Kia Rio Complaints

1,336 consumer complaints on file.

#10273005June 6, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP ALTHOUGH I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE. THE CAR CROSSED THE STREET BEHIND MY HOUSE AND FINALLY CRASHED INTO A GROUP OF TREES. I THINK THAT THE THROTTLE GOT STUCK, BUT I'M NOT SURE WHY IT HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND ENDED UP BEING TAKEN TO THE JUNK YARD. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268470May 12, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
KIA RIO 2002 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT I TOOK IT TO GET CHECK OUT.EVERYTHING IS FINE.THERE IS NOTHING WRONG.THEY RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND IT CAME BACK ON.I WAS TOLD BUY A KIA DEALER SHIP IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE.THIS IS BEEN GOING ON FOR FOUR YEARS NOW. I HAVE TO GET THE CHECK EVERY TIME THE INSPECTION IS DO AND HAVE THE LIGHT RESET. SO I CAN PASS THE INSPECTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268196May 8, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL UPON DECELERATING AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. TYPICALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE ABNORMALLY WHEN IN FIFTH GEAR WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-60 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY REMEDIED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANAGER OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A RESPONSE REGARDING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,997.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266513April 23, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; AN AGGRESSIVE AND FORCEFUL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID STRIKING TWO DEER IN THE ROAD. SUDDENLY, THE BRAKES LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID SIDEWAYS. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES OR DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE RESUMED TO NORMAL OPERATION WITH CAUTION. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN CLEANED THE SERVICE BRAKES; ALTHOUGH, HE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES WHICH THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264775April 9, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY TWO YEAR OLD IN THE CAR, THE ENGINE SEIZED UP AND STALLED. THE CAR CURRENTLY WONT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. HOWEVER, WE JUST HAD ALL OF THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TO THE CAR LESS THEN 300 MILES PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SEIZING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. AS OF TODAY, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS EXCEPT THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INCIDENTS WITH THE CAR AND IT WAS ALWAYS SERVICED ON TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264504April 8, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264183April 5, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TRAVELING APROX 30 MPH, REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK ON ANY PASSENGERS, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10263808March 31, 2009
AIR BAGS, STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS DRIVING MY KIA RIO. I KNEW THERE WAS A STOP APPROACHING. I HIT THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND WHEN I TRIED TO TURN AWAY FROM TRAFFIC THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. I HIT A YUKON AND TOTALED MY CAR. THE AIRBAGS NEVER CAME OUT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10260541March 3, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA RIO. WHILE PULLING UP TO A PARKING LOT AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE WAS NEAR A TIRE SHOP AT THE TIME AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED AND THE ENGINE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE TIMING BELT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED WITHIN FIVE YEARS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259853February 24, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259074February 17, 2009
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A ROLLOVER. THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER HIT A PIECE OF FARM EQUIPMENT. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND PUSHED THE DRIVERS LEFT ARM THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE THEN HIT A DITCH AND ROLLED. THE DRIVERS ARM WAS CRUSHED BY THE CAR. THE DRIVERS SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. HAD THE DRIVERS SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO INJURY. RECOMMEND THAT FRONT AND CURTAIN AIRBAGS WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF INDIVIDUALLY. THE DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE PREVENTED ALL INJURY. THE ACCIDENT ITSELF WAS NOT THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10256496January 27, 2009
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR IS SUPPOSED TO BE OFF. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR SHOULD ALWAYS BE ILLUMINATED UNLESS MORE THAN 70 LBS. IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDICATOR WILL NOT DIM THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT NO REPAIRS WILL BE MADE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 3,026.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252925December 27, 2008
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE CLUTCH IN MY 2003 KIA RIO HAS FAILED/BROKEN FOUR TIMES NOW. MY FATHER AND I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN MARCH 2003 THE FIRST CLUTCH FAILED AROUND 8000 MILES I BELIEVE, THE SECOND AROUND 24000 MILES, THE THIRD AROUND 40000 MILES, AND NOW IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE UNABLE TO GO INTO ANY GEAR; THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 65000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING STICK SHIFTS FOR 14+ YRS. AND I KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY OPERATE THEM, YET WHENEVER I TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP I AM TOLD IT IS DRIVER ERROR AND CHARGED AT LEAST $1000 IN REPAIRS. I HAVE HAD AT LEAST THREE OTHER MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A DESIGN/BAD PARTS PROBLEM NOT DRIVING ERROR, HOWEVER I DON'T WANT TO JEOPARDIZE THE WARRANTY BY HAVING IT REPAIRED ANYWHERE BUT THE DEALERSHIP. WITH THE LAST REPAIR (CLUTCH #3) MY FATHER WAS ALLOWED TO SPEAK TO THE DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC AFTER THE CAR WAS PULLED APART AND CAUGHT THE DEALERSHIP IN A LOT OF LIES BASED ON THE TOTAL DAMAGE DONE TO THE CLUTCH AND SURROUNDING PARTS. THERE WAS NO WAY THAT MUCH DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN DONE SIMPLY BY DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THEY GAVE HIM SOME FREE PARTS AND LABOR BUT THE BILL WAS STILL OVER $600 AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE AS EVIDENCED BY THE VEHICLE NOT GOING INTO ANY GEAR NOW. I HAVE READ OVER 100 SIMILAR REPORTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR AS MINE. KIA NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, NOT THE CUSTOMER. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR AS TO NOT HAVE ANYONE INJURED, I DRIVE MY FIVE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THAT CAR, BUT I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED IN SEVERAL NOT NICE NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE OF THE CLUTCH FAILURE AND HAVE HAD THE CLUTCH GO OUT WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE PROBLEM COMES ON SUDDENLY WITH LITTLE TO NO WARNING OF THE CLUTCH HAVING PROBLEMS AND IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD, NOT ONLY TO THE PEOPLE INSIDE THE VEHICLE BUT FOR THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. IF THIS CONTINUES, SOMEONE WILL BE SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED IF IT HAS NOT HAPPENED ALREADY. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252926December 27, 2008
VISIBILITY
RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW SHATTERED WHEN DRIVERS DOOR WAS CLOSED, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO COVER UNDER WARRANT. I HAD TO PAY $247.00 TO HAVE REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252685December 23, 2008
AIR BAGS
FELL ASLEEP DRIVING 2007 KIA RIO ON THE INTERSTATE TO ARMY RESERVE TRAINING (TRAVELING 65 MPH). CAR HIT - HEAD ON - THE UPCOMING END OF A GUARD RAIL WHICH DROVE THE RADIATOR BACK INTO THE ENGINE. NEITHER FENDER GOT DAMAGED. HAD SEAT BELT ON AND HIT HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL; CUT HEAD; CONCUSSION; DISLOCATED PART OF HAND. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. UNCONSCIOUS FOR OVER AN HOUR. THE HIGHWAY PATROL WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE GUY REBUILDING THE CAR (3 HOURS FROM US; $7000 WORTH OF DAMAGE) SAYS IT DIDN'T NECESSARILY NEED TO DEPLOY BECAUSE THERE ARE ONLY 2 CENSORS AND BOTH CENSORS MUST TRIGGER TO DEPLOY. HOWEVER LOCAL MECHANIC SAYS THERE ARE 4 CENSORS AND ANY ONE OF THEM WILL DEPLOY THE AIRBAG. HAVE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY ON THE CAR FROM THE DEALER WHERE BOUGHT IT USED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10249072November 18, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE A 2004 KIA RIO. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE TILL THE MONTH OF OCTOBER WHEN IT FAILED INSPECTION FOR EMISSIONS. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT TOOK A WHILE BEFORE THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS A SENSOR. SO THEN I HAD THE CAR BACK FOR A WEEK AND MY HUSBAND WHO DRIVES THE CAR EVERYDAY WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR DIED. COME TO FIND OUT THE TIMING BELT WENT ON THE VEHICLE. WHICH COME TO FIND OUT YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO CHANGE THESE AT 60,000 ACCORDING TO THEIR BOOK. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE RIO WE ALSO BOUGHT A KIA SPECTRA. SO OF COURSE WE TOOK THE SPECTRA IN RIGHT AWAY TO GET A NEW BELT SO WE WOULDN'T HAVE 2 CARS DOWN. THAT COST 677.00. I HAD 78,000 ON THE SPECTRA AND THERE WAS 83,000 ON THE RIO. I INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM COME TO FIND OUT ALOT OF PEOPLE HAD THIS PROBLEM SO KIA KNOWS ABOUT IT. I THEN CHECKED THE TECHNICAL BULLETINS AND FOUND THAT IN JANUARY 0F 2005 THERE WAS A BULLETIN ITEM NUMBER 10015272. IT SAYS THEY IMPROVED THE TIMING BELTS FOR THE KIA RIO AND OPTIMA. WELL THEY DIDN'T IMPROVE IT FOR MY CAR. WHEN THE TIMING BELT WENT IT BLEW THE ENGINE. WE ARE SO MADE AND WHEN WE TOOK MY SPECTRA IN TO BE DONE AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RIO THEY SAID THAT'S TO BAD. WE NOW HAVE OUR CAR AT ANOTHER GARAGE AND ARE TRYING TO GET KIA TO PAY FOR ANOTHER ENGINE. WHAT DO YOU THINK MY CHANCES ARE? I AM AT WORK NOW AND I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN NUMBER, IF YOU EMAIL ME THEN LATER TONIGHT I CAN FORWARD THE VIN NUMBER TO YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247514November 3, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS INVOLVED IN A 45MPH HEAD ON COLLISION. THE OTHER CAR WAS A CHEVY COBALT. SHE HAD RUN A STOP SIGN AND HIT US IN THE FRONT. I WAS THE PASSENGER IN THE KIA BOTH ME AND THE DRIVER OF THE KIA WERE FORCED INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND HE HIT HIS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL AS WELL. NEITHER OF THE AIRBAGS IN MY CAR WENT OFF. BUT BOTH THE AIRBAGS IN THE COBALT DID. MY CAR WAS ALSO CALLED A TOTAL WITH DAMAGE DONE TO THE FRONT BUMPER AND FRAMING. TWO MECHANICS THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10246561October 23, 2008
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAN CONTROL KNOB FOR HEAT INTERMITTENTLY WOULD ONLY WORK ON SOME SPEEDS AND GRADUALLY WOULD NOT WORK AT TIMES. IT WOULD "CATCH" EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE ONLY ON HIGH, I COULD SMELL SOMETHING HOT, NOW IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. AFTER LOOKING BEHIND THE COVER, THE CLIPS THAT HOLD THE RELAY SWITCH TO THE KNOB ARE MELTED, THE RELAY SWITCH IS BURNED AND THE WIRE HARNESS IS MELTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245348October 14, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING BELT BROKE AT 72000 MILES WITHOUT WARNING. KIA SAYS CHANGE AT 60000 MILES IN KY, BUT WARRANTY IN CA ALLOW FOR 105000 MILE CHANGE. KIA REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY. STRANDED FOR 45 MINUTES. HAD TO PAY DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT KIA DEALER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245113October 10, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ON OCTOBER 8, 2008. I WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR FOUR CAR ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED IN MY VEHICLE. MY CAR WILL NOT BE REPAIRABLE IT WILL BE A TOTAL LOSS VEHICLE. IT WAS A 2007 KIA RIO, AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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