2005 Kia Rio Owner Complaints

I WAS DRIVING ON PUBLIC STREET LOSS CONTROL DUE TO A POT HOLE IN THE STREET THE CAR LOST CONTROL FLIPPING SLIDING THEN FLIP UP RIGHT TILL IT CAME TO A STOP ON APT WALL THEN WHEN IT WAS ALL OVER AND DONE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED GO OFF ON MY ARM RIGHT ARM GIVING ME SECOND TO THIRD DEGREE BURNS THE PURPOSE OF THE AIR BAG ? I HAVE BROKEN BACK CAR WAS TOTALED NOW I GOT CHRONIC PAIN EVERYDAY I LOST MY CAR AM LIMITED ON MOBILEBILITY WAS GOING GET SCREWS PLACED ON MY BACK AND UN ABLE TO SET WALK OR STAND DO TO CHRONIC PAIN

NHTSA ID

11374512

Incident

Jun 9, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS RANDOMLY FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V244000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10820989

Incident

May 31, 2012

WHEN THE CAR IS EXPOSED TO MOISTURE, EITHER FROM UNDERNEATH BY DRIVING THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE OR FROM ABOVE IN A RAINSTORM, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GETS WET AND CAUSES THE SERPENTINE BELT TO SLIP. THIS RESULTS IN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ALTERNATOR FAILURE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE CAR'S POWER CUTTING OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DRIVING HAZARD, BUT I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN KIA VEHICLES RATHER THAN A PRECIPITATING MECHANICAL FAILURE CAUSING IT.

NHTSA ID

10818838

Incident

Jan 8, 2016

Mileage

109,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT FRACTURED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND TAGGED WITH LICENSE PLATES ONE HOUR BEFORE THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,125.

NHTSA ID

10776432

Incident

Sep 23, 2015

Mileage

65,125 mi

THE BLOWER STOPPED BLOWING AIR. FOR A SHORT WHILE IT WOULD COME ON, RARE OCCASIONS AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED WORKING. CHANGED THE BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR, STILL DIDN'T WORK. PULLED THE DASH APART TO CHANGE THE BLOWER SWITCH AND FOUND THAT IT HAD MELTED THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR. NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION, HOWEVER ONCE THE NEW SWITCH WAS PUT IT THE BLOWER WORKED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10660357

Incident

Nov 23, 2014

NOT REALLY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT MAYBE YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE. I CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME I'M AT LESS THAN 90% EFFICIENCY RELATIVE TO POLLUTION. WHEN THE MECHANIC CHECKS THE CO2 AND OTHER POLLUTION REQUIREMENTS I'M OK. I STILL GET GREAT MILEAGE AND GOOD POWER. THE PROBLEM IS THE COMPUTER SAYS THE CONVERTER IS OFF AND HENCE CAN'T GET A STICKER BUT THE CAR IS NOT POLLUTING ?? IF I LIVED OUT SIDE A BIG CITY WHERE THEY DO NOT TRACK THIS STUFF THERE WOULD BE NO PROBLEM. PS THE COST TO REPLACE THE CAT CONVERTER IS OVER $1400.00. WHILE IT US STILL 90% EFFECTIVE??? WHAT GIVES PLEASE HELP. THANKS, *TR

NHTSA ID

10629331

Incident

Aug 29, 2014

KIA RIO 2005 IS A VERY POORLY BUILT CAR. THE PASSENGERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, A MECHANISM IN THE DOOR IS BROKEN. SINCE THE DOOR WON'T OPEN NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THE DOOR PANEL CAN NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE DOOR WITHOUT THE DOOR BEING OPEN. NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A KIA OF ANY KIND. *TR

