2002 Kia Rio Complaint Log

I HAVE HAD THE BERINGS REPLACED 2 TIMES IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TWO TIMES NOW AND ITS DOING IT AGAIN THE OTHER SIDE WAS DONE FIRST . THE CAR JUST STOPPED DEAD IN THE ROAD AND I COULD NOT GET IT TO MOVE BEFORE I GOT IT FIXED THE TIME BEFORE THIS . I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP FIXING THIS SAME PROBLEM THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR MONTHS NOW . I GOT THE CAR TO FINALLY MOVE BACKWARDS SO I DROVE IT BACKWARDS TO THE SPOT ITS IN GOT IT FIXED . AND FOR THE THIRD TIME ITS HAPPENING AGAIN.

I JUST GOT MY CAR FIXED ON MON. 8/25/14. I TOOK IT IN BECAUSE IT WAS IDLING ROUGH. THE SHOP PUT IN NEW SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. IT COST ME $180. I DROVE IT HOME. IT WAS SMOOTH. THEN I DROVE TO DOWNTOWN AKRON, ABOUT 15 MILES, TO A HIKE. WHEN I WAS ALMOST THERE, MY CAR JUST WENT DEAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I PULLED OVER AND PARKED OFF THE BUSY ROAD ONTO A PARKING LOT (PART OF/BY AKRON UNIVERSITY). THE CAR WAS DEAD. IT MADE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN I TRIED TO START IT. I CALLED AAA AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG (IT HAD A BRAND NEW 6 YEAR BATTERY IN IT). THEY TOWED ME BACK TO THE SHOP THAT HAD WORKED ON IT EARLIER THAT DAY - 15 MILES. THE NEXT DAY, 8/26/14, THE SHOP TOLD ME THE TIMING BELT BROKE AND IT RUINED THE ENGINE. THEY SAID KIA'S HAVE AN INTERFERENCE MOTOR. WHEN THE BELT BREAKS, IT BREAKS OFF ALL THE PISTONS (SOMETHING LIKE THAT) AND RUINS THE MOTOR. IT CAN'T BE FIXED. I HAVE TO BUY A NEW MOTOR $2000 APPRX, OR A NEW CAR. I LIVE ALONE AND DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR EITHER. I WAS COUNTING ON THIS CAR TO LAST ME 2-3 MORE YEARS. A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT GARAGES TOLD ME IT LOOKED GOOD AND SHOULD LAST THAT LONG AT LEAST. I WAS GOING TO START SAVING FOR A NEW CAR. THIS IS VERY UNETHICAL OF KIA. THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO MAKE/SELL A CAR THAT HAS A MOTOR THAT SELF-DESTRUCTS. I'VE HAD OTHER CARS AND THE TIMING BELT BROKE, BUT IT DID NOT RUIN THE MOTOR. THEY JUST REPLACED THE TIMING BELT. THIS IS HORRIBLE! I HAD NO IDEA, NO WARNING! ALL THE SHOP I TOOK IT TO NEVER SAID A THING! KIA SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO DO THIS. THEY SHOULD AT LEAST HAVE TO WARN YOU ABOUT IT! I HAVE A MANUAL AND I NEVER SAW ANYTHING ABOUT IT IN THERE. MY CHEVY MANUAL HAD THE MILES AND WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AT THOSE MILES. THE KIA BOOK DOES NOT. I HAD NO IDEA!! THIS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL! TOTAL RIP OFF! *TR

SLOWING TO TURN INTO GAS STATION, REAR AXLE BROKE DO TO EXCESSIVE RUST ROT. THE BODY ON THIS CAR HAD STATED TO RUST AT 8000 MILES, REAR FRAME HAS EXCESSIVE RUST ROT ALSO. NUMEROUS OTHER KIA RIO OWNERS ARE REPORTING THIS ISSUE THIS IS ALARMING I COULD HAVE SLAMMED INTO THE GAS PUMPS AS THE BRAKES LOCKED DO TO SEVERING A BRAKE LINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE SEAT BELTS AND DISCOVERED THAT PART OF THE SEAT BELT WAS DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AGGRESSIVELY AND METAL FRAGMENTS STRUCK THE CONTACT'S FACE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD LACERATION THAT REQUIRED STITCHES, A BROKEN NOSE, AND A HAND INJURY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ...UPDATED 7/19/16*BF *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL WOULD SPEW BACK OUT FROM THE FILLER NECK. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR WAS CONSTANTLY PRESENT WITHIN THE VEHICLE AFTER REFUELING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V179000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 03/16/12 *BF UPDATED 03/30/12

