Total Complaints
31 filings
KIA RIO CINCO · model year
31 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002KIARIO CINCO carries 31 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 3 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 RIO CINCO is electrical system with 3 filings, followed by power train:clutch assembly (2) and engine and engine cooling:engine (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 38 investigation files overlapping the 2002 RIO CINCO, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
31 filings
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 1 |
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
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
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 PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Mileage: 70,000
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
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
REFER TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V179000 IN JANUARY 2007, I TOOK MY VEHICLE (2002 KIA RIO) TO RAY CARTER KIA DEALERSHIP AT 6373 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IDLE AND WOULD SOMETIMES CUT OFF DURING ACCELERATION. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME I NEEDED THE 60,000 MILE MAINTENANCE SERVICE WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE TIMING BELT, OIL CHANGE, TIRE BALANCE, THROTTLE CLEANING, FUEL ADDITIVE, FRONT AND REAR AXLE OIL, TRANSFER CASE OIL, ETC ETC AND A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER NON-ENGINE RELATED INSPECTIONS. THIS WAS AT A COST OF $759.65. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP BELIEVING IT WAS FIXED, HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM KEPT RETURNING. TODAY, 21 JULY 2007, I WENT BACK TO RAY CARTER KIA FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY PERFORMED AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE, TIRE PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT AND TOPPED OFF FLUIDS AT A COST OF $77.75. THEN THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW IDLE CONTROL SOLENOID AT A COST OF $573.74. I ASKED THEM ABOUT THE $759 I PAID BACK IN JANUARY TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM AND
Mileage: 60,948
REFER TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V179000 IN JANUARY 2007, I TOOK MY VEHICLE (2002 KIA RIO) TO RAY CARTER KIA DEALERSHIP AT 6373 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IDLE AND WOULD SOMETIMES CUT OFF DURING ACCELERATION. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME I NEEDED THE 60,000 MILE MAINTENANCE SERVICE WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE TIMING BELT, OIL CHANGE, TIRE BALANCE, THROTTLE CLEANING, FUEL ADDITIVE, FRONT AND REAR AXLE OIL, TRANSFER CASE OIL, ETC ETC AND A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER NON-ENGINE RELATED INSPECTIONS. THIS WAS AT A COST OF $759.65. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP BELIEVING IT WAS FIXED, HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM KEPT RETURNING. TODAY, 21 JULY 2007, I WENT BACK TO RAY CARTER KIA FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY PERFORMED AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE, TIRE PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT AND TOPPED OFF FLUIDS AT A COST OF $77.75. THEN THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW IDLE CONTROL SOLENOID AT A COST OF $573.74. I ASKED THEM ABOUT THE $759 I PAID BACK IN JANUARY TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM AND
Mileage: 60,948
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO CINCO. ON JULY 14, 2004, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. SHE SUSTAINED PERMANENT INJURIES TO HER OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA FROM SNAPPING HER HEAD FORWARD. A SPEC SCAN SHOWED THAT SHE RECEIVED SOME BRAIN DAMAGE, LOWER BACK HERNIATION, A TEAR IN THE ROTATOR CUP, PAIN IN HER RIGHT LEG, AND NEUTRAL HERNIA IN HER CHEST WHERE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE RADIATOR, THE COMPRESSOR, THE HOOD, AND THE FRONT AXLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 09/24/07.8JB
Mileage: 35,000
MY 2002 KIA RIO CINCO'S TIMING-BELT BROKE AND CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE RESULTING IN A $2500 FEE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE MY TIMING-BELT WAS NOT CHANGED AT 60000 (WE HAVE 61000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE) THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THESE VEHICLES AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THESE VEHICLES. *JB
Mileage: 61,000
AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WAS DISCOVERED BY OTHER EMPLOYEES APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MINUTES AFTER I HAD PARKED THE VEHICLE AT WORK AND HAD ENTERED MY OFFICE. THE WORKERS EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH 8 PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. THE DAMAGE WAS MOST SEVERE NEAR THE FIREWALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALL HOSES HAD BURNED AWAY AND PLASTICS WERE MELTED OR BURNED. A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR A DEFECTIVE GASOLINE DISTRIBUTOR PART THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED IN JULY, 2005 ACCORDING TO KIA OF CLARKSVILLE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. KIA OF CLARKSVILLE IS LOCATED IN CLARKSVILLE, IN. *NM
Mileage: 72,000
AFTER HAVING THE BRAKES SERVICED I HEARD A PING NOISE WHEN I WOULD MAKE A RIGHT TURN. AS I KEPT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE NOISE WENT AWAY FOR ABOUT A WEEK. WHEN THE NOISE RETURNED IT WAS MUCH WORSE AND WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP I COULD FEEL SOMETHING HITTING TOGETHER COULD FEEL IT TOO. WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE OFF TO CHECK, THE PIN THAT HOLDS THE BRAKE SHOE ON WAS OUT ABOUT HALF WAY AND BENT. I REPLACED THE PIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED A WEEK LATER. THE MANUFACTURER CANNOT TELL ME ANY OTHER WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS I PAY TO GET IT FIXED. AND THEIR ADVICE WAS TO JUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE SHOE.*AK
