← New search

2002 Kia Rio

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Rio years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Kia Rio are substantially higher than the model-year median of 38.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Rio years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

64 reports with mileage · 64 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports6 fire reports18 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

16 reports
Clear category filter
104,000 miles · Sep 18, 2013
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE SEAT BELTS AND DISCOVERED THAT PART OF THE SEAT BELT WAS DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE SEAT BELTS AND DISCOVERED THAT PART OF THE SEAT BELT WAS DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #10544190

93,458 miles · Jul 18, 2011
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT WAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS HER RESPONSIBILITY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,458 AND THE CURRENT MILE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT WAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS HER RESPONSIBILITY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,458 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/01/2011 *LN

NHTSA ODI #10413387

93,458 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY COULD REPAIR THE SEAT BELTS AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,45…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY COULD REPAIR THE SEAT BELTS AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,458.

NHTSA ODI #10410720

182,000 miles · Aug 10, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesSeat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT WOULD NOT BUCKLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHOR FELL APART. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR FROM THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR. KIA WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT WOULD NOT BUCKLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHOR FELL APART. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR FROM THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR. KIA WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 182,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/05/10. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10348559

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2007
Seat Belts

THE REAR SEAT BELTS HAVE SHREADED AT THE BASE OF THE SEAT BELT. I HAD THE BELTS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WASNOT A WARRANTY ITEM, AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE BELTS WILL CONTINUE TO SHRED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS THE RETRACTOR AT AN ANGLE AND THE TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ARE CATCHING THE BELT. …

Read full complaint

THE REAR SEAT BELTS HAVE SHREADED AT THE BASE OF THE SEAT BELT. I HAD THE BELTS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WASNOT A WARRANTY ITEM, AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE BELTS WILL CONTINUE TO SHRED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS THE RETRACTOR AT AN ANGLE AND THE TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ARE CATCHING THE BELT. THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW THAT THE BELT SHREADED WAS TO PULL IT OUT ALL OF THE WAY. WE HAVE A BELT OUT OF ANOTHER KIA RIO THAT HAS ALSO STARTED SHREDDING. KIA ADVISED THAT IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND THAT AT SOME POINT AND TIME THE OWNER MUST TAKE CARE OF ITEMS SUCH AS THIS. THEY FELT THAT IT WAS FROM USAGE. WE HAVE CHECKED THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT, AND IT SHOWED NO SIGNS OF SHREADING AND IT GOTB MORE USE THAN THE BACK SEAT BELTS. PARENTS NEED TO KNOW TO CHECK THESE BELTS BEFORE THEY GIVE AWAY DURING AN ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10186189

53,755 miles · Nov 28, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

HIT DEER AT 55 MPH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK CAUSING HEAD TO HIT STEERING WHEEL AND BOUNCE BACK AND HIT SEAT WHOLE FRONT OF CAR WAS TORE UP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10143771

81,000 miles · Jul 26, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON HWY 360 IN GRAND PRAIRIE TEXAS GOING ABOUT 50 MPH AND AN OTHER VEHICLE WAS CROSSING THE LANES TOWARD HER AND HIT HER VEHICLE AT THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE). SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SO WAS THE PASSENGER.THE SEATBELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT WORK AND AIRBAGS ON NEITHER SIDE D…

Read full complaint

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON HWY 360 IN GRAND PRAIRIE TEXAS GOING ABOUT 50 MPH AND AN OTHER VEHICLE WAS CROSSING THE LANES TOWARD HER AND HIT HER VEHICLE AT THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE). SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SO WAS THE PASSENGER.THE SEATBELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT WORK AND AIRBAGS ON NEITHER SIDE DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER WENT FORWARD STRIKING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SUFFERING HEAD AND BODY INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI #10130095

12 miles · Oct 12, 2004
Seat Belts

OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE SEAT BELTS WHICH WERE VERY LONG AND WILL NOT ADJUST. THE DEALER TOLD THE OWNER THAT THE MIDDLE SEAT BELTS WERE DESIGNED THAT WAY AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB.......*AK

NHTSA ODI #10096581

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2004
Air BagsPower TrainSeat BeltsCrash

WHILE DRIVING 10 MP AND TURNING THE VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION , AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT WAS INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AGAIN, AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SEAT BELT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING 10 MP AND TURNING THE VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION , AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT WAS INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AGAIN, AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SEAT BELT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THEN, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY MRS. SIKAKOY'S DAUGHTER LESLIE SANCHEZ.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10095445

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2004
Seat Belts

CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELTS. REPLACED THENTWICE, BUT EACH TIME THEY CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME. SHE JUST HAD ONE OF THEM REPLACED ON 6/5/04, AND WHEN HER HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE HER CHILD IN THE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP. SHE STATES THAT THE MECHANIC SAID THEY HAVE ONLY SEEN ONE OTHER PROBLEM LIKE THIS. THE…

Read full complaint

CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELTS. REPLACED THENTWICE, BUT EACH TIME THEY CONTINUED TO DO THE SAME. SHE JUST HAD ONE OF THEM REPLACED ON 6/5/04, AND WHEN HER HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE HER CHILD IN THE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP. SHE STATES THAT THE MECHANIC SAID THEY HAVE ONLY SEEN ONE OTHER PROBLEM LIKE THIS. THE MECHANIC DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10076090

Official recalls

1

04V179000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Apr 9, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA02009 · Air Bag Non Deploy

Opened Jul 2, 2002 · Closed Jul 2, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags

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 THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT