2001 KIA RIO problems
Owners have filed 355 complaints about the 2001 KIA RIO with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 15.5% of them — the clear leader, ahead of air bags at 9.3%.
Complaints355
Crashes32
Fires23
Injuries20
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 15.5% · 55
Air bags 9.3% · 33
Power train 8.7% · 31
Wheels 8.7% · 31
Electrical system 8.7% · 31
Fuel system, gasoline 7.0% · 25
Suspension 6.5% · 23
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.6% · 20
Severity
Of those complaints, 32 describe a crash, 23 describe a fire, 20 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 5 model years of the KIA RIO in this data, 2001 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings are rising — 14 in the last three years against 5 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 46,645 miles.
In owners' own words
(1) There were no events leading up to the engine failure (2) for no reason what so ever, the engine just seized while I was sitting at a stop sign. There was plenty of oil and water in the engine. All routine maintenance had been performed. I am now being told I will have to replace the entire engine. I am 14,000 miles over the 60,000 mile warranty. I haven't even owned this care an entire year. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 74,445 miles
While driving, the consumer heard a loud clinking sound coming from the trunk area. Consumer thought that he was hit. However, when turning around to proceed, the engine completely failed. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that it sounded like the starter was gone. The consumer took the vehicle to a private mechanic and was told that the engine needed to be replaced. *Ak Engine and engine cooling · reported at 66,000 miles
My car stalled while driving would not restart towed to dealer. Found no problem car started for them. Retrieved car stopped for gas, car would not restart, was towed back to dealer. Found glitch in cpu was reprogramed. Got car back, two hours later car would not restart towed back to dealer. Replaced fuel pump, car ran for three days then again would not start has now been towed back to dealer. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 46,290 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…