2002 KIA RIO Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RIO years
- Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 24 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 KIA RIO. That ranks 3rd out of 24 RIO model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (39 complaints, 30%), typically at around 78,780 miles. Complaints mention 25 crashes, 6 fires, 27 injuries. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
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- 128owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 25complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2002 KIA RIO problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 39 | 30% | 78,780 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 21 | 16% | 32,250 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 18 | 14% | 8,100 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 16 | 13% | 87,229 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 14 | 11% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 9 | 7% | 61,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 8 | 6% | 36,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 8 | 6% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 8 | 6% | 4,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 2% | 117,500 | — | — |
| Visibility | 3 | 2% | 100 | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 2% | 33,404 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 2% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 1% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1% | 7,707 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1% | 100 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | 27,284 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 1% | 12,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2002 KIA RIO recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery
Problem: 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.
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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Air bag non deploy (EA02009) — opened Jul 2, 2002, closed Jul 2, 2003.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
I have had the berings replaced 2 times in the passenger side two times now and its doing it again the other side was done first . The car just stopped dead in the road and i could not get it to move before i got it fixed the time before this . I dont have the money to keep fixing this same problem…
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 kia rio. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle was involved in a front end crash. The front driver side air bag deployed aggressively and metal fragments struck the contact's face. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a head laceration that required stitches, a…
I just got my car fixed on mon. 8/25/14. I took it in because it was idling rough. The shop put in new spark plugs and wires. It cost me $180. I drove it home. It was smooth. Then i drove to downtown akron, about 15 miles, to a hike. When i was almost there, my car just went dead while i was…
Slowing to turn into gas station, rear axle broke do to excessive rust rot. The body on this car had stated to rust at 8000 miles, rear frame has excessive rust rot also. Numerous other kia rio owners are reporting this issue this is alarming i could have slammed into the gas pumps as the brakes…
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…
Other KIA RIO years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 RIO | 12 | 0 |
| 2022 RIO | 11 | 1 |
| 2021 RIO | 15 | 2 |
| 2020 RIO | 27 | 1 |
| 2019 RIO | 22 | 1 |
| 2018 RIO | 28 | 1 |
| 2017 RIO | 31 | 2 |
| 2016 RIO | 77 | 2 |
| 2015 RIO | 52 | 1 |
| 2014 RIO | 52 | 1 |
| 2013 RIO | 153 | 1 |
| 2012 RIO | 54 | 1 |
| 2011 RIO | 24 | 0 |
| 2010 RIO | 26 | 0 |
| 2009 RIO | 39 | 0 |
| 2008 RIO | 46 | 1 |
| 2007 RIO | 46 | 1 |
| 2006 RIO | 74 | 1 |
| 2005 RIO | 37 | 1 |
| 2004 RIO | 38 | 2 |
| 2003 RIO | 74 | 3 |
| 2002 | 128 | 1 |
| 2001 RIO | 223 | 3 |
| 2000 RIO | 3 | 0 |
See all KIA RIO problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
Similar KIA models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2002 KIA RIO?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, air bags, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 39 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2002 KIA RIO?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2002 KIA RIO a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RIO model years, the 2002 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.