10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,578 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.

2001 Kia Rio fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2001 Kia Rio Owner Comments

problem #11

Aug 082005

Rio

  • miles

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

Consumer complaint: ODI case number: 10136024 component: Wheels gas ignition" you tell me" when are these people going to be compensated for their lemons Kia-2001 details: Dt: the consumer was involved in an accident and a tire blew out. After the vehicle stopped spinning, the consumer got out of the vehicle and it burst into flames, the fire department came and they said fire started from heat of power equipment and the ignition burned. This happened on August 6, 2005. The consumer stated she was not informed about the recall regarding the wheels. The consumers daughter complained that the steering wheel vibrated from the time the vehicle was purchased. The same tire that the blew out was the same one that had been replaced numerous times. Occurrences: 1 injuries: 0 fail date: 08/06/2005 deaths: 0 date added to database: 9/9/2005 [file] your own complaint on this model car.

- Oakdale , CA, USA

problem #10

Sep 162008

Rio

  • miles
I bought a 2001 Kia Rio in 2007 and within 8 months my fuel pump had to be replaced. A year later my car started sputtering and shutting off randomly while I drove it. I ended up having to replace the fuel pump two more times. I recently took it to the dealership were they informed me I needed another fuel pump. Im sorry but there is something wrong if I have to replace the fuel pump and filter 4 times in a 2 year time span. Now my car does not even run, and I refuse to replace the fuel pump again when I know it wont do anything.

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #9

Mar 202011

Rio

  • 26,483 miles
Ref 2001 Kia Rio. Perpetual intermittent failure of fuel pump to operate. Fuel pump replaced, relay replaced, and ECM replaced. Pump won't turn on at start up and periodically, the pump stops operating after it does come on while driving. No warning. Causes safety problem on road by not having any power to move car off road.

- West Point, UT, USA

problem #8

Feb 092007

Rio 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,595 miles

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

Driving in traffic, made right turn into driveway at 30 mph and the engine died, steering was now unassisted. I rolled the car into a parking spot. The car started upon my return to the car. This has happened at least 6 other times since I've owned the vehicle. The car has less than 60, 000 miles and has amassed numerous repair issues: Failure of automatic transmission; rear wheel bearing replacement; defective side mirror that screams at high speeds/freeway driving w/windy conditions; sun visors which do not adhere to placement; and windshield washer pump failure. Upon acquiring the vehicle this was the first problem I took the car in for repair. And on subsequent visits, it has been an issue, but the problem persists.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #7

Apr 242006

Rio

  • miles
Purchased car, 2001 Kia Rio, in October of 2000. Within a few days airbag light came on. This occurred several times over a one year period and had to be taken back to dealer for repair at least four times. Recall was received for fuel system. This was replaced without problem. Next problem occurred with wheels, which was also a recall. I had to order the wheels which took at least a month to come in leaving me to drive to and from work, 65 miles each way, on violently vibrating wheels. Wheels were finally replaced. Problem occurred in winter 2005 with door latch. Driver side door would lock and stay locked. Vehicle was taken to original dealer for repair only to have old part repaired while being charged for new part and labor. Within a few days, door latch failed again. Took vehicle to another dealer who ordered new part. In the meantime I waited for part to arrive, and drove around in a car whose door didn't lock, leaving my car prey to thieves, who stole things constantly from me. Finally this was fixed but, the passenger side door lock did the same thing. I look the car back to the dealer who told me that they could not fix it since my warranty was up and to fix it would cost me $700 or more. I've also noticed a problem with the car stalling in traffic. This is a new problem. Example: I stop to get gas, start the car and turn out into traffic and the car shuts down. During the winter of 2005 while waiting for door locks to come in, my driver side wheel bearing went out. This was repaired but subsequently the next day after repair while driving into work, wheel bearing literally crumbled. Had car towed to dealer who informed me that an old part was mistakenly put back on the car. This was repaired and replaced with a new part. These are all safety and quality control issues.

- Flint, MI, USA

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problem #6

Nov 012004

Rio

  • miles
The consumer received a safety recall to replace the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assembly. The consumer lives in juneau and there are no roads in or out. It would cost the consumer $2500. To have the vehicle shipped to anchorage. Recall# 03V352000 & 04V179000.

- Juneau, AK, USA

problem #5

Sep 012004

Rio

  • miles

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

Fuel distributor assembly was leaking. When the consumer called to make an appointment to have the recall performed, she was told no appointment was necessary on saturdays, however when the consumer arrived she was told an appointment was necessary, so the consumer had to make an appointment for the next Saturday, however when she returned she was told there were no parts available.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #4

Jun 072004

Rio 4-cyl

  • 36,279 miles
Problems with 2001 Kia Rio. The consumer's vehicle experienced multiple fuel system problems. The consumer received a recall notice in reference to the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assembly. The consumer contacted the dealer who indicated that the problems were not related. The vehicle also had other problems. The engine would hesitate while driving. The dealer replaced the spark plugs and wires. The rear end vibrated. The dealer replaced both rear dampers. The consumer heard a clunking noise during acceleration. The dealer determined that he motor mounts were cracked. The rear wheel bearings were worn excessively.

- Key Largo, FL, USA

problem #3

Oct 142003

Rio 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
NHTSA recall 03-V-352-000: On certain passenger vehicles, fuel leaks may develop at the fuel distributor assembly, either at its service port or at the main fuel tube assembly connector to the fuel distributor assembly intake port because of quality deviations in the service port valve or main fuel tube assembly. Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel distributor and fuel connector assemblies. "Kia has not yet provided an owner notification schedule". owners should contact Kia at 1-800-222-5500. Manufacturer stated they didn't know anything about a recall. Recall#03V352000

- Mount Shasta, CA, USA

problem #2

Feb 092001

Rio

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving any speed vehicle stalls intermittently dealer has been contacted.. consumer also stated the interior panel around the windshield has broken off, also the vehicle has poor gas mileage, the overdrive light is coming on, the check engine light is on, the steering wheel locks up and is difficult to unlock, and the brake pedal goes too far down.

- Lexington, NC, USA

problem #1

Feb 032001

Rio

  • 12,000 miles
While driving, a motorist flashed their lights to get consumers attention, consumer noticed vehicle was on fire, an automotive analyst stated the cause of the fire was due to the failure of the fuel system components related to either a failure of the connection between the steel fuel line mounted to the firewall and the fuel injector fuel rail or a fuel line leak within the hose assembly.

- Auburn, ME, USA

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