CarRecallWatchThe 2003 Kia RIO Cinco has 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, including 1 injury.
The most-reported problem area is Power Train (3 reports).
1Recalls
8Owner complaints
0Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
Is the repair still open on your RIO Cinco?
2003 Kia RIO Cinco recalls
Most common 2003 Kia RIO Cinco problems
Problem areas named in the 8 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
What owners report
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.
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
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.
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 R
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
2003 Kia RIO Cinco questions
Does the 2003 Kia RIO Cinco have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2003 Kia RIO Cinco: Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Kia RIO Cinco?
Based on 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Power Train (3), Seat Belts (2), Engine And Engine Cooling (1).
How do I check if a recall on my 2003 Kia RIO Cinco has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.