NHTSA ID

10588777

Incident

Nov 18, 2013

I HAVE A 2005 KIA RIO (VIN PROVIDED LATER) PURCHASED 2006, LOW MILES. SUMMER 2011 CAR STALLED, STOPPED & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST SHOP, NTB. REPLACED TIMING BELT & NO DAMAGE TO MY MOTOR. I FOUND OUT THE TIMING BELT NEEDED CHANGING AT 60K MILES (MINE WAS LOWER). THE MECHANIC WASN'T ABLE TO DETERMINE A REASON FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ANOTHER SUGGESTED A BAD SENSOR & WIPED SOMETHING OFF UNDER THE HOOD. THE LIGHT WENT OFF AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MILES. REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR APRIL 2013 (NEW ALTERNATOR, BELT & PARTS STILL UNDER WARRANTY). JUNE 2013 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON WHEN PARKED UPWARD ON AN STEEP HILL, ESP WHEN OUTSIDE TEMP WAS VERY HOT (TX). THE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON UNTIL AFTER PARKING IT IN A COVERED GARAGE & DRIVING HRS LATER. JULY 2013 MANDATORY CAR INSPECTION. WEEK OR 2 LATER, PROBLEMS W/ RPM STARTED; DURING TAKE AFTER IDLE. ABOUT 2WKS LATER, AC SPEED SUDDENLY SLOWED & BECAME WARMER. 2DAYS LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON & A STRANGE NOISE NEAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE. AGAIN, TOWED TO THE NEAREST SHOP, THE SAME NTB. ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WAS STILL WORKING. AT THE SHOP THE CAR STARTED BUT NOT LONG. THEY WERE PUZZLED. AFTER 2DAYS I WAS TOLD MY MOTOR WAS BAD & NEEDED REPLACED. NO ONE HAD AN EXPLANATION.I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR, ONLY TRANSPORTATION FOR ME & MY KIDS TOWED HOME. I TALKED TO DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT AGREE I HAVE A BAD SENSOR & CATALYST WHICH CAUSED MY MOTOR TO LOCK (PRE-IGNITION). THERE ARE SEVERAL BLOGS/ARTICLES W/THIS SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, KIA HAS NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THE 2005 RIO FUEL PROBLEMS, ONLY THE 2004 & SUPPOSEDLY CORRECTING IT. BUT IT WASN'T & MECHANICS CAN'T DIAGNOSE IT. SOMETHING IS WRONG & NEEDS INVESTIGATING. A FATAL ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE HWY. KIA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOST $ AND TIME BC THEY ONLY BANDAGED THE PROBLEM & NOT ACTUALLY FIXING IT.

NHTSA ID

10572593

Incident

Jun 16, 2011

Mileage

52,000 mi

THE PASSENGER DOOR WON'T OPEN. AND THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MANY KIA RIO OWNERS HAVE WITH THEIR CAR. CAR IS A PIECE OF JUNK. IT IS BY FAR THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10560693

Incident

Jan 8, 2013

Mileage

50,000 mi

THE ENGINE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC ON HWY, WIFE WAS IN DANGER OF BEING HIT BY OTHER VEHICLES,NO POWER TO GET TO EDGE OF ROADWAY ON BRIDGE, HEAVY CONSTRUCTION, HAD TO CLIMB OUT PASSENGER DOOR, DOWN EMBANKMENT TO SAFETY. TOWED VEHICLE HOME TO FIND ENGINE LOCKED UP. MAINTENANCE DONE REGULAR BELTS, TIRES,OIL CHANGES AND BATTERY REPLACED. ONLY FUEL GAUGE ISSUE IS ALL PROBLEMS, ASK DEALER WAS TOLD TO BRING IN FOR ESTIMATE 300.00 TO CHECK.AFTER ISSUE ON HIGHWAY FIND OUT TIMING BELT AND ENGINE PROBLEMS HAVE OCCUR ON THIS MODEL SINCE 2001. SAD FOR VETERAN UNABLE TO MAKE REPAIRS DUE TO DISABILITY. NEVER BUY OR RECOMMEND KIA TO ANYONE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10551514

Incident

Sep 25, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE COASTED INTO AN ALLEY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COASTING, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING WIRES. SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE FROM THE HOOD ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS RESTRAINED BY THE SEAT BELT AND SUFFERED NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES. BOTH THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER SUCCESSFULLY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT SPARKS AND FLAMES WERE SEEN UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO AN AUCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10459179

Incident

May 17, 2012

THE DRIVER SEAT BELT LATCH ASSEMBLY IS SPLIT IN TWO. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE EVENT, IT JUST HAPPENED ONE DAY. IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR REPLACED, IT IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD TOGETHER WITH DUCT TAPE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10372600

Incident

Nov 1, 2010

Mileage

98,000 mi

GOING 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE 4 IN ORLANDO FL MY 2005 KIA RIO BROKE THE TIMING BELT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL ENGINE POWER & ROLLED TO A STOP WE WERE ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE & BARELY AVOIDED GETTING REAR ENDED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10359902