2002 KIA RIO. CONSUMER STATES TIMING BELT FAILED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIMING BELT FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME AT 59,059 AND DESTROYED THE SECOND ENGINE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL TIMING BELT WAS NOT REPLACED AT THE PROPER MILEAGE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ORIGINAL TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED AT 53,668 AND THE REPLACEMENT BELT FAILED AT 59,059 BEFORE THE RECOMMENDED 60,000. A KIA REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE WARRANTY ONLY EXTENDED TO THE ORIGINAL ENGINE, NOT THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY COULD REPAIR THE SEAT BELTS AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,458.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT WAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS HER RESPONSIBILITY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,458 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/01/2011 *LN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO CINCO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY AND PULSATION OCCURRED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WHEEL HUB BEARINGS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WHEEL HUB BEARINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CONSTANT PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

I GOT THE SECOND HAND 2002 KIA RIO 4 MONTHS AGO . ME AND MY WIFE WERE DRIVING FOR 1 MILE WHEN THE SMELL OF SMOKE CAME AND IN THE COUPLE OF SECONDS THERE WAS SMOKE CAME FROM THE BONNET. I SWITCHED OFF AND TRIED TO OPEN THE BONNET BUT THE SMOKE GOT MORE AND MORE ,SO WE LEFT THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND WE SAW FLAMES CAME FROM RIGHT PART OF THE BONNET. WE WERE JUST SHOCKED AND SCARED OF FIRE. WE CALLED 911 AND FIREFIGHTERS AND IN LESS THAN TEN MINUTES FRONT PART OF THE CAR WAS TOTALLY RUINED. LOOKING OPTIMISTICALLY THERE WAS NO INJURY AT ALL . BUT HOW ABOUT THE NEXT ONE! CAN EVERYBODY BE LUCKY AS WE WERE?! WE WERE JUST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN LINE IN MIDDLE OF THE STREET , SO OTHER CARS WERE AROUND US I CAN NOT IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAPPENED IF I WAS IN FREEWAY OR IF MY WIFE WAS ALONE!? *TR

WE WERE JUST 10 MINUTES DRIVING FROM HOME, WHEN WE SAW THE SMOKE COMING FROM FRONT OF THE CAR. WE WERE APPROACHING THE LIGHT SO THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 10 MILES . WITHIN 5/6 METERS WE STOPPED IN TURN LINE AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE SMOKE GOT MORE AND MORE. SO WE GET OUT OF THE CAR AND WE WERE JUST SHOCKED. SOMEBODY TOLD US CALL 911 AND WE DID AND WE CALLED FIRE FIGHTERS AS WELL. DURING THAT PERIOD FIRE WAS COMING OUT OF THE BONNET AND OTHER CARS WERE AROUND US. I WAS JUST AFRAID OF EXPLOSION . IN COUPLE OF MINUTES POLICE CAME AND BLOCK THE ROAD. THEN FIRE FIGHTERS CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. BUT OUR CAR WAS TOTALLY DAMAGED AND OUT OF ORDER. WE TOWED IT TO THE AUTO BODY AND SOME DAYS LATER THEY TOLD CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT.

DRIVE SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK, AND THEREFORE, WILL NOT OPEN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2-5 MPH IN THE RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TIMING BELT. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, PREVIOUSLY THE SPARK PLUGS, AND CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLIANT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 01/14/11 *BF UPDATED 03/01/11 UPDATED 04/1511

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT WOULD NOT BUCKLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHOR FELL APART. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR FROM THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR. KIA WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 182,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/05/10. *LJ

T PROPORTIONING VALVE IS LEAKING ON MY 2002 KIA, LOOSING ALL BRAKE FLUID. KIA DEALER SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THEY CAN REPAIR FOR $230.00. THE PROPORTIONING VALVE SHOULD NOT FAIL ON ANY CAR. HAS THIS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE? I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A WARRANTY ITEM AND POSSIBLY A DEALER RECALL, WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME? *TR

WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2002 KIA RIO, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING AND WOULD NOT START UP. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG - NO LIGHT OR INDICATORS ON. HAD IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC - ENGINE WAS LOCKED UP. HE DIDN'T KNOW FOR SURE WHY - OIL AND COOLANT WERE FINE. WE DIDN'T WANT TO PAY TO HAVE THE REASON DIAGNOSED, AS IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER WHAT CAUSED IT - THE MOTOR IS SHOT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED - OIL CHANGE EVERY 3000 MILES, REGULAR SERVICE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE BOOK. WE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWO YEARS AGO, AS IT JUST DECIDED TO DIE ALSO. *TR

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. *TR

GOING AT 80KM AN HOUR IN PEAK FRIDAY AFTERNOON TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY I REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

MY CAR PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT WHEN I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND I HAVE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO COMPENSATE FOR THAT. AS SOON AS I PULL MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY GOES TO THE LEFT AND I HAVE TO BRING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE NORMAL POSITION. THIS HAPPENS 100% OF THE TIME. I FEEL THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE I HAVE TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE TIMING IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I AM THE FIRST OWNER OF THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED BY MY LOCAL MECHANIC (I HAVE RECORDS OF EVEN OIL CHANGES) AND EVEN AFTER ALIGNMENT AND TIRE CHANGE FOR THE PROBLEM BY A KIA DEALER, THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. I'VE BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT KIA DEALERS AND I WAS TOLD THIS IS A "NORMAL" SITUATION IN THESE KINDS OF CARS AND IT HAPPENS TO "ALL OF THEM AT HIGH MILEAGE". I ALSO TRIED TO REACH THE REGIONAL OFFICE AND AFTER NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS I DIDN'T GET A RESPONSE FROM THERE YET. THE CAR IS AT 98,000 MILES AND I'VE HAD THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT MORE THAN 3 MONTHS. I BELIEVE KIA EITHER SHOULD HONOR THEIR 100K MILE WARRANTY OR IF IT IS HAPPENING TO "ALL OF THEM" AND IT IS "NORMAL" THEY SHOULD MOVE THEIR OFFICIAL WARRANTY LOWER (FOR EXAMPLE 80K MILES ETC.) OR THEY SHOULD WARN THE CONSUMER ABOUT THIS "NORMAL" SITUATION WITH BIG LETTERS IN THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS AND MANUALS. *TR

I HAVE TAKEN MY 2002 KIA RIO TO A CERTIFIED REPUTABLE MECHANIC. HIS DETERMINATION OF THE FAULTY ENGINE WAS DUE TO THE FACT OF A INFERIOR TIMING BELT. HIS STATEMENT WAS THAT THE TIMING BELT GAVE OUT AND THE ENGINE IS DESIGNED SO THAT BASICALLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CRANKSHAFT AND VALVES RUIN ITSELF DUE TO THE BROKEN TIMING BELT. THIS HAPPENING LEAVES ME WITH BASICALLY A $2,000 DOLLAR LOSS ALL BECAUSE OF MAYBE A $100 PART. *TR

OUR KIA RIO WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHERE THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AT OVER 40 MILES AN HOUR. IT'S BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE DIDN'T FIND THIS OUT IN A FASTER COLLISION COSTING SOMEONE THEIR LIFE. *TR

ELECTRICAL LINE FROM REAR OF BRAKE SWITCH IS SHORT IN LENGTH AND UNSECURED RESULTING IN WIRE DAMAGE THAT SHORTS ELECTRICAL FUSE TO SWITCH. RESULTS IN BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE AND POSSIBLE REAR END COLLISION DUE TO NO BRAKE LIGHTS. NEW SWITCH FROM FACTORY WAS INSTALLED BY KIA DEALERSHIP- BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 KIA RIO CINCO. I'M WORRIED FOR MY FAMILY'S AND OTHERS SAFETY. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT, THAT I FEEL THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BEAR THE EXPENSE. *TR

