2001 Kia Rio: engine stalls while driving

Filed Sep 20, 2007 · Engine · 58,000 miles · VA

Aside from the fact that we have never received one recall notice from kia or the dealer, on september 12, 2007, my 2001 kia rio (which we bought new in 1/2001) engine light came on after the car engine had warmed up, and the car began to lurch and chug. It stalled at a light and restarted when I turned the key. I applied the accelerator and it revved to a higher gear and lunged forward then immediately tried to stall in the intersection. I nursed the vehicle back home. It was taken to a mechanic where the code claimed an o2 censor was bad. What was found was a plug missing from a panel area (?). Thought car was fixed. Went to drive it home and again the same identical problem only this time the engine light did not come on, my only indication of the problem was the attempt at stalling again! This happened after the engine was warmed up. Same symptoms and problems only no warning engine light. This is a life threatening danger since it happens with no warning and kia has failed to notify us of any recall notices they have issued concerning our vehicle even though they had our address from us paying them for the car note each month! Something needs to be done about their lack of notice to owners and warm engine stalling problems. I have no way of getting the car to a dealer since it will not stay running!

Filed Jul 18, 2007 · Airbags, Engine · 60,000 miles · VT

My car had a recall because of stalling issues before also again when I had this problem the fuel injector was unplugged now it stalls all the time engine check light comes on had a airflow sensor light changed and it is still stalling even more check engine light comes on but goes off before I can get it checked and so I am getting nowhere and I am scared too death off having a accident because of this issue I think this is a real safety issue it is a 2001 kia rio can you help me I have contacted kia already.

Filed Mar 4, 2007 · Engine, Locks · CT

Two years ago when trying to get into my 2001 rio the drivers side door lock stuck. I took it to the dealership and waited 2 weeks for the replacement part. Now I am having the same problem with my passenger door. Car is no longer under warranty, so I am unable to use my passenger side door. Also car stalls when it rains and shakes really bad when it does run. I have to get a ride when it rains, interior lights don't work, bumper has come loose....continual problems with spark plugs, and leaks oil.

Filed Dec 8, 2006 · Transmission · 47,000 miles · CA · crash

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing the clutch pedal, the gear shifter would not change gears and control of the vehicle was lost. It crashed into a curb and the engine stalled. The vehicle was restarted and the engine stalled again. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where the clutch plate was replaced and to another independent repair shop, who determined the clutch assembly was detached from the fire wall. There were repairs made to reattach the clutch assembly. The dealer was not contacted.

Filed Nov 28, 2006 · Acceleration, Electrical · FL

01 rio is a lemon & safety hazard. Many major repairs done including the timing belt & valves rebuilt, new cooling system, both control arms & boots. Wheel defect recently recalled caused excess wear/ tear on control arms, boots, alignment, tires, costing thousands of avoidable repairs. Fuel intake did come lose, nearly causing an engine fire due to defective part which was recalled. It continuously misfires, engine knocks, stalls. Ecm was recalled but didn't fix the problem. Replaced spark plugs & wires (3 times in 6 months), ignition coil, sensors (oxygen, knock, crankshaft, temp). It stops for a 1-2 days, then comes back. Annoying & dangerous. Also has acceleration problem. At times, it won't go over 40 MPH & also accelerates by itself. Brakes have completely failed, though there's no crack in the line, no leaking fluid. The car is a complete lemon. Online, there are hundreds of similar complaints. Dealers are aware but conveniently can't seem to diagnose the problems especially misfiring. Consumers get nickel & dimed doing needless repairs that don't fix the problem. The optima had similar problems w/crankshaft pos. Sensor which was recalled, but dealer denies any relation to problems with the rio. Another problem - lack of availability & high cost of parts. Its bait/switch to sell a car with known problems, then guess at needless repairs & sell parts at an astronomical markup. It's cheap to buy, but repair costs make it very expensive. Research shows misfiring/engine knock has also LED to engine fires. Also problems with air bags. My airbag light has been on since purchased, but dealer has yet to fix it. Also door locking problems, people being locked in vehicles. My drivers door locks by itself (manual locks). In case of engine fire or accident, a lock malfunction could cause unnecessary death/injury. These are known problems with hundreds of complaints, yet kia has done nothing to address them. The 01 rio is a lemon and safety hazard.

Filed Apr 24, 2006 · Airbags, Engine · MI

Purchased car, 2001 kia rio, in october of 2000. Within a few days airbag light came on. This occurred several times over a one year period and had to be taken back to dealer for repair at least four times. Recall was received for fuel system. This was replaced without problem. Next problem occurred with wheels, which was also a recall. I had to order the wheels which took at least a month to come in leaving me to drive to and from work, 65 miles each way, on violently vibrating wheels. Wheels were finally replaced. Problem occurred in winter 2005 with door latch. Driver side door would lock and stay locked. Vehicle was taken to original dealer for repair only to have old part repaired while being charged for new part and labor. Within a few days, door latch failed again. Took vehicle to another dealer who ordered new part. In the meantime I waited for part to arrive, and drove around in a car whose door didn't lock, leaving my car prey to thieves, who stole things constantly from me. Finally this was fixed but, the passenger side door lock did the same thing. I look the car back to the dealer who told me that they could not fix it since my warranty was up and to fix it would cost me $700 or more. I've also noticed a problem with the car stalling in traffic. This is a new problem. Example: I stop to get gas, start the car and turn out into traffic and the car shuts down. During the winter of 2005 while waiting for door locks to come in, my driver side wheel bearing went out. This was repaired but subsequently the next day after repair while driving into work, wheel bearing literally crumbled. Had car towed to dealer who informed me that an old part was mistakenly put back on the car. This was repaired and replaced with a new part. These are all safety and quality control issues.

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 Oct 5, 2004 · Transmission · FL

While driving at any speed vehicle stalled . Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that control module needed to be replaced, and replaced it six times. However, the problem recurred.

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 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 Feb 26, 2004 · Fuel system · 36,000 miles · CA

Since december '03, check engine light has come on at least a dozen times. On 2 occassions, car bucks while driving and stalls. Have had it in to the dealer 4 times since december. I am now scared to drive the car for fear it will break down again.