10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,286 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #14

Aug 082005

Rio

  • miles
Consumer complaint: ODI case number: 10136024 component: Wheels gas ignition" you tell me" when are these people going to be compensated for their lemons Kia-2001 details: Dt: the consumer was involved in an accident and a tire blew out. After the vehicle stopped spinning, the consumer got out of the vehicle and it burst into flames, the fire department came and they said fire started from heat of power equipment and the ignition burned. This happened on August 6, 2005. The consumer stated she was not informed about the recall regarding the wheels. The consumers daughter complained that the steering wheel vibrated from the time the vehicle was purchased. The same tire that the blew out was the same one that had been replaced numerous times. Occurrences: 1 injuries: 0 fail date: 08/06/2005 deaths: 0 date added to database: 9/9/2005 [file] your own complaint on this model car.

- Oakdale , CA, USA

problem #13

Jul 282012

Rio

  • 103,000 miles
I was on a major interstate doing the speed limit of 65 mph when I heard a loud pop sound. The car started to shake and I thought I had a flat tire. I immediately put on my hazard lights and slowed down to reach the nearest exit ramp. I was alone in the car and thank god I had no children in the car and as soon as I reached the exit ramp I got off the exit and called aaa. They sent a tow truck but when the driver went to put the car up he noticed the right back wheel was extremely loose and then called for a flat bed. While being towed to my mechanic with the car on the flat bed the wheel came completely off. I looked online for recalls on my car and there was one issued in 4/20/2005 and I was never notified by Kia or the dealer where I purchased the car about this issue when the recall began on 6/22/2005. I am worried now that I may have to pay out of pocket for this repair which Kia motors should have notified me on.

- Rocky Hill, CT, USA

problem #12

Apr 242006

Rio

  • miles
Purchased car, 2001 Kia Rio, in October of 2000. Within a few days airbag light came on. This occurred several times over a one year period and had to be taken back to dealer for repair at least four times. Recall was received for fuel system. This was replaced without problem. Next problem occurred with wheels, which was also a recall. I had to order the wheels which took at least a month to come in leaving me to drive to and from work, 65 miles each way, on violently vibrating wheels. Wheels were finally replaced. Problem occurred in winter 2005 with door latch. Driver side door would lock and stay locked. Vehicle was taken to original dealer for repair only to have old part repaired while being charged for new part and labor. Within a few days, door latch failed again. Took vehicle to another dealer who ordered new part. In the meantime I waited for part to arrive, and drove around in a car whose door didn't lock, leaving my car prey to thieves, who stole things constantly from me. Finally this was fixed but, the passenger side door lock did the same thing. I look the car back to the dealer who told me that they could not fix it since my warranty was up and to fix it would cost me $700 or more. I've also noticed a problem with the car stalling in traffic. This is a new problem. Example: I stop to get gas, start the car and turn out into traffic and the car shuts down. During the winter of 2005 while waiting for door locks to come in, my driver side wheel bearing went out. This was repaired but subsequently the next day after repair while driving into work, wheel bearing literally crumbled. Had car towed to dealer who informed me that an old part was mistakenly put back on the car. This was repaired and replaced with a new part. These are all safety and quality control issues.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #11

Nov 062005

Rio 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 73,000 miles
We own a 2001 Kia recall which has a safety recall on it that requires all 4 wheels to be replaced. Our vehicle is making the noises described in the recall. We contacted ann arbor automotive matt the service person has told us Kia is withholding the parts to fix these vehicles. The parts are currently on back order through Kia. We have been waiting 8 weeks so far and we have been told iot could take another month to get the parts in. I am concerned for my husbands safety, he drives this vehicle daily. I would like to stand on record now by saying if anything happens to the vehicle and cause harm or injury to my family we will take extensive legal action against Kia. Thank you lillian fierro.

