2003 Kia RIO Problems & 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.

WHEN YOU PARK THE CAR, SHUTOFF ENGINE, PULL UP THE SHORT UNLOCK STICK, THEN PULL THE OPEN BUTTON TO OPEN THE DOOR. THAT'S NORMAL PROCEDURE. BUT IF YOU ARE IN HURRY, PULL THE DOOR OPEN BUTTON FIRST AND FORGET PULL THE UNLOCK STICK, YOU CANNOT OPEN DOOR ANYMORE, YOU CANNOT GO BACK AND PULL UP THE UNLOCK STICK TO UNLOCK DOOR ANYMORE. IT WILL KEEP LOCKING THE DOOR BACK WHEN YOU PULL UP THE UNLOCK STICK. YOU HAVE TO FIGHT FOR 15 MIN TO OPEN THE DOOR. DANGEROUS IF IN THE EMERGENCY.

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

FRONT, RIGHT BRAKE ROTOR SEPARATED AT THE INBOARD HALF. PIECES NOT FOUND. OUTBOARD HALF REMAINED INTACT, AND IS AVAILABLE FOR STUDY/ANALYSIS. WAS ABLE TO USE BRAKES ALTHOUGH EXTREMELY SPONGY AND DANGER OF RESULTING FIRE FROM SPARKS (METAL-TOMETAL CONTACT). REPLACED ROTOR AND PADS. VEHICLE IS BACK IN SERVICE. PHOTOS OF OLD PADS AND ROTOR ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

GOING OUT TO DINNER, ABOUT 1 MILE AWAY FROM HOME SMELL COMING FROM CAR. TURNED DOWN A SIDE STREET, SMOKE COMING FROM HEAT/AIR ADJUSTMENT AREA ON DASH. STOPPED CAR, FIRE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE AREA WHERE YOU ADJUST THE HEAT/AIR. BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD GET THERE THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THIS WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THANKFULLY WE WERE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I FEAR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FAR WORSE IF WE HAD BEEN ON THE EXPRESS WAY AT THE TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED AND COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, SHE HAD TO DO SO THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR SPRING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THEY DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,160.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE RAMP. WHEN THE CONTACT EMERGED FROM THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE FRACTURED COMPLETELY FROM THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED. A REPORT WAS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO MECHANIC SHOP AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,400.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE DOOR ACTUATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

THE REAR SEATBELTS DON'T LOCK INTO PLACE RIGHT. NORMALLY, WHEN YOU PULL A SEATBELT THE FULL WAY OUT THEN LET IT WIND BACK IN, IT SHOULD HAVE TENSION ON IT. THE SEATBELTS IN THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE DON'T DO THIS. THEY CAN BE PULLED BACK OUT WITHOUT STOPPING. THEY CLIP INTO THE BUCKLES FINE THOUGH. I HAVE 2 CAR SEATS IN THE BACK, SO I NEED THIS FEATURE TO WORK PROPERLY TO SECURE THE CHILD SEATS. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 03 KIA RIO IN 04 AND WITHIN A MO. HAVE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP EVERY MONTH FOR THE FIRST 2YRS WHEN IT WAS STILL IN WARRANTY. THERE WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING CONSTANTLY WRONG OR BREAKING. THE TAIL PIPE RATTLED EXTREMELY LOUD TO THE POINT OF SLIGHTLY SHAKING THE CAR, RANDOMLY WHEN I WOULD CAME TO A STOP. IT WAS SO LOUD THAT PEOPLE IN OTHER CARS COULD HEAR IT AND STARE. OF COURSE THE REPAIR SHOPS COULD NEVER FIND THE PROBLEM. I FINALLY GAVE UP EVER HAVING IT FIXED. I'VE PAID 7 TIMES TO HAVE THE AUTO WINDOWS FIXED BUT FINALLY GAVE UP BECAUSE THEY WOULD ONLY WORK ABOUT TWO DAYS BEFORE BRAKING AGAIN. THE CAR ALWAYS HAD ISSUES ACCELERATING AND WOULD STAIN MAKING NOISES SHAKE A BIT THEN AFTER 10 SECONDS MAKE A POP POP NOISE AND FINALLY START MOVING FASTER. WHICH AGAIN COULD NEVER BE FIXED. THE CAR ALSO HAD HORRIBLE SUSPENSION. EVERY LITTLE PUMP MADE THE CAR BOUNCE AND SQUEAK LOUDLY. ALSO COULD NEVER BE FIXED. I THINK I'VE SPENT MORE TIME IN THE SHOP HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED THEN I ACTUALLY DID DRIVING IT. EVERY TIME I BLINKED SOMETHING ELSE WAS BROKEN I REPLACED ALMOST EVER PIECE OF THE CAR; BATTERY TWICE, ALL FOUR TIRES TWICE, HEAD LIGHTS, ETC THOSE ARE JUST THE SMALL THINGS I'VE ALSO HAD THE CAR COMPLETELY BRAKE DOWN ABOUT 6 TIMES WITH MAJOR REPAIRS. NOW MY CAR IS COMPLETELY DEAD 4/17/11 THE TIMING BELT SNAPPED AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE SO I HAVE TO BUY A NEW ENGINE AND TIMING BELT ALL WHICH COST MORE THEN THE CAR ITSELF THE CAR ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT SO THAT TELLS YOU HOW MUCH I ACTUALLY GOT TO DRIVE IT IN THE LAST 8YRS. I MADE SURE TO CONSTANTLY KEEP UP ON MAINTENANCE AS WELL. I WILL NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN ITS A WEIGHT OF MY SHOULDERS TO GET RID OF SUCH A PIECE OF [XXX]. KIAS ARE MADE WITH SUCH CHEAP MATERIALS AND MADE SO POORLY THAT EVERYTHING ON THEM BRAKES AND FALLS OFF. PLEASE ANYONE READING THIS DON'T BUY A KIA YOU WILL REGRET IT. I JUST WANT TO SAVE SOMEONE ELSE FROM A NIGHTMARE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO CINCO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS NOT LOCKING PROPERLY; THEREFORE, THE SAFETY SEAT MIGHT COME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

MY BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE ON MY 2003 KIA RIO CRACKED. MY MECHANIC SAYS IT SHOULD NEVER CRACK NO MATTER THE TEMPERATURE CLIMATE ETC. HE SAYS HE HAS NEVER SEEN A CRACKED ONE BEFORE AND MY CAR WOULD HAVE NO SIGNS THAT IT WAS BAD. I WOULD GO FROM PERFECT BRAKES TO NO BRAKES. THAT IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT HAPPENED. I WAS LUCKY AND HAD JUST GOT GAS AND LEAVING THE PARKING LOT. THE BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE I DRIVING SLOWLY TO THE STREET. I HAD ENOUGH BREAK TO STOP. MY COMPLAINT IS NOT FOR ME SO MUCH AS SOMEONE ELSE WHO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY. I FEAR FOR OTHERS. PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT ON FURTHER VEHICLES. *TR

THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY BLOWER (PART # 97251 FD000) CONSTANTLY GOES OUT ON MY 2003 KIA RIO. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. I REPLACED IT. 6 MONTHS LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN. I REPLACED IT ALONG WITH THE RESISTOR ASSEMBLY (PART# 1K552 61C08). 8 MONTHS LATER, IT WENT OUT AGAIN. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FUSE. THERE IS NOT A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM THAT CAN BE FOUND. I HAVE YET TO REPLACE THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY ANTICIPATING THE COMPANY RECTIFYING THIS. *TR

BACK IN 2006 I PURCHASED A 2003 KIA RIO AND IN AUG 2009 I WAS SENT A LETTER TELLING ME MY REAR SEATBELTS HAD BEEN RECALLED DUE TO MALFUNCTION WHEN CHILDRESTRANT SEATS WERE USED. THE COMPANY KNEW ABOUT THE RECALL IN 2006 ACCORDING TO THE LETTER BUT DIDN'T NOTIFY ME UNTIL 2009, AND I HAVE A 7 YR OLD SON WHO HAS BEEN RIDING IN MY CAR WITH RECALLED SEATBELTS, THIS MADE ME UPSET SINCE THAT'S THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD. THE COMPANY DID REPLACE THE SEATBELTS BUT IT TOOK THEM ANOTHER 3 WEEKS TO GET THE PARTS AFTER ME NOTIFYING THEM ABOUT THE RECALL LETTER. *TR

2003 KIA RIO DOOR OPENING MECHANISM HAS FAILED TWICE. IT WAS REPAIRED IN 2007. THE MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE DOOR SAID THE DESIGN OF THE DOOR OPENING SYSTEM INSIDE THE DOOR WAS NOT GOOD QUALITY AND POORLY ENGINEERED ANTICIPATING IT MIGHT FAIL AGAIN. THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPENING DEVISE IS TOTALLY DISENGAGED AND THE PASSENGER DOOR HAS TO BE USED TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN TAKEN TO KIA THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL BUT WOULD COST $250 TO $500 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM EVENTHOUGH IT WAS NOT THE FAULT OF THE OWNER AND HAD BEEN A PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL OTHERS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY TWO YEAR OLD IN THE CAR, THE ENGINE SEIZED UP AND STALLED. THE CAR CURRENTLY WONT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. HOWEVER, WE JUST HAD ALL OF THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TO THE CAR LESS THEN 300 MILES PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SEIZING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. AS OF TODAY, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS EXCEPT THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INCIDENTS WITH THE CAR AND IT WAS ALWAYS SERVICED ON TIME. *TR

TRAVELING APROX 30 MPH, REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK ON ANY PASSENGERS, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

