U.S. public vehicle records

2002 Kia RIO CINCO: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

21 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

56,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2002 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 13 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 21 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	4	19.0%
Transmission and shifting	3	14.3%
Engine operation	3	14.3%
Electrical and battery issues	2	9.5%
Steering behavior	1	4.8%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System

Air Bags

Engine And Engine Cooling

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor

Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery

Power Train:Clutch Assembly

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Electrical System	3
Air Bags	2
Engine And Engine Cooling	2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor	2
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery	2
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	2

Electrical System: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 2; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2012

2004: 7; 2005: 6; 2006: 4; 2007: 3; 2012: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10072654 · 2004-05-15 (May 15, 2004)

I HAVE HAD MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION KIA RIO CINCO BACK TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES SINCE ITS PURCHASE (07/02) FOR THE SAME REASON. THE CLUTCH IN THIS CAR DOES NOT SEEM STRONG ENOUGH TO WORK. I DRIVE APROX 60 MILES EACH WAY TO WORK, AND RARELY USE THE CLUTCH. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS ALL MY LIFE, AND MY OCCUPATION IS A TRUCK DRIVER. THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN COMPLETLY REPLACED 2 TIMES (APROX. EVERY 30,000 MILES) AND THE DEALER HAS ACTUALLY TOLD ME ITS NORMAL FOR THE CLUTCH TO SLIP. THE CAR NOW HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT (PAST THE 60,000 MILE BUMPE…

Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072654 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10079270 · 2004-07-04 (July 4, 2004)

VEHICLES STALLS AFTER MOVING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THE PROBLEM AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. CAR HAS BEEN OWNED FOR A YEAR AND HAS BEEN SERVICED TOO MANY TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE RECALL AS IF IT WERE NEVER FIXED. DEALER WANTS TO EXCHANGE THE CAR AT MY EXPENSE FOR THE PROBLEM. HOW IS THIS FAIR???? THEN THE CAR WILL BE PUT BACK ON THE MARKET FOR SOME OTHER SUCKER TO PURCHASE. SOME THING NEEDS TO BE DONE AND FOR THE BEST INTEREST IT SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN, WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10079270 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10090536 · 2004-09-07 (September 7, 2004)

THIS VEHICLE HAS A HAZARDOUS STALLING PROBLEM THAT SURFACED WHEN THE MILEAGE WAS BETWEEN 49,986 AND 52,281. THE PROBLEM PROGRESSED FROM INTERMITTENT TO CHRONIC. THE VEHICLE STALLS AFTER STOPPING AT STOPLIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS OR UPON RESUMING DRIVING FROM A STOPPED POSITION (STALLING HAS OCCURRED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION). THE PROBLEM BECAME CHRONIC WHEN THE MILEAGE WAS BETWEEN 73,241 AND 74,727. THIS IS WHEN THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN MORE THAN 20 MILES WITHOUT STALLING. THE PROBLEM WAS MORE PRONOUNCED IF ANY PART…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10090536 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10091720 · 2004-09-09 (September 9, 2004)

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V179000 CONCERNING FUEL DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY. DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THIS RECALL NOTICE BECAUSE CONSUMER DID NOT PURCHASE VEHICLE FROM THEM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10091720 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10092243 · 2004-09-15 (September 15, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE DRIVER TRIED CORRECT THE VEHICLE AND COME BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY , THE VEHICLE ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER. TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE BARRIER THE DRIVER MADE A HARD TURN AND OVER CORRECTED. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE GOING OFF THE EDGE OF THE BLACK TOP INTO THE BOTTOM OF A DITCH AND ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES. UPON IMPACT NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE ROOF CAVED IN ABOUT A FOOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HIS LEFT LEG, NECK PAIN…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10092243 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10099320 · 2004-10-27 (October 27, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED A ROTTEN EGG ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE SMELL WAS HYDROGEN SULFIDE (KIA RECALL SC034). *BF THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED DRIVER'S SEAT PROBLEMS , ENGINE PROBLEMS, THE ALLOY WHEELS RUSTED AND THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES PROBLEMS. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10099320 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10100898 · 2004-12-01 (December 1, 2004)

