6.4

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,481 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Kia Rio engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Kia Rio Owner Comments

problem #10

Feb 222007

Rio

  • 52,067 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2003 Kia Rio with defective engine. Customer states that the dealership told her that a new engine was put in the car in June 07 but it continues to smoke, overheat and cut off* the consumer was told the head gasket needed to be replaced. The tail lights were inoperative. The dealer replaced the bulbs. The lights inside the vehicle were inoperative. They replaced the main wiring harness. The consumer had to place the gear into neutral, in order to start the vehicle. The dealer adjusted the transmission range switch. The consumer stated that her vehicle is at the dealership yet again being fixed. Updated 08/23/07.

- Galloway, OH, USA

problem #9

Jul 142006

Rio 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,144 miles
While driving on the highway at approximately 60 mph, the car lost total power without warning. The driver was able to steer and control the car and coasted to the side of the road. Several cars had to swerve out of the way as they were going the speed limit but the car concerned was going significantly slower. Upon inspection, the timing belt sprocket was hanging outside of the plastic cover which was burning from melted plastic. The car is within the limits of the warranty and we are awaiting a final diagnosis from the dealer and coverage determination from the manufacturer.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #8

Sep 092004

Rio 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer noticed that the engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer drove vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic replaced the sensor inside the vehicle.

- Roy, WA, USA

problem #7

Aug 102004

Rio 4-cyl

  • 7,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving up a hill, the vehicle temporally lost power. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #6

May 012004

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles
While driving 70 mph vehicle decelerated to 30 mph. No impact reported.

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #5

Sep 152003

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
In June I was having a over heating problem. If I went up a hill the car would heat up to the peg. It needed a new thermostat. The engine blew up & I had to have a new one. Now their is something wrong with the transmission, so Kia has sent for a new transmission. I'm afraid to go anywhere for fear that something else will happen to it. I'm alone, therefore I needed something I can rely on.

- Apple Valley, CA, USA

problem #4

Jul 152003

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In April 2003 I bought a 2003 Kia Rio cinco for my family. When I try to start it in the morning it will not start. It takes about six to ten tries to get it started. Then it runs bad for miles. It also runs very hot and it seems the more I drive it the less preformance I been geting. My brakes are also bad when I first drive it after it sits for hours. Kia told me that it all has to do with the reformuladed gas we use in milwaukee and Chicago. After months of people at Kia not calling me back and tring to resoulve this with Kia I am interested in a class astion law suit.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #3

May 152003

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles
The car cuts off while driving the car has a hard start, it takes at least 3 tries for it to stay on the brakes squeak loud when coming to a stop

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #2

Feb 232004

Rio

  • miles
While driving vehicle stalled. Driver tried to restart the vehicle, and the engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on until the vehicle was turned off. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that sensor needed to be replaced.

- Roy, WA, USA

problem #1

Sep 172003

Rio

  • miles
In cold weather the vehicle was very difficult to start. Anytime the vehicle was left to warm up it would stall out. The vehicle has not been to the dealer.

- Independence, MO, USA

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