KnownCarProblems2001 Kia Rio Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 223 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Kia Rio, most often about the engine (24% of complaints, typically around 52,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Rio model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2001 Kia Rio problems
Engine
53 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Oil leaks at the bottom and the top of the engine. Gasket cyl head and head cover slips out. All seal from top and bottom of the car leaks. Steering shakes very bad when the AC is running. (head gasket & cam seals leaks)
My car stalled while driving would not restart towed to dealer. Found no problem car started for them. Retrieved car stopped for gas, car would not restart, was towed back to dealer. Found glitch in cpu was reprogramed. Got car back, two hours later car would not restart towed back to dealer. Replaced fuel pump, car…
Wheels and tires
37 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: rim, hubcap/cover, pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
Dt: the concusmer was involved in an accident and a tire blew out. After the vehicle stopped spinning, the consumer got out of the vehicle and it burst into flames, the fire department came and they said fire started from heat of power equipment and the ignition burned. This happened on august 6, 2005. The consumer…
My vehicle started making a horrible noise in the front. It sounded like the brakes were digging into the rotor so I figured I needed a brake job. When I removed the wheels I looked at my brakes and they were fine, I then looked at my wheel and noticed a very large crack all they way around. I went the dealership…
Air bags
33 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 24,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Dt: the consumer stated that the 2001 Kia Rio had the air bag light on the dashboard. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, but it was not checked for the air bag light. The consumer said that the dealer did a visual check. The tires were prematurely worn out. The consumer specifically said it was because of…
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…
Transmission
25 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 43,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, manual transmission, clutch assembly.
2001 Kia Rio transmission has failed after only 40,000 miles. The company won't replace it unless we pay them, even though we're still covered by their 10 year/100,000 mile warranty.
: the contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing the clutch pedal, the gear shifter would not change gears and control of the vehicle was lost. It crashed into a curb and the engine stalled. The vehicle was restarted and the engine stalled again. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where the…
Electrical
25 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery, alternator/generator/regulator.
Problems with 2001 Kia Rio. The consumer's vehicle experienced multiple fuel system problems. The consumer received a recall notice in reference to the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assembly. The consumer contacted the dealer who indicated that the problems were not related. The vehicle also had other problems.…
I was driving home from work, and when I was approximately 1 minute from my home, my check engine light came on, and my car began "chugging". I made it as far as 3 houses away from my driveway when my car just stalled out. Rather than re-starting, I decided to roll to my driveway. I didn't even make it as far as my…
Fuel system
24 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system, carburetor system.
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…
Since december '03, check engine light has come on at least a dozen times. On 2 occassions, car bucks while driving and stalls. Have had it in to the dealer 4 times since december. I am now scared to drive the car for fear it will break down again.
Suspension
22 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Driving in traffic, made right turn into driveway at 30 MPH and the engine died, steering was now unassisted. I rolled the car into a parking spot. The car started upon my return to the car. This has happened at least 6 other times since I've owned the vehicle. The car has less than 60, 000 miles and has amassed…
Problems with 2001 Kia Rio. The consumer's vehicle experienced multiple fuel system problems. The consumer received a recall notice in reference to the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assembly. The consumer contacted the dealer who indicated that the problems were not related. The vehicle also had other problems.…
Other or unspecified
19 complaints · 9%Problems with 2001 Kia Rio. The consumer's vehicle experienced multiple fuel system problems. The consumer received a recall notice in reference to the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assembly. The consumer contacted the dealer who indicated that the problems were not related. The vehicle also had other problems.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Kia Rio recalls
Wheels and tires: wheels
Risk: If the crack is severe, the wheel could separate from the vehicle and possibly result in loss of vehicle control and a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: delivery
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, fuel leaks may develop at the fuel distributor assembly because of quality deviations.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Steel wheel fracture
Summary
On march 24, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe04-030) to investigate alleged steel wheel fractures in certain model year (my) 2001 kia rio vehicles.the subject vehicles are equipped with wheels manufactured from may 12 through october 17, 2000.wheels were manufactured during this period using a tool (ring die) that had improper surface treatment.this allowed tool damage to develop with accumulated use and resulted in an irregular shaped stamping on the wheel disc at the hat area.the irregular shaped hat area creates a stress riser that may lead to the formation of cracks.odi is aware of 40 non-duplicative consumer reports alleging wheel fract
Steel wheel fracture
Summary
On march 24, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged steel wheel fractures in certain model year (my) 2001 kia rio vehicles.the subject vehicles are equipped with wheels manufactured between may 12 and october 18, 2000.wheels were manufactured during this period using a tool (ring die) that had improper surface treatment.this allowed tool damage to develop with accumulated use and resulted in an irregular shaped stamping on the wheel disc at the hat area.the irregular shaped hat area creates a stress riser that may lead to the formation of cracks.odi is aware of 30 non-duplicative consumer reports alleging wheel fracture and 3 al
Fuel rail leakage
Summary
On april 15, 2003, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe03-016) to investigate engine compartment fires due to alleged fuel system leaks in model year (my) 2001 kia rio vehicles.the investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis on august 28, 2003.on september 22, 2003, the manufacturer notified the agency that it would conduct a safety recall (03v-352) to inspect the subject vehicles for fuel leaks.an information request (ir) letter was submitted to the manufacturer on november 17, 2003 to obtain additional information so that the office could evaluate the defect as reported by kia.the ir letter also addressed other kia vehicles not subject to
Engine compartment fires
Summary
Kia has identified 22 non-crash engine compartment fires of any or unspecified cause on the subject vehicles.nine fires (of which 4 were also reported to odi) are identified as being due to a fuel system leak originating between the firewall and the fuel injector rail (p/n 0k30e 13 150) in the passenger side area of the engine compartment.the remaining fires were due to varied or unknown causes.all 9 fires caused by a fuel system leak sustained severe and total damage.analysis indicates that 1 fire was caused by a failed quick connect between the flexible high-pressure fuel supply line (p/n 0k32a 13 49xb) and the rigid line mounted to the firewall; 5 fires were caused by a failure of the fle
Air bag non deploy
Summary
This investigation identified a total of 82 reports alleging non-deployment of the dual front air bags.of the 82 reports, only one incident, the fatal crash that was the basis for opening the investigation, has been identified as a moderate to severe crash in which the automotive restraint controller issued a command to deploy but the air bags did not deploy.a safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by
Air bag non-deployment frontal crash
Summary
In addition to the december 2001 fatal crash reported to odi that provided the basis for opening pe02-022, kia provided odi 29 additional reports of allegations of non-deployment of the air bag in a crash.no additional fatal crashes are reported.an engineering analysis has been opened to conduct further analysis of the subject vehicle's air bag system.
Questions about the 2001 Kia Rio
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Kia Rio?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (53 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles); wheels and tires (37 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); air bags (33 complaints, typically around 24,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Kia Rio have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 20, 2005 (wheels and tires). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Kia Rio?
- It is the most complained-about Rio model year since 2000, with 223 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.