2002 Kia Rio

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

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 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 SHO

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. 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 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

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 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

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

2002 KIA RIO, PURCHASED NEW AND MAINTAINED IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE. HAD 61,000 MILES AND WHILE DRIVING, MY DAUGHTER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AT THE SAME TIME, SMOKE WAS COMING IN THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. SHE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, STOPPED THE CAR AND REMOVED HER KEYS. THE IGNITION STARTED ON ITS OWN AND THE CAR ENGINE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE CAR IS TOTALLY DESTROYED. FIRE AND HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTS WERE TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND CAR WAS TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP IN CLOVIS CA. SERVICE MANAGER STATED HE HAD TAKEN PICTURES AND BECAME INVESTIGATION. WHEN I WENT IN TO SEE THE CAR AND TAKE PICTURES, THE SERVICE TEAM WAS COMPLETELY APATHETIC AND RUDE. I MADE A CALL TO KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS, AND FOUND THAT THE REPORT HAD NOT BEEN SUBMITTED. THE INDIVIDUAL AT KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL AND ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL. HER CALLS WERE NOT RETURNED. MY DAUGHTER WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY AND ONLY SUFFERED FIRST DEGREE BURNS TO THE FACE, AND SMOKE INHALATION THAT EXACERBATED HER ASTHMA. ACCORDING TO THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR, THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN OVER-FILLING OF TRANSMISSION FLUID BY 1 QUART. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE SAW THE VEHICLE THE DAY AFTER, THERE WAS NO FLUID ANYWHERE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE POSSIBLY RELATED TO A RECALL, WHICH WAS SUPPOSEDLY HAD BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AT THE DEALERSHIP. *JB UPDATED 06/21/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED TO UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER. THE PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

THE REAR SEAT BELTS HAVE SHREADED AT THE BASE OF THE SEAT BELT. I HAD THE BELTS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WASNOT A WARRANTY ITEM, AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE BELTS WILL CONTINUE TO SHRED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS THE RETRACTOR AT AN ANGLE AND THE TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ARE CATCHING THE BELT. THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW THAT THE BELT SHREADED WAS TO PULL IT OUT ALL OF THE WAY. WE HAVE A BELT OUT OF ANOTHER KIA RIO THAT HAS ALSO STARTED SHREDDING. KIA ADVISED THAT IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND THAT AT SOME POINT AND TIME THE OWNER MUST TAKE CARE OF ITEMS SUCH AS THIS. THEY FELT THAT IT WAS FROM USAGE. WE HAVE CHECKED THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT, AND IT SHOWED NO SIGNS OF SHREADING AND IT GOTB MORE USE THAN THE BACK SEAT BELTS. PARENTS NEED TO KNOW TO CHECK THESE BELTS BEFORE THEY GIVE AWAY DURING AN ACCIDENT.*AK

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE STEERING, THE BRAKES AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WERE LOCKED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE OR STOP IT WHICH CAUSED A CRASH WITH A VAN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, AND LATER CLAIMED IT WAS THE TIMING BELT. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ALL OF THE REPAIRS WERE AT COST TO THE CONTACT. THE DEALER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. ADVISED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA RECALL#04V179000: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. *AK CUSTOMER DID RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL. UPDATED 4/9 *TR

2002 KIA RIO - TIMING BELT FAILURE CAUSES ENTIRE AND INSTANTANEOUS ENGINE LOSS - CAR COMES TO HALT IN ROADWAY UNEXPECTEDLY. TIMING BELTS ARE COVERED UNDER KIA'S 100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, BUT THEY DO NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON A SEMIFREQUENT BASIS, EVERY SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TWO DEALERSHIPS WHO HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCE A RECALL ON ENGINE STALLING HOWEVER A RECALL NUMBER WAS NOT IDENTIFIED. THE CONTACT IDENTIFIED THE VEHICLE AS UNRELIABLE, AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

DRIVING HOME AND CAR SHUTTERED THEN DIED. COULD NOT RESTART. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS A ROD THROWN. IT HAS LESS THEN 73,000 MILES. *NM

SINCE BUYING THIS CAR IN 2002 IT HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AS OFTEN WITHOUT THE ISSUE BEING RESOLVED. DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM (THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY) AND HAD ANOTHER CLIENT'S CAR THAT DID THE SAME THING AND COULDN'T FIX IT EITHER. WE HAVE USED FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER, WHICH WORKED FOR 6 MONTHS UNTIL NOW. THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND IS DANGEROUS AT INTERSECTIONS AND ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT STALLS!! LEMON LAW PAPERS WILL BE FILED IF NOT RESOLVED VERY SOON!!*JB

