles · MD

When driving, the car stalls for no reason (there is fuel in the car, has regular oil changes, and a brand new battery). It takes a couple minutes before the car will restart. While on the highway, the engine light will come on and then turn right off, but the RPM gauge stops working even though I am still driving. There is a jerking motion when that happens. This happens on city streets and on the highway. It is becoming unsafe and the dealership cannot replicate the situation. All they do is run the code but nothing comes up. This has been happening since the beginning of november 2016 and has happened every day since then.this is a safety issue because the car could stall anytime while driving and I could be seriously hurt and other drivers could get hurt.

Filed Jan 4, 2016 · Brakes · 126,000 miles · CA

I was traveling about 40 MPH exiting on the fwy off ramp which turns to the right. Initially my brakes worked and then it made a awful winding sound. The car was gaining speed as I made the turn and I totally lost my brakes and had to use my hand brake to stop before almost running into the back of a car. I had my brakes checked and was told that my shoes were very good but I wen ahead and put new ones on anyway. I am still having the same problem. On the fwy having to use my brakes at speeds over 40 MPH cause the same noise and no brakes until I have slowed below 40mph.

Filed Nov 23, 2015 · Transmission · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 kia rio. While driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal noise and the engine stalled. Once the engine stalled, the vehicle began leaking transmission fluid. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the technician informed the contact that there was transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed to the contact's residence. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v258000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Sep 23, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · 88,000 miles · LA

My had my car about one year and it started to lose power. When I took it to dealership to fix it I had to pay for two diagnostic tests 95.00 each. The problem was the ignition coil, spark plugs, and exhaust manifold. It is now almost exactly another year past and same problem but now dealership can't read kia codes and wants me to drive it 60 miles away with the problem still happening. The kia dealership might be able to fix but have to get the car there. I did my own diagnostic test at autozone and a repair shop. They got the codes saying ignition coil, spark plugs, exhaust manifold, and possible catlytic converter with an estimate of 1260.00

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Compare the 2010 Kia Rio

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2010 Kia Rio

Is the 2010 Kia Rio reliable?

Owners have filed 26 complaints about the 2010 Kia Rio, fewer than a typical Rio model year.

What is the 2010 Kia Rio year score?

The 2010 Kia Rio scores 77 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 2010 Kia Rio?

Airbags, with 12 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles. Next is brakes (4).

How many recalls does the 2010 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 2010 Kia Rio get?

Official estimates for the 2010 Kia Rio range from 30 to 31 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 27-28 city and 34-36 highway.

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