2002 Kia RIO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
128 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
36,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 64 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 128 complaints (13.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 21 | 16.4% |
| Engine operation | 19 | 14.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 7.8% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 3.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 17 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 13 |
| Seat Belts | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 9 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 8 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Suspension | 6 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 17; Air Bags:Frontal: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling: 13; Seat Belts: 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 9; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 8; Air Bags: 7; Suspension: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 23 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 23; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 64 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 19 |
| 2003 | 31 |
| 2004 | 28 |
| 2005 | 16 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2002: 19; 2003: 31; 2004: 28; 2005: 16; 2006: 6; 2007: 6; 2008: 4; 2009: 3; 2010: 5; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2016: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 19 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 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 10001206 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THERE'S A CLICKING NOISE AND VEHICLE WILL STALL, BUT WILL START BACK UP IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS *DT
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001206 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001667 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STOPS ABRUPTLY AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE GOING UP HILLS. DEALER CONTACTED. TS CONSUMER PROVIDED MORE INFORMATION WHICH IS IN SPANISH. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001667 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002037 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE COME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002037 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004734 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 35MPH WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FEEL FREE TO ADD.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004734 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006148 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT JAMMED SO TIGHT THAT THE PLASTIC AROUND IT SHATTERED AND PIECES HIT THE DRIVER. AFTER THAT OCCURRED THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006148 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006322 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, ALSO, MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED, RESULTING IN DASHBOARD PUSHING INTO DRIVER AND PASSENGER. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006681 · 2003-02-06 (February 6, 2003)
WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED THERE WAS A MUSHY FEELING. DEALER REPLACED THE BACK PLATE ASSEMBLY, AND BRAKE SHOES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006681 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007456 · 2002-10-03 (October 3, 2002)
2002 KIA RIO. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768044
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007456 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 ↗