10.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
128,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. new engine (1 reports)
2003 Kia Rio engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Kia Rio:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Kia Rio Owner Comments

problem #1

Jul 152013

Rio 1.6L

  • Manual transmission
  • 128,000 miles

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

Replaced original belt around 70,000 miles per manual should replace at 60,000 Replaced with "Gates Timing Belt, top of the line

At 128,000 miles, at the exact geographical center of No Where, "Rocky Branch, TX.", engine died with no warning and was towed.

Mechanic said belt did not break, the teeth on the Cog sheared off.

Engine destroyed.

Car was maintained with receipts to prove it. Just bought 4 new tires, battery, struts and shocks and Iridium spark plugs with new wiring harness. Maintenance was impeccable. ALL FOR NOTHING .......

The timing-belt was in good condition and had a few thousand miles left before recommended replacement.

What good does it do to maintain your car if one of the most critical components is defective and fails and destroys the engine.

I took a picture of my car as it was towed to a Salvage yard. I was given $350 for it. I only got that as it had brand new tires and struts and shocks. Their first offer was $150.00. But I showed them maintenance invoices.

I could not afford a new car so living on SSDI could only afford a $5000.00 used vehicle and not knowing it's maintenance history on day one right off the lot I paid to have the entire timing belt system replaced .

I have been to and Served in Korea, I love the Country, it's People and Culture.

Kia Motor Company is giving South Korean Companies a bad reputation. After reading about Timing belt issues with the Rio and seeing that I am no where near the only one, I have no trust for Kia Products.

I use caution when I find a product of any kind is MADE IN KOREA.

Kia Motors should feel ashamed.

They have dishonored themselves. They extended that dishonor to all other companies that are involved with the production.

Their dishonorable behavior by default now extends to their Culture and People.

It is People, that make a Company. The dishonorable behavior of a Company will stain the face of those People with dishonor.

Tho I am not Korean, I have spent several years living there. I feel their dishonor and am embarrassed by it.

- rc741852963, Naples, TX, US

Not what you are looking for?