2002 KIA RIO problems
Owners have filed 171 complaints about the 2002 KIA RIO with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 23.4% of them — the clear leader, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 13.5%.
Complaints171
Crashes34
Fires7
Injuries40
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 23.4% · 40
Service brakes, hydraulic 13.5% · 23
Air bags 12.3% · 21
Seat belts 9.4% · 16
Fuel system, gasoline 8.8% · 15
Suspension 5.3% · 9
Structure 4.7% · 8
Electrical system 4.7% · 8
Severity
Of those complaints, 34 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire, 40 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 5 model years of the KIA RIO in this data, 2002 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2001 draws the most.
Filing volume has held steady, 6 in the last three years against 7 in the three before.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 36,750 miles.
In owners' own words
KIA RIO 2002 the check engine light will not go out I took it to get check out.Everything is fine.There is nothing wrong.They reset the check engine light and it came back on.I was told buy a KIA dealer ship it is a manufacturer defect. And nothing can be done.This is been going on for four years now. I have to get the check every time the inspection is do and have the light reset. So I can pass the inspection. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 87,253 miles
The vehicle shuts off while in motion, happend more than 10 times already but the car started up I took the car to the dealer 3 times already for this problem problem started around march 2003, this last time I took the vehicle to the dealer they tell me "oh the other mechanic didn't know how to fix it", "and the problem is fixed and "shouldn"t" happen again. Thats not very reassuring, I am scared to drive the car. Engine and engine cooling
The car began to run hot when I would be briefly stopped for instance in a drive through restaurant or a longer traffic light. Once the car began to move the car cooled down. I had a mechanic friend do a tune up on my car. He said the fan has no blades they have disintegrated. This was of concern due to the fact there has been no injury to my car such as an animal in the engine. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 114,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…