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2002 Kia RIOProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 128 owner complaints about the 2002 Kia RIO, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2002 Kia RIO
27
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.7× the RIO median · #2 of 23 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints12849 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage76kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 19, 2019. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Kia RIO has problems

128 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 cooling395
Air bags2121
Service brakes, hydraulic182
Seat belts166
Fuel system, gasoline143
Suspension90
Structure80
Electrical system83
Power train81
12 other systems214

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

1 recall

2002 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.

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

2002 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

2002 Kia RIO safety ratings

2002 Kia Rio 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2002 Kia RIO frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2002 Kia RIO side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Kia RIO, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AIR BAG NON DEPLOYEA02009 · closed Jul 2, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What RIO owners report

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

2002 KIA RIO. CONSUMER STATES TIMING BELT FAILED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIMING BELT FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME AT 59,059 AND DESTROYED THE SECOND ENGINE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL TIMING BELT WAS NOT REPLACED AT THE PROPER…
Complaint 10438436 · Dec 6, 2011 · 53,668 miles
WE WERE JUST 10 MINUTES DRIVING FROM HOME, WHEN WE SAW THE SMOKE COMING FROM FRONT OF THE CAR. WE WERE APPROACHING THE LIGHT SO THE SPEED WAS ABOUT 10 MILES. WITHIN 5/6 METERS WE STOPPED IN TURN LINE AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE SMOKE GOT MORE AND MORE. SO WE GET OUT OF THE CAR AND WE WERE JUST…
Complaint 10371653 · Dec 18, 2010 · 105,000 miles
I GOT THE SECOND HAND 2002 KIA RIO 4 MONTHS AGO. ME AND MY WIFE WERE DRIVING FOR 1 MILE WHEN THE SMELL OF SMOKE CAME AND IN THE COUPLE OF SECONDS THERE WAS SMOKE CAME FROM THE BONNET. I SWITCHED OFF AND TRIED TO OPEN THE BONNET BUT THE SMOKE GOT MORE AND MORE,SO WE LEFT THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND WE…
Complaint 10368522 · Dec 1, 2010 · 101,000 miles

Own a 2002 RIO?

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