- Brooklyn, MI, USA

problem #10

Sep 062005

(reported on)

Rio

  • miles
2001 Kia Rio received a recall for the steel wheels. The vehicle has not been repaired due to lack of parts.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #9

Apr 012005

Rio 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 20,000 miles
The consumer stated that the 2001 Kia Rio had the air bag light on the dashboard. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, but it was not checked for the air bag light. The consumer said that the dealer did a visual check. The tires were prematurely worn out. The consumer specifically said it was because of the wheel recall 50V159000 that the tires were replaced. Front and rear brakes have had to be replaced also at 20,000 miles. Updaed

- Princeton, NJ, USA

problem #8

Aug 062005

Rio 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 58,000 miles
The concusmer was involved in an accident and a tire blew out. After the vehicle stopped spinning, the consumer got out of the vehicle and it burst into flames, the fire department came and they said fire started from heat of power equipment and the ignition burned. This happened on August 6, 2005. The consumer stated she was not informed about the recall regarding the wheels. The consumers daughter complained that the steering wheel vibrated from the time the vehicle was purcahsed. The same tire that the blew out was the same one that had been replaced numerous times.

- Oakdale, CA, USA

problem #7

Sep 022005

Rio 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Kia initiated a recall on the 2001 Kia Rio for replacement of the four standard steel wheels with four alloy wheels. The recall was made because of the potential that the standard steel wheels could crack lead to wheel failure. The letter indicated all 4 wheels would be replaced. I took the car to arlington Kia in palatine to have the recall serviced. I presented the letter to the service department. Rather than replacing the wheels, the dealer only inspected them, indicating there was no problem. While I am glad to know this, I am not quite certain this is the right response to the issue. I am not satisfied by Kia's solution. While there was no damage upon their inspection, it does not guard against development. Unsatisfied with the dealer's response, I contacted customer care to inquire whether or not the dealership had done enough I talked to [xxx], a customer care manager, who explained to me, while the letter did say Kia would "replace all four original equipment wheels at no cost, " what that really meant was that I would get a ten minute inspection, and if nothing was wrong, I'd be left with the potentially defective part. I find it discouraging that Kia has not followed through on what was indicated in the letter. Im not sure what the NHTSA can do in this matter, since it seems to be a policy on Kia part, but rather than assuring I was a happy customer, [xxx]told me to make a complaint. The car is owned by [xxx] ph# [xxx] my name is [xxx], my wife [xxx] drives the car, the dwyers are her parents. They purchased the car for her while she was in college and it remains in their name. I can be reached at [xxx] thank you for your assistance in this matter. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #6

Jul 012005

Rio 4-cyl

  • miles
2001 Kia Rio recall notice for wheel replacement was received but the wheels needed for replacement were not in stock.

- Mt Airy, MD, USA

problem #5

Jun 302005

Rio 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer has a 2001 Kia Rio; received creall no 05V159000. When called the dealership to arrange for repais. He was told they were going to inspect the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle consumer's family would be sent home so the dealership could order the parts. Then the vehicle would have to be taken back, but if the vehicle was determined to be unsafe it would have to be left. The dealership was 30 miles from consumer's home, and his family would be stranded. The consumer has called Kia. The recall stated the time required to fix the vehicle should be an hour. The notice did not mention numerous trips to the dealership or leaving the vehicle.

- Princeton, IN, USA

problem #4

Jul 062005

Rio 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The consumer had a recall notice for the wheels. She contacted the local Kia dealer at bob dan's Kia in merritt island spoke to arch tamumu, he was the general manager and service manager. He said the parts were on back order. The consumer asked for a loaner vehicle and they would not comply with the consumers request. The consumer contacted the manufacturer 3 times and left her number, and they still have not called her back. There was no recall # available on the notice. VIN is also not available.

- Cape Canaveral, FL, USA

problem #3

Jun 012005

Rio

  • Manual transmission
  • 100,000 miles
, a steel wheel is cracked and vibrated. Took vehicle to dealer who balanced tires. Still experienced problems and discovered the crack in the wheel. This was very evident, but the dealer did not note this to the owner. There was a Kia recall regarding wheels, but this vehicle did not comply due to the VIN. Had to have this wheel replaced. No others wheels as of yet are cracked.

- Tamaqua, PA, USA

problem #2

Dec 202003

Rio 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Left front wheel cracked.

- Monrovia, CA, USA

problem #1

Nov 172002

Rio

  • miles
While driving the driver heard a noise from the rear end of the vehicle. The noise is as a result of the left rear wheel cracking through the middle.

- Hesperia, CA, USA