Model year record

2002 Kia RIO

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 171 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine1793,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1415,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1333,404 mi
Seat belts1093,458 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic915,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery850,000 mi
Air bags727,000 mi
Suspension661,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline572,312 mi
Fuel system, gasoline530,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission512,000 mi
Electrical system336,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys378,780 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Structure34,000 mi
Tires3
Electrical system: ignition: module261,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood25,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages253,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Seat belts: rear/other2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2100 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields261,000 mi
Unknown or other250,000 mi
Visibility2100 mi
Electrical system: wiring1100 mi
Engine1100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1114,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Equipment1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner133,404 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system178,780 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, other17,707 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Parking brake1100 mi
Power train1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts: front181,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seats: mid/rear assembly127,284 mi
Service brakes, air: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper14,144 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor14,144 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings125 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder11,090 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1100 mi
Steering112,000 mi
Structure: body1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1100 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1
Wheels1
Wheels: rim1

The 2001 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has about 1.5 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.