2003 Kia Rio: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed May 23, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 80,020 miles · CA

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

Filed May 21, 2008 · Engine · 112,000 miles · CO

Bought 2003 kia rio new. In jan 2005 at about 53,000 miles I heard a rattle at about 50 miles per hour. In a few seconds the engine just shutdown (timing belt broke which destroyed the engine) kia replaced under warranty. May 21 2008 while driving about 45 miles per hour we heard a squeal and again the engine shutdown. Coasted to a stop, once again the timing belt which means another engine (58,000 since the last engine) no longer under warranty (an engine cost almost as much as the car itself).

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · 1,000 miles · IL

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

Filed Jun 16, 2003 · Electrical · 1,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Jun 16, 2003 · Electrical · 1,000 miles · IL

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.