THE CLUTCH IN MY 2003 KIA RIO HAS FAILED/BROKEN FOUR TIMES NOW. MY FATHER AND I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN MARCH 2003 THE FIRST CLUTCH FAILED AROUND 8000 MILES I BELIEVE, THE SECOND AROUND 24000 MILES, THE THIRD AROUND 40000 MILES, AND NOW IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE UNABLE TO GO INTO ANY GEAR; THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 65000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING STICK SHIFTS FOR 14+ YRS. AND I KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY OPERATE THEM, YET WHENEVER I TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP I AM TOLD IT IS DRIVER ERROR AND CHARGED AT LEAST $1000 IN REPAIRS. I HAVE HAD AT LEAST THREE OTHER MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A DESIGN/BAD PARTS PROBLEM NOT DRIVING ERROR, HOWEVER I DON'T WANT TO JEOPARDIZE THE WARRANTY BY HAVING IT REPAIRED ANYWHERE BUT THE DEALERSHIP. WITH THE LAST REPAIR (CLUTCH #3) MY FATHER WAS ALLOWED TO SPEAK TO THE DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC AFTER THE CAR WAS PULLED APART AND CAUGHT THE DEALERSHIP IN A LOT OF LIES BASED ON THE TOTAL DAMAGE DONE TO THE CLUTCH AND SURROUNDING PARTS. THERE WAS NO WAY THAT MUCH DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN DONE SIMPLY BY DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THEY GAVE HIM SOME FREE PARTS AND LABOR BUT THE BILL WAS STILL OVER $600 AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE AS EVIDENCED BY THE VEHICLE NOT GOING INTO ANY GEAR NOW. I HAVE READ OVER 100 SIMILAR REPORTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR AS MINE. KIA NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, NOT THE CUSTOMER. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR AS TO NOT HAVE ANYONE INJURED, I DRIVE MY FIVE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THAT CAR, BUT I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED IN SEVERAL NOT NICE NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE OF THE CLUTCH FAILURE AND HAVE HAD THE CLUTCH GO OUT WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE PROBLEM COMES ON SUDDENLY WITH LITTLE TO NO WARNING OF THE CLUTCH HAVING PROBLEMS AND IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD, NOT ONLY TO THE PEOPLE INSIDE THE VEHICLE BUT FOR THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. IF THIS CONTINUES, SOMEONE WILL BE SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED IF IT HAS NOT HAPPENED ALREADY. PLEASE HELP. *TR

TIMING BELT BROKE AT 72000 MILES WITHOUT WARNING. KIA SAYS CHANGE AT 60000 MILES IN KY, BUT WARRANTY IN CA ALLOW FOR 105000 MILE CHANGE. KIA REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY. STRANDED FOR 45 MINUTES. HAD TO PAY DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT KIA DEALER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND APPROACHING A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED BUT DID NOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND DIAGNOSED WITH FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,500.

I HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES WITH KIA. I'LL GIVE YOU A QUICK SYNOPSIS OF MY DEALINGS WITH KIA. 1-I WANTED TO BUY THE 2002 RIO CINCO IN AUGUST 2002. I RESEARCHED IT ONLINE, AND PICKED THE ONE I WANTED BEFORE GOING TO A DEALERSHIP. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT HAD BILLBOARDS POSTED ALL OVER GRAND RAPIDS, MI ADVERTISING: $99 DOWN / $99 PER MONTH. I WAITED OVER 2 HOURS TO BE WAITED ON. WHEN THE SALESMAN FINALLY WAITED ON ME, I WAS TOLD THEY HAD TO GET THE CAR I WANTED FROM ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, AND I COULD PICK IT UP IN 2 DAYS. OCTOBER 25TH, 2002, I FINALLY PICKED IT UP (BETWEEN AUG & OCT THE SALESMAN CALLED SEVERAL TIMES TO ASK IF I WOULD ACCEPT A DIFFERENT COLOR, MODEL, FEATURES, ETC., AND OF COURSE I SAID NO ... ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY WERE NOT GOING TO OFFER A DISCOUNT). THEN, WHEN THE CAR FINALLY ARRIVED IN OCTOBER, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS WHAT I ORDERED, BUT IT WASN'T. MY HUSBAND PICKED UP THE CAR SINCE I WAS OUT OF TOWN, SO HE DIDN'T KNOW THEY GAVE HIM A 2003 MODEL, AND NOT THE 2002 I ORDERED. THEY HAD HIM SIGN THE PAPERWORK, SO HE WAS UNAWARE THAT THE PRICE WAS ALSO $4000.00 MORE THAN THE PRICE I AGREED TO PAY! UPON ARRIVING HOME FROM MY BUSINESS TRIP, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO NOTIFY THEM THAT THERE WAS A MISTAKE, AND WE DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT VEHICLE. THEIR ANSWER TO ME WAS, THE PAPERWORK IS COMPLETE, THE CONTRACTS ARE SIGNED, AND THE SALE IS FINAL. 2-I WENT BACK SEVERAL TIMES FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, BUT EVERYTIME I WENT INTO THAT DEALERSHIP, I HAD TO WAIT OVER AN HOUR, AND ENDED UP LEAVING BEFORE THEY WOULD TALK TO ME.... EVEN WHEN I HAD AN APPOINTMENT! SO I ENDED UP TAKING MY CINCO ELSEWHERE FOR MAINTENANCE. CONTINUED ....2-3 *TR