REFER TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V179000 IN JANUARY 2007, I TOOK MY VEHICLE (2002 KIA RIO) TO RAY CARTER KIA DEALERSHIP AT 6373 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IDLE AND WOULD SOMETIMES CUT OFF DURING ACCELERATION. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME I NEEDED THE 60,000 MILE MAINTENANCE SERVICE WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE TIMING BELT, OIL CHANGE, TIRE BALANCE, THROTTLE CLEANING, FUEL ADDITIVE, FRONT AND REAR AXLE OIL, TRANSFER CASE OIL, ETC ETC AND A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER NON-ENGINE RELATED INSPECTIONS. THIS WAS AT A COST OF $759.65. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP BELIEVING IT WAS FIXED, HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM KEPT RETURNING. TODAY, 21 JULY 2007, I WENT BACK TO RAY CARTER KIA FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY PERFORMED AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE, TIRE PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT AND TOPPED OFF FLUIDS AT A COST OF $77.75. THEN THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW IDLE CONTROL SOLENOID AT A COST OF $573.74. I ASKED THEM ABOUT THE $759 I PAID BACK IN JANUARY TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM AND ALL THEY SAID WAS IT WAS FOR THE 60,000 MILE CHECKUP. OF NOTE, DURING THIS VISIT, THE SERVICE MANAGER MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE KIA RIO'S FUEL SYSTEM/GASOLINE DELIVERY. WHEN I GOT HOME I LOOKED UP THE RECALL ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND IT ALONG WITH THIS SITE OF COURSE. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO GET THE FUEL SYSTEM/GASOLINE DELIVERY SYSTEM REPLACED IAW THE RECALL? I ALSO BELIEVE I AM ENTITLED TO THE MONIES I PAID FOR SERVICES NOT RENDERED. *TR

2002 KIA RIO, PURCHASED NEW AND MAINTAINED IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE. HAD 61,000 MILES AND WHILE DRIVING, MY DAUGHTER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AT THE SAME TIME, SMOKE WAS COMING IN THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. SHE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, STOPPED THE CAR AND REMOVED HER KEYS. THE IGNITION STARTED ON ITS OWN AND THE CAR ENGINE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE CAR IS TOTALLY DESTROYED. FIRE AND HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTS WERE TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND CAR WAS TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP IN CLOVIS CA. SERVICE MANAGER STATED HE HAD TAKEN PICTURES AND BECAME INVESTIGATION. WHEN I WENT IN TO SEE THE CAR AND TAKE PICTURES, THE SERVICE TEAM WAS COMPLETELY APATHETIC AND RUDE. I MADE A CALL TO KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS, AND FOUND THAT THE REPORT HAD NOT BEEN SUBMITTED. THE INDIVIDUAL AT KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL AND ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL. HER CALLS WERE NOT RETURNED. MY DAUGHTER WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY AND ONLY SUFFERED FIRST DEGREE BURNS TO THE FACE, AND SMOKE INHALATION THAT EXACERBATED HER ASTHMA. ACCORDING TO THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR, THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN OVER-FILLING OF TRANSMISSION FLUID BY 1 QUART. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE SAW THE VEHICLE THE DAY AFTER, THERE WAS NO FLUID ANYWHERE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE POSSIBLY RELATED TO A RECALL, WHICH WAS SUPPOSEDLY HAD BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AT THE DEALERSHIP. *JB UPDATED 06/21/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER. THE PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE STEERING, THE BRAKES AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WERE LOCKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE OR STOP IT WHICH CAUSED A CRASH WITH A VAN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, AND LATER CLAIMED IT WAS THE TIMING BELT. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ALL OF THE REPAIRS WERE AT COST TO THE CONTACT. THE DEALER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. ADVISED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA RECALL#04V179000: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. *AK CUSTOMER DID RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL. UPDATED 4/9 *TR

ORIGINAL OWNER OF 2002 KIA RIO - TIMING BELT FAILED AT 93,000 MILES CAUSING TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE (INTERFERENCE ENGINE). TIMING BELT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR 100,000 MILES FOR ORIGINAL OWNER ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL. KIA WOULD NOT HONOR WARRANTY. SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS LATER, I HAD A REPLACEMENT ENGINE INSTALLED. IT FAILED 2,300 MILES LATER DUE TO THE CAMSHAFT SHEARING AND THE INTERFERENCE PROBLEMS. AGAIN, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

2002 KIA RIO - TIMING BELT FAILURE CAUSES ENTIRE AND INSTANTANEOUS ENGINE LOSS - CAR COMES TO HALT IN ROADWAY UNEXPECTEDLY. TIMING BELTS ARE COVERED UNDER KIA'S 100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, BUT THEY DO NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NM