Incident

Oct 7, 2010

Mileage

75,000 mi

KIA PLACED A BULLETIN WITH YOU ON 1/1/05,#TSB82,#10015272. APPARENTLY KIA THOUGHT THAT WAS ENOUGH. MY KIA WAS PURCHASED 7/21/05. I WAS TOLD I HAD "BUMPER TO BUMPER COVERAGE IF I PURCHASED THE ADDITIONAL 4,000. EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY WERE REQUIRED TO FURNISH ME WITH A COMPLETE WARRANTY DISCLOSURE BEFORE PURCHASE. THEY DID FURNISH ME WITH A BOOKLET CALLED WARRANTY AND CONSUMER INFORMATION MANUAL AND A PAMPHLET CALLED START UP TIPS FOR YOUR KIA. I DID READ THESE. AND THE TIMING BELT ISN'T MENTIONED. LATER WHEN I READ MY OWNERS MANUAL I DID NOTICE THAT THE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS DID MENTION THE TIMING BELT, IT SHOULD BE CHECKED AT 30,000 MI, 60,000MI AND POSSIBLY CHANGED AT 105,000. KIA DOES CLAIM 100,000 WARRANTY, AND I HAD THE BUMPER TO BUMPER COV, SO I STILL FELT PRETTY CONFIDENT IN MY CAR. IF KIA HAD COMPLETELY DISCLOSED ALL THE MAINTENANCE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE I WOULD HAVE WALKED. AT 38,000 MI I WAS ON MY WAY TO WA. I WAS JUST ABOUT TO THE TOP OF RICE HILL WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENED. 6 LANES OF 70MPH TRAFFIC, CONCRETE ON ALL SIDES AND NOWHERE TO GO, WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER. IT WAS VERY DISORIENTING THE ENGINE REVVED BUT NO POWER, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NOTHING,I WAS DUMBFOUNDED. I PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE RT. LANE. WE PUSHED IT OVER THE TOP OF RICE HILL AND COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. I CALLED KIA, THEY TOLD ME I HAD NO COVERAGE, BECAUSE MY CAR WAS A WEEK PAST 5 YRS. WE TOWED IT TO KIA WHERE THEY TOLD ME I WASN'T COVERED. SO I CALLED KIA AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS UP TO THE SERVICE MAN.. I WENT BACK TO KIA, AND THE MANAGER TOLD ME I NEEDED TO DO A DIAG TEST ($174.) WHICH I KNEW WAS IMPOS. BECAUSE THE CAR WON'T START. AFTERWARD THE SERVICE MAN TOLD ME HE HAD LOOKED AT MY CAR AND THE TB WAS GONE BUT THE PISTONS WERE FINE WHICH IS RARE. THEY WON'T FIX IT. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND 100 CONSUMERS WITH BLOWN ENGINES AND DEFECT. TIMING BELTS. WHATS UP? THIS IS DANGEROUS! IT CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS! I WAS LUCKY! DO SOMETHING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10356310

Incident

Jul 28, 2010

Mileage

38,000 mi

2005 KIA RIO STALLING PROBLEM. I'VE HAD THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR 4-5 TIMES OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS, AND DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CAN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10351205

Incident

Aug 20, 2010

Mileage

68,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. IT WOULD RESUME NORMALLY AFTER SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR AT LEAST A WEEK SO THAT THE DEALER COULD DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND FIND A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN THE FUEL FILTER OR SENSOR. THE FUEL FILTER AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000. THE SENSORS AND FUEL PUMP WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. UPDATED 06/22/10.*JB UPDATED 08/11/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/05/10*JB

NHTSA ID

10331273

Incident

Oct 1, 2009

Mileage

45,000 mi

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST IS RUN ON THE CAR, ERROR P0101 IS DETECTED. THIS ERROR, "MASS AIR FLOW CIRCUIT RANGE PERFORMANCE PROBLEM," CAN BE CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR IN THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, THIS ERROR HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN MY CAR, THE INCIDENT IN JANUARY BEING THE THIRD. IF IGNORED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY GO OFF AFTER TIME. SOMETIMES WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, THERE IS HESITATION IN THE ENGINE WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE HESITATION IS WORSE WHEN THE CAR IS WARMED UP AND HAS BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 20 MINUTES. NO ONE AT KIA HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM PERMANENTLY AND IT IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, SO I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR MYSELF. *TR

NHTSA ID

10316328

Incident

Jan 20, 2010

Mileage

65,000 mi

I HAD A 2005 KIA RIO BURN DOWN FROM AN APPARENT ELECTRICAL FIRE INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE DAY FROM WORK AND SMOKE STARTED TO SEEP THROUGH THE SEAL AROUND THE DASH. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED 911. WITHIN 5MIN MY CAR BURST INTO FLAMES AND THE WHOLE DASHBOARD STARTED TO MELT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10294786

Incident

Oct 28, 2009

Mileage

84,000 mi

AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A HEAD ON COLLISION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10292631

