2001 Kia Rio Other / unspecified Problems

CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI CASE NUMBER: 10136024 COMPONENT: WHEELS GAS IGNITION? YOU TELL ME? WHEN ARE THESE PEOPLE GOING TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR LEMONS KIA-2001 DETAILS: DT: THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND A TIRE BLEW OUT. AFTER THE VEHICLE STOPPED SPINNING, THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND THEY SAID FIRE STARTED FROM HEAT OF POWER EQUIPMENT AND THE IGNITION BURNED. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 6, 2005. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT THE RECALL REGARDING THE WHEELS. THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER COMPLAINED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED FROM THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE SAME TIRE THAT THE BLEW OUT WAS THE SAME ONE THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. *JB OCCURRENCES: 1 INJURIES: 0 FAIL DATE: 08/06/2005 DEATHS: 0 DATE ADDED TO DATABASE: 9/9/2005 [FILE] YOUR OWN COMPLAINT ON THIS MODEL CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10471283

Incident

Aug 8, 2005

I WAS ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE DOING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND. THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I IMMEDIATELY PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND SLOWED DOWN TO REACH THE NEAREST EXIT RAMP. I WAS ALONE IN THE CAR AND THANK GOD I HAD NO CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND AS SOON AS I REACHED THE EXIT RAMP I GOT OFF THE EXIT AND CALLED AAA. THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK BUT WHEN THE DRIVER WENT TO PUT THE CAR UP HE NOTICED THE RIGHT BACK WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE AND THEN CALLED FOR A FLAT BED. WHILE BEING TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WITH THE CAR ON THE FLAT BED THE WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY OFF. I LOOKED ONLINE FOR RECALLS ON MY CAR AND THERE WAS ONE ISSUED IN 4/20/2005 AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY KIA OR THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR ABOUT THIS ISSUE WHEN THE RECALL BEGAN ON 6/22/2005. I AM WORRIED NOW THAT I MAY HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS REPAIR WHICH KIA MOTORS SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ME ON. *JS

NHTSA ID

10468136

Incident

Jul 28, 2012

Mileage

103,000 mi

I PURCHASED NEW TIRES AROUND FEBRUARY 2007 FROM SEARS AT THE VIRGINIA CENTER COMMONS STORE LOCATION. WITHIN THREE WEEKS BETWEEN APRIL AND MAY OF 2008 I EXPERIENCED THREE FLATS. TWO OF THE FLATS WERE ON THE SAME DAY WITHIN 2 HOURS OF EACH OTHER. I HAD THE FOURTH ONE REPLACED AT THIS TIME. ALL THREE FLATS WERE BECAUSE OF FAULTY VALVE STEMS. RECENTLY I READ ABOUT A 6 MILLION RECALL OF TR413 VALVE STEMS FROM TECH INTERNATIONAL A DISTRIBUTOR OF SHANGHAI BAOLONG. I BELIEVE MY PROBLEM IS PART OF THE RECALL WHICH NOTIFIED THE CLIENTS BUT NOT THE PUBLIC. FORTUNATELY NONE OF THE FLATS OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY BUT ON SECONDARY ROADS AT SPEEDS OF 45MPH OR LESS. I DID COMPLAIN TO SEARS ON THEIR FEEDBACK SURVEY BUT RECEIVED NO REPLY. I HAD PURCHASED ROAD HAZARD WITH THE TIRES SO I WAS NOT CHARGED FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS BUT AM UPSET ABOUT THE LACK OF REPLY AND THE LACK OF NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC. I AM UNSURE IF ANY TIRE DAMAGE RESULTED FROM THE FLATS. SINCERELY DENISE BARWICK *TR

