Known APK problem
Kia Rio III: seat belts, seats and airbags
On the Kia Rio III the APK inspector finds seat belts, seats and airbags problems 2.5× as often as on cars of the same age: at 7–8 years 1.3%, against about 0.5% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
Faulty seat belts, loose seats or an airbag warning light that stays on.
How to check it at the viewing
Pull each belt out quickly: it should lock. The airbag light goes out after starting.
Ask the seller: Does the airbag light ever come on, and has anything been done about it?
By age
Share of inspected Kia Rio IIIs with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.
| Age | Type | Rio III | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 – 8 years | A | 1.3% | 0.5% | 2.5× |
| 9 – 10 years | A | 1.1% | 0.5% | 2.2× |
| 11 – 12 years | A | 0.8% | 0.4% | 1.9× |
| 13 – 15 years | A | 0.9% | 0.5% | 1.8× |
A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.
Comparable cars at 7–8 years
| Model | Seat belts, seats and airbags | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| Kia Rio III | 1.3% | 2.5× |
| Peugeot 208 I | 0.7% | 1.4× |
| Mitsubishi Space Star | 1.8% | 3.5× |
| Opel Corsa E | 0.4% | 0.8× |
| Audi A1 (8X) | 0.3% | 0.6× |
Looking at a Kia Rio III? Check that car
Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Kia Rio IIIs of the same age.
All weak spots of the Kia Rio III · Seat belts, seats and airbags: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the Kia Rio III often have seat belts, seats and airbags problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 7–8 years the inspector found a seat belts, seats and airbags defect on 1.3% of inspected Kia Rio IIIs, against about 0.5% of all cars of the same age (2.5×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the seat belts, seats and airbags on a used Kia Rio III?
Pull each belt out quickly: it should lock. The airbag light goes out after starting.
Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.
Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know