SINCE APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING MY 2002 KIA RIO, I HAVE HAD ON-GOING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AT VARIOUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION 'SLAMS' INTO GEAR, OR SHUTTERS. ALTHOUGH I HAVE BROUGHT THIS ISSUE TO THE ATTENTION OF THREE DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, AND KIA CORPORATE, THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS NO ISSUE OR THAT THEY CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THEY CLAIMED AT ONE POINT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS DIRTY (ALTHOUGH IT WAS WELL BELOW THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE MILEAGE), SO I HAD A THIRD PARTY SERVICE STATION PERFORM A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FLUID/FILTER CHANGE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED, AND NOW A YEAR LATER THE DEALERSHIP IS AGAIN TELLING ME THAT IT IS THE FLUID - WHICH I HAVE NEVER HEARD AN ISSUE LIKE THIS BEING CAUSED BY FLUID, BUT IF THIS IS TRUE, THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE IN THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE CHANGED EVERY 6-12 MONTHS. I RECENTLY BROUGHT MY CAR TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, AND HE WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AS A TORQUE CONVERTER AND A TCC PREMATURELY ENGAGING, AS WELL AS A TRANSMISSION 'SHUTTER'. HE PROVIDED ME WITH WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION OF THE ISSUE, AND I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AGAIN, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NO ISSUE AND THE SYMPTOMS ARE 'NORMAL'. THIS VEHICLE IS A LEMON, AND I AM UNABLE TO OBTAIN PROPER SERVICE FROM KIA, AND I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD THE SYMPTOMS CONTINUE TO GET WORSE, OR THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAIL WHILE DRIVING. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD THE CAR BACK FIRED THEN THE ENGINE SEIZED UP, THE TIMING BELT WAS THE LIKELY CAUSE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, BUT BECAUSE IT HAD 60,274 MILES THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THEY HAVE HAD AT LEAST SIX SIMILAR FAILURES IN THE LAST YEAR, A COUPLE WERE LESS THAN 59,000 MILES AND WERE COVERED. IN TALKING TO KIA DIRECT, THEY SAID BECAUSE WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND HAD NO SERVICE RECORD FROM BEFORE, NOTHING COULD BE DONE. IT'S CLEAR FROM THE NUMBER OF FAILURES THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. THE TIMING BELT FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE LOCKUP COULD CAUSE A FATALITY IF IT HAPPENED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS! *JB

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 KIA RIO ON MY LUNCH BREAK GOING TO MY HOME. A YOUNG LADY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME I WAS GOING AROUND 45 WHEN SHE PULLED OUT. MY CAR HIT HERS IN THE SIDE NEITHER MY AIR BAGS OR SEAT BELT FUNCTIONED LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE. MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T EVEN DEPLOY MY SEAT BELT ALLOWED ME TO GO INTO THE WINDSHIELD. AS MY BODY WAS THROWN FORWARD THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE MY FEMUR IN 3 PLACES. I FILLED A COMPLAINT AGAINST KIA ABOUT THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT THEY CLAIMED THE CAR UNDER ROLLED THE OTHER CAR TO ME THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS PUSHED BACK AND IT WAS FLAT. KIA NEEDS TO HOLD UP THEIR END 2 ITEMS IN THE CAR FOR SAFETY FAILED. SOME PEOPLE ASK DID YOU HAVE YOUR SEAT BELT ON THE ANSWER IS YES I HAD 2 PEOPLE SHOW UP AT THE WRECK AND SAW IT ON ME AND IT BURNED THROUGH 2 SHIRTS I HAD ON AT THE TIME OF THE WRECK. *NM

HIT DEER AT 55 MPH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK CAUSING HEAD TO HIT STEERING WHEEL AND BOUNCE BACK AND HIT SEAT WHOLE FRONT OF CAR WAS TORE UP. *JB

DT:THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FIRST ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY OF 2003 WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH. SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT DURING THE ACCIDENT. THIS WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT. THE SECOND ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH. SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK UPDATED 01/19/06.

