How to remove ignition barrel in 2004 Kia Rio
Key stuck in ignition
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2004 Kia Rio Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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No one got caught speeding in a Kia Rio. The subcompact economy sedan and Cinco wagon (Cinco for 5 doors) is a personal commuter car that got significant performance improvements last year. Its lightweight and barebones features make it affordable and small enough to make good use of its 1.6-liter, 104-hp DOHC I4 engine, but acceleration and revving performance at higher speeds is noticeable. The 2004 Rio gets a few updates, including an optional rear spoiler for the sedan, alloy wheels for the Cinco wagon, and new driver's lumbar support in both models.
While not the most thrilling of cars, the 2004 Rio is practical for first-time buyers or city dwellers. The Cinco is the most versatile and features a 24.3 cubic foot cargo area that nearly doubles with the seats folded down. Compare this to the sedan, with its tiny 9.2 cubic foot trunk and no-folding rear seats. The sedan comes with power brakes, intermittent wipers, automatic headlights, 14-inch wheels, and dual front airbags. Side impact bags are not available. ABS was recently made an option. In what seems kind of harsh, but helps keep the price down, air conditioning and a radio are also only an option. The 2004 Rio Cinco adds power windows, power steering, a CD player, a rear wiper, and a tachometer, but still has no air conditioning. A Power Package for the sedan gives you the power windows and locks.
Most drivers of the 2004 Kia Rio like its fuel economy and city performance, saying it zips in and out of traffic confidently and fits easily into small parking spaces. Highway travel is compromised by slow pickup that is also noisy. On the plus side, the 2004 Rio has tight cornering and a lot of headroom, though rear legroom is limited. There appear to be some issues with honoring the warranty for some owners. Other complaints include a rough ride on bumpy roads, the exterior gets easily dinged up, the lack of power steering in the sedan, and a struggling engine when going uphill with the air conditioning on.
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2004 Kia Rio
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by Anonymous
May 03, 2013
You get what you pay for. I would say that it is an OK value for what you get though. My car has a little over 100,000 miles and I got it for 2,300, so that is a lot cheaper than you would be able to get most cars with that kind of mileage for. My main complaint is that it seems to be built really cheaply. I haven't had any real mechanical problems yet, but several minor things show that it is built cheep. I feel like one day something is going to go horribly wrong and destroy the car. Until that happens though I'm satisfied with it. It's cheap transportation.May 03, 2013
by Erica S
Oct 03, 2012
The car runs wonderfully, no mechanical problems if properly maintained - the timing belt being the only mechanical problem the car has ever had and like I said, that was my fault. But the electrical is strange. The car keeps putting the check engine light on, even though no mechanic can find a problem with my car. And there's an odd thumping noise in the rear of the car that NO ONE can identify. It's like its possessed and running merrily along, odd quirks and all. I sometimes feel like I'm driving my coffin because the light comes on so often and I always wonder "is that the same code again or is the car going to die any second?" But its always that same harmless evap code again, and again, and again...Oct 03, 2012
by Vincent M
Dec 13, 2011
You don't buy a Kia Rio for power or look, you buy a Rio beacause you need a small car that start in the morning, is economical to run and cheap on maintenance. Don't expect to have a smooth ride, since it's a bit underpower and noisy, especially on the highway. Winter perfomance are allright with good winter tires. Power sterring and AC are optional and works great.
Dec 13, 2011
User rating:
by Anonymous
May 03, 2013
You get what you pay for. I would say that it is an OK value for what you get though. My car has a little over 100,000 miles and I got it for 2,300, so that is a lot cheaper than you would be able to get most cars with that kind of mileage for. My main complaint is that it seems to be built really cheaply. I haven't had any real mechanical problems yet, but several minor things show that it is built cheep. I feel like one day something is going to go horribly wrong and destroy the car. Until that happens though I'm satisfied with it. It's cheap transportation.May 03, 2013
by Erica S
Oct 03, 2012
The car runs wonderfully, no mechanical problems if properly maintained - the timing belt being the only mechanical problem the car has ever had and like I said, that was my fault. But the electrical is strange. The car keeps putting the check engine light on, even though no mechanic can find a problem with my car. And there's an odd thumping noise in the rear of the car that NO ONE can identify. It's like its possessed and running merrily along, odd quirks and all. I sometimes feel like I'm driving my coffin because the light comes on so often and I always wonder "is that the same code again or is the car going to die any second?" But its always that same harmless evap code again, and again, and again...Oct 03, 2012
by Vincent M
Dec 13, 2011
You don't buy a Kia Rio for power or look, you buy a Rio beacause you need a small car that start in the morning, is economical to run and cheap on maintenance. Don't expect to have a smooth ride, since it's a bit underpower and noisy, especially on the highway. Winter perfomance are allright with good winter tires. Power sterring and AC are optional and works great.