CONT...2 OF 3 3-I'VE FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, PROVIDED EVIDENCE FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGES, TRANSMISSION FLUSHES, AIR CONDITIONER MAINTENANCE., TIRES, BRAKES, ETC. EVERY AUTO I'VE EVERY OWNED (DATING BACK TO 1976) HAS GIVEN ME IN EXCESS OF 200,000 MILES...AND MY TOYOTA HAD OVER 350,000 ... AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL PURRING (I JUST GOT TIRED OF HAVING TO REPLACE THE FLOOR). A PERSON DOESN'T GET THAT KIND OF MILEAGE ON A REGULAR BASIS WITHOUT TAKING CARE OF IT! 4-THE ENGINE LIGHT FIRST APPEARED IN FEBRUARY 2004. I TOOK IT TO BURLINGAME GARAGE. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO KIA, THAT THE WARRANTY SHOULD COVER ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN BRUSHED ME OFF BY STATING I NEEDED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE?THEY WANTED $225. I DECLINED THEIR WONDERFUL ?SPECIAL PRICE, AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH BURLINGAME GARAGE?THEY DID A TRANSMISSION FLUSH FOR $79. 5-FEBRUARY 2006, THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAD THEIR DEALERSHIP REVOKED, I NOW HAD TO GO TO THE COMSTOCK PARK LOCATION. SO I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR APRIL (THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO WORRIED ABOUT ME DRIVING THE CAR WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON). THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION BELT, SO THEY CHANGED IT (WHICH WAS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE ($400+), AND THEY ALSO CHECKED THE FLUIDS, AND CHANGED THE OIL. 6-I HAD THE ENGINE FLUSHED AGAIN ONCE WE MADE THE FAMILY DECISION TO MOVE TO CALIFORNIA. WE MOVED IN AUGUST 2006. MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON AGAIN. HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AROUND 79,000 MILES, AND THEY TOLD HIM IT ONLY NEEDED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH (BUT THAT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME SINCE I HAD IT FLUSHED LESS THAN 20,000 MILES AGO). HE HAD THE FLUSH DONE ANYWAY. CONTINUED....3 *TR

7-THE ENGINE LIGHT IS AGAIN ON AT 89,000. THIS TIME STEVE TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WE KNOW & TRUST, AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. AGAIN, STEVE TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP AROUND 90,000...THIS TIME THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. AT THIS POINT, THE DEALERSHIP MECHANICS COULD NOT DENY THIS WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. NOW, WE WERE FORCED TO JUMP THROUGH SEVERAL HOOPS PROVIDING EVIDENCE THAT WE'VE PROVIDED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. WHICH WE DID, BUT THEY STILL HAVE NOT MADE A DECISION TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. 8-THE CAR NOW DOES NOT HAVE REVERSE! WE ARE FORCED TO DRIVE IT TO WORK WITHOUT A REVERSE, IT WILL COMES TO A NEAR STOP ON INCLINES. DRIVING AN AUTO WITH NO REVERSE IS DANGEROUS, BUT WE BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, AND WE REFUSE TO PAY FOR IT. AS I'VE STATED BEFORE, A PERSON DOES NOT GET 300,000 MILES FROM AUTOS ON A REGULAR BASIS WITHOUT PROVIDING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE! MY DAUGHTER'S CAR HAS NEARLY 200,000 MILES, AND SHE'S JUST BREAKING HER CAR IN! WE SOLD OUR FORD IN APRIL 2006 ... IT HAD 297,000 MILES AND WAS RUNNING STRONG. WE HAVE A HISTORY OF TAKING CARE OF OUR VEHICLES! KIA DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT HONORING THE 100,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. *TR

HAD A CLUNKING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE, BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. TECH CHECKED THE STRUT MOUNTS AND FOUND NOTHING LOOSE. HE THEN REMOVED THE INTERIOR PANELS AND FOUND THE METAL HOLDING THE STRUT TOWER IN PLACE HAD BROKEN BELOW THE WELDS. I WAS IN FORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS WITH ONLY 14,000 MILES ON IT. I JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT WHEN THE DEALER PUT ME IN ANOTHER VEHICLE THE FINANCING OF THE ORIGINAL VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. I ALSO JUST FOUND OUT THE VEHICLE THAT THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN A TOTAL LOSS WAS LATER SOLD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN AND THE CONTACT WAS TRAPPED INSIDE. THE DOOR WAS ABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED AS WELL. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE ON THE DOORS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,800.

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

THIS 2003 KIA RIO WAS PURCHASED USED AT A DEALERSHIP A.V. KIA, PALMDALE, CA, , BUT SOON DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, CITING PROBLEMS WHICH OCCURRED DUE TO OUR SON, WHICH WERE ALLEGATIONS MADE BY A. V. KIA. SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR BECAME INOPERABLE AND STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY QUITE SUDDENLY. NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT OUR SON AND HIS PASSENGERS WERE RATHER SHOOK UP. FIXED ONE MORE TIME, WHILE OUR SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE LEFT FRONT AXLE FELL OFF. THIS HAPPENED AFTER A. V. KIA REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER BEING FIXED ONCE AGAIN WITH ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION, WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER PICKING IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP IT ONCE AGAIN DEVELOPED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CAR STOPPED AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IN ROSAMOND, CA. THE CAR WAS FIXED, (SENSOR PROBLEM, AND SOON TAKEN TO A CAR DEALERSHIP IN LANCASTER, CA. TO BE SOLD ON CONSIGNMENT. WHILE THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE WAS TAKING IT OUT TO SHOW AND ATTEMPT TO SELL THE CAR AGAIN IT STOPPED, THIS TIME ON VERY BUSY SIERRA HIGHWAY. THE DEALER CALLED US TO IMFORM US OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. A. V. KIA TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR ONCE AGAIN, REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION!. WITH ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS HAD WE FOUND IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, NOT ONLY TO OUR FAMILY, BUT POTENTIALLY TO SOMEONE ELSE. A. V. KIA CONTINUED TO JUST PASS THE BUCK WITHOUT REALLY GETTING TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. WE DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHERE TO TURN, BUT WE FELT THAT FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE DOT WAS A GOOD START. A. V. KIA AND KIA OF AMERICA SHOULD BE HELD TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DANGEROUS JUNK THAT THEY WERE SELLING AND MANUFACTURING.*AK

