The Lemon Index2001 Kia Rio. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 2
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | 24 / 29 / 26 | Regular | $2,400 |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | Auto 4-spd | FWD | 22 / 28 / 25 | Regular | $2,500 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 26,500 and 66,000 miles. Median 48,000, from 75 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 49,100 | 27,800–61,200 | 14 |
| Airbags | 24,500 | 10,000–54,000 | 8 |
| Wheels | 58,000 | 47,200–66,800 | 18 |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 43,500 | 10,500–51,200 | 8 |
| Electrical | 36,300 | 14,000–89,000 | 9 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 25% |
| Airbags | 17% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 15% |
| Electrical | 12% |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 11% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 223 | 21 | 14 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 3
05V159000 Apr 2005 Wheels
Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE A MANUFACTURING FLAW THAT COULD CAUSE THE WHEELS TO CRACK UNDER LONG TERM DRIVING FATIGUE. IF CRACKS OCCUR, WHEEL NOISE AND VIBRATION WILL RESULT AND BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME.
Risk. IF THE CRACK IS SEVERE, THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FOUR WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
04V179000 Apr 2004 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
03V352000 Sep 2003 Fuel System, Gasoline
Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUEL LEAKS MAY DEVELOP AT THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY BECAUSE OF QUALITY DEVIATIONS.
Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND FUEL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Steel wheel fracture | 2004 | 2005 |
| Closed | Steel wheel fracture | 2004 | 2004 |
| Closed | Fuel rail leakage | 2003 | 2004 |
| Closed | Engine compartment fires | 2003 | 2003 |
| Closed | Air bag non deploy | 2002 | 2003 |
| Closed | Air bag non-deployment frontal crash | 2002 | 2002 |
Manufacturer communications 21
Kia filed 21 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Rio (bc) engine hard to start, runs rough and stalls -- what to check -- crank position sensor…
- A logic change in the transmission control module (tcm)
- Improved timing belts for the kia rio and optima
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| No | No | No |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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