VEHICLE REPEATED STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING, TOOK IT TO DEALER THE REPLACED HARNESS. DURING A SUDDEN STOP VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK IT TO DEALER CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. ONCE AGAIN CAR SHUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD HAD THE CAR TOWED SPENT 24 HRS WITH DEALER, DEALER CANNOT FIND OUT THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSTIC TEST RUN AND CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH CAR. TOOK THE CAR HOME TODAY, DEC 1, CAR SHUTS OFF AGAIN AND WILL NOT START. CAR RUNS LIKE IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10100898 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10106100 · 2005-01-11 (January 11, 2005)

PURCHASED A 2002 KIA RIO CINCO ON NOVEMBER 30, 2004. AFTER THREE WEEKS IT BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. MAROONE KIA PELPACED A NUMBER OF THE BRAKE COMPONENTS ADFTER DECIDING THAT THE BRAKES WERE LOCKING UP. THE DAY AFTER GETTING IT BACK THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SAY THAT IT MUST BE THE TRANSMISSION, BUT SINCE IT IDS INTERMITTEN THEY CANNOT FIX IT. THEIR ADVICE WAS TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT "TEARS UP" AND THEN THEY CAN FIX IT. MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW USES THE VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT HER 3 MONT…

Owner-reported narrative. 31,014 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106100 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

04V179000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery

Reported: 2004-04-09 (April 9, 2004)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE OF THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR IS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE OR CRACKING DURING REMOVAL OF THE QUICK CONNECT COUPLING SECURING THE MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLY TO THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE, OR WHEN FORCE IS ACCIDENTALLY APPLIED TO THE INTAKE NIPPLE DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS OR DURING ENGINE COMPARTMENT REPAIRS.

