Kia RIO transmission problems
61 complaint narratives mention transmission terms.
Key facts
1,290 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
52,990 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 to 2023 model years. Data snapshot: . 678 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Transmission and shifting evidence
61 of 1,290 complaints match this topic (4.7%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10004979 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
2001 KIA RIO TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AFTER ONLY 40,000 MILES. THE COMPANY WON'T REPLACE IT UNLESS WE PAY THEM, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE STILL COVERED BY THEIR 10 YEAR/100,000 MILE WARRANTY.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016604 · 2003-04-28 (April 28, 2003)
I HAVE A 2001 KIA RIO, MANUAL TRANSMISSION. AT 32000 MILES THE LEFT FRONT RIM CRACKED, AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD THE RIGHT FRONT CRACK AT 62000 MILES. KIA DID NOT CONSIDER THIS A DEFECT, SO I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW RIM FOR 98.00, AND HAVE IT MOUNTED AT ADDITIONAL COST. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER, AND KIA DIRECTLY ABOUT THIS BEING A SAFETY CONCERN. KIA'S RESPONSE WAS SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WOULD ONLY COVER MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. THE 13 INCH STEEL RIM HAS NO DAMAGE WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE TEAR IN THE STEEL; CIRCUMFE…
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022815 · 2003-06-11 (June 11, 2003)
THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION, THAT RESULTS IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDING TO BE REPLACED EVERY 37,000 MILES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022815 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030839 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
I HAVE A 2001 KIA RIO - I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE ENGINE SHAKES ( CAUSING THE WHOLE CAR TO SHAKE ) INTERMITTENTLY AND IT DOES NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR PROPERLY ( IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ) CAUSING THE CAR TO HESITATE WHEN I ACCELERATE ONTO HIGHWAYS. I FEEL THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE AS I AM AFRAID OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER REPEATEDLY, EVEN WHILE IT WAS ACTUALLY SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THEY HAVE THE SAME ANSWER EVERY TIME...THE COMPUTER DOES NOT TELL T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10030839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033244 · 2003-08-21 (August 21, 2003)
MARCH 17 2001 IS THE DATE THAT I PURCHASED MY KIA RIO SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. MY BIGGEST COMPLAINT IS THE TRANSMISSION IT JERKS BETWEEN GEARS AND SHAKES HORRIBLY WHEN I GO OVER 50MPH. EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO ALSO HAS THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL CAR AS I AND HER ENGINE HAS BLOWN UP TWICE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO AFRAID TO DRIVE A VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033244 at NHTSA ↗