THE REAR SEAT BELTS HAVE SHREADED AT THE BASE OF THE SEAT BELT. I HAD THE BELTS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WASNOT A WARRANTY ITEM, AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE BELTS WILL CONTINUE TO SHRED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS THE RETRACTOR AT AN ANGLE AND THE TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ARE CATCHING THE BELT. THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW THAT THE BELT SHREADED WAS TO PULL IT OUT ALL OF THE WAY. WE HAVE A BELT OUT OF ANOTHER KIA RIO THAT HAS ALSO STARTED SHREDDING. KIA ADVISED THAT IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND THAT AT SOME POINT AND TIME THE OWNER MUST TAKE CARE OF ITEMS SUCH AS THIS. THEY FELT THAT IT WAS FROM USAGE. WE HAVE CHECKED THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT, AND IT SHOWED NO SIGNS OF SHREADING AND IT GOTB MORE USE THAN THE BACK SEAT BELTS. PARENTS NEED TO KNOW TO CHECK THESE BELTS BEFORE THEY GIVE AWAY DURING AN ACCIDENT.*AK

DRIVING HOME AND CAR SHUTTERED THEN DIED. COULD NOT RESTART. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS A ROD THROWN. IT HAS LESS THEN 73,000 MILES. *NM

SINCE BUYING THIS CAR IN 2002 IT HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AS OFTEN WITHOUT THE ISSUE BEING RESOLVED. DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM (THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY) AND HAD ANOTHER CLIENT'S CAR THAT DID THE SAME THING AND COULDN'T FIX IT EITHER. WE HAVE USED FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER, WHICH WORKED FOR 6 MONTHS UNTIL NOW. THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND IS DANGEROUS AT INTERSECTIONS AND ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT STALLS!! LEMON LAW PAPERS WILL BE FILED IF NOT RESOLVED VERY SOON!!*JB

SINCE APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING MY 2002 KIA RIO, I HAVE HAD ON-GOING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AT VARIOUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION 'SLAMS' INTO GEAR, OR SHUTTERS. ALTHOUGH I HAVE BROUGHT THIS ISSUE TO THE ATTENTION OF THREE DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, AND KIA CORPORATE, THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS NO ISSUE OR THAT THEY CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THEY CLAIMED AT ONE POINT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS DIRTY (ALTHOUGH IT WAS WELL BELOW THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE MILEAGE), SO I HAD A THIRD PARTY SERVICE STATION PERFORM A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FLUID/FILTER CHANGE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED, AND NOW A YEAR LATER THE DEALERSHIP IS AGAIN TELLING ME THAT IT IS THE FLUID - WHICH I HAVE NEVER HEARD AN ISSUE LIKE THIS BEING CAUSED BY FLUID, BUT IF THIS IS TRUE, THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE IN THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE CHANGED EVERY 6-12 MONTHS. I RECENTLY BROUGHT MY CAR TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, AND HE WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AS A TORQUE CONVERTER AND A TCC PREMATURELY ENGAGING, AS WELL AS A TRANSMISSION 'SHUTTER'. HE PROVIDED ME WITH WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION OF THE ISSUE, AND I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AGAIN, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NO ISSUE AND THE SYMPTOMS ARE 'NORMAL'. THIS VEHICLE IS A LEMON, AND I AM UNABLE TO OBTAIN PROPER SERVICE FROM KIA, AND I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD THE SYMPTOMS CONTINUE TO GET WORSE, OR THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAIL WHILE DRIVING. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD THE CAR BACK FIRED THEN THE ENGINE SEIZED UP, THE TIMING BELT WAS THE LIKELY CAUSE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, BUT BECAUSE IT HAD 60,274 MILES THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THEY HAVE HAD AT LEAST SIX SIMILAR FAILURES IN THE LAST YEAR, A COUPLE WERE LESS THAN 59,000 MILES AND WERE COVERED. IN TALKING TO KIA DIRECT, THEY SAID BECAUSE WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND HAD NO SERVICE RECORD FROM BEFORE, NOTHING COULD BE DONE. IT'S CLEAR FROM THE NUMBER OF FAILURES THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. THE TIMING BELT FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE LOCKUP COULD CAUSE A FATALITY IF IT HAPPENED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS! *JB