NHTSA ID

10232137

Incident

May 16, 2008

Mileage

83,659 mi

PURCHASED CAR, 2001 KIA RIO, IN OCTOBER OF 2000. WITHIN A FEW DAYS AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A ONE YEAR PERIOD AND HAD TO BE TAKEN BACK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR AT LEAST FOUR TIMES. RECALL WAS RECEIVED FOR FUEL SYSTEM. THIS WAS REPLACED WITHOUT PROBLEM. NEXT PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH WHEELS, WHICH WAS ALSO A RECALL. I HAD TO ORDER THE WHEELS WHICH TOOK AT LEAST A MONTH TO COME IN LEAVING ME TO DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK, 65 MILES EACH WAY, ON VIOLENTLY VIBRATING WHEELS. WHEELS WERE FINALLY REPLACED. PROBLEM OCCURRED IN WINTER 2005 WITH DOOR LATCH. DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD LOCK AND STAY LOCKED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ORIGINAL DEALER FOR REPAIR ONLY TO HAVE OLD PART REPAIRED WHILE BEING CHARGED FOR NEW PART AND LABOR. WITHIN A FEW DAYS, DOOR LATCH FAILED AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO ORDERED NEW PART. IN THE MEANTIME I WAITED FOR PART TO ARRIVE, AND DROVE AROUND IN A CAR WHOSE DOOR DIDN'T LOCK, LEAVING MY CAR PREY TO THIEVES, WHO STOLE THINGS CONSTANTLY FROM ME. FINALLY THIS WAS FIXED BUT, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK DID THE SAME THING. I LOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS UP AND TO FIX IT WOULD COST ME $700 OR MORE. I'VE ALSO NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STALLING IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS A NEW PROBLEM. EXAMPLE: I STOP TO GET GAS, START THE CAR AND TURN OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR SHUTS DOWN. DURING THE WINTER OF 2005 WHILE WAITING FOR DOOR LOCKS TO COME IN, MY DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT. THIS WAS REPAIRED BUT SUBSEQUENTLY THE NEXT DAY AFTER REPAIR WHILE DRIVING INTO WORK, WHEEL BEARING LITERALLY CRUMBLED. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT AN OLD PART WAS MISTAKENLY PUT BACK ON THE CAR. THIS WAS REPAIRED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW PART. THESE ARE ALL SAFETY AND QUALITY CONTROL ISSUES. *JB

NHTSA ID

10155956

Incident

Apr 24, 2006

WE OWN A 2001 KIA RECALL WHICH HAS A SAFETY RECALL ON IT THAT REQUIRES ALL 4 WHEELS TO BE REPLACED . OUR VEHICLE IS MAKING THE NOISES DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL . WE CONTACTED ANN ARBOR AUTOMOTIVE MATT THE SERVICE PERSON HAS TOLD US KIA IS WITHHOLDING THE PARTS TO FIX THESE VEHICLES . THE PARTS ARE CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER THROUGH KIA . WE HAVE BEEN WAITING 8 WEEKS SO FAR AND WE HAVE BEEN TOLD IOT COULD TAKE ANOTHER MONTH TO GET THE PARTS IN . I AM CONCERNED FOR MY HUSBANDS SAFETY ,HE DRIVES THIS VEHICLE DAILY. I WOULD LIKE TO STAND ON RECORD NOW BY SAYING IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE HARM OR INJURY TO MY FAMILY WE WILL TAKE EXTENSIVE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST KIA. THANK YOU LILLIAN FIERRO. *NM

NHTSA ID

10142046

Incident

Nov 6, 2005

Mileage

73,000 mi

DT: THE CONCUSMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND A TIRE BLEW OUT. AFTER THE VEHICLE STOPPED SPINNING, THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND THEY SAID FIRE STARTED FROM HEAT OF POWER EQUIPMENT AND THE IGNITION BURNED. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 6, 2005. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT THE RECALL REGARDING THE WHEELS. THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER COMPLAINED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED FROM THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCAHSED. THE SAME TIRE THAT THE BLEW OUT WAS THE SAME ONE THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. *JB

NHTSA ID

10136024

Incident

Aug 6, 2005

Mileage

58,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10136440

Incident

Apr 1, 2005

Mileage

20,000 mi

2001 KIA RIO RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE STEEL WHEELS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.*MR *JB

