10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
551 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2001 Kia Rio:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #12

Oct 242008

Rio

  • miles
I was involved in a 45mph head on collision. The other car was a Chevy cobalt. She had run a stop sign and hit us in the front. I was the passenger in the Kia both me and the driver of the Kia were forced into the windshield and he hit his off the steering wheel as well. Neither of the airbags in my car went off. But both the airbags in the cobalt did. My car was also called a total with damage done to the front bumper and framing. Two mechanics that looked at the car could not believe that the airbags did not deploy.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #11

May 122004

Rio

  • miles
While driving 40 mph consumer's vehicle collided with the vehicle in front. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained major injuries. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection.

- Seminole, FL, USA

problem #10

May 122004

Rio 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While driving at 40 mph consumer was involved in a front end collision. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Also, no air bag warning light appeared prior to the crash. The consumer was traveling northbound in the curb lane when the other vehicle turned left into the path of the consumer's vehicle.

- Seminole, FL, USA

problem #9

Apr 122003

Rio 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle skids repeatedly, during normal operation. Handles poorly. Air bags did not deploy after head on collision.

- Wrightstown, NJ, USA

problem #8

Nov 182002

Rio 4-cyl

  • 6,608 miles
The vehicle was involved in an accident where the dual airbags didn't deploy. The dealer had been notified. Scc

- Mineralwells, TX, USA

problem #7

Nov 012002

Rio

  • miles
While driving the airbag light illuminated and stayed on. Took to dealer and the dealer replaced the combination switch. Airbag light has illuminated again. Consumer states' the fix for the airbag is not working.

- Greenville, NC, USA

problem #6

Sep 062002

(reported on)

Rio

  • miles
Air bag warning would come on sporadically. Owner then took vehicle to dealership. Dealership replaced a sensor. Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision in which neither dual air bag deployed. Police that came on site stated stated that air bags should have deployed due to location and extent of damage.

- Skylerville, NY, USA

problem #5

Aug 152002

Rio

  • miles
While driving at 30/35mph and involved in a frontal collision none of the air bags deployed on impact.

- New London, CT, USA

problem #4

Jan 152002

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Airbag light has been on since January 2002. Dealer found no problem. Then on May 15 2002 consumer hit a mailbox at 45 mph, and neither airbag deployed. $ $4500 damage to vehicle. The consumer replace front tires several times possible suspension problem.

- Ridgemont, NC, USA

problem #3

Feb 052002

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Rental vehicle: Budget car rental, tampa, Florida, vehicle was involved in a frontal collision of 35 mph, and neither air bag deployed. Consumer states that the front passenger seat belt did not work adequately, there were 2 injuries in the accident.

- Dunedin, FL, USA

problem #2

Oct 312000

Rio

  • miles
This will be the 4th time vehicle will be in service because of air bag warning light, the module for driver's side air bag replaced has been replaced twice, check history found air bag on driver's side had been replaced, diagnosis found internal short in air bag wirning harness, wiring harness repaired.

- Plainfield, CT, USA

problem #1

Sep 132000

Rio

  • miles
Clock spring failed causing air bag light to illuminate. Nlm

- North Hunt, PA, USA