2002 Kia RIO

128 complaints on file, page 1 of 7.

1. Filed Jul 19, 2019Failure Apr 5, 2019Bangor, PAWheels

   I HAVE HAD THE BERINGS REPLACED 2 TIMES IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TWO TIMES NOW AND ITS DOING IT AGAIN THE OTHER SIDE WAS DONE FIRST . THE CAR JUST STOPPED DEAD IN THE ROAD AND I COULD NOT GET IT TO MOVE BEFORE I GOT IT FIXED THE TIME BEFORE THIS . I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP FIXING THIS SAME PROBLEM THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR MONTHS NOW . I GOT THE CAR TO FINALLY MOVE BACKWARDS SO I DROVE IT BACKWARDS TO THE SPOT ITS IN GOT IT FIXED . AND FOR THE THIRD TIME ITS HAPPENING AGAIN.

   NHTSA complaint 11233447
2. Filed Jul 7, 2016Failure Apr 7, 2012SAN Antonio, TXAir bagsCrash1 injured

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AGGRESSIVELY AND METAL FRAGMENTS STRUCK THE CONTACT'S FACE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD LACERATION THAT REQUIRED STITCHES, A BROKEN NOSE, AND A HAND INJURY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ...UPDATED 7/19/16*BF *JS

   NHTSA complaint 10883214
3. Filed Aug 27, 2014Failure Aug 25, 2014100,000 milesNoroton, OHEngine

   I JUST GOT MY CAR FIXED ON MON. 8/25/14. I TOOK IT IN BECAUSE IT WAS IDLING ROUGH. THE SHOP PUT IN NEW SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. IT COST ME $180. I DROVE IT HOME. IT WAS SMOOTH. THEN I DROVE TO DOWNTOWN AKRON, ABOUT 15 MILES, TO A HIKE. WHEN I WAS ALMOST THERE, MY CAR JUST WENT DEAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I PULLED OVER AND PARKED OFF THE BUSY ROAD ONTO A PARKING LOT (PART OF/BY AKRON UNIVERSITY). THE CAR WAS DEAD. IT MADE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN I TRIED TO START IT. I CALLED AAA AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG (IT HAD A BRAND NEW 6 YEAR BATTERY IN IT). THEY TOWED ME BACK TO THE SHOP THAT HAD WORKED ON IT EARLIER THAT DAY - 15 MILES. THE NEXT DAY, 8/26/14, THE SHOP TOLD ME THE TIMING BELT BROKE AND IT RUINED THE ENGINE. THEY SAID KIA'S HAVE AN INTERFERENCE MOTOR. WHEN THE BELT BREAKS, IT BREAKS OFF ALL THE PISTONS (SOMETHING LIKE THAT) AND RUINS THE MOTOR. IT CAN'T BE FIXED. I HAVE TO BUY A NEW MOTOR $2000 APPRX, OR A NEW CAR. I LIVE ALONE AND DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR EITHER. I WAS COUNTING ON THIS CAR TO LAST ME 2-3 MORE YEARS. A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT GARAGES TOLD ME IT LOOKED GOOD AND SHOULD LAST THAT LONG AT LEAST. I WAS GOING TO START SAVING FOR A NEW CAR. THIS IS VERY UNETHICAL OF KIA. THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO MAKE/SELL A CAR THAT HAS A MOTOR THAT SELF-DESTRUCTS. I'VE HAD OTHER CARS AND THE TIMING BELT BROKE, BUT IT DID NOT RUIN THE MOTOR. THEY JUST REPLACED THE TIMING BELT. THIS IS HORRIBLE! I HAD NO IDEA, NO WARNING! ALL THE SHOP I TOOK IT TO NEVER SAID A THING! KIA SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO DO THIS. THEY SHOULD AT LEAST HAVE TO WARN YOU ABOUT IT! I HAVE A MANUAL AND I NEVER SAW ANYTHING ABOUT IT IN THERE. MY CHEVY MANUAL HAD THE MILES AND WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AT THOSE MILES. THE KIA BOOK DOES NOT. I HAD NO IDEA!! THIS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL! TOTAL RIP OFF! *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10628921
4. Filed Jun 9, 2014Failure Jun 5, 201461,000 milesWendell, MAService brakes, Hydraulic, Underbody shields, Suspension