NHTSA ID

10137745

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

KIA INITIATED A RECALL ON THE 2001 KIA RIO FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FOUR STANDARD STEEL WHEELS WITH FOUR ALLOY WHEELS. THE RECALL WAS MADE BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL THAT THE STANDARD STEEL WHEELS COULD CRACK LEAD TO WHEEL FAILURE. THE LETTER INDICATED ALL 4 WHEELS WOULD BE REPLACED. I TOOK THE CAR TO ARLINGTON KIA IN PALATINE TO HAVE THE RECALL SERVICED. I PRESENTED THE LETTER TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. RATHER THAN REPLACING THE WHEELS, THE DEALER ONLY INSPECTED THEM, INDICATING THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. WHILE I AM GLAD TO KNOW THIS, I AM NOT QUITE CERTAIN THIS IS THE RIGHT RESPONSE TO THE ISSUE. I AM NOT SATISFIED BY KIA'S SOLUTION. WHILE THERE WAS NO DAMAGE UPON THEIR INSPECTION, IT DOES NOT GUARD AGAINST DEVELOPMENT. UNSATISFIED WITH THE DEALER'S RESPONSE, I CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE TO INQUIRE WHETHER OR NOT THE DEALERSHIP HAD DONE ENOUGH I TALKED TO [XXX], A CUSTOMER CARE MANAGER, WHO EXPLAINED TO ME, WHILE THE LETTER DID SAY KIA WOULD "REPLACE ALL FOUR ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEELS AT NO COST," WHAT THAT REALLY MEANT WAS THAT I WOULD GET A TEN MINUTE INSPECTION, AND IF NOTHING WAS WRONG, I'D BE LEFT WITH THE POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE PART. I FIND IT DISCOURAGING THAT KIA HAS NOT FOLLOWED THROUGH ON WHAT WAS INDICATED IN THE LETTER. IM NOT SURE WHAT THE NHTSA CAN DO IN THIS MATTER, SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE A POLICY ON KIAS PART, BUT RATHER THAN ASSURING I WAS A HAPPY CUSTOMER, [XXX]TOLD ME TO MAKE A COMPLAINT. THE CAR IS OWNED BY [XXX] PH# [XXX] MY NAME IS [XXX], MY WIFE [XXX] DRIVES THE CAR, THE DWYERS ARE HER PARENTS. THEY PURCHASED THE CAR FOR HER WHILE SHE WAS IN COLLEGE AND IT REMAINS IN THEIR NAME. I CAN BE REACHED AT [XXX] THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10135448

Incident

Sep 2, 2005

DT: CONSUMER HAS A 2001 KIA RIO. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN JUNE OF 2005. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE SEPTEMBER BEFORE DEALER WOULD HAVE PARTS TO DO RECALL REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED HER BACK ON AUGUST 18, 2005 TO TELL HER IT WOULD BE SEPTEMBER 9, 2005 BEFORE THE RIMS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. SHE ASKED IF SHE COULD GET A LOANER OR RENTAL VEHICLE UNTIL VEHICLE WOULD BE FIXED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10133400

Incident

Aug 18, 2005

2001 KIA RIO RECALL NOTICE FOR WHEEL REPLACEMENT WAS RECEIVED BUT THE WHEELS NEEDED FOR REPLACEMENT WERE NOT IN STOCK.*MR *JB

NHTSA ID

10130239

Incident

Jul 1, 2005

DT: CONSUMER HAS A 2001 KIA RIO; RECEIVED CREALL NO 05V159000. WHEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO ARRANGE FOR REPAIS. HE WAS TOLD THEY WERE GOING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER'S FAMILY WOULD BE SENT HOME SO THE DEALERSHIP COULD ORDER THE PARTS. THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN BACK, BUT IF THE VEHICLE WAS DETERMINED TO BE UNSAFE IT WOULD HAVE TO BE LEFT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS 30 MILES FROM CONSUMER'S HOME, AND HIS FAMILY WOULD BE STRANDED. THE CONSUMER HAS CALLED KIA. THE RECALL STATED THE TIME REQUIRED TO FIX THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE AN HOUR. THE NOTICE DID NOT MENTION NUMEROUS TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP OR LEAVING THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10129302

