2003 KIA RIO — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
103
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
3
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 KIA RIO
The 2003 KIA RIO has received a total of 103 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER, CHILD SEAT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (10 complaints), Engine And Engine Cooling (10 complaints), and Service Brakes Hydraulic (7 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 KIA RIO
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2003 KIA RIO, potentially affecting up to 310,912 vehicles.
Recall 06V294000 — SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
| 32,257 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
View full details →Recall 05V557000 — CHILD SEAT
| 90,865 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE CHILD SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR.
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.
View full details →Recall 04V179000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
| 187,790 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 KIA RIO
103 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 KIA RIO. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
SEAT BELTS, CAR SEAT RETAINING HOOKS, ECM, AND DISTRIBUTOR ARE RECALLED. CHEYENNE KIA HAD 3 WEEKS BEFORE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT TO GET THE PARTS. I DELIVERED THE CAR FOR REPAIRS ONLY TO GET A CALL 4 HOURS LATER THAT THEY CANNOT FIND THE PARTS. IT HAS NOW BEEN 6 WEEKS SINCE PICKING UP MY CAR AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS. ALL I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS LEAVE A MESSAGE WITH JENNIFER XT 45960 AT 800 333 4542 CASE # K3094095 KIA CUSTOMER CARE TO FIND OUT WHEN I CAN SAFELY PUT MY KIDS IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE CAR.
SEAT BELTS, CAR SEAT RETAINING HOOKS, ECM, AND DISTRIBUTOR ARE RECALLED. CHEYENNE KIA HAD 3 WEEKS BEFORE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT TO GET THE PARTS. I DELIVERED THE CAR FOR REPAIRS ONLY TO GET A CALL 4 HOURS LATER THAT THEY CANNOT FIND THE PARTS. IT HAS NOW BEEN 6 WEEKS SINCE PICKING UP MY CAR AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS. ALL I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS LEAVE A MESSAGE WITH JENNIFER XT 45960 AT 800 333 4542 CASE # K3094095 KIA CUSTOMER CARE TO FIND OUT WHEN I CAN SAFELY PUT MY KIDS IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE CAR.
SEAT BELTS, CAR SEAT RETAINING HOOKS, ECM, AND DISTRIBUTOR ARE RECALLED. CHEYENNE KIA HAD 3 WEEKS BEFORE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT TO GET THE PARTS. I DELIVERED THE CAR FOR REPAIRS ONLY TO GET A CALL 4 HOURS LATER THAT THEY CANNOT FIND THE PARTS. IT HAS NOW BEEN 6 WEEKS SINCE PICKING UP MY CAR AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS. ALL I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS LEAVE A MESSAGE WITH JENNIFER XT 45960 AT 800 333 4542 CASE # K3094095 KIA CUSTOMER CARE TO FIND OUT WHEN I CAN SAFELY PUT MY KIDS IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE CAR.
ALL OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. DONE A SEARCH TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE MINE AND FOUND 3 OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN IN A MECHANIC SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS NOW AND I HAVE JUST GOT DONE TALKING WITH HIM THIS MORNING ABOUT IT AND HE SAID THAT HE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PIN POINT THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BY KIA. *TR
Safety Rating for the 2003 KIA RIO
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 KIA RIO in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 KIA RIO
Kia America, Inc. has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 KIA RIO. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
106 — POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
RIO (BC) ENGINE HARD TO START, RUNS ROUGH AND STALLS -- WHAT TO CHECK -- CRANK POSITION SENSOR (CKP) TONE RING. *NJ
034 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC034 TO REPROGRAM THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM). VEHICLES EXPERIENCING STALLING DURING IDLING OR AT NEAR STOPPING CONDITIONS. LETTERS TO KIA SERVICE MANAGERS, DEALERS AND QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SHEET. *TT
013 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
LOW AMBIENT HARD START IN ALL 2003 AND SOME 2004 1.6 DOHC MODELS. REVISED. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 KIA RIO
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the KIA RIO
- 2000 KIA RIO — 4 complaints
- 2001 KIA RIO — 355 complaints
- 2002 KIA RIO — 171 complaints
- 2003 KIA RIO (current)
- 2004 KIA RIO — 53 complaints
- 2005 KIA RIO — 46 complaints
- 2006 KIA RIO — 88 complaints
- 2007 KIA RIO — 64 complaints
- 2008 KIA RIO — 57 complaints
Other KIA Models
- KIA SORENTO — 13,451 total complaints
- KIA OPTIMA — 10,045 total complaints
- KIA SOUL — 7,147 total complaints
- KIA SPORTAGE — 6,540 total complaints
- KIA FORTE — 3,450 total complaints
- KIA SEDONA — 3,334 total complaints
- KIA SEPHIA — 3,080 total complaints
- KIA TELLURIDE — 2,109 total complaints