CAR STALLS AT RANDOM TIMES. WARM OR COLD DOES NOT MATTER. HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE EVERY 8 MONTHS. HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF SUCH COMPLAINS ON THE INTERNET, MOST SIMPLY DO NOT TAKE THE TIME TO POST WHERE IT MATTERS. *NM

DT: IN THE HIGH HUMIDITY OR RAIN THE REAR BRAKES LOCK. IT MAKES A SCRAPING AND SCRATCHING NOISE, WHEN THE BRAKES DRY OUT. THERE IS NO FOREWARNING; NOTICED THIS PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2002. HAVE CONTACTED THREE DEALERS, AND A MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. ONE DEALER DID REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES. *AK

DT: THE CONSUMER PURCHASED TWO 2002 KIA RIOS, THE FIRST VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE OTHER VEHICLE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASE AT APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES, DIED. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AT ANY CERTAIN SPEED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP OVER 14 TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT REPLACED ANYTHING . THEY HAVE REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WILL WORK FOR AWHILE, NO SPECIFIC TIME, AND THEN DIE AGAIN. CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER ACTUALLY DROVE VEHICLE WHICH WAS LOCATED IN SOUTH CAROLINA.*AK THE VISOR WAS REPLACED. THE INTERIOR LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF, THE DEALER STATED IT WAS A PINCHED WIRE. THE LIFTGATE LATCH WAS REPLACED AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ADJUSTED. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER STATESDTHE TIRES WERE PURCHASED ON APRIL 23, 2005. THEY SPLIT IN HALF AND CHUNKS WERECOMING OUT OF THE TIRES. ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WIRE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TIRES. THE AIR PRESSURE IWAS CHECKED. THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS HAVE BEEN CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THESE TIRES STARTED FALLING APART AT APPROXIMATELY 1,000 MILES.*AK

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON HWY 360 IN GRAND PRAIRIE TEXAS GOING ABOUT 50 MPH AND AN OTHER VEHICLE WAS CROSSING THE LANES TOWARD HER AND HIT HER VEHICLE AT THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE). SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SO WAS THE PASSENGER.THE SEATBELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT WORK AND AIRBAGS ON NEITHER SIDE DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER WENT FORWARD STRIKING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SUFFERING HEAD AND BODY INJURIES.

NO ACCIDENT YET ON THIS DEFECT. WE HAVE NOTICED OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE WAY THE DASH IS CONSTRUCTED THAT SERIOUSLY OBSTUCTS BOTH VIEWING OF THE ROAD THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD BY THE DRIVER AND VIEWING THE DASH INSTRUMENTATION (SPEEDOMETER, ETC) VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. ON A SUNY DAY, THE BLACK PLASTIC MATERIAL USED IN THE DASH CONSTRUCTION AROUND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS SO REFLECTIVE, THAT OFTEN WITH THE SUN COMING IN THROUGH THE REAR OR A SIDE WINDOW, IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENTATION IN THE DASH DUE TO REFLECTIVE GLARE OFF THE BLACK PLASTIC IN FRONT OF THE CLEAR PLASTIC THAT COVERS THE SPEEDOMETER, ETC. IT IS SO BAD THAT OCCASIONALLY WE HAVE TO PUT A PIECE OF PAPER OR ANOTHER NON-REFLECTIVE OBJECT BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL AND IN FRONT OF THE SPEEDOMETER IN ORDER TO READ THE INSTRUMENTATION. EVEN MORE DISTURBING IS THE SAME PHENOMENON WHEN THE SUN IS STREAMING INTO THE CAR, PARTICULARLY FROM THE FRONT OR A SIDE WINDOW, THAT THE REFLECTION OFF OF THE BLACK PLASTIC ONTO THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD IS SO BAD THAT WE OFTEN CANNOT SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD WITHOUT PUTTING A PIECE OF PAPER OR SOME OTHER SUBSTANCE DOWN TO CUT THE GLARE DOWN. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENS AS A RESULT OF BEING UNABLE TO SEE CLEARLY.

