general problems of the 2012 Kia Motor RIO

Five problems related to air bag have been reported for the 2012 Kia Motor RIO. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Kia Motor RIO based on all problems reported for the 2012 RIO.

1 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 02/08/2026

The airbag warning light illuminated on the dashboard and has stayed on permanently. This indicates a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system (srs). Because the warning light is active, there is a severe safety risk that the airbags may not deploy correctly or at all in the event of a crash, putting the driver and passengers at risk of serious injury. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

2 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 01/15/2025

The airbag warning light and the abs warning light turned on simultaneously while driving. This is a severe safety hazard as both critical, life-saving safety features are currently compromised. I have already contacted kia customer care regarding this issue, but I am filing this official complaint with the NHTSA to ensure a proper safety investigation is documented for this vehicle.

3 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 08/11/2020

I recently purchased my vehicle and immediately noticed what seems to be oil coming from the engine, pooling on top of the block but also leaking onto the ground after being parked for an hour or so. The walls around the engine, mainly on the left side or passenger side were saturated with presumably the same fluid. Under the car is also saturated from what I am guessing to be a leak, perhaps the same leak from atop the engine block. I've had the car repaired and paid for a system fault diagnostic, and in both cases haven't received any helpful info as to what it is, the cause or where the leak is coming from, or how to treat it. I very recently had the oil changed and the invoice showed a comment stating that my car appears to be leaking oil. There was no further commentary. I fear that my kia Rio may be dangerous to drive for reasons such as a fire hazard or breakdown from overheating possibly resulting in leaving me on the side of a highway, stranded. Also the a/c and heater do not operate as they should. The panel controls are out of whack and neither a/c or heat perform in sync with the commands. A mechanic has said this appears to be due to electrical issues, possibly with the main computer, though the systems fault diagnostics was performed after the mechanic informed me of this, and seeing that I was charged for that service I can only assume that the main computer is doing what it is meant to do, relaying the info to the tech's computer. I just don't know if I have a good car that needs a lot of work or if I'm driving a deathtrap. No recalls for this vehicle but I see a lot of kia's vehicles being recalled. And I believe they no longer make the kia Rio. Just at a loss as to what is happening and what to do about it. Times are tough financially or I would definitely have more proper detailed info to give, that or have a good running car. . .

4 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 04/02/2020

I'm at 96k miles. The mechanic pulls codes for the airbags. They are showing a defect and the reason is unknown. I'm also hearing a rattling in the engine. We are discovering it is common in kia Rio and the reason kia gives is we are getting our oil changes done at places other than them. I used only experienced, licensed mechanics. The issue continues to go undiagnosed as to know if the engine will catch fire causing death or injury. The car is not safe. A fix need forced. ## #vpic# 1 - check digit (9th position) does not calculate properly; 4 - VIN corrected, error in one position only (indicated by ! in suggested VIN), multiple matches found; 14 - unable to provide information for all the characters in the VIN. #vpic#.

5 Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 04/14/2016

I was driving in the rain, going about 55-60 mph, when all of a sudden the car in front of me slammed on its brakes and attempted to make a left turn (like they almost missed the street and tried to compensate last minute) I slammed on the breaks but could not stop in time and hit the car in front of me. The seatbelt didn't catch, nor did the airbag deploy, and my head hit the steering wheel, chin first.


Other Air Bag related problems of the 2012 Kia Motor RIO



Safety Ratings of RIO Cars
Fuel Economy of RIO Vehicles
RIO Defect Investigations