2002 Kia Rio: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 128 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (26% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 128 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I have had the berings replaced 2 times in the passenger side two times now and its doing it again the other side was done first . The car just stopped dead in the road and I could not get it to move before I got it fixed the time before this . I dont have the money to keep fixing this same problem the car has been sitting for months now . I got the car to finally move backwards so I drove it backwards to the spot its in got it fixed . And for the third time its happening again.”Owner report · Wheels · Apr 2019
“Slowing to turn into gas station, rear axle broke do to excessive rust rot. The body on this car had stated to rust at 8000 miles, rear frame has excessive rust rot also. Numerous other kia rio owners are reporting this issue this is alarming I could have slammed into the gas pumps as the brakes locked do to severing a brake line. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia rio. The contact stated that the rear driver and passenger's side seat belts would not retract. The contact inspected the seat belts and discovered that part of the seat belt was disintegrated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owned a 2002 kia rio. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle was involved in a front end crash. The front driver side air bag deployed aggressively and metal fragments struck the contact's face. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a head laceration that required stitches, a broken nose, and a hand injury. Medical attention was required. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the salvage yard and deemed destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown. ...updated 7/19/16*bf *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia rio. The contact stated that when refueling the vehicle, fuel would spew back out from the filler neck. In addition, the contact stated that a strong gasoline fuel odor was constantly present within the vehicle after refueling. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 04v179000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery) but was advised by the dealer that the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall prior to the purchase of the vehicle. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 107,000. Updated 03/16/12 *bf updated 03/30/12”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2012
“2002 kia rio. Consumer states timing belt failed *tgw the consumer stated the timing belt failed for a second time at 59,059 and destroyed the second engine. The consumer was informed the vehicle would not be covered under warranty, because the original timing belt was not replaced at the proper mileage. The consumer stated the original timing belt was replaced at 53,668 and the replacement belt failed at 59,059 before the recommended 60,000. A kia representative informed the consumer the warranty only extended to the original engine, not the replacement engine. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia rio. The contact stated that the rear seat belts were failing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that they could repair the seat belts at the contact's expense. There were no recalls for the vehicle and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,458.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia rio. The contact noticed that the rear seat belt was fractured. The dealer informed the contact that it was her responsibility repair the vehicle. The manufacturer had not been notified. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 93,458 and the current mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 09/01/2011 *ln”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 kia rio. While the contact was driving approximately 2-5 mph in the residence driveway, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where they informed that the failure was related to the timing belt. The technician advised that the engine would need to be replaced. Also, previously the spark plugs, and crank shaft position sensor were replaced by the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the compliant. The failure mileage was 103,000. Updated 01/14/11 *bf updated 03/01/11 updated 04/1511”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 kia rio. The contact stated that the driver side front seat belt would not buckle and the passenger side front seat belt anchor fell apart. The driver side front door lock would not unlock with the key or from the inside of the door. Kia was contacted and stated that there was nothing they could do. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000. The current mileage was approximately 182,000. The VIN was unknown. Updated 11/05/10. *lj”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 25 of these complaints and injuries in 27 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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 2002 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 2002 Kia Rio reliable?
NHTSA has 128 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2002 Kia Rio. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Kia Rio problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Kia Rio have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery. 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.