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

21 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

61.9%Usable mileage13 / 21 records

100.0%Valid incident date21 / 21 records

100.0%Valid filing date21 / 21 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates21 / 21 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2001	2002	2003	2004
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	14.8% ODI 10106100 · 31,014 mi PURCHASED A 2002 KIA RIO CINCO ON NOVEMBER 30, 2004. AFTER THREE WEEKS IT BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. MAROONE KIA PELPACED A NUMBER OF THE BRAKE COMPONENTS ADFTER DECIDING THAT THE BRAKES WERE LOCKING UP. THE DAY AFTER GETTING IT BACK THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SAY THAT IT MUST BE THE TRANSMISSION, BUT SINCE IT IDS INTERMITTEN THEY CANNOT FIX IT. THEIR ADVICE WAS TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT "TEARS UP" AND THEN THEY CAN FIX IT. MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW USES THE VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT HER 3 MONT… Look up ODI 10106100 at NHTSA ↗	337.5% ODI 10211541 · 79,000 mi I HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES WITH KIA. I'LL GIVE YOU A QUICK SYNOPSIS OF MY DEALINGS WITH KIA. 1-I WANTED TO BUY THE 2002 RIO CINCO IN AUGUST 2002. I RESEARCHED IT ONLINE, AND PICKED THE ONE I WANTED BEFORE GOING TO A DEALERSHIP. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT HAD BILLBOARDS POSTED ALL OVER GRAND RAPIDS, MI ADVERTISING: $99 DOWN / $99 PER MONTH. I WAITED OVER 2 HOURS TO BE WAITED ON. WHEN THE SALESMAN FINALLY WAITED ON ME, I WAS TOLD THEY HAD TO GET THE CAR I WANTED FROM ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, AND I COULD PICK IT UP IN 2 DAYS. OCTOBER 25TH, 200… Look up ODI 10211541 at NHTSA ↗	18.3% ODI 10111299 · 18,000 mi WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-35 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING. A POLICE OFFICE HAD TO USE HIS VEHICLE TO PUSH THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN VEHICLE BEING HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OF THE HIGHWAY, THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN.*AK Look up ODI 10111299 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	314.3% ODI 10100898 VEHICLE REPEATED STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING, TOOK IT TO DEALER THE REPLACED HARNESS. DURING A SUDDEN STOP VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK IT TO DEALER CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. ONCE AGAIN CAR SHUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD HAD THE CAR TOWED SPENT 24 HRS WITH DEALER, DEALER CANNOT FIND OUT THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSTIC TEST RUN AND CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH CAR. TOOK THE CAR HOME TODAY, DEC 1, CAR SHUTS OFF AGAIN AND WILL NOT START. CAR RUNS LIKE IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF Look up ODI 10100898 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	18.3% ODI 10246561 · 110,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10246561 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	29.5% ODI 10072654 · 27,000 mi I HAVE HAD MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION KIA RIO CINCO BACK TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES SINCE ITS PURCHASE (07/02) FOR THE SAME REASON. THE CLUTCH IN THIS CAR DOES NOT SEEM STRONG ENOUGH TO WORK. I DRIVE APROX 60 MILES EACH WAY TO WORK, AND RARELY USE THE CLUTCH. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS ALL MY LIFE, AND MY OCCUPATION IS A TRUCK DRIVER. THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN COMPLETLY REPLACED 2 TIMES (APROX. EVERY 30,000 MILES) AND THE DEALER HAS ACTUALLY TOLD ME ITS NORMAL FOR THE CLUTCH TO SLIP. THE CAR NOW HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT (PAST THE 60,000 MILE BUMPE… Look up ODI 10072654 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	216.7% ODI 10137887 · 9,298 mi CAR IS A KIA RIO CINCO, I HAVE EXPERIENCED WHAT SEEMS TO BE CLUTCH SLIPPAGE IN ALL GEARS. CAR WILL ONLY ACCELERATE ABOUT 10 MILES IN EACH GEAR, THEN BEGINS TO STALL AND THEN DECELERATE, UNLESS I MOVE IT TO THE NEXT GEAR. WHEN I REACH 5TH GEAR AT ABOUT 42 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR WILL DRIVE OK UNTIL I REACH 50 AND THEN BEGAN TO DECELERATE, STABILIZING AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR. *JB Look up ODI 10137887 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	14.8% ODI 10452278 · 70,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO CINCO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY AND PULSATION OCCURRED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WHEEL HUB BEARINGS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WHEEL HUB BEARINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CONSTANT PROB… Look up ODI 10452278 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	325.0% ODI 10557137 · 62,206 mi I WAS DRIVING WITH MY GIRLFRIEND, HEADED OUT TO DINNER, GOING 15 TO 20 MPH THROUGH TOWN (25 MPH SPEED LIMIT), WHEN SUDDENLY A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE STARTED, COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL. I PULLED OVER IN A BUSINESS LOT & REMOVED TIRE TO FIND THAT THE REAR AXEL WHERE THE SHOCK ABSORBER CONNECTS TO HAD RUSTED OFF & THE SHOCK ABSORBER SWINGING, DISCONNECTED FROM THE AXEL MOUNT. I NURSED THE VEHICLE HOME & CHECKED THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR AXLE & FOUND THAT IT TOO WAS READY TO SNAP OFF. A SLIGHT TAP WITH A HAMMER ON THE AXLE PRODUCE… Look up ODI 10557137 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	29.5% ODI 10146405 CONSUMER 2002 RIO CINCO WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES , CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING . TS JB Look up ODI 10146405 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	18.3% ODI 10068683 · 5,000 mi CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON. DEALER STATED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILED. THIS PART HAD BEEN REPLACED SIX TIMES. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK Look up ODI 10068683 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	29.5% ODI 10092243 · 40,000 mi WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE DRIVER TRIED CORRECT THE VEHICLE AND COME BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY , THE VEHICLE ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER. TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE BARRIER THE DRIVER MADE A HARD TURN AND OVER CORRECTED. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE GOING OFF THE EDGE OF THE BLACK TOP INTO THE BOTTOM OF A DITCH AND ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES. UPON IMPACT NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE ROOF CAVED IN ABOUT A FOOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HIS LEFT LEG, NECK PAIN… Look up ODI 10092243 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	29.5% ODI 10079270 VEHICLES STALLS AFTER MOVING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THE PROBLEM AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. CAR HAS BEEN OWNED FOR A YEAR AND HAS BEEN SERVICED TOO MANY TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE RECALL AS IF IT WERE NEVER FIXED. DEALER WANTS TO EXCHANGE THE CAR AT MY EXPENSE FOR THE PROBLEM. HOW IS THIS FAIR???? THEN THE CAR WILL BE PUT BACK ON THE MARKET FOR SOME OTHER SUCKER TO PURCHASE. SOME THING NEEDS TO BE DONE AND FOR THE BEST INTEREST IT SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN, WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS … Look up ODI 10079270 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	29.5% ODI 10099320 WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED A ROTTEN EGG ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE SMELL WAS HYDROGEN SULFIDE (KIA RECALL SC034). BF THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED DRIVER'S SEAT PROBLEMS , ENGINE PROBLEMS, THE ALLOY WHEELS RUSTED AND THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES PROBLEMS. NM Look up ODI 10099320 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	105,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10126598 · 105,000 mi APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS AGO I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR HESITATING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP (HAMILTON, ON) FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SENSOR (250$CAD) AND DO A 300$ TUNE UP ON THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I BROUGHT IN BACK TO THE DEALER. BY THE TIME I HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALER THE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT WAS ON. FINALLY AFTER A N… Look up ODI 10126598 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	40,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10092243 · 40,000 mi WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE DRIVER TRIED CORRECT THE VEHICLE AND COME BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY , THE VEHICLE ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER. TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE BARRIER THE DRIVER MADE A HARD TURN AND OVER CORRECTED. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE GOING OFF THE EDGE OF THE BLACK TOP INTO THE BOTTOM OF A DITCH AND ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES. UPON IMPACT NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE ROOF CAVED IN ABOUT A FOOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HIS LEFT LEG, NECK PAIN… Look up ODI 10092243 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	60,948 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10197119 · 60,948 mi REFER TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V179000 IN JANUARY 2007, I TOOK MY VEHICLE (2002 KIA RIO) TO RAY CARTER KIA DEALERSHIP AT 6373 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IDLE AND WOULD SOMETIMES CUT OFF DURING ACCELERATION. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME I NEEDED THE 60,000 MILE MAINTENANCE SERVICE WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE TIMING BELT, OIL CHANGE, TIRE BALANCE, THROTTLE CLEANING, FUEL ADDITIVE, FRONT AND REAR AXLE OIL, TRANSFER CASE OIL, ETC ETC AND A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER NON-ENGINE RELATED INSPECTIONS. THIS WAS AT A… Look up ODI 10197119 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	Too few reports for a range	1,500 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10147089 · 1,500 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A LOUD NOISE. WHILE STOPPING, THE NOISE GETS LOUDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. AND THEY DETERMINED THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE PIPES TO THE HEAT SHIELD AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BURNED OFF. ALSO, THE LUGS: NUTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED FIVE TIMES BECAUSE THEY WERE CORRODED. AK Look up ODI 10147089 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor	Too few reports for a range	105,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10126598 · 105,000 mi APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS AGO I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR HESITATING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP (HAMILTON, ON) FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SENSOR (250$CAD) AND DO A 300$ TUNE UP ON THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I BROUGHT IN BACK TO THE DEALER. BY THE TIME I HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALER THE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT WAS ON. FINALLY AFTER A N… Look up ODI 10126598 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery	Too few reports for a range	66,474 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10149267 · 72,000 mi AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WAS DISCOVERED BY OTHER EMPLOYEES APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MINUTES AFTER I HAD PARKED THE VEHICLE AT WORK AND HAD ENTERED MY OFFICE. THE WORKERS EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH 8 PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. THE DAMAGE WAS MOST SEVERE NEAR THE FIREWALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALL HOSES HAD BURNED AWAY AND PLASTICS WERE MELTED OR BURNED. A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR A DEFECTIVE GASOLINE DISTRIBUTOR PART THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED IN JULY, 2005 ACCORDING TO KIA OF… Look up ODI 10149267 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10197119 · 60,948 mi REFER TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V179000 IN JANUARY 2007, I TOOK MY VEHICLE (2002 KIA RIO) TO RAY CARTER KIA DEALERSHIP AT 6373 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IDLE AND WOULD SOMETIMES CUT OFF DURING ACCELERATION. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME I NEEDED THE 60,000 MILE MAINTENANCE SERVICE WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE TIMING BELT, OIL CHANGE, TIRE BALANCE, THROTTLE CLEANING, FUEL ADDITIVE, FRONT AND REAR AXLE OIL, TRANSFER CASE OIL, ETC ETC AND A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER NON-ENGINE RELATED INSPECTIONS. THIS WAS AT A… Look up ODI 10197119 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	Too few reports for a range	18,570 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10072654 · 27,000 mi I HAVE HAD MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION KIA RIO CINCO BACK TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES SINCE ITS PURCHASE (07/02) FOR THE SAME REASON. THE CLUTCH IN THIS CAR DOES NOT SEEM STRONG ENOUGH TO WORK. I DRIVE APROX 60 MILES EACH WAY TO WORK, AND RARELY USE THE CLUTCH. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS ALL MY LIFE, AND MY OCCUPATION IS A TRUCK DRIVER. THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN COMPLETLY REPLACED 2 TIMES (APROX. EVERY 30,000 MILES) AND THE DEALER HAS ACTUALLY TOLD ME ITS NORMAL FOR THE CLUTCH TO SLIP. THE CAR NOW HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT (PAST THE 60,000 MILE BUMPE… Look up ODI 10072654 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10111066 · 10,139 mi THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES IN TWO YEARS. NM THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATION. THE AXLE SEALS WERE LEAKING. SC *JB Look up ODI 10111066 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2003: 2 complaints · 2004: 8 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2003	0	2	2
2004	3	6	8