Incident

Jun 30, 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER HAD A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE WHEELS. SHE CONTACTED THE LOCAL KIA DEALER AT BOB DAN'S KIA IN MERRITT ISLAND SPOKE TO ARCH TAMUMU, HE WAS THE GENERAL MANAGER AND SERVICE MANAGER. HE SAID THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE CONSUMER ASKED FOR A LOANER VEHICLE AND THEY WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH THE CONSUMERS REQUEST. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER 3 TIMES AND LEFT HER NUMBER, AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT CALLED HER BACK. THERE WAS NO RECALL # AVAILABLE ON THE NOTICE. VIN IS ALSO NOT AVAILABLE.*AK

NHTSA ID

10128139

Incident

Jul 6, 2005

DT: , A STEEL WHEEL IS CRACKED AND VIBRATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO BALANCED TIRES. STILL EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS AND DISCOVERED THE CRACK IN THE WHEEL. THIS WAS VERY EVIDENT, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT NOTE THIS TO THE OWNER. THERE WAS A KIA RECALL REGARDING WHEELS, BUT THIS VEHICLE DID NOT COMPLY DUE TO THE VIN. HAD TO HAVE THIS WHEEL REPLACED. NO OTHERS WHEELS AS OF YET ARE CRACKED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10125619

Incident

Jun 1, 2005

Mileage

100,000 mi

LOUD REPEATING NOISE COMING FROM WHEEL. TOOK IT INTO MECHANIC, TOLD ME IT WAS THE HUBCAP RUBBING ON THE RIM. APPLIED TAPE TO HUBCAP TO SOLVE PROBLEM. *AK NOISE CONTINUED, I DECIDED TO CHECK THE PROBLEM, AND JUST BEFORE I ARRIVED HOME, MY TIRE FELL OFF. THE RIM FAILED. HALD WAS BOLDED TO THE CAR, THE OTHER HALF WAS IN THE TIRE. NO ONE HAS SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE, AND IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE TIRE RIM.

NHTSA ID

10110281

Incident

Feb 8, 2005

CONSUMER HAS AN ISSUE THAT THE LUG WENCH THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BREAK LOOSE THE LUGS:NUTS AND/OR APPLIED THE PROPER TORQUE WHEN TIGHTENED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT TOOL MEETS THE DOT SPECS.*AK

NHTSA ID

10108988

Incident

Jan 24, 2005

Mileage

17,000 mi

LEFT FRONT WHEEL CRACKED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10104523

Incident

Dec 20, 2003

CRACKS HAVE ACCUMULATED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER RIM. *JB ALL FOUR ORIGINAL RIMS ALONG WITH ONE REPLACEMENT RIM CRACKED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10101579

Incident

Sep 23, 2004

Mileage

58,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL RIM CRACKED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10087704

