Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 07/22/2003 | |||
| While traveling on the highway without prior warning. the vehicle shut down and will not restart. please fill in additional information dealer is aware of the problem. | |||
| 05/15/2003 | 1000 | 3 | 02/08/2003 |
| I bought my kia rio 2003 february 8, 2003. the problems started on may 15, 2003 my car cut off while driving to work, as i tried to start the car back up it took 3 to 4 times to get it to finally start. i took it in 3 times to be serviced and they either tell me that they didn't find anything wrong with it, or they tell me to use a different type of gas in my car and a different grade. the maintenance department said that kia inc. says it had something to do with the midwest fuel, yet when i went to the service desk two other people were being serviced for the same exact problem. the maintenance crew admitted after the second time that they don't know why it is cutting off, and that it is becoming a common problem for the 2003 kia rio. all the times i've been serviced at kia nothing has been done, they tell me they drove my car x amount of miles yet they find no problem with it, although when i drive it either it cuts off while driving, has a hard start, or the brakes squeaks loudly when i come to a stop. i told them about the brakes and they told me its normal for a new car, yet it seems to get louder and louder. my car was hard at trying to start today, and it cut off again at the tollway booth, i will be taking it back to matteson kia auto mart tomorrow june 16, 2003 and this will be the fourth time for the same problems that has not been resolved. *nlm | |||
| 05/15/2003 | 1000 | 3 | 02/08/2003 |
| I bought my kia rio 2003 february 8, 2003. the problems started on may 15, 2003 my car cut off while driving to work, as i tried to start the car back up it took 3 to 4 times to get it to finally start. i took it in 3 times to be serviced and they either tell me that they didn't find anything wrong with it, or they tell me to use a different type of gas in my car and a different grade. the maintenance department said that kia inc. says it had something to do with the midwest fuel, yet when i went to the service desk two other people were being serviced for the same exact problem. the maintenance crew admitted after the second time that they don't know why it is cutting off, and that it is becoming a common problem for the 2003 kia rio. all the times i've been serviced at kia nothing has been done, they tell me they drove my car x amount of miles yet they find no problem with it, although when i drive it either it cuts off while driving, has a hard start, or the brakes squeaks loudly when i come to a stop. i told them about the brakes and they told me its normal for a new car, yet it seems to get louder and louder. my car was hard at trying to start today, and it cut off again at the tollway booth, i will be taking it back to matteson kia auto mart tomorrow june 16, 2003 and this will be the fourth time for the same problems that has not been resolved. *nlm | |||
| 05/09/2003 | 6000 | 5 | 02/03/2003 |
| Electrical system. *ak | |||
| 03/01/2003 | 4000 | 1 | 12/30/2002 |
| 2003 kia rio. possible malfunction with the electrical system. *tt | |||
| 05/06/2003 | 400 | 0 | 04/11/2003 |
| I hope that i am writing the correct people about this huge problem. about three weeks ago i purchased a 2003 kia rio in milwaukee wisconsin. about two weeks after i owned the car i ran into problems with it. it seemed like every morning or any time the car was not running for more then four hours it would not start up. it was like it was out of gas when i had a full tank. it would take me about two to four tries before it would start. also it was going through more gas then what was disclosed as far as mpg. at that point i took it in to the dealer service department to have it checked out. at first they told me that they had many problems with that brand and model of car and it would be repaired the next day. the next day i got a phone call from the service department telling me that the car's computer was not working correctly and they needed to order a replacement that would take about seven business days. they told me that i could pick up the car but it will start hard and give me poor fuel economy until it was repaired. i was unhappy about the long wait so i called kia, they told me that they would call the dealership and find out why this computer would take so long. two days later i got a call from the service manger who told me that they can not repair the car's computer at this time because kia does not have a fix for it yet. he told me that because i live in milwaukee i use reformulated gas and the computer can not understand that kind of fuel and until kia has a fix for that there is nothing he can do. i then asked him is the car safe, he told me that it would be fine to drive i just have to start the car and wait 5 to 10 sec and try again till it starts. *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 12/20/2004 | 16000 | 6 | 09/09/2003 |
| My 2003 kia rio has died out on me about six times so far. i have brought it into the dealer each time, now and they have said that they could not duplicate the problem or find a problem. they have replaced a throttle position sensor however, that did not help. my car doesn't die out all the time only once in awhile. it has died out while reversing, driving on the highway, waiting at a stoplight. i have pursued lemon law in hawaii and am waiting for the decision of the arbitrator. at hearing, manufacturer knew of stalling defect however, he said it did not apply to my vin number. i have also had problems with the shocks on my vehicle, they do not absorb much and make noise when i go on a bumpy road. my car also makes a large whistling sound when driving over 50 mph but it only occurs sometimes.*ak | |||
| 08/16/2003 | 50 | 1 | |
| When it rains the vehicle fails to start. also, the catalytic convertor is giving out a rotten egg odor that comes through the air vents. dealership was not willing to service the vehicle. they were only saying it takes a year before the smell goes away. *ak *nm | |||
| 09/02/2003 | 1300 | 7 | |
| Vehicle will not start intermittently when the key is inserted. dealer is aware of the problem, and states that he does not know how to fix it. manufacturer will be notified of the problem soon.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||
| 05/03/2003 | 4768 | 8 | 12/20/2002 |
| So far there has not been any accidents caused by the cold start problem my car is having. the 2003 kia rio cinco has been in the shop numerous times for the same cold start problem. in the 1.5 years i have had the car i have nothing but problems with it. they have stated that the problem is fixed every time, however it continues. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY | |||
| 05/03/2003 | 4768 | 8 | 12/20/2002 |
| So far there has not been any accidents caused by the cold start problem my car is having. the 2003 kia rio cinco has been in the shop numerous times for the same cold start problem. in the 1.5 years i have had the car i have nothing but problems with it. they have stated that the problem is fixed every time, however it continues. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 02/22/2007 | 52067 | 2 | 01/01/2007 |
| 2003 kia rio with defective engine. customer states that the dealership told her that a new engine was put in the car in june 07 but it continues to smoke, overheat and cut off**cc the consumer was told the head gasket needed to be replaced. the tail lights were inoperative. the dealer replaced the bulbs. the lights inside the vehicle were inoperative. they replaced the main wiring harness. the consumer had to place the gear into neutral, in order to start the vehicle. the dealer adjusted the transmission range switch. *jb the consumer stated that her vehicle is at the dealership yet again being fixed. updated 08/23/07. *tr | |||