Dec 13, 2011
by Billy G
Jan 11, 2011
Moteur: L4 1.6L DACT 16 Soupapes
Puissance: (ch @ tr / min) 104@5.800
Couple: (lb.pi @ tr / min) 104 @ 4700
Roues motrices: Avant
Transmission Manuelle: à 5 Rapports
Freins: Disques avant / tambours Arrière
Freins antiblocage: -
Direction assistée: Std
Suspension avant: Indépendante
Suspension Arrière: Semi-Indépendante
Jan 11, 2011
by Kyle B
May 03, 2010
Good base car, at 106 000kms no problems, easy to replace, not a very powerful car, sound system is nice and loud, seats are comfortable with good lumbar support, good clutch/shifter feeling, not problems since I bought it at 103 000May 03, 2010
by Richard P
Sep 16, 2009
it gets me from point a to b. and c on weekends. and i don't have to walk . i am working at hyundai dealer now so that will be my next new car. purple monkey dishwasher. ha ha ha
Performance - acceleration, braking, handling
Build Quality - has it needed repairs? squeaks/rattles
Appearance - both interior and exterior styling
Cost of Ownership - gas mileage, maintenance
Fun Factor - is this car fun to driveSep 16, 2009
by Gina C
Aug 05, 2009
Skids in rain and snow but pretty good on gas. WD-40 cleared up the winter lock freezing issues. More fun to drive than an automatic, but what can you expect from a four banger? Also, door stopped opening after a month. Cheaply made but holds its own.Aug 05, 2009
by Cody W
Dec 23, 2008
I hate that this car is so slow, ugly, and light. Slides too easy and has poor take off performance but i didnt pay a lot for it. The thing that is so much worse about it is when people ride with me it makes it a lot more slower on take off. :[[Dec 23, 2008
by Gary R
Mar 28, 2008
Not the worst car ive driven, Half good and Half rubbish car, good equipment level Multi CD Changer, AC, EW, Handling was surprisingly good heavy steering but i like that. Hate the engine so under powered, build quality is so so, very plastic, not much room in the rear either Mar 28, 2008
by Dave M
Jan 11, 2008
Very reliable. Good value for money.Jan 11, 2008
by Dan H
Jan 08, 2008
1.6 Rio Block bored 40 over (1.7L)
Mazda B6-ZE Crank
Mazda BP Rods
10mm Dish Forged Pistons
9:1 Compression Ratio
MT-Engineering Underdrive crank pulley
MT-Engineering GT28R turbo kit @ 15 psi
MT-Engineering MT-375 Cams
Edelbrock Divorced Turbo Downpipe
Edelbrock 3" Turbo Inlet Pipe
Ported Head & Port Matched Intake
MT-Engineering Standalone Fuel & Spark Management
Intergrated Buick GN Boost Controler
Intergrated Staged Fuel Injection
Clutchnet Stage 3 Clutch
2-1/4 Turbo Back Exhaust w/ Magnaflow Muffler
Filled Polyurethane Engine Mounts
Intrax Springs
17" Katana Wheels
Short Throw Shifter
Custom Carbon Fiber Gauge Panel
Body Matched Headlights
Jan 08, 2008
by Anonymous
Jul 22, 2007
Good A To B Car. Good warranty.Jul 22, 2007
What users have asked
Do all 2004 Kia Rios have an oil shut off sensor valve?
My son had the oil changed at a local shop last Sat. Today, the oil plug fell out and the car stopped running within 1.5 miles of the oil going down. Hoping that the sensor turned off the car before it ruined the engine.
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Need help
My engine light came on after filling up. Then it went off then after few miles it came back on
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Top Comparisons
Have you driven a 2004 Kia Rio?Compare this car
2004 Kia Rio Pricing
Original MSRP
$10,280 to $11,905Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-only
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent