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2001 Kia Rio engine complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 53, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2001 Kia Rio engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Sep 13, 2005 · Body, Electrical · 1,300 miles · CA

Dt: the caller said the dealer made new holes in the frame to put the bolts in. The dealer cut the frame to put smaller bolts and nuts in. Another dealer said doing that ruined the integrity of the frame. Also, there was an exhaust leak into the vehicle. The transmission bracket was bent and it would not hold the transmission in place. When the dealer fixed it the bolts fell out. The caller had to take vehicle back to dealer. The check engine light was on constantly. Vehicle will not pass inspection with the light on. Dealer said it will pass inspection with the light on. Manufacturer said they could not do anything to help the caller because the warranty expired. The caller said fuses blew out. He replaced the fuses over 200 times. The dashboard lights,headlights and other exterior lights went out.

Filed May 13, 2005 · Engine · OH

Dt: the consumer owns a 2001 kia rio and is having problems with the exhaust system. The consumer smelled an odor coming from the exhaust system. She has reported this problem to the dealer and they said everything was fine. The hanger under the exhaust system broke and now there is a noise. It was welded back together three times and it has broken again.

Filed Mar 1, 2005 · Engine · OH

Vehicle was taken to dealer to be serviced four times for the check engine light. Since last inspection it could not be determined as to why the check engine light came on.

Filed Feb 25, 2005 · Engine · 65,000 miles · VA

Owner was driving at approximately 50 MPH and the engine stalled. The owner lost steering and brake power this defect has happened at least 3 times and the dealer has changed the compressor. Now the vehicle is still experiencing this defect. Owner says the oil was changed every 3000 miles. Provide further details.

Filed Nov 19, 2004 · Engine · FL

Engine check light turned on and off mutiple times within the year. Engine finally no longer operated.

Filed Oct 15, 2004 · Engine · VA

The driver noticed that fluid was leaking fluid from underneath the vehicle and the check engine light appeared on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and the mechanic can not duplicate the problem at this time. Please provided further details.

Filed Oct 15, 2004 · Engine · 66,000 miles · NH

While driving, the consumer heard a loud clinking sound coming from the trunk area. Consumer thought that he was hit. However, when turning around to proceed, the engine completely failed. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that it sounded like the starter was gone. The consumer took the vehicle to a private mechanic and was told that the engine needed to be replaced. *ak

Filed Jul 23, 2004 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Problem with 2001 kia rio engine stalled. *mr the engine light had come on due to overheating, and the fuel pump stopped working due to water contamination in the gas tank. The temperature went up once the fuel box was broken due to an accident which caused the radiator fuse to blow. *sc

Filed Jul 19, 2004 · Engine · 3,632 miles · CA

2001 kio rio. Purchased car new from dealer. Shortly after purchase of vehicle it shut itself off while slowed down in traffic. After the dealer checked the car, dealer said they would have to put in a new transmission. Problem keeps occurring and dealer kept offering different reasons this is happening: type of gas used, gas cap not completely on correctly. Numerous times we have brought it into the dealer, they keep telling us they can not find a problem with it when there obviously is.

Filed Jun 27, 2004 · Engine, Suspension · 9,000 miles · AZ

I have had my kia for 3 years now (bought on april 24,2001), after only having it one year(april 25, 2002) my two front tires were shredded all the way to the metal. The dealer said that my tires were only covered for a year so I had to replace them, come to find out it was caused by the alignment that showed no sign of being off. Right after that the cooling fan shorted causing the engine to smoke and the car to be in the shop for 2 weeks because kia couldn't order the right part. Soon after that both of my sunvisors broke to the point they are not usable. Kia told me that it would be $35 each to replace, not covered under warranty considered normal wear and tear. My alignment has been fixed 4 times in 3 years with normal driving conditions and regular maintenance. The shifter ( automatic) has gone out twice. Once resulting in kia having to replace the whole shifter. The car is constantly vibrating, really bad when A/C is on. The brakes have always made noise and occasionally "stick" dealer said there may be a recall coming out, that was 3 years ago, haven't heard anything yet.

Filed Jun 2, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · FL

Consumer stated while driving at various speeds vehicle stalled. Also, a transmission problem.

Filed Apr 27, 2004 · Engine · VA

The check engine light was on all the time and the vehicle wouldn't go in to overdrive. *ph even after the engine control module was reprogrammed, the vehcile continued to stall.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 52,000 miles · GA

Oil leaks at the bottom and the top of the engine. Gasket cyl head and head cover slips out. All seal from top and bottom of the car leaks. Steering shakes very bad when the AC is running. (head gasket & cam seals leaks)

Filed Dec 30, 2003 · Engine · 38,000 miles · FL · fire

The consumer parked the vehicle and left the engine running. After a few minutes, the consumer returned to find the vehicle on fire. The fire department determined the cause of the fire was due to a mechanical failure. Please provide any additional information.

Filed Dec 30, 2003 · Engine · 58,000 miles · WA · fire

Christmas day, 2003 immediate and engulfing engine fire while my car was idling for a very short period of time.

Filed Oct 24, 2003 · Engine · 40,000 miles · CA

While driving about 65 MPH on the highway,the vehicle stalled. The driver tried to restart after pulling over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealership for an analysis. Please fill in additional information.

Filed Aug 31, 2003 · Engine · 46,290 miles · ME

My car stalled while driving would not restart towed to dealer. Found no problem car started for them. Retrieved car stopped for gas, car would not restart, was towed back to dealer. Found glitch in cpu was reprogramed. Got car back, two hours later car would not restart towed back to dealer. Replaced fuel pump, car ran for three days then again would not start has now been towed back to dealer.

