2003 Kia Rio

THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 82 REPORTS ALLEGING NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DUAL FRONT AIR BAGS.OF THE 82 REPORTS, ONLY ONE INCIDENT, THE FATAL CRASH THAT WAS THE BASIS FOR OPENING THE INVESTIGATION, HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A MODERATE TO SEVERE CRASH IN WHICH THE AUTOMOTIVE RESTRAINT CONTROLLER ISSUED A COMMAND TO DEPLOY BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11406023

Incident

Mar 22, 2021

Mileage

150,000 mi

SEAT BELTS, CAR SEAT RETAINING HOOKS, ECM, AND DISTRIBUTOR ARE RECALLED. CHEYENNE KIA HAD 3 WEEKS BEFORE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT TO GET THE PARTS. I DELIVERED THE CAR FOR REPAIRS ONLY TO GET A CALL 4 HOURS LATER THAT THEY CANNOT FIND THE PARTS. IT HAS NOW BEEN 6 WEEKS SINCE PICKING UP MY CAR AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS. ALL I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS LEAVE A MESSAGE WITH JENNIFER XT 45960 AT 800 333 4542 CASE # K3094095 KIA CUSTOMER CARE TO FIND OUT WHEN I CAN SAFELY PUT MY KIDS IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

10811811

Incident

Dec 22, 2015

Mileage

58,000 mi

ALL OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. DONE A SEARCH TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE MINE AND FOUND 3 OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN IN A MECHANIC SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS NOW AND I HAVE JUST GOT DONE TALKING WITH HIM THIS MORNING ABOUT IT AND HE SAID THAT HE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PIN POINT THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BY KIA. *TR

NHTSA ID

10652061

Incident

Sep 4, 2014

Mileage

100,000 mi

FRONT, RIGHT BRAKE ROTOR SEPARATED AT THE INBOARD HALF. PIECES NOT FOUND. OUTBOARD HALF REMAINED INTACT, AND IS AVAILABLE FOR STUDY/ANALYSIS. WAS ABLE TO USE BRAKES ALTHOUGH EXTREMELY SPONGY AND DANGER OF RESULTING FIRE FROM SPARKS (METAL-TOMETAL CONTACT). REPLACED ROTOR AND PADS. VEHICLE IS BACK IN SERVICE. PHOTOS OF OLD PADS AND ROTOR ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10552924

Incident

Sep 16, 2013

Mileage

78,000 mi

GOING OUT TO DINNER, ABOUT 1 MILE AWAY FROM HOME SMELL COMING FROM CAR. TURNED DOWN A SIDE STREET, SMOKE COMING FROM HEAT/AIR ADJUSTMENT AREA ON DASH. STOPPED CAR, FIRE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE AREA WHERE YOU ADJUST THE HEAT/AIR. BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD GET THERE THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THIS WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THANKFULLY WE WERE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I FEAR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FAR WORSE IF WE HAD BEEN ON THE EXPRESS WAY AT THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10521358

Incident

Jun 19, 2013

Mileage

77,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED AND COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, SHE HAD TO DO SO THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR SPRING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THEY DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,160.

NHTSA ID

10469545

Incident

Aug 6, 2012

Mileage

85,160 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE RAMP. WHEN THE CONTACT EMERGED FROM THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE FRACTURED COMPLETELY FROM THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED. A REPORT WAS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO MECHANIC SHOP AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,400.

NHTSA ID

10454667

Incident

Apr 7, 2012

Mileage

85,400 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE DOOR ACTUATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ID

10432621

Incident

Oct 17, 2011

Mileage

35,000 mi

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.

PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.

TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only.

TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.?

TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. Customers may experience issues with their head units that may be related to the use of aftermarket USB charging cables, including; * Electrical interference and limited or no functionality when attempting to play music, or when charging a device through the USB port * Excessive static or noise when listening to the audio source * Malfunctions and screen freeze of the head unit screen * Slow down of the system response while device is plugged in * Music will not play from iPhone 5 or 6 with Kia iPod cable and aftermarket adapter * No or limited functionality when trying to play music from an Apple device

TSB: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE CORRECT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUIDS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH KIA MODEL. REFER TO THE SHOP MANUAL ON KGIS FOR THE SPECIFIC KIA MODEL, THEN REFERENCE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE SYSTEM/ REPAIR PROCEDURES/ INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT SECTION FOR THE CORRECT ATF CHECK/FILL PROCEDURES.