AT 53,000 THE VEHICLE BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN ADVISED IT NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH AT A COST OF $1600.00. I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE PRIMARILY BETWEEN DETROIT MICHIGAN AND CARY ILLINOIS. EIGHTY PERCENT OF THE MILES DRIVEN SO FAR HAVE BEEN HIGHWAY MILES WITH LITTLE NEED TO CONSTANTLY SHIFT GEARS. WHEN THE TECHNICIANS LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE HE COMMENTED ON HOW SMALL THE CLUTCH WAS. I BELIEVE KIA HAS INSTALLED AN INFERIOR CLUTCH SYSTEM TO KEEP THE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE DOWN AND THEN REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

AUG. 12, 2006 THE HARRELL-SWATTY COS. 6 CONCOURSE PARKWAY NE ATLANTA GA 30328-6117 DEAR MR. X: I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN KIA AT ARBOR PLACE. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR WARRANTY SERVICE IN MARCH BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. I BROUGHT IT BACK THREE MORE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. NOW THAT THE CAR HAS MORE THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT WORK ON IT AGAIN UNLESS I PAID THEM. BUT THEY TOOK IT IN TO DIAGNOSE IT AGAIN AND DID NOT TELL ME UNTIL I CAME TO PICK UP THE CAR THAT IT WOULD COST ME $88 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE TO GET IT BACK. THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED ONCE. I WAS FORTUNATE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. I KEEP ADDING BRAKE FLUID WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON. EVIDENTLY THERE IS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CAR IS UNSAFE. I WANT MY $88 BACK, AND I WANT THE CAR FIXED, AT NO COST TO ME. YY ZZ HAS NOT REPLIED TO MY TWO PREVIOUS LETTERS. *NM

MY BACK PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING HAS GONE BAD THREE TIMES WITH A YEAR'S TIME. THE LAST BEARING WAS REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER 06, AND THE SAME BEARING IS GOING BAD AGAIN (CURRENTLY MID OCTOBER). *NM

JUNE 2006 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2006 MY KIA RIO HAS LOCKED UP IN THE PARKING GEAR NOT ALLOWING TO REMOVE TO REVERSE OR DRIVE. DEALER HAS HAD IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES AND HAS CHANGED BREAKING LIGHT TWICE ALONG WITH GEAR CONSOLE. NOW STATING EVEN WITH THE VEHICLE BEING AT SHOP SINCE THE END OF SEPTEMBER 2006 CAN NOT ENACT PROBLEM. *NM

DRIVING DOWN I-65, AND A SEMI TRUCK TRIED GETTING OVER INTO MY LANE. I DROVE INTO THE MEDIUM, LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SPUN OUT AND HIT THE SEMI TRUCK. IT ENDED UP RUNNING OVER THE TOP OF MY CAR. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. EVERYTHING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DESTROYED, MELTED, ETC. LUCKILY I WASN'T HURT, BECAUSE I LOCKED MYSELF AGAINST THE SEAT; HOWEVER THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I LUCKILY ENDED UP ALRIGHT PHYSICALLY; HOWEVER SOMEBODY ELSE WITH THE SAME CAR MAY NOT HAVE MY STROKE OF LUCK THAT I HAD THAT DAY. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CAR LOST TOTAL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STEER AND CONTROL THE CAR AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SEVERAL CARS HAD TO SWERVE OUT OF THE WAY AS THEY WERE GOING THE SPEED LIMIT BUT THE CAR CONCERNED WAS GOING SIGNIFICANTLY SLOWER. UPON INSPECTION, THE TIMING BELT SPROCKET WAS HANGING OUTSIDE OF THE PLASTIC COVER WHICH WAS BURNING FROM MELTED PLASTIC. THE CAR IS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE WARRANTY AND WE ARE AWAITING A FINAL DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER AND COVERAGE DETERMINATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAME UNBOLTED FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE SEAT BELTS FAILED. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN A CORNER AT 10 MPH THE TIMING BELT BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED AS BEING THE TIMING BELT RENDERING THE ENGINE INOPERABLE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE FUEL PUMP AND COMPONENTS EXPLODED IN THE GASOLINE STORAGE TANK. THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V179000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT DUE TO THE RECALL. *AK

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

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY LETICIA'S LAWYER MR. JOHN FITZPATRICK. *AK

WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE TEMPORALLY LOST POWER. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

203 KIA RIO PURCHASED 12/02 SINCE PURCHASE HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH BRAKES, I HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK TO DEALER ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS HAVE HAD SHOES REPLACED HAVE HAD ROTORS TURNED A COUPLE OF TIMES BY DEALER TO WHICH PROBLEM CONTINUED . ON 11/06/04 CAR WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT RESULTING FROM REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL LOCKING UP WITHOUT USING THE BRAKES CAUSING TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. *JB

SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE IN 12/02 THE CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL REACUURING PROBLEM MOST OF WHICH THE BRAKES VIBRATION AND CAR SHAKEN WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. IT HAS BEEN BACK TOP DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES FOR BRAKE PROBLEM COMPLAINTS MOST RECENT WAS 10/23/03. SO FAR THEY HAVE DPNE NEW PADS IN FRONT WHEELS RESURFACEWD ROTORS MORE THAN ONCE REPLACED WHEEL SEAL AND MOSTLY SAID COULD NOT NOTICE ANY PROBLEM. ON 11/06/04 AT BETWEEN 10:15 -10:30 THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCEDENT DUE TO A DRIVERSIDE REAR WHEEL FREEZING UP WITH OUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES CAUSING VEHICLE TO VEER OFF THE ROAD.*AK

THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. *NM THE CONSUMER HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES MADE A DEEP DRUM LIKE NOISE THAT LASTED FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL THE BRAKES STARTED TO REACT NORMALLY. *TC *JB

WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT CONSUMER HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES GRABBED ABRUPTLY. WHEN SHE TRIED TO MOVE THE BRAKES THEY GRABBED AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES WITH NO CHANGE IN CONDITION. SHE WAS TOLD THAT WITH THE LEAST ACCUMULATION OF MOISTURE FROM THE PADS GETTING WET BRAKES WOULD GRAB. THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE PADS NO LONGER CONTAINING ASBESTOS. *AK THE BRAKES GRABBED EXCESSIVELY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CLIMATE WAS RAINY OR FOGGY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *SC

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE SENSOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *AK

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

WHILE ACCELERATING MY 2003 KIA RIO ONTO THE INTERSTATE WHILE GOING UPHILL, THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND HAD NO POWER ON THE INCLINE EVEN WHEN IT WAS FLOORED. IT ALWAYS DOES THIS WHEN PASSING CARS ALSO. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. MY BRAKES LOCK UP WHEN THEY ARE DAMP. I DID NOT THINK THIS WAS A PROBLEM, BUT IT IS. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 30 MPH. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK

1/10/04 SATURDAY. AROUND 10:30 AM HOPE CALLS AND SAYS THE MOTOR HAS BLOWN ON THE KIA. I CALLED KIA'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. HOPE MEANWHILE HAD TO WALK TWO MILES IN 40 DEGREE BELOW ZERO WIND CHILL TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND CALL ME. 1/12/04 MONDAY I CALLED BORTZ AND TALKED TO DEAN THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE TOLD ME I HAVE A PISTON ROD IN THE OIL PAN AND THE MOTOR WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO SAID THERE IS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. HE THAT I HAD NO PROOF OF OIL CHANGES. I TOLD HIM I HAD RECEIPTS FOR OIL DATING BACK TO JULY 2003 . HE TOLD ME THAT DIDN'T PROVE OIL CHANGES AND VOIDED THE WARRANTY. I CALLED KIA AND ASKED TO TALK TO THE KIA FACTORY REP BUT WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO GO THROUGH THE DEALER AND SHE WOULDN'T EVEN TALK TO ME IF I COULDN'T PROVE MY OIL CHANGES. I WAS TOLD THAT A NEW MOTOR WOULD COST ME $4400 SO I ELECTED TO GET A USED ONE WITH 5000 MILES ON IT FOR $1800. I ASKED FOR SOME OF THE OIL AND ALL RELATED PARTS AT THAT TIME. 1/14/04 WEDNESDAY WHEN I CALLED DEAN AT KIA, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE TWO (2) TO SIX (6) WEEKS BEFORE WE COULD GET THE KIA BACK. WE GOT THE KIA BACK ON 1/30/04. KIA AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON THURSDAY 2/5/03 THE KIA STARTED TO MISS SHIFTS AND RUN ROUGH. ON MY WAY TO MY DADS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN WENT OUT ABOUT 1/10/04 SATURDAY. AROUND 10:30 AM HOPE CALLS AND SAYS THE MOTOR HAS BLOWN ON THE KIA. I CALLED KIA'S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. HOPE MEANWHILE HAD TO WALK TWO MILES IN 40 DEGREE BELOW ZERO WIND CHILL TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND CALL ME. 1/12/04 MONDAY I CALLED BORTZ AND TALKED TO DEAN THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE TOLD ME I HAVE A PISTON ROD IN THE OIL PAN AND THE MOTOR WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO SAID THERE IS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. HE THAT I HAD NO PROOF OF OIL CHANGES. I TOLD HIM I HAD RECEIPTS FOR OIL DATING BACK TO JULY 2003 . HE TOLD ME THAT DIDN'T PROVE OIL CHANGES AND VOIDED THE WARRANTY. I CALLED KIA AND ASKED TO TALK TO THE KIA FACTORY REP BUT WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO GO THROUGH THE DEALER AND SHE WOULDN'T EVEN TALK TO ME IF I COULDN'T PROVE MY OIL CHANGES. I WAS TOLD THAT A NEW MOTOR WOULD COST ME $4400 SO I ELECTED TO GET A USED ONE WITH 5000 MILES ON IT FOR $1800. I ASKED FOR SOM

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

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A DEER. THE DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLS. THERE WAS A LOST TO THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKE SYSTEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *MR

NUTS ATTACHING THE WINDSHEILD WIPERS TO THE WIPER DRIVE SHAFT REPEATEDLY COMING LOOSE. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE 3-15-04. YOU DON'T KNOW THAT THEY'RE LOOSE UNTIL YOU NEED YOUR WIPERS IN RAIN OR SNOWY CONDITIONS AND YOU TURN THEM ON TO FIND THE DRIVE MECHANISM IS LOOSE FROM THE BLADE AND SLIPS. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS TO NOT HAVE WIPERS WHEN YOU NEED THEM.*AK