MY 2002 KIA RIO CINCO'S TIMING-BELT BROKE AND CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE RESULTING IN A $2500 FEE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE MY TIMING-BELT WAS NOT CHANGED AT 60000 (WE HAVE 61000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE) THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THESE VEHICLES AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THESE VEHICLES. *JB

AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WAS DISCOVERED BY OTHER EMPLOYEES APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MINUTES AFTER I HAD PARKED THE VEHICLE AT WORK AND HAD ENTERED MY OFFICE. THE WORKERS EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH 8 PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. THE DAMAGE WAS MOST SEVERE NEAR THE FIREWALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALL HOSES HAD BURNED AWAY AND PLASTICS WERE MELTED OR BURNED. A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR A DEFECTIVE GASOLINE DISTRIBUTOR PART THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED IN JULY, 2005 ACCORDING TO KIA OF CLARKSVILLE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. KIA OF CLARKSVILLE IS LOCATED IN CLARKSVILLE, IN. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A LOUD NOISE. WHILE STOPPING, THE NOISE GETS LOUDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. AND THEY DETERMINED THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE PIPES TO THE HEAT SHIELD AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BURNED OFF. ALSO, THE LUGS: NUTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED FIVE TIMES BECAUSE THEY WERE CORRODED. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. LESS THAN ONE MINUTE LATER THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THIS TIME. THIS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V179000 IN OCTOBER OF 2004 FOR THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND FUEL TUBE ASSEMMBLIES. *AK

CONSUMER 2002 RIO CINCO WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES , CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING . *TS *JB

HIT DEER AT 55 MPH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK CAUSING HEAD TO HIT STEERING WHEEL AND BOUNCE BACK AND HIT SEAT WHOLE FRONT OF CAR WAS TORE UP. *JB

CAR STALLS AT RANDOM TIMES. WARM OR COLD DOES NOT MATTER. HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE EVERY 8 MONTHS. HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF SUCH COMPLAINS ON THE INTERNET, MOST SIMPLY DO NOT TAKE THE TIME TO POST WHERE IT MATTERS. *NM

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON HWY 360 IN GRAND PRAIRIE TEXAS GOING ABOUT 50 MPH AND AN OTHER VEHICLE WAS CROSSING THE LANES TOWARD HER AND HIT HER VEHICLE AT THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE). SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SO WAS THE PASSENGER.THE SEATBELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT WORK AND AIRBAGS ON NEITHER SIDE DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER WENT FORWARD STRIKING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SUFFERING HEAD AND BODY INJURIES.

NO ACCIDENT YET ON THIS DEFECT. WE HAVE NOTICED OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE WAY THE DASH IS CONSTRUCTED THAT SERIOUSLY OBSTUCTS BOTH VIEWING OF THE ROAD THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD BY THE DRIVER AND VIEWING THE DASH INSTRUMENTATION (SPEEDOMETER, ETC) VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. ON A SUNY DAY, THE BLACK PLASTIC MATERIAL USED IN THE DASH CONSTRUCTION AROUND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS SO REFLECTIVE, THAT OFTEN WITH THE SUN COMING IN THROUGH THE REAR OR A SIDE WINDOW, IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENTATION IN THE DASH DUE TO REFLECTIVE GLARE OFF THE BLACK PLASTIC IN FRONT OF THE CLEAR PLASTIC THAT COVERS THE SPEEDOMETER, ETC. IT IS SO BAD THAT OCCASIONALLY WE HAVE TO PUT A PIECE OF PAPER OR ANOTHER NON-REFLECTIVE OBJECT BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL AND IN FRONT OF THE SPEEDOMETER IN ORDER TO READ THE INSTRUMENTATION. EVEN MORE DISTURBING IS THE SAME PHENOMENON WHEN THE SUN IS STREAMING INTO THE CAR, PARTICULARLY FROM THE FRONT OR A SIDE WINDOW, THAT THE REFLECTION OFF OF THE BLACK PLASTIC ONTO THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD IS SO BAD THAT WE OFTEN CANNOT SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD WITHOUT PUTTING A PIECE OF PAPER OR SOME OTHER SUBSTANCE DOWN TO CUT THE GLARE DOWN. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENS AS A RESULT OF BEING UNABLE TO SEE CLEARLY.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 KIA RIO ON MY LUNCH BREAK GOING TO MY HOME. A YOUNG LADY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME I WAS GOING AROUND 45 WHEN SHE PULLED OUT. MY CAR HIT HERS IN THE SIDE NEITHER MY AIR BAGS OR SEAT BELT FUNCTIONED LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE. MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T EVEN DEPLOY MY SEAT BELT ALLOWED ME TO GO INTO THE WINDSHIELD. AS MY BODY WAS THROWN FORWARD THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE MY FEMUR IN 3 PLACES. I FILLED A COMPLAINT AGAINST KIA ABOUT THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT THEY CLAIMED THE CAR UNDER ROLLED THE OTHER CAR TO ME THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS PUSHED BACK AND IT WAS FLAT. KIA NEEDS TO HOLD UP THEIR END 2 ITEMS IN THE CAR FOR SAFETY FAILED. SOME PEOPLE ASK DID YOU HAVE YOUR SEAT BELT ON THE ANSWER IS YES I HAD 2 PEOPLE SHOW UP AT THE WRECK AND SAW IT ON ME AND IT BURNED THROUGH 2 SHIRTS I HAD ON AT THE TIME OF THE WRECK. *NM