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2003	8	0	0
2004	12	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Electrical System	Air Bags	Engine And Engine Cooling	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor	Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery	Power Train:Clutch Assembly
Electrical System	—	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10126598 · 105,000 mi APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS AGO I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR HESITATING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP (HAMILTON, ON) FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SENSOR (250$CAD) AND DO A 300$ TUNE UP ON THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I BROUGHT IN BACK TO THE DEALER. BY THE TIME I HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALER THE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT WAS ON. FINALLY AFTER A N… Look up ODI 10126598 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Air Bags	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	—	0	0	0	1 ODI 10197119 · 60,948 mi REFER TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V179000 IN JANUARY 2007, I TOOK MY VEHICLE (2002 KIA RIO) TO RAY CARTER KIA DEALERSHIP AT 6373 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IDLE AND WOULD SOMETIMES CUT OFF DURING ACCELERATION. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME I NEEDED THE 60,000 MILE MAINTENANCE SERVICE WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE TIMING BELT, OIL CHANGE, TIRE BALANCE, THROTTLE CLEANING, FUEL ADDITIVE, FRONT AND REAR AXLE OIL, TRANSFER CASE OIL, ETC ETC AND A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER NON-ENGINE RELATED INSPECTIONS. THIS WAS AT A… Look up ODI 10197119 at NHTSA ↗	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 10099320 WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED A ROTTEN EGG ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE SMELL WAS HYDROGEN SULFIDE (KIA RECALL SC034). BF THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED DRIVER'S SEAT PROBLEMS , ENGINE PROBLEMS, THE ALLOY WHEELS RUSTED AND THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES PROBLEMS. NM Look up ODI 10099320 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	0	0	0	1 ODI 10099320 WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED A ROTTEN EGG ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE SMELL WAS HYDROGEN SULFIDE (KIA RECALL SC034). BF THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED DRIVER'S SEAT PROBLEMS , ENGINE PROBLEMS, THE ALLOY WHEELS RUSTED AND THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES PROBLEMS. NM Look up ODI 10099320 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor	1 ODI 10126598 · 105,000 mi APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS AGO I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR HESITATING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP (HAMILTON, ON) FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SENSOR (250$CAD) AND DO A 300$ TUNE UP ON THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I BROUGHT IN BACK TO THE DEALER. BY THE TIME I HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALER THE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT WAS ON. FINALLY AFTER A N… Look up ODI 10126598 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery	0	0	1 ODI 10197119 · 60,948 mi REFER TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V179000 IN JANUARY 2007, I TOOK MY VEHICLE (2002 KIA RIO) TO RAY CARTER KIA DEALERSHIP AT 6373 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IDLE AND WOULD SOMETIMES CUT OFF DURING ACCELERATION. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME I NEEDED THE 60,000 MILE MAINTENANCE SERVICE WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE TIMING BELT, OIL CHANGE, TIRE BALANCE, THROTTLE CLEANING, FUEL ADDITIVE, FRONT AND REAR AXLE OIL, TRANSFER CASE OIL, ETC ETC AND A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER NON-ENGINE RELATED INSPECTIONS. THIS WAS AT A… Look up ODI 10197119 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	0
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

2 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

4 mentions · 19.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 81,000 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10090536

Look up ODI 10090536 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10100898

Look up ODI 10100898 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10126598 · 105,000 mi

APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS AGO I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR HESITATING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP (HAMILTON, ON) FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SENSOR (250$CAD) AND DO A 300$ TUNE UP ON THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I BROUGHT IN BACK TO THE DEALER. BY THE TIME I HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALER THE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT WAS ON. FINALLY AFTER A N…

Look up ODI 10126598 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Stalling or loss of power

3 mentions · 14.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10079270

Look up ODI 10079270 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10090536

Look up ODI 10090536 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10100898

Look up ODI 10100898 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b