2002 KIA Rio Cinco
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › KIA › Rio Cinco › 2002
These records cover every 2002 KIA Rio Cinco. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2002 KIA Rio Cinco. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
21 complaints3 involved a crash3 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Suspension
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…
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.
- Electrical system · Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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…
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
- Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
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…
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 all they said was it was for the 60,000 mile checkup. of note, during this visit, the service manager mentioned something about a recall for the KIA rio's fuel system/gasoline delivery. when I got home I looked up the recall on the internet and found it along with this site of course. what do I need to do in order to get the fuel system/gasoline delivery system replaced iaw the recall? I also believe I am entitled to the monies I paid for services not rendered. *tr
- Air bags › Frontal
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…
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
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
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
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…
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
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings
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…
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system · Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
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
- Engine and engine cooling
Consumer 2002 rio cinco with less than 60,000 miles , caught on fire while driving . *ts *jb
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
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…
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
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
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…
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 and replaced it, but the problem remained. They finally found that the problem was the rear catalytic converter. The problem IS that the incorrect reading from the ecm would have made the car send unspent fuel through the system and into the catalytic converter thereby causing the catalytic converter to fail.
- Air bags
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
- Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal · Power train › Clutch assembly
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
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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…
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
- Electrical system
Vehicle repeated stalls in the middle of traffic while driving, took it to dealer the replaced harness. during a sudden stop vehicles check engine light came on, took it to dealer cannot find anything wrong with it. once again car shuts off in the middle of the road had the car towed spent 24 hrs…
Vehicle repeated stalls in the middle of traffic while driving, took it to dealer the replaced harness. during a sudden stop vehicles check engine light came on, took it to dealer cannot find anything wrong with it. once again car shuts off in the middle of the road had the car towed spent 24 hrs with dealer, dealer cannot find out the problem diagnostic test run and cannot find anything wrong with car. took the car home today, dec 1, car shuts off again and will not start. car runs like it wants to shut off
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system · Seats · Service brakes, hydraulic · Wheels
While driving consumer smelled a rotten egg odor coming through the vents. the consumer indicated that the smell was hydrogen sulfide (KIA recall sc034). *bf the vehicle also exhibited driver's seat problems , engine problems, the alloy wheels rusted and the front and rear brakes problems. *nm
- Air bags
While driving, the consumer lost control of the vehicle. When the driver tried correct the vehicle and come back onto the highway , the vehicle almost crashed into the concrete barrier. To avoid crashing into the barrier the driver made a hard turn and over corrected. This resulted in the vehicle…
While driving, the consumer lost control of the vehicle. When the driver tried correct the vehicle and come back onto the highway , the vehicle almost crashed into the concrete barrier. To avoid crashing into the barrier the driver made a hard turn and over corrected. This resulted in the vehicle going off the edge of the black top into the bottom of a ditch and rolled over 3 times. Upon impact none of the frontal air bags deployed. The roof caved in about a foot on the passenger side. the driver sustained bruises to his left leg, neck pain and slight blurred vision. the insurance company has totaled the vehicle. *jb
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Consumer received recall 04v179000 concerning fuel distributor assembly. Dealer refused to honor this recall notice because consumer did not purchase vehicle from them. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
This vehicle has a hazardous stalling problem that surfaced when the mileage was between 49,986 and 52,281. the problem progressed from intermittent to chronic. the vehicle stalls after stopping at stoplights or stop signs or upon resuming driving from a stopped position (stalling has occurred…
This vehicle has a hazardous stalling problem that surfaced when the mileage was between 49,986 and 52,281. the problem progressed from intermittent to chronic. the vehicle stalls after stopping at stoplights or stop signs or upon resuming driving from a stopped position (stalling has occurred while making a left turn at a busy intersection). the problem became chronic when the mileage was between 73,241 and 74,727. this IS when the vehicle could not be driven more than 20 miles without stalling. the problem was more pronounced if any part of those 20 miles was highway driving at speeds greater than 45 mph. the car will usually restart immediately after stalling. Occasionally upon restarting, it will stall again. usually after several attempts it will continue running. unfortunately, the stalling problem could only be addressed by the KIA dealers service department if it could be repeated by the technician or if it occurred in conjunction with the check engine light or if error codes were stored. the first time the vehicle (mileage 52,281) was brought in for the stalling problem the technician was able to reproduce the problem. At this time, the ecm was replaced. the second time the vehicle (mileage 55,966) was brought in for this problem error codes indicated a problem with the mass air flow sensor which was then replaced. the vehicle (mileage 64,287) was brought in for the recall that supposedly addressed this problem. the vehicle continued to stall intermittently. since that time, the mass air flow sensor has been replaced again (mileage 72,416), the ecm has been replaced again (mileage 73,241), and the catalytic converter has been replaced (mileage 74,727). the vehicle (mileage 75,135) continues to stall regularly. The next repair recommended by the KIA dealers service department IS to replace the wiring harness.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicles stalls after moving from a stopped position. Vehicle has been recalled for the problem and the problem IS still occurring. Car has been owned for a year and has been serviced too many times for the same problem. Problem has occurred since the recall as if it were never fixed. Dealer wants…
Vehicles stalls after moving from a stopped position. Vehicle has been recalled for the problem and the problem IS still occurring. Car has been owned for a year and has been serviced too many times for the same problem. Problem has occurred since the recall as if it were never fixed. Dealer wants to exchange the car at my expense for the problem. How IS this fair???? Then the car will be put back on the market for some other sucker to purchase. Some thing needs to be done and for the best interest it should not be driven, what if this happens while on the highway or someone doesn't stop in time and rear-ends the vehicle.......whose fault would it be?????*ak *tr
- Power train › Clutch assembly
I have had my manual transmission KIA rio cinco back to the dealer 6 times since its purchase (07/02) for the same reason. The clutch in this car does not seem strong enough to work. I drive aprox 60 miles each way to work, and rarely use the clutch. I have been driving manual transmissions all my…
I have had my manual transmission KIA rio cinco back to the dealer 6 times since its purchase (07/02) for the same reason. The clutch in this car does not seem strong enough to work. I drive aprox 60 miles each way to work, and rarely use the clutch. I have been driving manual transmissions all my life, and my occupation IS a truck driver. The clutch has been completly replaced 2 times (aprox. Every 30,000 miles) and the dealer has actually told me its normal for the clutch to slip. The car now has 75,000 miles on it (past the 60,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty) and the clutch has started slipping again. The clutch slips when you accelerate when in gear with the clutch fully ingaged, at first it IS noticeable in 5TH gear, then the clutch gets progressively worse.*ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10201529TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.
- 10026726KIA: all models. Article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple KIA models.
- 10013878Rear brake noise.
- 10007265Pending recall relating to the fuel distributor and fuel connector assemblies. KIA has expanded the range of affected vehicles.
Every KIA Rio Cinco model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.