10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,776 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 #17

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 #16

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 #15

Jul 012004

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Problems with vehicle's engine. When the consumer attempted to accelerate from slowing down, the vehicle jerked into gear. The dealer could not find anything wrong with the vehicle after several visits. Many people have experienced this same problem per dealer. The front end made noises, and the vehicle had been taken to the dealer on five occasions for the air bag.

- Cumberland, MD, USA

problem #14

Nov 282003

(reported on)

Rio

  • miles
While driving airbag light illuminated. Took vehicle to dealer, who stated that air bags were inoperable, and would not deploy. Air bag module needed to be replaced. Also, rear seat belt on driver's side did not operate properly, half of the belt was torn.

- Valley Springs, CA, USA

problem #13

Sep 092003

(reported on)

Rio

  • miles
Consumer's vehicle was involved in a hit and run. Consumer lost control of vehicle, hit a guardrail, and slammed into a hill. None of the airbags deployed. Driver sustained neck and chest injuries. Driver was wearing seatbelt.

- Pennington Gap, VA, USA

problem #12

Aug 282003

Rio 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Neither airbag deployed in my accident.

- Elkton, MD, USA

problem #11

Apr 302003

Rio

  • 24,000 miles
The vehicle was involved in a head on collision yet none the vehicles airbags deployed.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #10

Jun 022001

Rio

  • 200 miles
The air bag light illuminated, and never went off, the dealer stated nothing was wrong.

- Bryan, TX, USA

problem #9

Oct 292002

Rio

  • miles
While driving consumer was invovled in an accident, most of the damage was front side passenger side. In result the vehicle was totaled. Airbags did not deploy. Please provide additional information.

- Chunchula, AL, USA

problem #8

Oct 162002

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles
While driving, the consumer experienced an accident where the air bags deployed. The dealer has been contacted. Mr scc

- Crawforville, FL, USA

problem #7

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 #6

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 #5

Feb 252002

(reported on)

Rio

  • miles
The air bag light keeps coming on. It has been in the shop 5 times to correct this problem. They don't know what is causing this, but they say it is safe to drive. I, M not so sure about that.

- St.Clairsville, OH, USA

problem #4

Aug 312001

(reported on)

Rio Diesel

  • miles
Air bag light kept flashing on/off before remaining on. Would also came on, and then went off on its own. Been to dealership at least 6 times, and mechanic indicated repair was done. However, problem reappeared.

- Mareno Valley, CA, USA

problem #3

Apr 182001

(reported on)

Rio

  • miles
Consumer states air bag light comes on and stays on has been fixed once and now it is back on again.

- Covina, CA, USA

problem #2

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

problem #1

Aug 292000

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Air bag warining light came on and would not go off. Vehicle was taken to deaership, where the air bag module was taken out. Dealership did not receive part(s) to correct problem until 9/22/00, which caused owner to drive around for 3 weeks without an air bag. This was an unsafe condition. The new one failed after 3 days in car. But further tests said sensor was okay.

- Springfield, MO, USA