U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Kia RIO CINCO: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

8 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

70,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 7 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 8 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting	3	37.5%
Braking behavior	1	12.5%

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.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Seat Belts

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Structure:Frame And Members

Unknown Or Other

Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Seat Belts: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1

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: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 1 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

2007

2011

2015

2004: 1; 2007: 4; 2011: 2; 2015: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10078990 · 2004-06-29 (June 29, 2004)

1/10/04 SATURDAY. AROUND 10:30 AM HOPE CALLS AND SAYS THE MOTOR HAS BLOWN ON THE KIA. I CALLED KIA'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. HOPE MEANWHILE HAD TO WALK TWO MILES IN 40 DEGREE BELOW ZERO WIND CHILL TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND CALL ME. 1/12/04 MONDAY I CALLED BORTZ AND TALKED TO DEAN THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE TOLD ME I HAVE A PISTON ROD IN THE OIL PAN AND THE MOTOR WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO SAID THERE IS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. HE THAT I HAD NO PROOF OF OIL CHANGES. I TOLD HIM I HAD RECEIPTS FOR OIL DATING BACK TO JULY 2003 . HE TOLD ME TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10078990 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10203094 · 2007-09-15 (September 15, 2007)

HAD A CLUNKING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE, BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. TECH CHECKED THE STRUT MOUNTS AND FOUND NOTHING LOOSE. HE THEN REMOVED THE INTERIOR PANELS AND FOUND THE METAL HOLDING THE STRUT TOWER IN PLACE HAD BROKEN BELOW THE WELDS. I WAS IN FORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS WITH ONLY 14,000 MILES ON IT. I JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT WHEN THE DEALER PUT ME IN ANOTHER VEHICLE THE FINANCING OF THE ORIGINAL VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. I ALSO JUST FOUND OUT THE VEHICLE THAT THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN A TOTAL LOSS …

Owner-reported narrative. 14,871 miles reported. Look up ODI 10203094 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10211541 · 2007-12-12 (December 12, 2007)

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…

Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10211541 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10211545 · 2007-12-12 (December 12, 2007)

CONT...2 OF 3 3-I'VE FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, PROVIDED EVIDENCE FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGES, TRANSMISSION FLUSHES, AIR CONDITIONER MAINTENANCE., TIRES, BRAKES, ETC. EVERY AUTO I'VE EVERY OWNED (DATING BACK TO 1976) HAS GIVEN ME IN EXCESS OF 200,000 MILES...AND MY TOYOTA HAD OVER 350,000 ... AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL PURRING (I JUST GOT TIRED OF HAVING TO REPLACE THE FLOOR). A PERSON DOESN'T GET THAT KIND OF MILEAGE ON A REGULAR BASIS WITHOUT TAKING CARE OF IT! 4-THE ENGINE LIGHT FIRST APPEARED IN FEBRUARY 2004. I TOOK IT TO BURL…

Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10211545 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10211554 · 2007-12-12 (December 12, 2007)

7-THE ENGINE LIGHT IS AGAIN ON AT 89,000. THIS TIME STEVE TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WE KNOW & TRUST, AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. AGAIN, STEVE TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AROUND 90,000...THIS TIME THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. AT THIS POINT, THE DEALERSHIP MECHANICS COULD NOT DENY THIS WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. NOW, WE WERE FORCED TO JUMP THROUGH SEVERAL HOOPS PROVIDING EVIDENCE THAT WE'VE PROVIDED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. WHICH WE DID, BUT THEY STILL HAVE NOT MADE A DECISION TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. 8-THE CA…

Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10211554 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10399085 · 2011-05-04 (May 4, 2011)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO CINCO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS NOT LOCKING PROPERLY; THEREFORE, THE SAFETY SEAT MIGHT COME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10399085 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10415434 · 2011-07-27 (July 27, 2011)

THE REAR SEATBELTS DON'T LOCK INTO PLACE RIGHT. NORMALLY, WHEN YOU PULL A SEATBELT THE FULL WAY OUT THEN LET IT WIND BACK IN, IT SHOULD HAVE TENSION ON IT. THE SEATBELTS IN THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE DON'T DO THIS. THEY CAN BE PULLED BACK OUT WITHOUT STOPPING. THEY CLIP INTO THE BUCKLES FINE THOUGH. I HAVE 2 CAR SEATS IN THE BACK, SO I NEED THIS FEATURE TO WORK PROPERLY TO SECURE THE CHILD SEATS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10415434 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10809842 · 2015-12-12 (December 12, 2015)

WHEN YOU PARK THE CAR, SHUTOFF ENGINE, PULL UP THE SHORT UNLOCK STICK, THEN PULL THE OPEN BUTTON TO OPEN THE DOOR. THAT'S NORMAL PROCEDURE. BUT IF YOU ARE IN HURRY, PULL THE DOOR OPEN BUTTON FIRST AND FORGET PULL THE UNLOCK STICK, YOU CANNOT OPEN DOOR ANYMORE, YOU CANNOT GO BACK AND PULL UP THE UNLOCK STICK TO UNLOCK DOOR ANYMORE. IT WILL KEEP LOCKING THE DOOR BACK WHEN YOU PULL UP THE UNLOCK STICK. YOU HAVE TO FIGHT FOR 15 MIN TO OPEN THE DOOR. DANGEROUS IF IN THE EMERGENCY.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10809842 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

