Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported
Overview
Our database contains 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Kia Rio Cinco, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
Monthly complaints peaked at 3 in Sep 2004. Most recent month: 1.View as table
Monthly owner complaints for the 2002 Kia Rio Cinco
Month
Complaints filed
Cumulative
May 2004
1
1
Jul 2004
1
2
Sep 2004
3
5
Oct 2004
1
6
Dec 2004
1
7
Jan 2005
2
9
Apr 2005
1
10
Jun 2005
1
11
Dec 2005
2
13
Jan 2006
2
15
Feb 2006
1
16
Apr 2006
1
17
Jul 2007
2
19
Aug 2007
1
20
Mar 2012
1
21
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
The 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.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
The 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.
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.
NHTSA ID
10452278
Incident
Feb 20, 2011
Mileage
70,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 31, 2007
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
NHTSA ID
10201309
Incident
Aug 10, 2007
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 21, 2007
REFER TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V179000 IN JANUARY 2007, I TOOK MY VEHICLE (2002 KIA RIO) TO RAY CARTER KIA DEALERSHIP AT 6373 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IDLE AND WOULD SOMETIMES CUT OFF DURING ACCELERATION. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME I NEEDED THE 60,000 MILE MAINTENANCE SERVICE WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE TIMING BELT, OIL CHANGE, TIRE BALANCE, THROTTLE CLEANING, FUEL ADDITIVE, FRONT AND REAR AXLE OIL, TRANSFER CASE OIL, ETC ETC AND A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER NON-ENGINE RELATED INSPECTIONS. THIS WAS AT A COST OF $759.65. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP BELIEVING IT WAS FIXED, HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM KEPT RETURNING. TODAY, 21 JULY 2007, I WENT BACK TO RAY CARTER KIA FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY PERFORMED AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE, TIRE PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT AND TOPPED OFF FLUIDS AT A COST OF $77.75. THEN THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW IDLE CONTROL SOLENOID AT A COST OF $573.74. I ASKED THEM ABOUT THE $759 I PAID BACK IN JANUARY TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM AND ALL THEY SAID WAS IT WAS FOR THE 60,000 MILE CHECKUP. OF NOTE, DURING THIS VISIT, THE SERVICE MANAGER MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE KIA RIO'S FUEL SYSTEM/GASOLINE DELIVERY. WHEN I GOT HOME I LOOKED UP THE RECALL ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND IT ALONG WITH THIS SITE OF COURSE. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO GET THE FUEL SYSTEM/GASOLINE DELIVERY SYSTEM REPLACED IAW THE RECALL? I ALSO BELIEVE I AM ENTITLED TO THE MONIES I PAID FOR SERVICES NOT RENDERED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10197119
Incident
Jul 21, 2007
Mileage
60,948 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 18, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO CINCO. ON JULY 14, 2004, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. SHE SUSTAINED PERMANENT INJURIES TO HER OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA FROM SNAPPING HER HEAD FORWARD. A SPEC SCAN SHOWED THAT SHE RECEIVED SOME BRAIN DAMAGE, LOWER BACK HERNIATION, A TEAR IN THE ROTATOR CUP, PAIN IN HER RIGHT LEG, AND NEUTRAL HERNIA IN HER CHEST WHERE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE RADIATOR, THE COMPRESSOR, THE HOOD, AND THE FRONT AXLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 09/24/07.8JB
NHTSA ID
10196679
Incident
Jul 14, 2004
Mileage
35,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 10, 2006
MY 2002 KIA RIO CINCO'S TIMING-BELT BROKE AND CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE RESULTING IN A $2500 FEE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE MY TIMING-BELT WAS NOT CHANGED AT 60000 (WE HAVE 61000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE) THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THESE VEHICLES AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THESE VEHICLES. *JB
NHTSA ID
10154924
Incident
Mar 25, 2006
Mileage
61,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 2, 2006
Fire reported
AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WAS DISCOVERED BY OTHER EMPLOYEES APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MINUTES AFTER I HAD PARKED THE VEHICLE AT WORK AND HAD ENTERED MY OFFICE. THE WORKERS EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH 8 PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. THE DAMAGE WAS MOST SEVERE NEAR THE FIREWALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALL HOSES HAD BURNED AWAY AND PLASTICS WERE MELTED OR BURNED. A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR A DEFECTIVE GASOLINE DISTRIBUTOR PART THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED IN JULY, 2005 ACCORDING TO KIA OF CLARKSVILLE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. KIA OF CLARKSVILLE IS LOCATED IN CLARKSVILLE, IN. *NM
NHTSA ID
10149267
Incident
Jan 10, 2006
Mileage
72,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 27, 2006
AFTER HAVING THE BRAKES SERVICED I HEARD A PING NOISE WHEN I WOULD MAKE A RIGHT TURN. AS I KEPT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE NOISE WENT AWAY FOR ABOUT A WEEK. WHEN THE NOISE RETURNED IT WAS MUCH WORSE AND WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP I COULD FEEL SOMETHING HITTING TOGETHER COULD FEEL IT TOO. WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE OFF TO CHECK, THE PIN THAT HOLDS THE BRAKE SHOE ON WAS OUT ABOUT HALF WAY AND BENT. I REPLACED THE PIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED A WEEK LATER. THE MANUFACTURER CANNOT TELL ME ANY OTHER WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS I PAY TO GET IT FIXED. AND THEIR ADVICE WAS TO JUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE SHOE.*AK
NHTSA ID
10148817
Incident
May 29, 2005
Mileage
56,000 mi
EngineOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 6, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A LOUD NOISE. WHILE STOPPING, THE NOISE GETS LOUDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. AND THEY DETERMINED THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE PIPES TO THE HEAT SHIELD AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BURNED OFF. ALSO, THE LUGS: NUTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED FIVE TIMES BECAUSE THEY WERE CORRODED. *AK
NHTSA ID
10147089
Incident
Jan 5, 2006
Mileage
1,500 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
TSB_BOD055_R1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING; STRUCTURE
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.
KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE
04132004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
PENDING RECALL RELATING TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND FUEL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES. KIA HAS EXPANDED THE RANGE OF AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TT
01011901
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKE NOISE. *JB
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.