10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
18 miles

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problem #2

Nov 062003

Rio

  • miles
Consumer purchased a Kia, Rio on 11-6-03, when attempting to install child's car seat discovered that automatic lock feature did not work. Consumer followed the owner's manual step by step, but it kept releasing the lock before completion. Consumer took vehicle back to the dealer, and was informed by one service person that they all were like that, and would lock in emergency mode. Consumer explained that it was not alright, and upon persistence, they were going to replace the seat belt mechanism.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #1

Jul 042003

Rio 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 36 miles
The child safety restraint seat belt system in the rear seats of our new Kia Rio cinco does not work. The dealership was notified, new parts installed and the problem persisted. The Kia representative has declared no problems are present. However, the seat belt will not lock down to install a child safety seat. The locking mechanism releases to early. The representative stated that the seatbelt should lock on impact. This is not safe for installation of a child seat.

- Glendale, AZ, USA