10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,594 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 #19

Jan 122017

Rio

  • 125,000 miles
Door locks on both front doors stuck in the locked position.

- Walll Township, NJ, USA

problem #18

Jan 012006

Rio 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Certain passenger vehicles may have a manufacturing flaw that could cause the wheels to crack under long term driving fatigue. If cracks occur, wheel noise and vibration will result and become progressively worse over time. Campaign number: 05V159000 - called Kia to see if my car was under this recall and they said only cars built in 2000. What I would like to know is if we got all the cars becouse my 2001 Rio is doing the same thing that is listed above?

- Philadelphia, MS, USA

problem #17

Jun 222005

Rio 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Received a manufacturer's recall notice in the mail for 2001 Kia Rio. Contacted the dealer three times to arrange for repairs. The last time had the part but did not have the cover. Contacted the manufacturer, they said consume R had to contact the dealership to make an appointment. Consumer made an appointment at dealership and they didn't have everything that was needed. This happened on June 22, 2005.

- Riveria, FL, USA

problem #16

Nov 012004

Rio

  • miles
Request assistance in getting Kia to ship parts to fix a safety recall on 2001 Kia Rio.

- Juneau, AK, USA

problem #15

Jun 072004

Rio 4-cyl

  • 36,279 miles
Problems with 2001 Kia Rio. The consumer's vehicle experienced multiple fuel system problems. The consumer received a recall notice in reference to the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assembly. The consumer contacted the dealer who indicated that the problems were not related. The vehicle also had other problems. The engine would hesitate while driving. The dealer replaced the spark plugs and wires. The rear end vibrated. The dealer replaced both rear dampers. The consumer heard a clunking noise during acceleration. The dealer determined that he motor mounts were cracked. The rear wheel bearings were worn excessively.

- Key Largo, FL, USA

problem #14

Oct 032002

(reported on)

Rio

  • 78,000 miles
2001 Kia Rio **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**768043

- Wendell, NC, USA

problem #13

Aug 262002

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer is reporting premature wear of the engine mounts and a rattling noise coming from the engine area, while idling or driving. Dealer notified and had replaced them. Nlm the consumer has traded this vehicle in due to all of the mechanical problems and is requesting her money back because when she had taken the vehicle the dealer, they didn't repair the problem which was to be covered by warranty. The vehicle has no power and very poor shifting. The ABS and check engine light is on. The left front mirror is not working. The spark plugs are faulty/breaking down. The inner/outer bearing with seals on left rear and right rear-replaced, and the right rear hub assembly-replaced due to over tightening of the spindle nut. There's a noise in the tire(s) the dealer performed a recall that replaced the cooler hose.

- Summerset, TX, USA

problem #12

Dec 312001

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
This vehicle was wonderful at first...then problems. From the check engine light coming on an the overdrive light flashing, to my mirror on the right pasenger side not working on the inside. I bought the car with my fiance, with the intent of her driving it to work. We were on a road trip to a town 2 hours away, 2 weekends in arow with 5 people in the car. The next week my fiance said the car did not handle correctly on the way home from work, which is about 20 miles. She had me back it out of the garage and drive to the end of our streeet. Something wasn't right so I parked it in the drive way, called rosemurgy's and had them send a tow truck.the axle was not looking the way it should. The check engine light came on again. If its moist outside she has to start the car and let it run a minute or it acts up. Besides almost having a major fatality with the axle, she was visiting a friend who's driveway was at a slant. The vehicle couldn't be taken out of park. Saturday morning she luckily got a hold of the dealership and was told to stick a metal piece or anything that would fit down the hole next to the gear shifter. Drive home with no tail lights,20 miles, with a circuit tester to go from reverse to drive. She now drives it knowing I'll sue if she is injured. She doesn't understand how she's gotten no help with these problems. Imagine thinking everytime you get in your car the axle could break at anytime. Imagine making sure you carry a meat thermometer in your glove box incase you get stuck on a hill? not worth the monthly payment, thank god for the warranty.

- Rosholt, WI, USA

problem #11

Sep 062002

(reported on)

Rio

  • miles
Engine check light comes on repeatedly with cause unknown. The only corrective action dealership did was to change a code in the vehicle's computer system. Faulure caused vehicle not to exceed 5 mph. The brakes were making a loud noise, the air bag light was on, the left window was acting erractically, the regulator had to be replaced, the rear view mirro was inoperative, all 4 door seals were leaking water, there was a shimmy in the steering wheel, the shift indicator strip was out of poistion, the trim around the windshield was loose for the second time, there was a noise coming from the exhaust due to the shiled on the midpipe being loose.

- Skylerville, NY, USA

problem #10

Jul 092002

(reported on)

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at highway speeds, engine stalls out. Dealer said it was caused by corroded wiring under the hood. The consumer states that two weeks after purchasing the vehicle, the vehicle died and would not start when traveling on the highway. A week later the vehicle wouldn't go in reverse, consumer was told that vehicle needed a new transmission. The vehicles airbag and engine light would stay on. Replaced/repaired the following; replaced input speed sensor, repaired the open circuit/driverside airbag, replaced left front hub bearings, inner/outer seals, front brakes replaced, and the rotors machined.

- Oxon Hill, MD, USA

problem #9

Apr 152002

Rio

  • miles
While driving engine light came on, causing vehicle to vibrate, vehicle almost caught on fire.

- Montebello, CA, USA

problem #8

Mar 142002

Rio

  • miles
While driving, engine light came on, vehicle started to vibrate, and 10 minus later caught on fire. Dealer contacted.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #7

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 #6

Feb 012002

Rio

  • miles
Engine check light will continueously stay on and vehicle will intermittently stalling out. Contacted dealer, and the dealer could not find cause.

- Jacoba, PR, USA

problem #5

Feb 092001

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving any speed vehicle stalls intermittently dealer has been contacted.. consumer also stated the interior panel around the windshield has broken off, also the vehicle has poor gas mileage, the overdrive light is coming on, the check engine light is on, the steering wheel locks up and is difficult to unlock, and the brake pedal goes too far down.

- Lexington, NC, USA

problem #4

Jun 092001

Rio

  • miles
While trying to get out of a parking space steering wheel made a very loud grinding noise when ever turning steering wheel real hard. Took to dealer. Dealer replaced ball joint and hub. Next morning while driving on highway, steering came loose. Ball joint and hub disintegrated. Tape player inoperatve. Vehicle runs rough in mornings. Trunk hard to unlock, dealer replaced trunk lock. Right rear door lock stuck. Rattle was present due to dash rubbing against carrier frame, dealer added insulation, noise ceased.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #3

Dec 012000

Rio 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine check light came on within months of purchase. Dealer has advised consumer that vehicle had an electrical problem. Vehicle has been taken to dealer on numerous occasions. Dealer has changed battery twice, and alternator, but problem still exists.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #2

Jan 302001

Rio

  • miles
Engine check light came on while driving and remained on. Had taken to dealership at least 4 different times for engine check light. Was informed problem cannot be located. Mechanic did replace computer which temporarily solved problem, but problem has come back.

- Linthicum, MD, USA

problem #1

Apr 262001

(reported on)

Rio

  • miles
SRS light/overdrive light and engine check light will flash intermittently while vehicle is in motion. Dealer has replaced clock spring, however, SRS problem has reoccurred.

- Sutter, CA, USA