2002 KIA RIO STALLING DURING DRIVING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. THREE TIME COMPLIANT TO EL CAJON MAZDA KIA, FIRST TIME THEY SAID(NOTHING WRONG) 2ND (THE COMPUTER NEED REPROGRAM) TODAY AGAIN BACK TO DEALER, I AM AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY

THE KIA RIO WAS STOPPED BEHIND A MINIVAN WHEN IT WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER MINIVAN TRAVELLING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH BEFORE BRAKING. THE KIA RIO WAS PUSHED INTO THE MINIVAN IN FRONT. THE RIO WAS NOT SEVERELY DAMAGED, HOWEVER, BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DAMAGE WAS TO THE REAR TRUNK LID AND THE FRONT RIGHT RAIL WAS SLIGHTLY . COMPROMISED. NO LIGHTS WERE BROKEN, NOR WAS THE BUMPER EVEN CRACKED. BOTH THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE BODY SHOP WERE SURPRISED THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF BASED ON THE DAMAGE (OR OVERALL LACK THEREOF) TO THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT BROKE OTHER PIECES OF AND INSIDE OF THE DASH AS WELL, CAUSING OVER 2/3 OF THE COST OF REPAIR (TOTAL COST WAS AROUND $7000). PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE ARE AVAILABLE.*AK

I HAVE A 2002 KIA RIO WITH APPROX. 51,000 MILES. THE CAR SUDDENLY BROKE DOWN AND WOULD NOT START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED DUE TO SLUDGE IN THE OIL SYSTEM. I PROVIDED KIA WITH ALL THE OIL MAINTENANCE RECEIPTS EVERY 3000 MILES. KIA'S RESPONSE WAS THAT THE OIL WAS NOT MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS WERE FAKE. BASICALLY, THEY SAY THAT I AND A CERTIFIED MECHANIC (OWNER OF A AUTO AND TOWING SHOP) ARE LIARS. KIA WILL NOT PAY FOR THE ENGINE REPAIR AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT WAS CAUSED BY AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION (OIL AND RECEIPTS WERE MAINTAINED PROPERLY). IT HAS BEEN 1 MONTH AGO, I HAVE NO CAR AND SERIOUSLY AT RISK OF LOSING MY JOB DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND KIA WILL NOT RECONSIDER ANY INFORMATION I PROVIDE. *JB

SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR IN NOV. 2001, IT HAS GIVEN ME NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD THE STRUTS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY FOR LEAKING OIL, IT HAS STALLED MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT, CAUSING CONCERNS ABOUT MY AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY,AND RECENTLY THE ENGINE CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY. THE ENGINE IS NOW FROZEN AND SINCE I'VE REACHED MY 60,000 MILE MARK, THE DEALERSHIP IS HESITANT TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS TRULY AN EXPENSIVE LEMON.*AK

VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY AND SWAYED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, PULLED OVER, AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THEN, DRIVER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT OR MOVE ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME WAS BEND, AND TRANSMISSION HAD BLOWN OUT, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BEARINGS, CAUSING THE WHEELS TO SEPARATE FROM THE AXLE. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 4 OCCASIONS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINED UNDETERMINED. OWNER STATED THAT THE DEALER TOLD HER THAT THE FRONT BEARINGS WERE FAULTY, AND THEY WERE REPLACED. CURRENTLY, THEY REPLACED THE FRONT RIGHT BEARINGS WHICH WERE REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY. *AK THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BUZZING SOUND FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SOUND WAS MORE PREVALENT WHEN THE CONSUMER ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS HIGHER THAN 50 MPH. THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS ON HER WAY HOME FROM THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. AFTER THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SHE FOUND THE RIGHT TIRE DISCONNECTED FROM THE AXLE. THE VEHICLE RESTED ON THE TIRE WHICH WAS 90 DEGREE ANGLE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS SEEPING OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE CONSUMER WAS ON HER WAY HOME AND HEARD A LOUD POP AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE CONSUMER TOOK IT BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AT SPEEDS OF 25 OR GREATER. *TC THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED.

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, AND THEN THE ENGINE FAILED. DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. *AK

OVER THE LAST MONTH MY CAR HAS STALLED OUT OVER TEN TIMES, USUALLY DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR FIX THE PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THEM THE ENGINE LIGHT NEEDS TO BE ON; ONCE IT STALLED AND THE LIGHT CAME ON, I IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT TO THE DEALER BUT THE TECHNICIANS SAID IT WAS NOT ON WHEN THEY RESTARTED THE CAR. THE CAR ALSO RUNS ROUGH AND FEELS LIKE IT LOSES POWER INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE LOST ALL CONFIDENCE IN THE CAR AND WORRY ABOUT WHERE AND WHEN IT MAY STALL OUT. THE SERVICE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND RESPECTFUL BUT THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME SO BAD I MAY NEED TO FILE LEMON LAW PAPERS. *JB