Mileage: 56,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A LOUD NOISE. WHILE STOPPING, THE NOISE GETS LOUDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. AND THEY DETERMINED THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE PIPES TO THE HEAT SHIELD AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BURNED OFF. ALSO, THE LUGS: NUTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED FIVE TIMES BECAUSE THEY WERE CORRODED. *AK
Mileage: 1,500
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A LOUD NOISE. WHILE STOPPING, THE NOISE GETS LOUDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. AND THEY DETERMINED THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE PIPES TO THE HEAT SHIELD AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BURNED OFF. ALSO, THE LUGS: NUTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED FIVE TIMES BECAUSE THEY WERE CORRODED. *AK
Mileage: 1,500
CONSUMER 2002 RIO CINCO WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES , CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING . *TS *JB
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. LESS THAN ONE MINUTE LATER THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THIS TIME. THIS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V179000 IN OCTOBER OF 2004 FOR THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND FUEL TUBE ASSEMMBLIES. *AK
Mileage: 57,000
APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS AGO I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR HESITATING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP (HAMILTON, ON) FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SENSOR (250$CAD) AND DO A 300$ TUNE UP ON THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I BROUGHT IN BACK TO THE DEALER. BY THE TIME I HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALER THE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT WAS ON. FINALLY AFTER A NUMBER OF VISITS THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ECM NEEDED A FLASH. THEY FLASHED THE ECM AND THE CAR SEEMED FINE. APPROX 3 WEEKS AGO THE CAR STARTED HESITATING AGAIN AND I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND A BULLETIN FROM KIA THAT STATED A PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN KIA'S (WHICH MINE FELL UNDER) WHERE THE ECM WOULD INCORRECTLY INTERPRET RESULTS FROM THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR AND TURN ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE ECM
Mileage: 105,000
APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS AGO I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR HESITATING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP (HAMILTON, ON) FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SENSOR (250$CAD) AND DO A 300$ TUNE UP ON THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I BROUGHT IN BACK TO THE DEALER. BY THE TIME I HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALER THE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT WAS ON. FINALLY AFTER A NUMBER OF VISITS THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ECM NEEDED A FLASH. THEY FLASHED THE ECM AND THE CAR SEEMED FINE. APPROX 3 WEEKS AGO THE CAR STARTED HESITATING AGAIN AND I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND A BULLETIN FROM KIA THAT STATED A PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN KIA'S (WHICH MINE FELL UNDER) WHERE THE ECM WOULD INCORRECTLY INTERPRET RESULTS FROM THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR AND TURN ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE ECM
Mileage: 105,000
APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS AGO I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR HESITATING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP (HAMILTON, ON) FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE SENSOR (250$CAD) AND DO A 300$ TUNE UP ON THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND I BROUGHT IN BACK TO THE DEALER. BY THE TIME I HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALER THE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT WAS ON. FINALLY AFTER A NUMBER OF VISITS THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ECM NEEDED A FLASH. THEY FLASHED THE ECM AND THE CAR SEEMED FINE. APPROX 3 WEEKS AGO THE CAR STARTED HESITATING AGAIN AND I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND A BULLETIN FROM KIA THAT STATED A PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN KIA'S (WHICH MINE FELL UNDER) WHERE THE ECM WOULD INCORRECTLY INTERPRET RESULTS FROM THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR AND TURN ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE ECM
Mileage: 105,000
FAXED FOIA REQUEST A COPY OF THE ENTIRE FILE FROM THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALLEGED DEFECT RE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM OF THE 2002 KIA RIO, ATTY REPRESENT DRIVER OF A 2002 KIA RIO INJURIED WHEN HER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR
THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES IN TWO YEARS. *NM THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATION. THE AXLE SEALS WERE LEAKING. *SC *JB
Mileage: 10,139
THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES IN TWO YEARS. *NM THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATION. THE AXLE SEALS WERE LEAKING. *SC *JB
Mileage: 10,139
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 MONTH OLD CHILD AND TO GET TO WORK. THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY SLOWING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO 25 MILES AN HOUR, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD AFTER STOPPING IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *AK
Mileage: 31,014
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.