   SLOWING TO TURN INTO GAS STATION, REAR AXLE BROKE DO TO EXCESSIVE RUST ROT. THE BODY ON THIS CAR HAD STATED TO RUST AT 8000 MILES, REAR FRAME HAS EXCESSIVE RUST ROT ALSO. NUMEROUS OTHER KIA RIO OWNERS ARE REPORTING THIS ISSUE THIS IS ALARMING I COULD HAVE SLAMMED INTO THE GAS PUMPS AS THE BRAKES LOCKED DO TO SEVERING A BRAKE LINE. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10597220
5. Filed Sep 18, 2013Failure Sep 11, 2013104,000 milesKissimmee, FLSeat belts

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE SEAT BELTS AND DISCOVERED THAT PART OF THE SEAT BELT WAS DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10544190
6. Filed Jan 30, 2012Failure Jan 27, 2012106,000 milesSalt Point, NYFuel system, Delivery, Gasoline

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL WOULD SPEW BACK OUT FROM THE FILLER NECK. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR WAS CONSTANTLY PRESENT WITHIN THE VEHICLE AFTER REFUELING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V179000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 03/16/12 *BF UPDATED 03/30/12

   NHTSA complaint 10445892
7. Filed Dec 6, 2011Failure Dec 1, 201153,668 milesManchester, CTBelts and associated pulleys, Engine and engine cooling

   2002 KIA RIO. CONSUMER STATES TIMING BELT FAILED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIMING BELT FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME AT 59,059 AND DESTROYED THE SECOND ENGINE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL TIMING BELT WAS NOT REPLACED AT THE PROPER MILEAGE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ORIGINAL TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED AT 53,668 AND THE REPLACEMENT BELT FAILED AT 59,059 BEFORE THE RECOMMENDED 60,000. A KIA REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE WARRANTY ONLY EXTENDED TO THE ORIGINAL ENGINE, NOT THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE. *JB

   NHTSA complaint 10438436
8. Filed Jul 18, 2011Failure Jul 1, 201193,458 milesOmaha, NESeat belts

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT WAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS HER RESPONSIBILITY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,458 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/01/2011 *LN

   NHTSA complaint 10413387
9. Filed Jul 6, 2011Failure Jul 4, 201193,458 milesOmaha, NESeat belts

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY COULD REPAIR THE SEAT BELTS AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,458.

   NHTSA complaint 10410720
10. Filed Dec 18, 2010Failure Nov 27, 2010105,000 milesRancho Santa Margarita, CAEngine and engine coolingFire

    WE WERE JUST 10 MINUTES DRIVING FROM HOME, WHEN WE SAW THE SMOKE COMING FROM FRONT OF THE CAR. WE WERE APPROACHING THE LIGHT SO THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 10 MILES . WITHIN 5/6 METERS WE STOPPED IN TURN LINE AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE SMOKE GOT MORE AND MORE. SO WE GET OUT OF THE CAR AND WE WERE JUST SHOCKED. SOMEBODY TOLD US CALL 911 AND WE DID AND WE CALLED FIRE FIGHTERS AS WELL. DURING THAT PERIOD FIRE WAS COMING OUT OF THE BONNET AND OTHER CARS WERE AROUND US. I WAS JUST AFRAID OF EXPLOSION . IN COUPLE OF MINUTES POLICE CAME AND BLOCK THE ROAD. THEN FIRE FIGHTERS CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. BUT OUR CAR WAS TOTALLY DAMAGED AND OUT OF ORDER. WE TOWED IT TO THE AUTO BODY AND SOME DAYS LATER THEY TOLD CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT.

    NHTSA complaint 10371653
11. Filed Dec 1, 2010Failure Nov 27, 2010101,000 milesRancho Santa Marg, CAEngineFire

    I GOT THE SECOND HAND 2002 KIA RIO 4 MONTHS AGO . ME AND MY WIFE WERE DRIVING FOR 1 MILE WHEN THE SMELL OF SMOKE CAME AND IN THE COUPLE OF SECONDS THERE WAS SMOKE CAME FROM THE BONNET. I SWITCHED OFF AND TRIED TO OPEN THE BONNET BUT THE SMOKE GOT MORE AND MORE ,SO WE LEFT THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND WE SAW FLAMES CAME FROM RIGHT PART OF THE BONNET. WE WERE JUST SHOCKED AND SCARED OF FIRE. WE CALLED 911 AND FIREFIGHTERS AND IN LESS THAN TEN MINUTES FRONT PART OF THE CAR WAS TOTALLY RUINED. LOOKING OPTIMISTICALLY THERE WAS NO INJURY AT ALL . BUT HOW ABOUT THE NEXT ONE! CAN EVERYBODY BE LUCKY AS WE WERE?! WE WERE JUST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN LINE IN MIDDLE OF THE STREET , SO OTHER CARS WERE AROUND US I CAN NOT IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAPPENED IF I WAS IN FREEWAY OR IF MY WIFE WAS ALONE!? *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10368522
12. Filed Sep 27, 2010Failure Sep 23, 201053,000 milesEverett, WALatches/locks/linkages

