KnownCarProblems2003 Kia Rio Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 74 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Kia Rio, most often about the engine (27% of complaints, typically around 11,500 miles). It is 5th of 24 Rio model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2003 Kia Rio problems
Engine
20 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 11,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
While driving down the road with my two year old in the car, the engine seized up and stalled. The car currently wont start and had to be towed to the repair shop. However, we just had all of the routine maintenance to the car less then 300 miles prior to the engine seizing. The check engine light never came on. As of…
In april 2003 I bought a 2003 Kia Rio cinco for my family. When I try to start it in the morning it will not start. It takes about six to ten tries to get it started. Then it runs bad for miles. It also runs very hot and it seems the more I drive it the less preformance I been geting. My brakes are also bad when I…
Electrical
15 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, starter assembly, wiring.
So far there has not been any accidents caused by the cold start problem my car is having. The 2003 Kia Rio cinco has been in the shop numerous times for the same cold start problem. In the 1.5 years I have had the car I have nothing but problems with it. They have stated that the problem is fixed every time, however…
Vehicle will not start intermittently when the key is inserted. Dealer is aware of the problem, and states that he does not know how to fix it. Manufacturer will be notified of the problem soon.
Brakes
13 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 33,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
My Kia Rio has 15000 miles on and the brakes went in the car. I called the dealer heritage ford and they did not want to cover this. It was only the passenger side in the front. So that meant a faulty part in my eyes. I called Kia also who did not care. So I had the brakes replaced and when taking them off on the…
Since purchase of vehicle in 12/02 the car has had several reacuuring problem most of which the brakes vibration and car shaken when brakes applied. It has been back top dealership 5 times for brake problem complaints most recent was 10/23/03. So far they have dpne new pads in front wheels resurfacewd rotors more than…
Transmission
12 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 40,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, clutch assembly, axle assembly.
2003 Kia Rio with defective engine. Customer states that the dealership told her that a new engine was put in the car in june 07 but it continues to smoke, overheat and cut the consumer was told the head gasket needed to be replaced. The tail lights were inoperative. The dealer replaced the bulbs. The lights inside…
At 53,000 the vehicle became impossible to shift from one gear to another. Dealership technician advised it needed a new clutch at a cost of $1600.00. I have driven this vehicle primarily between detroit michigan and cary illinois. Eighty percent of the miles driven so far have been highway miles with little need to…
Seat belts
7 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: front, rear/other.
: the contact stated the seat belt on the driver's seat came unbolted from the frame. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repair. This was the second time that the seat belts failed.
Seat belts, car seat retaining hooks, ECM, and distributor are recalled. Cheyenne Kia had 3 weeks before original appointment to get the parts. I delivered the car for repairs only to get a call 4 hours later that they cannot find the parts. It has now been 6 weeks since picking up my car and they cannot find the…
Fuel system
7 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
Seat belts, car seat retaining hooks, ECM, and distributor are recalled. Cheyenne Kia had 3 weeks before original appointment to get the parts. I delivered the car for repairs only to get a call 4 hours later that they cannot find the parts. It has now been 6 weeks since picking up my car and they cannot find the…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Kia Rio. While driving at an unknown speed and approaching a stop, the vehicle stalled but did not shut off when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and diagnosed with fuel pump failure. The fuel pump was replaced. Approximately four months later, the failure…
Steering
4 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: column, hydraulic power assist.
Suspension
4 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: front.
My 2003 Kia Rio has died out on me about six times so far. I have brought it into the dealer each time, now and they have said that they could not duplicate the problem or find a problem. They have replaced a throttle position sensor however, that did not help. My car doesn't die out all the time only once in awhile.…
The contact owns a 2003 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle started shaking violently and then crashed into the side of the ramp. When the contact emerged from the vehicle, she noticed the rear passenger tire fractured completely from the suspension system. There were no injuries and the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Kia Rio recalls
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both rear outboard seatbelt assemblies free of charge. The recall began on september 15, 2006. Owners may contact hyundai-kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection." when used with certain child seats, the automatic locking retractor (alr) function in the rear outboard seatbelt assemblies may disengage.
Child Seat
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, if the child seat is not properly installed, personal injury or death could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the lower anchors free of charge. The recall began on january 30, 2006. Owners may contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, 'child restraint anchorage systems.' certain child restraint anchors will not fully latch onto the lower latch anchors located between the rear seat back and rear seat cushion because of interference between the child seat anchors and a metal wire located in the frame of the rear seat back. Until the recall repair is completed, follow the instructions provided by your child seats manufacturer on how to properly install the child seat with your vehicle's rear safety belts rather than using the latch system.
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.
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
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
Questions about the 2003 Kia Rio
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Kia Rio?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (20 complaints, typically around 11,500 miles); electrical (15 complaints, typically around 5,000 miles); brakes (13 complaints, typically around 33,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Kia Rio have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 4, 2006 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Kia Rio?
- It is 5th of 24 Rio model years by number of complaints, with 74 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.