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED STEERING WHEEL MADE A KNOCKING NOISE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT STEERING COLUMN BOLT SNAPPED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

THE LUG NUTS PEELED OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. *PH THE TIRES WERE BEING ROTATED. WHEN THEY WERE REMOVED THE LUG NUT(S) PEELED OFF. THE REAR BRAKES WERE LOCKING AS WELL AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID SIDEWAYS DURING THE FIRST MILE OR EACH MORNING. *SC *JB

I PURCHASED A 2003 KIA RIO IN MAY OF 2003 AND IN A MONTH I HAD HARD PULLING TO THE RIGHT EVERY TIME I WENT LEFT TOOK IN TO DEALER AND THEY ROTATED THE TIRES AND SAID THAT THIS HAPPENS ON THE TRIP OVER. WE LEFT AND IT WAS STILL PULLING A LITTLE, WITH IN A WEEK IT WAS THE SAME. VERY HARD TO HANDLE THIS PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN GOING LEFT,AND I HAVE HAD BAD GAS MILEAGE AND HARD STARTS FROM THE BEGINNING,AND HAVE HAD MY HEADLINER REPLACED AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF OWNING THIS CAR . IT GOES BACK IN TOMORROW HOPE THEY FIX THE PROBLEMS, *CB

THE CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING THE CAR HAS A HARD START, IT TAKES AT LEAST 3 TRIES FOR IT TO STAY ON THE BRAKES SQUEAK LOUD WHEN COMING TO A STOP

IN APRIL 2003 I BOUGHT A 2003 KIA RIO CINCO FOR MY FAMILY. WHEN I TRY TO START IT IN THE MORNING IT WILL NOT START. IT TAKES ABOUT SIX TO TEN TRIES TO GET IT STARTED. THEN IT RUNS BAD FOR MILES. IT ALSO RUNS VERY HOT AND IT SEEMS THE MORE I DRIVE IT THE LESS PREFORMANCE I BEEN GETING. MY BRAKES ARE ALSO BAD WHEN I FIRST DRIVE IT AFTER IT SITS FOR HOURS. KIA TOLD ME THAT IT ALL HAS TO DO WITH THE REFORMULADED GAS WE USE IN MILWAUKEE AND CHICAGO. AFTER MONTHS OF PEOPLE AT KIA NOT CALLING ME BACK AND TRING TO RESOULVE THIS WITH KIA I AM INTERESTED IN A CLASS ASTION LAW SUIT.

IN JUNE I WAS HAVING A OVER HEATING PROBLEM. IF I WENT UP A HILL THE CAR WOULD HEAT UP TO THE PEG. IT NEEDED A NEW THERMOSTAT. THE ENGINE BLEW UP & I HAD TO HAVE A NEW ONE. NOW THEIR IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, SO KIA HAS SENT FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I'M AFRAID TO GO ANYWHERE FOR FEAR THAT SOMETHING ELSE WILL HAPPEN TO IT. I'M ALONE, THEREFORE I NEEDED SOMETHING I CAN RELY ON.

MY KIA RIO HAS 15000 MILES ON AND THE BRAKES WENT IN THE CAR. I CALLED THE DEALER HERITAGE FORD AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO COVER THIS. IT WAS ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE FRONT. SO THAT MEANT A FAULTY PART IN MY EYES. I CALLED KIA ALSO WHO DID NOT CARE. SO I HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED AND WHEN TAKING THEM OFF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THE PAD ITSELF WAS THERE BUT THE BRAKE FELL OFF THE PAD. AND MOST NORMAL CARS THE BRAKES ARE HELD ON WITH A POP RIVET. NOT THIS CAR. THEY ARE HELD ON WITH THIN PIECES OF ALUMINUM WHICH EVERYONE KNOWS HOW EASY ALUMINUM BENDS AND TWISTS EXACTLY HOW MINE WERE. AND THE BRAKE IS HELD ONTO THE PAD WITH GLUE!!! THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR FAULTY MANUFACTURING. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS CAR AND WITH THE WAY KIA HANDLED THIS SITUATION. *LA

MY NEW 2003 KIA RIO WAGON WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID FROM DAY ONE, AND THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX IT,ITS STILL NOT FIXED BUT NOW EVERY TIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THE ENGINE REV UP. *AK I CAN ACTUALLY FEEL THE CAR ACCELERATE. ITS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN SLOWLY PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPOTS. I AM GOING TO TRY ANOTHER DEALER, BUT IS THERE AN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS AND THEIR STEARING, REPORTED AND HAVE THER BEEN ANY RECALLS ?? PLEASE LET ME KNOW

