The 2002 Kia Rio Cinco has 1 safety recall and 21 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (10 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints21filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
NHTSA recall 04V179000 · Apr 9, 2004 · 187,790 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE OF THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR IS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE OR CRACKING DURING REMOVAL OF THE QUICK CONNECT COUPLING SECURING THE MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLY TO THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE, OR WHEN FORCE IS ACCIDENTALLY APPLIED TO THE INTAKE NIPPLE DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS OR DURING ENGINE COMPARTMENT REPAIRS.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
10
0
1
2
61,000 mi
Power train Clutch assembly; Automatic transmission
4
0
0
0
18,569 mi
Fuel system, gasoline Delivery; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
4
0
2
0
60,948 mi
Air bags Frontal
3
3
0
3
—
Electrical system
3
0
0
0
—
Wheels Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
2
0
0
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings
2
0
0
1
—
Seats
1
0
0
1
—
Exterior lighting Brake lights › Switch
1
0
0
0
—
Suspension
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Feb 20, 2011 · 70,000 milesSuspension 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.
Aug 10, 2007Electrical system 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
Jul 21, 2007 · 60,948 milesEngine and engine cooling 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…
Jul 14, 2004 · 35,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryAir bags › Frontal TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO CINCO. ON JULY 14, 2004, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. SHE SUSTAINED PERMANENT INJURIES TO HER OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA FROM SNAPPING HER HEAD FORWARD. A SPEC SCAN SHOWED THAT SHE RECEIVED SOME BRAIN DAMAGE, LOWER BACK HERNIATION, A TEAR IN THE ROTATOR CUP, PAIN IN HER RIGHT LEG, AND NEUTRAL HERNIA IN HER CHEST WHERE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE RADIATOR, THE COMPRESSOR, THE HOOD, AND THE FRONT AXLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 09/24/07.8JB
Mar 25, 2006 · 61,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys 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
Jan 10, 2006 · 72,000 miles · fireFuel system, gasoline › Delivery 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
May 29, 2005 · 56,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings 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
Jan 5, 2006 · 1,500 milesEngine and engine cooling › Exhaust system 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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.