Incident

Aug 10, 2004

Mileage

48,000 mi

JULY 31,2004. I STARTED HEARING A NOISE TOWARDS THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT TIRE. WITH IN 2 DAYS THE NOISE GOT LOUDER. I TOOK THE CAR THE THE KIA DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID A VISUAL INSPECTION ON MY CAR AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I WAS ALSO TOLD I HAD TO MANY MILE (61,000) MILES THAT IF THEY TOOK IT APART TO FIND THE PROBLEM I WOULD BE CHARGED $75.00 PER HOUR. I DID NOT TAKE IT BACK. WITH IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND I FELT THE TIRE WAS NOT PERFORMING THE SAME. SO I TOOK IT TO WHERE I GET MY TIRES. THERE THEY ALSO DID A VISUAL AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD I NEED NEW TIRES. I DID NOT DRIVE MY CAR FOR 1 WEEK SO I COULD GET THE MONEY TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC SHOP ON SUNDAY THERE HE TOOK OFF THE TIRE CHECKED THE BRAKES, THE ROTER AND ALL THE BEARINGS AND SCREWS UNDER THE CAR. HE SAID HE COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. SO I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH ME TO WORK SO I COULD TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER AFTER WORK. I TALKED TO THE MECHANIC AT MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON AND HE ASKED THAT I LET HIM TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAR. SO HE TOOK OFF THE TIRE AND SET IT ASIDE AND STARTED HIS SEARCH. WHEN HE WAS ABOUT TO PUT THE TIRE BACK ON TO THE CAR HE NOTICED A CRACK AROUND THE RIM. THE CRACK WENT ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE. IT IS ALMOST A COMPLETE CIRCLE. IT WAS ABOUT TO TOTALLY CRACK OFF THE CAR. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY CAN NOT HELP ME DUE TO THE MILES I HAD ON MY CAR. I DO DRIVE ALOT BUT I FEEL THIS IS A TOTAL DEFECT IN THE RIM. I HAVE 2 RIMS ON ORDER

NHTSA ID

10090953

Incident

Jul 31, 2004

Mileage

61,000 mi

I HAVE A THIRD FACTORY WHEEL ON MY CAR THAT HAS BROKE DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THE WHEEL STARTED MAKING A SOUND LIKE BEARINGS GOING OUT ON THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN I PULLED INTO THE DRIVE WAY I HEARD THE WHEEL BRAKE. WHEN I CHECKED IT, SURE ENOUGH IT BROKE THROUGH. I NOW HAVE KEPT TWO OUT THREE WHEELS THAT HAVE BROKE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10090438

Incident

Sep 4, 2004

Mileage

69,202 mi

THE FIRST TIME I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR AND THOUGHT IT WAS EITHER MY BRAKES OR A PVC BOOT GOING OUT ON MY CAR. DECEMBER 4, 2003. I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND MY WHEEL-RIM WAS SERIOUSLY CRACKED. IT WAS CRACKED ALMOST THE ENTIRE WAY AROUND JUST ABUT AN INCH FROM THE HOLES FOR THE LUGS. IF IT WOULD HAVE BROKE COMPLETELY WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM ARIZONA TO FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, MY PASSENGER AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I DO TAKE AROUND 6-8 LONG DISTANCE TRIPS PER YEAR. WE WERE LUCKY. THE WHEEL-RIM WAS REPLACED WITH ONE PURCHASED FROM A USED AUTO PARTS GARAGE. THE SECOND TIME THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WAS JULY 1, 2004 ON THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. AGAIN I HEARD THE NOISE AND THOUGHT OF OTHER POSSIBLE PROBLEMS, BUT WAS TOTALLY SHOCKED WHEN THE TIRE REPAIRMAN CHECKED AND TOLD ME THAT I HAD A CRACK IN MY RIM. I CALLED SEVERAL KIA DEALERS, ONE NEVER RETURNED MY CALL AND THE OTHER SAID THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL BEING DONE FOR THAT PROBLEM. I THEN WENT TO A USED AUTO PARTS STORE AN PURCHASED ANOTHER RIM AND HAD IT REPLACED AT THE TIRE REPAIR SHOP WHERE I DO BUSINESS. AFTER THINKING ABOUT IT I WENT BACK AND BOUGHT A SPARE RIM JUST IN CASE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD ARISE AGAIN. THIS TIME I KEPT THE BROKEN RIM. ANOTHER PROBLEM I HAVE IS THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR WON'T UNLOCK AS IT HAS COME APART INSIDE THE DOOR. THE INSIDE DOOR PANEL WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN OFF TO GET TO THE INSIDE IT TO REPAIR IT. THESE ARE PROBLEMS WHICH I FEEL SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE DEALERS BUT OF COURSE ARE NOT BEING DONE.

