There are 14 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 2001 Kia Rioin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
2001 KIA REO BRAKES WET COMPLEATLY OUT BECASE OF RUSED OUT BRAK LINING THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR IS ALL RUSED OUT AND IS VERY UN SAFE MY DELER PHIL SMIHT OF FL. 954 545 7194 HAS TOLE ME THE CAR IS UN SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CODISION WITH LIMETED REPARES OTHRIZED BY KIA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS NOT COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL # 05V159000 (WHEELS). THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 54,527 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 2001 KIA RIO HAD THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT CHECKED FOR THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT THE DEALER DID A VISUAL CHECK. THE TIRES WERE PREMATURELY WORN OUT. THE CONSUMER SPECIFICALLY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE WHEEL RECALL 50V159000 THAT THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. FRONT AND REAR BRAKES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO AT 20,000 MILES. *AK UPDAED *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED STEERING WHEEL SHOOK HARD. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE FOUR TIMES, ROTORS WERE TURNED THREE TIMES, AND BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED ONCE. *AK
THE BRAKE ROTORS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE FAILURE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *JB
CONSUMER IS REPORTING PREMATURE WEAR OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS AND A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA,WHILE IDLING OR DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND HAD REPLACED THEM. NLM THE CONSUMER HAS TRADED THIS VEHICLE IN DUE TO ALL OF THE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS AND IS REQUESTING HER MONEY BACK BECAUSE WHEN SHE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE THE DEALER, THEY DIDN'T REPAIR THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS TO BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NO POWER AND VERY POOR SHIFTING. THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE LEFT FRONT MIRROR IS NOT WORKING. THE SPARK PLUGS ARE FAULTY/BREAKING DOWN. THE INNER/OUTER BEARING WITH SEALS ON LEFT REAR AND RIGHT REAR-REPLACED, AND THE RIGHT REAR HUB ASSEMBLY-REPLACED DUE TO OVER TIGHTENING OF THE SPINDLE NUT. THERE'S A NOISE IN THE TIRE(S) THE DEALER PERFORMED A RECALL THAT REPLACED THE COOLER HOSE. *SCC
BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH , CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND REAR ENDED A CAR, CAUSING DAMAGE. *AK
AT 27MPH VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE TO 70MPH WITH NO DECELERATION,EVEN WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKE PAD,S BUT PROBLEMS STILL OCCURS.*AK
AFTER VEHICLE HAS SET FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME WITH ENGINE OFF. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT A STOP THE VEHICLE WILL SLIDE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING BRAKES WERE SQEAKING, AND HESISTATING WHEN BRAKING. TOOK VEHICLE DEALER, AND THEY READJUSTED BRAKES. IN FEBRUARY OF 2002 ROTORS NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AKI
I HAVE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER THE DEALER, AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE, MARYLAND. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED OFF AND ON. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER ERRUPTED. *AK
BRAKES WOULD STICK, AND PEDAL WOULD GO TO FLOOR. VEHICLE WAS NOT STOPPING. HAS HAPPENED 4 DIFFERENT TIMES. BEEN TO DEALERSHIP EACH TIME FOR REPAIRS. CURRENTLY, BRAKES WERE MAKING NOISES.*AK
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026