I WAS GOING TO WORK AND HAD TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AT SPRING CREEK AND RINGGOLD ROAD. I PUT MY FOOT OF THE BRAKES TO STOP AND THEY LOCKED, PROPELLING THE THE CAR FORWARD (APPROXIMATELY FIVE OR SIX CAR LENGTHS). IT DIDN'T STOP UNTIL I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IT TOTALED BOTH CARS. I HAD THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION TWO MONTHS AGO BECAUSE THE BRAKES WOULD CATCH REAL HARD WHEN IT WAS DAMP OUTSIDE AND ONE OF THE BACK BRAKES HAD A CLUNKING SOUND IN IT. THEY TIGHTENED THE CALIPERS AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THEY DID THE FIRST MAINTENANCE INSPECTION TWO WEEKS AGO AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE BRAKES WERE STILL CATCHING REALLY BADLY WHEN IT WAS DAMP OUTSIDE ( NOT NECESSARILY RAINING OUT, IT JUST HAD TO BE DAMP EARLY IN THE MORNING FOR THEM TO CATCH). WE LOOKED AT THE ROTORS WHEN WE WENT UP BY FINES TO GET EVERYTHING OUT OF THE CAR. THEY LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE A LOT OF MILES ON THEM (THE CAR ONLY HAS 6,800 MILES ON IT).*AK

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO CHECK FOR A STRONG ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FUMES/ODORS BECAME VERY HEAVY WHEN DRIVING WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO BECOME ILL. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE ODOR THE DRIVER WAS SMELLING WAS CALLED KOSMOLINE AND WOULD EVENTUALLY DISAPPEAR. *AK THERE WAS A NAUSEATING SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER OR PLASTIC FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE CONSUMER WAS ALLERGIC TO THE SMELL AFTER BREATHING THE MELTING KOSMOLINE AND OR UNDERCARRIAGE FOR OVER 3K MILES. THE SMELL HAD COME FROM THE VENTS AS WELL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HARD START FROM A COLD START THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING , THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE COILS BURNED OUT. *AK ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH O-RING LEAKING GAS INTO THE AIR VENTS. *LA *JB

CONSUMER PURCHASED A KIA, RIO ON 11-6-03, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL CHILD'S CAR SEAT DISCOVERED THAT AUTOMATIC LOCK FEATURE DID NOT WORK. CONSUMER FOLLOWED THE OWNER'S MANUAL STEP BY STEP, BUT IT KEPT RELEASING THE LOCK BEFORE COMPLETION. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED BY ONE SERVICE PERSON THAT THEY ALL WERE LIKE THAT, AND WOULD LOCK IN EMERGENCY MODE. CONSUMER EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS NOT ALRIGHT, AND UPON PERSISTENCE, THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM. *AK

WHILE OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY TWO DAYS IT FAILED TO START. DEALERSHIP CONTACTED A TECHNICIAN, AND HE STATED THAT FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK

CONSUMER WILL NOT DRIVE OVER 50 MPH, HAD DIFFICULTY IN CHANGING 5 SPEED GEARS. A SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT CLUTCH NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH STEERING WHEEL WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT, AND A LOUD NOISE WOULD BE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, VEHICLE WOULD STALL FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER WOULD MAINTAIN CONTROL AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC COULD MOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF EITHER PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD RUN HOT. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ENGINE ONCE, AND REPLACED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TWICE. HOWEVER, PROBLEM CONTINUED. DEALER HAD NOT FOUND A SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. *AK

IN COLD WEATHER THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO START. ANYTIME THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT TO WARM UP IT WOULD STALL OUT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER. *NLM

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

AFTER TWO VISITS TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE SHOP, I FOUND OUT THAT 03 KIA RIOS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULES. AS SOON AS THE WEATHER IS COOL, IT PREVENTS THE ENGINE FROM GETTING ENOUGH GAS. THE CAR WON'T START COLD UNTIL IT'S BEEN CRANKED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, AND ONCE YOU GET IT STARTED, THE CAR WILL CUT OUT FROM LACK OF GAS IF YOU STOP THE CAR.

THE CHILD SAFETY RESTRAINT SEAT BELT SYSTEM IN THE REAR SEATS OF OUR NEW KIA RIO CINCO DOES NOT WORK. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, NEW PARTS INSTALLED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE KIA REPRESENTATIVE HAS DECLARED NO PROBLEMS ARE PRESENT. HOWEVER, THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LOCK DOWN TO INSTALL A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE LOCKING MECHANISM RELEASES TO EARLY. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE SEATBELT SHOULD LOCK ON IMPACT. THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR INSTALLATION OF A CHILD SEAT.*AK

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.

BOUGHT 2003 KIA ON 11/16/02 EIGHT MON. AGO,SEATBELT LOCK CAME OFF,TRIMMING AROUND DOORS AND WINDOWS CAME OFF,NOW DRIVINGG INTO THE INTERSTATE CAR CUT OFF,TRANSMISSION VERY SLOW IN SHIFTING GEARS.*AK

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

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2003, FIRST PROBLEM WAS THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 4 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER THE STEERING WHHEL WENT OUT ON ME. I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR WHILE GETTING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL KEPT SPINNING BUT I DID NOT TURN AND ALMOST HIT A CEMENT VIDUCT. NEXT ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER MY CAR BEGAN TO NOT START OR CUT OFF ON ME WHEN I WOULD FIRST START DRIVING AND THE CHIME WILLNOT GO OFF. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THEM AND HE WILL CONTACT ME WHEN THE MANUFACTURER TELLS THEM HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

2003 KIA RIO. POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *TT

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

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO USE HIGH BEAMS. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

THE SEAT BELTS WAS DESIGNED POORLY, THEY CUT ACROSS THE NECK AND THROAT OF THE DRIVER/PASSENGER. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP FOR SEAT BELT EXTENSIONS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NOT OBLIGATED TO INSTALL BELT EXTENSIONS. TS *JB