NHTSA Complaint #767540 — 2001 KIA RIO

THIS VEHICLE WAS WONDERFUL AT FIRST...THEN PROBLEMS. FROM THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AN THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHING, TO MY MIRROR ON THE RIGHT PASENGER SIDE NOT WORKING ON THE INSIDE. I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH MY FIANCE, WITH THE INTENT OF HER DRIVING IT TO WORK. WE WERE ON A ROAD TRIP TO A TOWN 2 HOURS AWAY, 2 WEEKENDS IN AROW WITH 5 PEOPLE IN THE CAR. THE NEXT WEEK MY FIANCE SAID THE CAR DID NOT HANDLE CORRECTLY ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK, WHICH IS ABOUT 20 MILES. SHE HAD ME BACK IT OUT OF THE GARAGE AND DRIVE TO THE END OF OUR STREEET. SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT SO I PARKED IT IN THE DRIVE WAY, CALLED ROSEMURGY'S AND HAD THEM SEND A TOW TRUCK.THE AXLE WAS NOT LOOKING THE WAY IT SHOULD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN . IF ITS MOIST OUTSIDE SHE HAS TO START THE CAR AND LET IT RUN A MINUTE OR IT ACTS UP. BESIDES ALMOST HAVING A MAJOR FATALITY WITH THE AXLE, SHE WAS VISITING A FRIEND WHO'S DRIVEWAY WAS AT A SLANT. THE VEHICLE COULDN'T BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK. SATURDAY MORNING SHE LUCKILY GOT A HOLD OF THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO STICK A METAL PIECE OR ANYTHING THAT WOULD FIT DOWN THE HOLE NEXT TO THE GEAR SHIFTER. DRIVE HOME WITH NO TAIL LIGHTS,20 MILES, WITH A CIRCUIT TESTER TO GO FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. SHE NOW DRIVES IT KNOWING I'LL SUE IF SHE IS INJURED. SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND HOW SHE'S GOTTEN NO HELP WITH THESE PROBLEMS. IMAGINE THINKING EVERYTIME YOU GET IN YOUR CAR THE AXLE COULD BREAK AT ANYTIME. IMAGINE MAKING SURE YOU CARRY A MEAT THERMOMETER IN YOUR GLOVE BOX INCASE YOU GET STUCK ON A HILL? NOT WORTH THE MONTHLY PAYMENT, THANK GOD FOR THE WARRANTY.*AK