2001 Kia Rio suspension problems

Filed Aug 24, 2010 · Suspension · 81,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 kia rio. The contact stated was driving approximately 60 MPH and attempting to switch lanes when she heard an unusual noise similar to rumbling metal, followed by a loud clunk. The contact was barely able to maintain control of the vehicle yet was able to maneuver the vehicle off the roadway. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where she was advised that the wheel bearing spacer would need replacing. The dealer made repairs to the vehicle yet the failure recurred within six months. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired eight times for the failure since purchase. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 81,000.

Filed Apr 23, 2008 · Suspension, Transmission · 107,695 miles · GA

Vehicle started to vibrate like wheels were out of balance. Turned into driveway driver side rear wheel fell off with brake drum still attached to wheel . Vehicle came to stop. Kia customer service line contacted, because there was no active service bulletin offered no help. Vehicle repaired at local firestone tire store. Wheel spindle and inner and outer bearings replaced.

Filed Feb 10, 2007 · Fuel system, Suspension · 52,595 miles · AZ

Driving in traffic, made right turn into driveway at 30 MPH and the engine died, steering was now unassisted. I rolled the car into a parking spot. The car started upon my return to the car. This has happened at least 6 other times since I've owned the vehicle. The car has less than 60, 000 miles and has amassed numerous repair issues: failure of automatic transmission; rear wheel bearing replacement; defective side mirror that screams at high speeds/freeway driving w/windy conditions; sun visors which do not adhere to placement; and windshield washer pump failure. Upon acquiring the vehicle this was the first problem I took the car in for repair. And on subsequent visits, it has been an issue, but the problem persists.

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 Sep 14, 2006 · Suspension · 90,400 miles · TX

Dt*: the contact stated while the tires were being rotated at an independent repair shop, it was determined the front wheel bearings were loose. The repair shop tightened the front wheel bearings. After the initial front wheel bearing tightening, during normal maintenance, the left rear wheel bearing was loose as well. The rear wheel bearing was tightened by an independent repair shop. There were no previous warning indicators for the wheel bearing looseness. The manufacturer was notified.

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 May 2, 2005 · Suspension · 69,400 miles · CA

Wheel came apart while driving down the highway at 55 pmh. There was a noise before the wheel came. The car was repaired by the owner replacing the entire hub assembly on the front driver side. Now the other side is making a clicking noise and may need to be replaced.

Filed Dec 1, 2004 · Suspension · 4,000 miles · FL

Steering wheel wobbled. This vehicle was replaced with a new vehicle, butproblem started again, dealer told consumer to have tie tires and the suspension checked.

Filed Oct 14, 2004 · Suspension, Tires · 15,000 miles · CA

Deficient wheel bearing on kia rio. *bf recurring problems with the wheel bearings. The current wheel bearing problem was diagnosed as the tires. The noise still exists. The consumer requested reimbursement. *sc

Filed Aug 5, 2004 · Suspension · NC

Consumer heard a squealing noise in the right front side of vehicle. She was not sure whether it was a tire, tie rod or suspension. When she took vehicle to kia, they could not find anything wrong or where that noise was coming from. Consumer insisted noise was getting worse.