2002 KIA RIO STALLING DURING DRIVING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. THREE TIME COMPLIANT TO EL CAJON MAZDA KIA, FIRST TIME THEY SAID(NOTHING WRONG) 2ND (THE COMPUTER NEED REPROGRAM) TODAY AGAIN BACK TO DEALER, I AM AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY

APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS AGO I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR HESITATING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP (HAMILTON, ON) FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SENSOR (250$CAD) AND DO A 300$ TUNE UP ON THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I BROUGHT IN BACK TO THE DEALER. BY THE TIME I HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALER THE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT WAS ON. FINALLY AFTER A NUMBER OF VISITS THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ECM NEEDED A FLASH. THEY FLASHED THE ECM AND THE CAR SEEMED FINE. APPROX 3 WEEKS AGO THE CAR STARTED HESITATING AGAIN AND I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND A BULLETIN FROM KIA THAT STATED A PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN KIA'S (WHICH MINE FELL UNDER) WHERE THE ECM WOULD INCORRECTLY INTERPRET RESULTS FROM THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR AND TURN ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE ECM AND REPLACED IT, BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED. THEY FINALLY FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE REAR CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE INCORRECT READING FROM THE ECM WOULD HAVE MADE THE CAR SEND UNSPENT FUEL THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEREBY CAUSING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO FAIL.

AFTER HAVING THE BRAKES SERVICED I HEARD A PING NOISE WHEN I WOULD MAKE A RIGHT TURN. AS I KEPT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE NOISE WENT AWAY FOR ABOUT A WEEK. WHEN THE NOISE RETURNED IT WAS MUCH WORSE AND WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP I COULD FEEL SOMETHING HITTING TOGETHER COULD FEEL IT TOO. WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE OFF TO CHECK, THE PIN THAT HOLDS THE BRAKE SHOE ON WAS OUT ABOUT HALF WAY AND BENT. I REPLACED THE PIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED A WEEK LATER. THE MANUFACTURER CANNOT TELL ME ANY OTHER WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS I PAY TO GET IT FIXED. AND THEIR ADVICE WAS TO JUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE SHOE.*AK

DT: THE CONSUMER STATESDTHE TIRES WERE PURCHASED ON APRIL 23, 2005. THEY SPLIT IN HALF AND CHUNKS WERECOMING OUT OF THE TIRES. ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WIRE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TIRES. THE AIR PRESSURE IWAS CHECKED. THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS HAVE BEEN CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THESE TIRES STARTED FALLING APART AT APPROXIMATELY 1,000 MILES.*AK

SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR IN NOV. 2001, IT HAS GIVEN ME NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD THE STRUTS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY FOR LEAKING OIL, IT HAS STALLED MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT, CAUSING CONCERNS ABOUT MY AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY,AND RECENTLY THE ENGINE CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY. THE ENGINE IS NOW FROZEN AND SINCE I'VE REACHED MY 60,000 MILE MARK, THE DEALERSHIP IS HESITANT TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS TRULY AN EXPENSIVE LEMON.*AK

VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY AND SWAYED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, PULLED OVER, AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THEN, DRIVER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT OR MOVE ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME WAS BEND, AND TRANSMISSION HAD BLOWN OUT, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK