2001 Kia Rio: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 223 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (19% of complaints); the 2002 and 2003 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 223 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Parked car at work came back out and the door lock was down tried to pull up but is stuck or caught on something. The way the screws are in the door 2 of them cannot be taken out without having the door open. With long legs its very difficult to get in and out of vehicle!!! Also trouble with the engine misfiring of sparkplug with some loss of power. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2013
“It is difficult to enter the car with the key and when I pull the door handle the lock drops down to the close position and I can't get out this happens on the driver's side and the front passenger side,I have to hold the lock on the up position with a piece of metal or leave the rear doors unlocked in case I have to jump out..this car is a lemon I have replaced sensors alternator, starter, ac parts and many other parts the only thing good is the transmission and the engine... *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2013
“Both door locks get stuck on both the passenger side and drivers side. We have had to climb in the back seat to exit the car. This is very dangerous and could cause death or injury if a fire and could not exit the car. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · May 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Ref 2001 kia rio. Perpetual intermittent failure of fuel pump to operate. Fuel pump replaced, relay replaced, and ecm replaced. Pump won't turn on at start up and periodically, the pump stops operating after it does come on while driving. No warning. Causes safety problem on road by not having any power to move car off road. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2011
“I was involved in a 45mph head on collision. The other car was a chevy cobalt. She had run a stop sign and hit us in the front. I was the passenger in the kia both me and the driver of the kia were forced into the windshield and he hit his off the steering wheel as well. Neither of the airbags in my car went off. But both the airbags in the cobalt did. My car was also called a total with damage done to the front bumper and framing. Two mechanics that looked at the car could not believe that the airbags did not deploy. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2008
“I bought a 2001 kia rio in 2007 and within 8 months my fuel pump had to be replaced. A year later my car started sputtering and shutting off randomly while I drove it. I ended up having to replace the fuel pump two more times. I recently took it to the dealership were they informed me I needed another fuel pump. Im sorry but there is something wrong if I have to replace the fuel pump and filter 4 times in a 2 year time span. Now my car does not even run, and I refuse to replace the fuel pump again when I know it wont do anything. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2008
“Vehicle started to vibrate like wheels were out of balance. Turned into driveway driver side rear wheel fell off with brake drum still attached to wheel . Vehicle came to stop. Kia customer service line contacted, because there was no active service bulletin offered no help. Vehicle repaired at local firestone tire store. Wheel spindle and inner and outer bearings replaced. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2008
“Tl*the contact owned a 2001 kia rio. While pulling out of the drive way, another vehicle was approaching at 50 mph, crashed into the driver who was ejected from the vehicle, run over by the other vehicle and is deceased. The driver tried to engage reverse and the vehicle unintentionally accelerated. The driver's side door was opened after the vehicle was struck. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report and pictures are available. The mileage was unavailable.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2008
“Dash lights will not work. Come off and on. Check engine also comes off and on. Repaired twice, still comes on after short drive. Warned by police for dash lights. Car will be towed because unsafe driving condition. Can not afford costly repair to wiring system at this time. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2007
“My car had a recall because of stalling issues before also again when I had this problem the fuel injector was unplugged now it stalls all the time engine check light comes on had a airflow sensor light changed and it is still stalling even more check engine light comes on but goes off before I can get it checked and so I am getting nowhere and I am scared too death off having a accident because of this issue I think this is a real safety issue it is a 2001 kia rio can you help me I have contacted kia already. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 21 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUEL LEAKS MAY DEVELOP AT THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY BECAUSE OF QUALITY DEVIATIONS.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Rio by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Kia Rio reliable?
NHTSA has 223 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Kia Rio. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Kia Rio problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 49,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Kia Rio have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.