Filed Aug 21, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · FL

I bought my car used, and have had it for only six months. I read the other complaints filed and feel a little better knowing that it isn't just my car with the problems. But I wish the dealers would recognize that they are ripping us off by not fixing the obviously defective parts. My rio has the check engine light on (not all of the time) but when it does come on it is accompanied by the the flashing overdrive off light. This usually lasts for a couple of days. Just when I was getting used to that the engine started shaking with only the check engine light on, it did not stall but it would have if I didn't pull into a parking lot and turn the car off. A few hours later I turned it back on and no problems again until just last week the engine started shaking again. Lets not leave out the minor problems though. I also have problems with my interior falling apart and my cover for my fuses falls off every time I get in. My paint is peeling off, I have had to replace my battery that died out of nowhere. My warranty is almost up and I have had no help with these problems thus far.

Filed Aug 5, 2003 · Engine, Transmission · FL

I have a 2001 kia rio - I have had nothing but problems with it since I bought it. The engine shakes ( causing the whole car to shake ) intermittently and it does not shift into gear properly ( it is an automatic transmission ) causing the car to hesitate when I accelerate onto highways. I feel this is a real safety issue as I am afraid of getting into an accident because of this problem. I have taken it to the dealer repeatedly, even while it was actually shaking violently and they have the same answer every time...the computer does not tell them that anything is defective on the car - therefore, they can not fix it. I have asked them to replace the computer chip as it obviously is defective if it can't find anything wrong with a car that is running this poorly ...but they refused to do so. It has also had other problems. The car has stalled several times for no reason as I go around a corner ( also a very dangerous problem ) and they were unable to find anything wrong on those occassions either. The airconditioning had to be totally replaced when the car was only 9 months old. The engine mounts collapsed and had to be replaced after only one year. The molding inside the car is constantly coming off. I know of 4 other kia rio owners who have all had similar problems with their cars and all of them have traded in the rios at a great loss rather than put up with the continuous problems. I also want to get rid of my rio but the value of the car is so much less than what I owe on it ( after 3 years of paying on it ) that I can not afford to do so. I have seen many other similar complaints on your website, yet kia denies that there have been any problems with the rio.

Filed Jul 28, 2003 · Engine · NC

Rio engine stalling. Issues also with warranty.nar 07/28/2003*mr consumers are very disatisfied with dealership and vehicle, please review for further investigations.

Filed Jun 4, 2003 · Engine · FL

Intermittently engine check light comes on/off. Dealer has inspected this vehicle several times and still problem recurring.

Filed Jun 2, 2003 · Engine · MN · fire

Vehicle fire originating from the vehicle fuel lines. *mr as the consumer was driving, she noticed that something smelled hot in the interior of the vehicle. The consumer then turned the engine off, discovered the smoke coming out of the hood, and saw flames within the engine compartment of the vehicle that continued to grow. Prior to the fire, the consumer noticed that the vehicle decreased in power while driving and the check engine light illuminated. The consumer attempted to get the vehicle repaired the next day and the dealer couldn't get to it until the following week, and was told that driving the vehicle wouldn't harm the vehicle. (a similar occurrence of the check engine light happened a year prior to this event) the fire began in the passenger side of the engine near the bulkhead area of the two metal fuel lines that ran along the bulkhead. *scc

Filed Mar 10, 2003 · Engine · FL

The vehicle stalled without warning.

Filed Feb 12, 2003 · Engine · TX

The engine light illuminated on the dashboard, the dealer was unable to remedy the problem.

Filed Feb 4, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 34,000 miles · MA · fire

I was driving home from work, and when I was approximately 1 minute from my home, my check engine light came on, and my car began "chugging". I made it as far as 3 houses away from my driveway when my car just stalled out. Rather than re-starting, I decided to roll to my driveway. I didn't even make it as far as my driveway, and my car caught on fire. The black smoke was so thick, you couldn't even see through it. My whole engine went up in flames, and my car is now totaled. I have had absolutely no problems with this car until now.

Filed Sep 30, 2002 · Engine · NY

Consumer stated the malfunction light came on and the vehicle stalled when the brakes were applied. Dealer was not notified at this time. Nlm jlg

Filed Sep 26, 2002 · Engine · KS

Consumer states that the motor locked while driving. The dealer has inspected the vehicle and refused to repair the vehicle. Feel free to provide any further information. Nlm

Filed Sep 24, 2002 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

Consumer is reporting premature wear of the engine mounts and a rattling noise coming from the engine area,while idling or driving. Dealer notified and had replaced them. Nlm the consumer has traded this vehicle in due to all of the mechanical problems and is requesting her money back because when she had taken the vehicle the dealer, they didn't repair the problem which was to be covered by warranty. The vehicle has no power and very poor shifting. The ABS and check engine light is on. The left front mirror is not working. The spark plugs are faulty/breaking down. The inner/outer bearing with seals on left rear and right rear-replaced, and the right rear hub assembly-replaced due to over tightening of the spindle nut. There's a noise in the tire(s) the dealer performed a recall that replaced the cooler hose.

Filed Sep 24, 2002 · Engine · KS

Consumer states that while driving the vehicle cut off. Had vehicle serviced. The engine motor was gone, as a result of the no engine compression.

Filed Sep 6, 2002 · Airbags, Body · NY

Engine check light comes on repeatedly with cause unknown. The only corrective action dealership did was to change a code in the vehicle's computer system. Faulure caused vehicle not to exceed 5 MPH. *ak the brakes were making a loud noise, the air bag light was on, the left window was acting erractically, the regulator had to be replaced, the rear view mirro was inoperative, all 4 door seals were leaking water, there was a shimmy in the steering wheel, the shift indicator strip was out of poistion, the trim around the windshield was loose for the second time, there was a noise coming from the exhaust due to the shiled on the midpipe being loose.

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