Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Kia RIO

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 103 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V294000

Seat belts: rear/other

Component
Seat belts: rear/other
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
32,257
Reported to NHTSA
2006-08-04
Owners notified
2006-09-15

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V557000

Child seat

Component
Child seat
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
90,865
Reported to NHTSA
2005-12-12
Owners notified
2006-01-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE CHILD SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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
Electrical system104,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling105,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic71,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine611,462 mi
Power train: automatic transmission515,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline469,500 mi
Air bags: frontal38,350 mi
Electrical system: ignition31,300 mi
Seat belts358,000 mi
Equipment24,768 mi
Exterior lighting280,020 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights24,768 mi
Latches/locks/linkages284,256 mi
Power train2—
Power train: clutch assembly253,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission264,263 mi
Seat belts: rear/other236 mi
Steering: column2—
Suspension2250 mi
Air bags130,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch14,768 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly14,768 mi
Electrical system: wiring152,067 mi
Engine158,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1109,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system180,020 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor150 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1260 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1150 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1114,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system158,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift150 mi
Power train: axle assembly140,318 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage130,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Service brakes178,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip12,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads115,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor151,554 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Steering1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump16 mi
Structure: body135,000 mi
Structure: body: door174,800 mi
Suspension: front116,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Unknown or other11,800 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 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.