Incident

Oct 30, 2009

Mileage

85,000 mi

OUR SON WAS DRIVING A 2005 KIA RIO 15 MILES SOUTH OF MCMINNVILLE, OR WHEN HE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND FLIPPED THE CAR. THE FEMALE PART OF THE SAFETY BELT CLASP FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN HIM BEING THROWN AROUND THE CAB. HE ENDED UP IN THE CAB ON THE ROOF IN THE BACK SEAT. HE IS STILL VERY SORE AND HAS BACK PAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10285207

Incident

Sep 18, 2009

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING AT LOWS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RANDOMLY HESITATE. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURRED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD OR IT HAS NOT RAINED WITHIN A FEW HOURS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE NORMALLY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE DEALER HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. TWO WEEKS LATER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE ON A THIRD VISIT TO THE DEALER AND STATED THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO SAY WHAT COMPONENT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 9,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

NHTSA ID

10284768

Incident

Nov 1, 2006

Mileage

9,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT PULLED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND, AFTER A SHORT TIME OF ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. SHE TOOK PRESSURE OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT NOTHING CHANGED. SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT ACCELERATE. SHE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED STEAM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. SHE PULLED THE LATCH TO LOOSEN THE HOOD AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD ALONG WITH A BURNING ODOR. ANOTHER DRIVER ARRIVED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. A POLICE OFFICER ARRIVED AND USED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER ON THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE APPEARED TO CEASE, BUT THEN IGNITED AGAIN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES FOR GOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CONSULTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO PROVIDED HER WITH A CASE NUMBER AND INFORMED HER THAT THE MATTER WOULD BE INVESTIGATED. SHE HAS NOT YET HEARD BACK REGARDING THE INVESTIGATION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 37,000.

NHTSA ID

10264504

Incident

Mar 23, 2009

Mileage

37,000 mi

MY KIA RIO DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER SO I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6000. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY SINCE IT ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE WARRANTY, SAYING THAT MAINTENANCE ISSUES CAUSED THE FAILURE. KIA IS DEFRAUDING THE AMERICAN PUBLIC BY STATING IT HAS A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY THAT IT DOES NOT HONOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10259853

Incident

Feb 19, 2009

Mileage

80,000 mi

MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2005 KIA RIO HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT WHEN THE CAR STALLED. HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE ONE OF OUR COUNTY SHERIFFS TRIED TO GIVE HIM A JUMP. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER. MY SON TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY. HE WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY HAD BEEN DENIED DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE. THEIR DEFINITION OF THAT WAS MY SON WENT OVER ON TWO OIL CHANGES. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHERE TWO OIL CHANGES WOULD CAUSE A CAR TO LOCK UP. BECAUSE OF THE TWO OIL CHANGES KIA WILL NOT LOOK AT THE CAR. THEY ARE MAKING US TAKE THE PIECE OF JUNK THEY SOLD US TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT HAS BEEN SITTING ON THEIR LOT FOR 2 WEEKS NOW. I HAVE CALLED THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND THERE AGAIN THEY WERE NO HELP. SO NOW I TAKE THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH IT BECAUSE KIA WONT EVEN LOOK AT THERE OWN CAR. I AM NOT BEING TOLD WHAT IS AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR MY SON WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A LOWER BEARING KNOCK IN HIS CAR. HE CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP WHO NEVER RETURNED HIS CALL TO DISCUSS IT. IT THAT IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE CAR THEN IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH AN OIL CHANGE IT IS THE OIL PUMP WHICH IS THEIR PROBLEM AND THEY AREN'T GOING TO FIX IT. BUYERS BEWARE IF YOU BUY A KIA AND GO OVER ON ANY OF YOUR OIL CHANGES THEY WILL NOT COVER YOUR CAR UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE. THEY WILL GET YOU IN THEIR SHOWROOM TO BUY THEIR CARS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY IS SO GREAT AND THEN THEY DON'T WANT TO COVER IT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO THE CAR. THAT CAR WAS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE I HAVE EVER MADE IN A VEHICLE PURCHASE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10204401

Incident

Sep 14, 2007

Mileage

54,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONER BUTTON BECAME STUCK WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN IT OFF. AS THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE AND THEN FLAMES WERE PRESENT NEAR THE BUTTON AREA. THE PASSENGER SNATCHED OFF THE CUBBY HOLE UNDER THE CD PLAYER TO FIND FLAMES SHOOTING APPROXIMATELY SIX INCHES HIGH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ID

10200116

Incident

Aug 4, 2007

Mileage

94,000 mi