10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,837 miles

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problem #20

Sep 202007

Rio 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 58,000 miles
Aside from the fact that we have never received one recall notice from Kia or the dealer, on September 12, 2007, my 2001 Kia Rio (which we bought new in 1/2001) engine light came on after the car engine had warmed up, and the car began to lurch and chug. It stalled at a light and restarted when I turned the key. I applied the accelerator and it revved to a higher gear and lunged forward then immediately tried to stall in the intersection. I nursed the vehicle back home. It was taken to a mechanic where the code claimed an O2 censor was bad. What was found was a plug missing from a panel area (?). thought car was fixed. Went to drive it home and again the same identical problem only this time the engine light did not come on, my only indication of the problem was the attempt at stalling again! this happened after the engine was warmed up. Same symptoms and problems only no warning engine light. This is a life threatening danger since it happens with no warning and Kia has failed to notify us of any recall notices they have issued concerning our vehicle even though they had our address from us paying them for the car note each month! something needs to be done about their lack of notice to owners and warm engine stalling problems. I have no way of getting the car to a dealer since it will not stay running!

- Bealeton, VA, USA

problem #19

Jan 102007

Rio

  • miles
2001 Kia Rio with engine failure**

- Astoria, NY, USA

problem #18

Mar 032006

Rio 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Check engine light seldom goes off. Took car to dealership for service and to resolve this problem, light went back on in less than 100 miles after leaving the dealership. Same thing happened last time I took it in.

- Monroe, MI, USA

problem #17

Dec 232005

Rio 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 74,445 miles
(1) there were no events leading up to the engine failure (2) for no reason what so ever, the engine just seized while I was sitting at a stop sign. There was plenty of oil and water in the engine. All routine maintenance had been performed. I am now being told I will have to replace the entire engine. I am 14,000 miles over the 60,000 mile warranty. I haven't even owned this care an entire year.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #16

Oct 232004

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine check light turned on and off mutiple times within the year. Engine finally no longer operated.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #15

Sep 252004

Rio 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The driver noticed that fluid was leaking fluid from underneath the vehicle and the check engine light appeared on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and the mechanic can not duplicate the problem at this time. Please provided further details.

- Farmville, VA, USA

problem #14

Sep 132004

Rio

  • 66,000 miles
While driving, the consumer heard a loud clinking sound coming from the trunk area. Consumer thought that he was hit. However, when turning around to proceed, the engine completely failed. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that it sounded like the starter was gone. The consumer took the vehicle to a private mechanic and was told that the engine needed to be replaced.

- Hillsboro, NH, USA

problem #13

Jul 012003

Rio

  • miles
Rio engine stalling. Issues also with warranty.nar 07/28/2003 consumers are very disatisfied with dealership and vehicle, please review for further investigations.

- Linden , NC, USA

problem #12

Apr 272004

(reported on)

Rio

  • miles
The check engine light was on all the time and the vehicle wouldn't go in to overdrive. Even after the engine control module was reprogrammed, the vehcile continued to stall.

- Ruther Glen, VA, USA

problem #11

Dec 092003

Rio

  • Manual transmission
  • 38,000 miles
The consumer parked the vehicle and left the engine running. After a few minutes, the consumer returned to find the vehicle on fire. The fire department determined the cause of the fire was due to a mechanical failure. Please provide any additional information.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #10

Oct 242003

Rio

  • 40,000 miles
While driving about 65 mph on the highway, the vehicle stalled. The driver tried to restart after pulling over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealership for an analysis. Please fill in additional information.

- Rialto, CA, USA

problem #9

Aug 122003

Rio 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 46,290 miles
My car stalled while driving would not restart towed to dealer. Found no problem car started for them. Retrieved car stopped for gas, car would not restart, was towed back to dealer. Found glitch in cpu was reprogramed. Got car back, two hours later car would not restart towed back to dealer. Replaced fuel pump, car ran for three days then again would not start has now been towed back to dealer.

- Warren, ME, USA

problem #8

Feb 222003

Rio 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I bought my car used, and have had it for only six months. I read the other complaints filed and feel a little better knowing that it isn't just my car with the problems. But I wish the dealers would recognize that they are ripping us off by not fixing the obviously defective parts. My Rio has the check engine light on (not all of the time) but when it does come on it is accompanied by the the flashing overdrive off light. This usually lasts for a couple of days. Just when I was getting used to that the engine started shaking with only the check engine light on, it did not stall but it would have if I didn't pull into a parking lot and turn the car off. A few hours later I turned it back on and no problems again until just last week the engine started shaking again. Lets not leave out the minor problems though. I also have problems with my interior falling apart and my cover for my fuses falls off every time I get in. My paint is peeling off, I have had to replace my battery that died out of nowhere. My warranty is almost up and I have had no help with these problems thus far.

- Bushnell, FL, USA

problem #7

Jun 042003

Rio

  • miles
Intermittently engine check light comes on/off. Dealer has inspected this vehicle several times and still problem recurring.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #6

Mar 052003

Rio

  • miles
The vehicle stalled without warning.

- Mimia, FL, USA

problem #5

Feb 122003

(reported on)

Rio

  • miles
The engine light illuminated on the dashboard, the dealer was unable to remedy the problem.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #4

Jan 312001

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles
I was driving home from work, and when I was approximately 1 minute from my home, my check engine light came on, and my car began "chugging". I made it as far as 3 houses away from my driveway when my car just stalled out. Rather than re-starting, I decided to roll to my driveway. I didn't even make it as far as my driveway, and my car caught on fire. The black smoke was so thick, you couldn't even see through it. My whole engine went up in flames, and my car is now totaled. I have had absolutely no problems with this car until now.

- Danvers, MA, USA

problem #3

Jul 012001

Rio

  • miles
Vehicle stalled without prior warning. Also, engine check light appears on dashboard. Dealership is aware of the problem.

- Newport New, VA, USA

problem #2

Apr 012001

Rio

  • miles
Vehicle will shutdown without prior warning. Consumer will fill in additional information.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #1

Sep 072001

Rio

  • miles
Vehicle shakes and vibrates and shuts off without prior warning. Dealership is aware of problem.

- Nappa, CA, USA