Model year record

2001 Kia RIO

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 355 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V159000

Wheels

Component
Wheels
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
24,119
Reported to NHTSA
2005-04-20
Owners notified
2005-06-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE CRACK IS SEVERE, THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V179000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
187,790
Reported to NHTSA
2004-04-09
Owners notified
2004-06-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V352000

Fuel system, gasoline

Component
Fuel system, gasoline
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
57,340
Reported to NHTSA
2003-09-24

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUEL LEAKS MAY DEVELOP AT THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY BECAUSE OF QUALITY DEVIATIONS.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine2046,290 mi
Unknown or other1978,000 mi
Air bags1720,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission171,728 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1658,000 mi
Wheels1473,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1352,000 mi
Wheels: rim1358,000 mi
Air bags: frontal126,608 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1126,483 mi
Electrical system834,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing852,595 mi
Equipment79,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch764,634 mi
Suspension79,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery64,615 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip6
Structure: body: door6
Tires69,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other544,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components540,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition4
Seat belts: front: anchorage4
Structure: body: bumpers4
Suspension: front4
Vehicle speed control435,000 mi
Wheels: hubcap/cover445,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module354,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3140,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood334,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system31,300 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights31,300 mi
Latches/locks/linkages3129,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic330,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3
Electrical system: ignition: switch2
Electrical system: wiring215,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings222,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)2
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift240,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly237,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission2
Seat belts2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Seat belts: front: webbing250,000 mi
Steering2
Structure: frame and members21,300 mi
Visibility252,595 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer252,595 mi
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1118,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: starter assembly1140,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers11,300 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash11,300 mi
Engine1129,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system134,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan19,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1140,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer1
Exterior lighting11,300 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors160,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Fuel system, other136,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: axle hubs1107,695 mi
Power train: clutch assembly147,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system137,000 mi
Structure: body1129,500 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1
Suspension: front: hub169,400 mi
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly: u-bolt, leaf spring to axle1
Suspension: rear190,400 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems183,659 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1
Visibility: windshield1

The 2000 model has 89 times as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.