2003 Kia Rio problems
NHTSA has received 103 complaints about the 2003 Kia Rio, and 19% of them involve engine. After that come electrical system (16%) and brakes (13%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 103 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 19% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 8 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 7 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 16,000 miles 73 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 37 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 14 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 6 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 7 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 73 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 16,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 11,000 miles (15 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 8 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 7 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 20 model years of the Kia Rio with enough data (80 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Traveling aprox 30 MPH, rear ended another vehicle. Seat belts did not lock on any passengers, airbags did not deploy.
Consumer's vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. This caused the driver and passenger to sustain minor injuries, and were transported to the hospital. Vehicle was towed to a garage. The cause has not been determined at this time. This information was provided by leticia's lawyer mr. John fitzpatrick.
Since purchase of vehicle in 12/02 the car has had several reacuuring problem most of which the brakes vibration and car shaken when brakes applied. It has been back top dealership 5 times for brake problem complaints most recent was 10/23/03. So far they have dpne new pads in front wheels resurfacewd rotors more than once replaced wheel seal and mostly said could not notice any problem.
Dt: the contact stated the fuel system malfunctioned. The fuel pump and components exploded in the gasoline storage tank. The entire fuel system needed to be replaced. A local repair shop replaced the fuel system. There was NHTSA recall campaign 04v179000 concerning the fuel system. The manufacturer said this problem was not due to the recall.
Timing belt broke at 72000 miles without warning. Kia says change at 60000 miles in ky, but warranty in ca allow for 105000 mile change. Kia refused to honor warranty. Stranded for 45 minutes. Had to pay diagnostic testing at kia dealer.