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2001 Kia RIOProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 223 owner complaints about the 2001 Kia RIO, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2001 Kia RIO
21
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid3.7× the RIO median · #1 of 23 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints22343 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage46kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 13, 2017. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Kia RIO has problems

223 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling525
Air bags3314
Wheels312
Power train251
Electrical system256
Fuel system, gasoline235
Suspension221
Service brakes, hydraulic171
Seat belts152
11 other systems626

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2001 Kia RIO recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Wheels

Recall 05V-159 · Apr 20, 2005 · 24,119 vehicles

Risk. IF THE CRACK IS SEVERE, THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.

Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other RIO year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RIO median. How we score

'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2001 Kia RIO safety ratings

2001 Kia Rio 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2001 Kia RIO side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Kia RIO, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AIR BAG NON DEPLOYEA02009 · closed Jul 2, 2003
    No recall
  2. FUEL RAIL LEAKAGEEA03015 · closed Apr 30, 2004
    Led to recall 03V-352
  3. STEEL WHEEL FRACTUREEA04020 · closed Apr 28, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-159
  4. AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT FRONTAL CRASHPE02022 · closed Jul 2, 2002
    No recall
  5. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE03016 · closed Aug 28, 2003
    No recall
  6. STEEL WHEEL FRACTUREPE04030 · closed Jul 22, 2004
    No recall
In owners' words

What RIO owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

ASIDE FROM THE FACT THAT WE HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ONE RECALL NOTICE FROM KIA OR THE DEALER, ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2007, MY 2001 KIA RIO (WHICH WE BOUGHT NEW IN 1/2001) ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THE CAR ENGINE HAD WARMED UP, AND THE CAR BEGAN TO LURCH AND CHUG. IT STALLED AT A LIGHT AND RESTARTED WHEN I…
Complaint 10203567 · Sep 20, 2007 · 58,000 miles
MY CAR HAD A RECALL BECAUSE OF STALLING ISSUES BEFORE ALSO AGAIN WHEN I HAD THIS PROBLEM THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS UNPLUGGED NOW IT STALLS ALL THE TIME ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON HAD A AIRFLOW SENSOR LIGHT CHANGED AND IT IS STILL STALLING EVEN MORE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BUT GOES OFF BEFORE I CAN…
Complaint 10196659 · Jul 18, 2007 · 60,000 miles
TWO YEARS AGO WHEN TRYING TO GET INTO MY 2001 RIO THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK STUCK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAITED 2 WEEKS FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART. NOW I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY PASSENGER DOOR. CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, SO I AM UNABLE TO USE MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. ALSO…
Complaint 10184148 · Mar 4, 2007

Own a 2001 RIO?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.