I have a 2004 Kia Rio. I had no problems with this vehicle till the month of October when it failed inspection for emissions. I took it to the shop and it took a while before they found out it was a sensor. So then I had the car back for a week and my husband who drives the car everyday was driving home from work heard a loud noise and the car died. Come to find out the timing belt went on the vehicle. Which come to find out you are suppose to change these at 60,000 according to their book. When we bought the Rio we also bought a Kia spectra. So of course we took the spectra in right away to get a new belt so we wouldn't have 2 cars down. That cost $677. I had 78,000 on the spectra and there was 83,000 on the Rio. I investigated this problem come to find out alot of people had this problem so Kia knows about it. I then checked the technical bulletins and found that in January 0F 2005 there was a bulletin item number 10015272. It says they improved the timing belts for the Kia Rio and optima. Well they didn't improve it for my car. When the timing belt went it blew the engine. We are so made and when we took my spectra in to be done and told them what happened to the Rio they said that's to bad. We now have our car at another garage and are trying to get Kia to pay for another engine. What do you think my chances are? I am at work now and I do not have the VIN number, if you email me then later tonight I can forward the VIN number to you.

- Cream Ridge, NJ, USA

My 2004 Kia Rio started to stall at stop signs and lights @ 24,000 I am also experiencing erratic tachometer readings (up and down) and I have had a continued rough idle. I have brought the car to my dealer on more than 6 occasions and at that point they only returned the computer chip and told me there seems to be nothing wrong with my car. After hiring a lawyer and constant pressure from them to fix the car, they ordered a throttle arm and agreed to try it out. On June 23, 2006 before they put the throttle item in, I stalled @ 30 mph making a turn onto to a street from a intersection. A car coming the other way and stopped inches short of hitting me on my drivers side door. At this point even with the new part placed in my car, I do not feel safe driving this car since they said there is no way to guarantee the problem will be fixed.

- Chalfont, PA, USA

Check engine soon light came on and there was not acceleration while in 1st gear. Replaced fuel injector harness. The dealer also replaced the air cleaner lid with a newly designed one, mass air flow sensor and tightened pin connectors.

- Charleston, SC, USA