Kia RIO CINCO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
41 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
53,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 to 2004 model years. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 41 complaints (12.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 19.5% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 19.5% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 12.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 7.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 7.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.4% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 4 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Electrical System: 4; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 4; Suspension: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 11 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2004: 10; 2005: 10; 2006: 5; 2007: 7; 2008: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 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.
Complaint evidence
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 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 ↗
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 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 10201309 · 2007-08-31 (August 31, 2007)
ELECTRICAL LINE FROM REAR OF BRAKE SWITCH IS SHORT IN LENGTH AND UNSECURED RESULTING IN WIRE DAMAGE THAT SHORTS ELECTRICAL FUSE TO SWITCH. RESULTS IN BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE AND POSSIBLE REAR END COLLISION DUE TO NO BRAKE LIGHTS. NEW SWITCH FROM FACTORY WAS INSTALLED BY KIA DEALERSHIP- BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 KIA RIO CINCO. I'M WORRIED FOR MY FAMILY'S AND OTHERS SAFETY. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT, THAT I FEEL THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BEAR THE EXPENSE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10201309 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10452278 · 2012-03-19 (March 19, 2012)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10452278 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10129257 · 2005-07-18 (July 18, 2005)
SINCE DAY ONE THIS CAR HAS HAD A SHAKE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE SPEED OF 55 - 65 MPH. THIS CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM.THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. I REQUESTED A REPRESENTATIVE COME AND CHECK THE CAR.THE RESPONSE THAT I GOT WAS, "WHAT YOUR FEELING IN YOUR STEERING WHEEL IS COMMERCIALY ACCEPTABLE TO THE INDUSTRY." AS A TECHINIAN MYSELF, I BELIEVE THAT NO NEW CAR SHOULD SHAKE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS DECLINED MY REQUEST TO BUY BACK MY CAR. I NEED SOME HELP. ALL OF T…
Owner-reported narrative. 34 miles reported. Look up ODI 10129257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10557137 · 2013-12-24 (December 24, 2013)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 62,206 miles reported. Look up ODI 10557137 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1