Kia · Rio · 2002
1
Recall
149
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2002 Kia Rio has 1 recall and 149 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: engine and engine cooling (35 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2002 Kia Rio has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 149 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Kia Rio.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2002 Kia Rio.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2002 Kia Rio are engine and engine cooling (35 reports), air bags (16 reports), service brakes, hydraulic (14 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2002 Kia Rio. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.