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.
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.
The caller said the dealer made new holes in the frame to put the bolts in. The dealer cut the frame to put smaller bolts and nuts in. Another dealer said doing that ruined the integrity of the frame. Also, there was an exhaust leak into the vehicle. The transmission bracket was bent and it would not hold the transmission in place. When the dealer fixed it the bolts fell out. The caller had to take vehicle back to dealer. The check engine light was on constantly. Vehicle will not pass inspection with the light on. Dealer said it will pass inspection with the light on. Manufacturer said they could not do anything to help the caller because the warranty expired. The caller said fuses blew out. He replaced the fuses over 200 times. The dashboard lights, headlights and other exterior lights went out.
Problems with vehicle's engine. When the consumer attempted to accelerate from slowing down, the vehicle jerked into gear. The dealer could not find anything wrong with the vehicle after several visits. Many people have experienced this same problem per dealer. The front end made noises, and the vehicle had been taken to the dealer on five occasions for the air bag.
March 17 2001 is the date that I purchased my Kia Rio since then I have had nothing but multiple problems. My biggest complaint is the transmission it jerks between gears and shakes horribly when I go over 50mph. Every time I have taken it in they tell me there is nothing wrong. I have a friend who also has the same year and model car as I and her engine has blown up twice. I have never been so afraid to drive a vehicle.
- Highland, IN, USA
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I bought my car used, and have had it for only six months. I read the other complaints filed and feel a little better knowing that it isn't just my car with the problems. But I wish the dealers would recognize that they are ripping us off by not fixing the obviously defective parts. My Rio has the check engine light on (not all of the time) but when it does come on it is accompanied by the the flashing overdrive off light. This usually lasts for a couple of days. Just when I was getting used to that the engine started shaking with only the check engine light on, it did not stall but it would have if I didn't pull into a parking lot and turn the car off. A few hours later I turned it back on and no problems again until just last week the engine started shaking again. Lets not leave out the minor problems though. I also have problems with my interior falling apart and my cover for my fuses falls off every time I get in. My paint is peeling off, I have had to replace my battery that died out of nowhere. My warranty is almost up and I have had no help with these problems thus far.
I have a 2001 Kia Rio - I have had nothing but problems with it since I bought it. The engine shakes ( causing the whole car to shake ) intermittently and it does not shift into gear properly ( it is an automatic transmission ) causing the car to hesitate when I accelerate onto highways. I feel this is a real safety issue as I am afraid of getting into an accident because of this problem. I have taken it to the dealer repeatedly, even while it was actually shaking violently and they have the same answer every time...the computer does not tell them that anything is defective on the car - therefore, they can not fix it. I have asked them to replace the computer chip as it obviously is defective if it can't find anything wrong with a car that is running this poorly...but they refused to do so. It has also had other problems. The car has stalled several times for no reason as I go around a corner ( also a very dangerous problem ) and they were unable to find anything wrong on those occassions either. The airconditioning had to be totally replaced when the car was only 9 months old. The engine mounts collapsed and had to be replaced after only one year. The molding inside the car is constantly coming off. I know of 4 other Kia Rio owners who have all had similar problems with their cars and all of them have traded in the Rios at a great loss rather than put up with the continuous problems. I also want to get rid of my Rio but the value of the car is so much less than what I owe on it ( after 3 years of paying on it ) that I can not afford to do so. I have seen many other similar complaints on your website, yet Kia denies that there have been any problems with the Rio.
My over drive system they said is going to be recalled. I don't know exactly what happened but my over drive light started blinking. I would like this corrected asap. If there is a recall I would like to know.. the guy said I should get a letter. ***** dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****739077.
2001 Kia Rio transmission has failed after only 40,000 miles. The company won't replace it unless we pay them, even though we're still covered by their 10 year/100,000 mile warranty.
Consumer is reporting premature wear of the engine mounts and a rattling noise coming from the engine area, while idling or driving. Dealer notified and had replaced them. Nlm the consumer has traded this vehicle in due to all of the mechanical problems and is requesting her money back because when she had taken the vehicle the dealer, they didn't repair the problem which was to be covered by warranty. The vehicle has no power and very poor shifting. The ABS and check engine light is on. The left front mirror is not working. The spark plugs are faulty/breaking down. The inner/outer bearing with seals on left rear and right rear-replaced, and the right rear hub assembly-replaced due to over tightening of the spindle nut. There's a noise in the tire(s) the dealer performed a recall that replaced the cooler hose.
This vehicle was wonderful at first...then problems. From the check engine light coming on an the overdrive light flashing, to my mirror on the right pasenger side not working on the inside. I bought the car with my fiance, with the intent of her driving it to work. We were on a road trip to a town 2 hours away, 2 weekends in arow with 5 people in the car. The next week my fiance said the car did not handle correctly on the way home from work, which is about 20 miles. She had me back it out of the garage and drive to the end of our streeet. Something wasn't right so I parked it in the drive way, called rosemurgy's and had them send a tow truck.the axle was not looking the way it should. The check engine light came on again. If its moist outside she has to start the car and let it run a minute or it acts up. Besides almost having a major fatality with the axle, she was visiting a friend who's driveway was at a slant. The vehicle couldn't be taken out of park. Saturday morning she luckily got a hold of the dealership and was told to stick a metal piece or anything that would fit down the hole next to the gear shifter. Drive home with no tail lights,20 miles, with a circuit tester to go from reverse to drive. She now drives it knowing I'll sue if she is injured. She doesn't understand how she's gotten no help with these problems. Imagine thinking everytime you get in your car the axle could break at anytime. Imagine making sure you carry a meat thermometer in your glove box incase you get stuck on a hill? not worth the monthly payment, thank god for the warranty.
While driving at highway speeds, engine stalls out. Dealer said it was caused by corroded wiring under the hood. The consumer states that two weeks after purchasing the vehicle, the vehicle died and would not start when traveling on the highway. A week later the vehicle wouldn't go in reverse, consumer was told that vehicle needed a new transmission. The vehicles airbag and engine light would stay on. Replaced/repaired the following; replaced input speed sensor, repaired the open circuit/driverside airbag, replaced left front hub bearings, inner/outer seals, front brakes replaced, and the rotors machined.
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.
SRS light/overdrive light and engine check light will flash intermittently while vehicle is in motion. Dealer has replaced clock spring, however, SRS problem has reoccurred.
On two occasions vehicle stalled out and died at highway speeds without warning. Dealer has inspected vehicle twice, and could not duplicate or correct problem. Manufacturer has been notified. Transmission failed too.
While vehicle is being driven it continuously disengages from overdrive due to transmission control modulator. This part was missing during assembly, and has not been manfactured.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Tucson, AZ, USA