2002 Kia Rio Problems, complaints & recalls

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.

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

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...

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 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.

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 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. 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.

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...

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...

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

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. *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

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

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...

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