KiaRio2004Overview/kia/rio/2004/base/

2004 Kia Rio

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Rio.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

As a passenger car pairing a 4-speed automatic transmission with an EPA-estimated 22 city and 30 highway mpg for a 25 mpg combined average, the 2004 Kia Rio delivers straightforward efficiency alongside notable mechanical concerns. The model's 50 total owner complaints and 2 recalls feature "Engine & Engine Cooling" as the top problem area, highlighting the powertrain as the primary source of owner dissatisfaction. When contextualized within the Rio's 2000-2023 reliability history, this iteration sits well beneath the problematic 2001 peak of 227 complaints yet far above the 2000 low of 3, meaning researchers will find it represents a moderately troubled middle ground during the nameplate's early era.

Model year202320222021202020192018201720162004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque65-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 500 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 500 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length165.7 in
Overall width66.1 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase94.9 in
Curb weight2447 lb
Track (front / rear)57.1 / 57.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 30 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume88 cu ft
Cargo volume9 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Rio of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.80 sec — 2004 Cinco Wagon
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2004Cinco Wagon 1.6L I-49.80 sec17.40 sec104 hpFWD
2001Sedan 1.5L I-49.30 sec17.00 sec96 hpFWD
2001Sedan 1.5L I-410.30 sec17.60 sec96 hpFWD
2001Sedan 1.5L I-410.70 sec17.70 sec96 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 65-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.5
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8-11 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings22-24 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87-94 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14-19 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-87 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.87-.98 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.72-4.38 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature190-191 °F
Engine Oil Pressure14.5 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMIdle rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket29-36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle65-87 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.040 in
Drum Nominal Diameter7.874 in
Drum Discard at-or-over7.913
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.944 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 24,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 24,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 9,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 24,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
At 60,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
At 62,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 miFuel Line (inspect) · Timing Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 Kia Rio sits in the middle of the first-generation arc (2000–2005), where complaints peaked sharply at 227 in 2001 and then declined steadily. With 50 complaints, 2 recalls, and 13 TSBs, the 2004 model is notably better than the problematic 2001–2002 years but still carries more complaints than the 2005 model (36 complaints, 1 recall). The top complaint areas—engine and powertrain—along with 5 crash and 2 fire complaints, suggest lingering reliability and safety concerns, though the data does not specify root causes. Compared to later generations (2006 onward), the 2004 Rio has fewer complaints than the 2013 peak (153) but more than the 2010 trough (26). Overall, the 2004 Rio is a middle-of-the-pack year within its generation, but given its age and the presence of crash/fire issues, it is not a standout buy unless the specific vehicle has a documented service history and has been well-maintained.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
13
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
50
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 50 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling8
Power Train7
Suspension5
Unknown Or Other2
Latches/Locks/Linkages2
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Air Bags2
Steering2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

05V557000Child SeatReported 12/12/2005

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS WILL NOT FULLY LATCH ONTO THE LOWER… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER ANCHORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

04V179000Fuel System, Gasoline:DeliveryReported 09/04/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE OF THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR IS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE OR CRACKING DURING REMOVAL OF THE QUICK CONNECT COUPLING SECURING THE MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLY TO THE FUEL INTAKE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 13 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_BOD055_R12021-09-13StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This…
PS5392018-03-02Engine And Engine CoolingPITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed…
TSB-GEN085R12017-01-18EquipmentTSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners…
TSB-GEN0852016-11-04Latches/Locks/LinkagesTSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners…
PS4432016-04-04Electrical SystemTSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Rio. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2004 Rio have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Rio get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.