    DRIVE SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK, AND THEREFORE, WILL NOT OPEN. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10357878
13. Filed Sep 1, 2010Failure Aug 3, 2010103,000 milesOlmsted Falls, OHEngine and engine cooling

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2-5 MPH IN THE RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TIMING BELT. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, PREVIOUSLY THE SPARK PLUGS, AND CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLIANT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 01/14/11 *BF UPDATED 03/01/11 UPDATED 04/1511

    NHTSA complaint 10353386
14. Filed Aug 10, 2010Failure Feb 16, 2010182,000 milesMonterey Park, CALatches/locks/linkages, Seat belts

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT WOULD NOT BUCKLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHOR FELL APART. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR FROM THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR. KIA WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 182,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/05/10. *LJ

    NHTSA complaint 10348559
15. Filed Oct 22, 2009Failure Oct 20, 200987,000 milesNorth Ridgeville, OHService brakes, Hydraulic

    T PROPORTIONING VALVE IS LEAKING ON MY 2002 KIA, LOOSING ALL BRAKE FLUID. KIA DEALER SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THEY CAN REPAIR FOR $230.00. THE PROPORTIONING VALVE SHOULD NOT FAIL ON ANY CAR. HAS THIS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE? I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A WARRANTY ITEM AND POSSIBLY A DEALER RECALL, WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME? *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10289413
16. Filed Jul 22, 2009Failure Jul 17, 200996,500 milesCrestline, OHEngine

    WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2002 KIA RIO, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING AND WOULD NOT START UP. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG - NO LIGHT OR INDICATORS ON. HAD IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC - ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP. HE DIDN'T KNOW FOR SURE WHY - OIL AND COOLANT WERE FINE. WE DIDN'T WANT TO PAY TO HAVE THE REASON DIAGNOSED, AS IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER WHAT CAUSED IT - THE MOTOR IS SHOT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED - OIL CHANGE EVERY 3000 MILES, REGULAR SERVICE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE BOOK. WE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWO YEARS AGO, AS IT JUST DECIDED TO DIE ALSO. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10277906
17. Filed May 12, 2009Failure May 15, 200387,253 milesBayshore, NYEngine and engine cooling

    KIA RIO 2002 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT I TOOK IT TO GET CHECK OUT.EVERYTHING IS FINE.THERE IS NOTHING WRONG.THEY RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND IT CAME BACK ON.I WAS TOLD BUY A KIA DEALER SHIP IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE.THIS IS BEEN GOING ON FOR FOUR YEARS NOW. I HAVE TO GET THE CHECK EVERY TIME THE INSPECTION IS DO AND HAVE THE LIGHT RESET. SO I CAN PASS THE INSPECTION. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10268470
18. Filed Aug 14, 2008Failure Aug 12, 2008114,000 milesGainesville, GAExhaust system

    THE CAR BEGAN TO RUN HOT WHEN I WOULD BE BRIEFLY STOPPED FOR INSTANCE IN A DRIVE THROUGH RESTAURANT OR A LONGER TRAFFIC LIGHT. ONCE THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE THE CAR COOLED DOWN. I HAD A MECHANIC FRIEND DO A TUNE UP ON MY CAR. HE SAID THE FAN HAS NO BLADES THEY HAVE DISINTEGRATED. THIS WAS OF CONCERN DUE TO THE FACT THERE HAS BEEN NO INJURY TO MY CAR SUCH AS AN ANIMAL IN THE ENGINE. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10238342
19. Filed Aug 8, 2008Failure Aug 8, 2008100,070 milesWindaroo, 00FrontalCrash

    GOING AT 80KM AN HOUR IN PEAK FRIDAY AFTERNOON TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY I REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10237428
20. Filed May 22, 2008Failure Dec 10, 200693,000 milesFishing Creek, MDEngine

    ORIGINAL OWNER OF 2002 KIA RIO - TIMING BELT FAILED AT 93,000 MILES CAUSING TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE (INTERFERENCE ENGINE). TIMING BELT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR 100,000 MILES FOR ORIGINAL OWNER ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL. KIA WOULD NOT HONOR WARRANTY. SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS LATER, I HAD A REPLACEMENT ENGINE INSTALLED. IT FAILED 2,300 MILES LATER DUE TO THE CAMSHAFT SHEARING AND THE INTERFERENCE PROBLEMS. AGAIN, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10228660