NHTSA ID

10086579

Incident

Jul 1, 2004

Mileage

64,634 mi

WHILE DRIVING IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS OFF BALANCE. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT RIM BUSTED. THIS OCCURRED TWICE TWO YEARS AGO BECAUSE CONSUMER OVERLOADED THE VEHICLE. THE SAME RIM BUSTED AGAIN WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10087188

Incident

Aug 4, 2004

Mileage

45,000 mi

IN DECEMBER OF 2003 I STARTED HEARING A LOUD CLANKING FROM THE PASSENGER-SIDE, REAR WHEEL. ASSUMING IT WAS THE REAR BRAKES NEEDING REPLACED, I PURCHASED THE PARTS. UPON REMOVING THE HUB CAP I SAW THAT THE RIM WAS SEVERELY CRACKED. WITHIN AN INCH OR SO OF ACTUALLY BREAKING COMPLETELY APART. (THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORN.) WHEN I RETURNED THE BRAKE PARTS TO HIGH DESERT KIA, IN VICTORVILLE, CA., I TOLD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE CRACKED RIM AND INQUIRED OF THE WARRANTY ON THE RIMS. I WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY PERIOD IS 30,000 MILES.(AT THE TIME, MY VEHICLE HAD APPROX.55,000 MILES.) THEN IN JUNE OF 2004, I HEARD THE SAME CLANKING FROM THE DRIVERSIDE, REAR WHEEL. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THAT THIS RIM HAD ALSO CRACKED IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE FIRST. REALIZING THE FATAL CONSEQUENCES THAT COULD OCCUR SHOUL A RIM FAIL AND BREAK APART WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, I FIRST NOTIFIED YOU AND THEN THE KIA MOTORS HEADQUARTERS LISTED IN MY OWNERS MANUAL. UPON EXPLAINING THE CRACKING OF THE TWO RIMS AND WHAT HIGH DESERT KIA'S RESPONSE WAS TO ME, I WAS TOLD TO RETURN TO HIGH DESERT KIA AND THEY WOULD BE INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE ALL 4 OF THE RIMS ON MY RIO, AT NO CHARGE.BUT IT WOULD BE A ONCE ONLY REPLACEMENT. AND THE RIMS WOULD ONLY BE WARRANTIED FOR THE 12 MONTHS THAT IS STANDARD FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE RIMS WERE REPLACED ON JULY 17TH, 2004. UPON MY INQUIRY, I WAS ASSURED THE 4 NEW RIMS ARE FROM A DIFFERENT LOT NUMBER AND MADE IN 2003.*AK

NHTSA ID

10082502

Incident

Dec 16, 2003

Mileage

55,000 mi

I HAVE HAD MY KIA FOR 3 YEARS NOW (BOUGHT ON APRIL 24,2001), AFTER ONLY HAVING IT ONE YEAR(APRIL 25, 2002) MY TWO FRONT TIRES WERE SHREDDED ALL THE WAY TO THE METAL. THE DEALER SAID THAT MY TIRES WERE ONLY COVERED FOR A YEAR SO I HAD TO REPLACE THEM, COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE ALIGNMENT THAT SHOWED NO SIGN OF BEING OFF. RIGHT AFTER THAT THE COOLING FAN SHORTED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SMOKE AND THE CAR TO BE IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS BECAUSE KIA COULDN'T ORDER THE RIGHT PART. SOON AFTER THAT BOTH OF MY SUNVISORS BROKE TO THE POINT THEY ARE NOT USABLE. KIA TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE $35 EACH TO REPLACE, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. MY ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN FIXED 4 TIMES IN 3 YEARS WITH NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THE SHIFTER ( AUTOMATIC) HAS GONE OUT TWICE. ONCE RESULTING IN KIA HAVING TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SHIFTER. THE CAR IS CONSTANTLY VIBRATING, REALLY BAD WHEN A/C IS ON. THE BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS MADE NOISE AND OCCASIONALLY "STICK" DEALER SAID THERE MAY BE A RECALL COMING OUT, THAT WAS 3 YEARS AGO, HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING YET. *JB

NHTSA ID

10078899

Incident

Apr 25, 2002

Mileage

9,000 mi