8 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

87.5%Usable mileage7 / 8 records

100.0%Valid incident date8 / 8 records

100.0%Valid filing date8 / 8 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates8 / 8 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
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Too few reports for a range	79,000 mi	3 (sparse)	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 ↗ ODI 10211545 · 79,000 mi CONT...2 OF 3 3-I'VE FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, PROVIDED EVIDENCE FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGES, TRANSMISSION FLUSHES, AIR CONDITIONER MAINTENANCE., TIRES, BRAKES, ETC. EVERY AUTO I'VE EVERY OWNED (DATING BACK TO 1976) HAS GIVEN ME IN EXCESS OF 200,000 MILES...AND MY TOYOTA HAD OVER 350,000 ... AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL PURRING (I JUST GOT TIRED OF HAVING TO REPLACE THE FLOOR). A PERSON DOESN'T GET THAT KIND OF MILEAGE ON A REGULAR BASIS WITHOUT TAKING CARE OF IT! 4-THE ENGINE LIGHT FIRST APPEARED IN FEBRUARY 2004. I TOOK IT TO BURL… Look up ODI 10211545 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10211554 · 79,000 mi 7-THE ENGINE LIGHT IS AGAIN ON AT 89,000. THIS TIME STEVE TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WE KNOW & TRUST, AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. AGAIN, STEVE TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AROUND 90,000...THIS TIME THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. AT THIS POINT, THE DEALERSHIP MECHANICS COULD NOT DENY THIS WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. NOW, WE WERE FORCED TO JUMP THROUGH SEVERAL HOOPS PROVIDING EVIDENCE THAT WE'VE PROVIDED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. WHICH WE DID, BUT THEY STILL HAVE NOT MADE A DECISION TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. 8-THE CA… Look up ODI 10211554 at NHTSA ↗
Seat Belts	Too few reports for a range	60,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10399085 · 70,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO CINCO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS NOT LOCKING PROPERLY; THEREFORE, THE SAFETY SEAT MIGHT COME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. Look up ODI 10399085 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10415434 · 50,000 mi THE REAR SEATBELTS DON'T LOCK INTO PLACE RIGHT. NORMALLY, WHEN YOU PULL A SEATBELT THE FULL WAY OUT THEN LET IT WIND BACK IN, IT SHOULD HAVE TENSION ON IT. THE SEATBELTS IN THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE DON'T DO THIS. THEY CAN BE PULLED BACK OUT WITHOUT STOPPING. THEY CLIP INTO THE BUCKLES FINE THOUGH. I HAVE 2 CAR SEATS IN THE BACK, SO I NEED THIS FEATURE TO WORK PROPERLY TO SECURE THE CHILD SEATS. TR Look up ODI 10415434 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	25,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10078990 · 25,000 mi 1/10/04 SATURDAY. AROUND 10:30 AM HOPE CALLS AND SAYS THE MOTOR HAS BLOWN ON THE KIA. I CALLED KIA'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. HOPE MEANWHILE HAD TO WALK TWO MILES IN 40 DEGREE BELOW ZERO WIND CHILL TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND CALL ME. 1/12/04 MONDAY I CALLED BORTZ AND TALKED TO DEAN THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE TOLD ME I HAVE A PISTON ROD IN THE OIL PAN AND THE MOTOR WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO SAID THERE IS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. HE THAT I HAD NO PROOF OF OIL CHANGES. I TOLD HIM I HAD RECEIPTS FOR OIL DATING BACK TO JULY 2003 . HE TOLD ME TH… Look up ODI 10078990 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Frame And Members	Too few reports for a range	14,871 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10203094 · 14,871 mi HAD A CLUNKING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE, BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. TECH CHECKED THE STRUT MOUNTS AND FOUND NOTHING LOOSE. HE THEN REMOVED THE INTERIOR PANELS AND FOUND THE METAL HOLDING THE STRUT TOWER IN PLACE HAD BROKEN BELOW THE WELDS. I WAS IN FORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS WITH ONLY 14,000 MILES ON IT. I JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT WHEN THE DEALER PUT ME IN ANOTHER VEHICLE THE FINANCING OF THE ORIGINAL VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. I ALSO JUST FOUND OUT THE VEHICLE THAT THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN A TOTAL LOSS … Look up ODI 10203094 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
2024-11	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	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (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	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Seat Belts	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Structure:Frame And Members	Unknown Or Other
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	—	0	0	0	0
Seat Belts	0	—	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	0	—	0	0
Structure:Frame And Members	0	0	0	—	0
Unknown Or Other	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

1 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 25.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 52,000 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10078990 · 25,000 mi

Look up ODI 10078990 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10211545 · 79,000 mi

Look up ODI 10211545 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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