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2004 Kia Rio engine problems

12 complaints (32% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 53,015.

owner complaints
12
of this car's complaints
32%
typical mileage
53,015
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Engine
    3
  • Engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
    2

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Kia Rio engine problems in other years

200020052010201520202023

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Kia Rio engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Stalling 7Check engine light 6

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2004 Kia Rio owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 5, 2010 · Engine · 68,040 miles · OR

I was at a stop sign and my 2004 kia rio died , I pushed it to the mechanic and was told the timing belt lost its teeth and there is now no compression in 3 and 4 , the mileage on car is 68040. I was told basically the engine is toast and I wasn't even moving ,I was told by a couple of mechanics that the belt that kia used is faulty . The owners manual says replace 60,000 miles but replace it 105,000 in california. How would a belt be bad in 49 states except california. I found on auto md .com the federal safety agency action #10015272 service bulletin # 289221 report dating jan 1 2005 improved timing belts for 04 rio and optima .

Filed Mar 3, 2009 · Engine · 80,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 kia rio. While pulling up to a parking lot at 20 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact attempted to restart the engine, but was unsuccessful. She was near a tire shop at the time and the mechanic stated that the timing belt failed. She had the vehicle towed to an auto repair shop and was informed that the timing belt failed and the engine valves needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that she would be responsible for the repairs. The vehicle is in the process of being repaired, but the contact believes that the timing belt should not have failed within five years. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 80,000.

Filed Nov 18, 2008 · Engine · 83,000 miles · NJ

I have a 2004 kia rio. I had no problems with this vehicle till the month of october when it failed inspection for emissions. I took it to the shop and it took a while before they found out it was a sensor. So then I had the car back for a week and my husband who drives the car everyday was driving home from work heard a loud noise and the car died. Come to find out the timing belt went on the vehicle. Which come to find out you are suppose to change these at 60,000 according to their book. When we bought the rio we also bought a kia spectra. So of course we took the spectra in right away to get a new belt so we wouldn't have 2 cars down. That cost 677.00. I had 78,000 on the spectra and there was 83,000 on the rio. I investigated this problem come to find out alot of people had this problem so kia knows about it. I then checked the technical bulletins and found that in january 0f 2005 there was a bulletin item number 10015272. It says they improved the timing belts for the kia rio and optima. Well they didn't improve it for my car. When the timing belt went it blew the engine. We are so made and when we took my spectra in to be done and told them what happened to the rio they said that's to bad. We now have our car at another garage and are trying to get kia to pay for another engine. What do you think my chances are? I am at work now and I do not have the VIN number, if you email me then later tonight I can forward the VIN number to you.

Filed Oct 4, 2007 · Brakes, Engine · 53,015 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 kia rio cinco. While driving 30, 45, or 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled and shut off without warning. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and the diagnostic showed that nothing was wrong. The manufacture stated that the investigation was closed since the dealer could find no failure with the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 53,015. Updated 01-14-08. *kb the rotors were resurfaced and the drums were rotated. Updated 12/12/07.

Filed Dec 12, 2006 · Engine · 80,382 miles · CA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 70 MPH on normal road conditions a lost of engine power was noticed. There were no engine warning lights to alert the contact of an engine problem. The vehicle was taken to an independent certified mechanic who determined the engine blew out due to the presence of coolant mixed with the engine oil and recommended engine peplacement. The dealership and manufacturer have not been contacted. The vehicle remained inoperable. The contact was concern because the vehicle has been under regular maintenace since the purchase date

Filed Nov 7, 2006 · Engine · 19,000 miles · NC

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle continuously stalled. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer six times but the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. Updated 12/01/06.

Filed Nov 3, 2006 · Engine · 67,000 miles · FL

Dt*: the contact stated the engine's timing belt chipped and dented an engine piston. The service dealer determined the engine needed to be replaced.

Filed Jul 17, 2006 · Body, Brakes · 5,529 miles · MA

Dt*: the contact stated that since the vehicle was purchased on january 19th 2005, it has been experiencing problems with the carburetor and a bad odor that comes from the engine. The vehicle was also sold to the contact without notification of recall defect to the carburetor. The vehicle was taken to the dealers to have a part replaced to remedy problems with the carburetor but vehicle consistently experiences the same problems. The vehicle was taken back on ten other occasions for services related to the problem. The vehicle was than taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the problem was related to fuel injection system. The manufacturer was notified and provided a referral to another dealers for service. The vehicle has been taken to the recommended dealer for service. The engine light illuminated, however the dealer refused to address the problem. The vehicle was pulling to the right, an alignment was performed. The consumer heard a wind noise while driving. The brakes were making a loud noise. Updated 08/01/06.

Filed Jun 26, 2006 · Acceleration, Electrical · 24,000 miles · PA

My 2004 kia rio started to stall at stop signs and lights @ 24,000 I am also experiencing erratic tachometer readings (up and down) and I have had a continued rough idle. I have brought the car to my dealer on more than 6 occasions and at that point they only returned the computer chip and told me there seems to be nothing wrong with my car. After hiring a lawyer and constant pressure from them to fix the car, they ordered a throttle arm and agreed to try it out. On june 23, 2006 before they put the throttle item in, I stalled @ 30 MPH making a turn onto to a street from a intersection. A car coming the other way and stopped inches short of hitting me on my drivers side door. At this point even with the new part placed in my car, I do not feel safe driving this car since they said there is no way to guarantee the problem will be fixed.

Filed Aug 19, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 23,500 miles · VA

Dealer changed computer, wiring harness , 2 injectors, plug, timing belt, sensor and replaced comes switches . Bought a 2004 kia rio in march 2005. It has been in the shop for the past 3 weeks. The consumer picked the car up at the shop, and it didn't make it off the lot before the car broke down again. Dealer offered me a rental car. Went back one week later to pick up the car and only went two miles before the car broke down again. Took the car back to dealer, and requested another car just like the one that I had a 2004 kia rio. Dealer said could not trade the car without refinancing it. They did finance the house for the first car but refused to with the second car. Why cant the dealer finance the second car as they did the first? *ak

Questions about the 2004 Kia Rio engine

Does the 2004 Kia Rio have engine problems?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the engine of the 2004 Kia Rio, 32% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2004 Kia Rio engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 53,015 miles.

Is there a recall for the 2004 Kia Rio engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

Other 2004 Kia Rio problems

Fuel system 6Electrical 5Suspension 5Brakes 4Transmission 4Acceleration 3Airbags 3Locks 2Visibility 2Wheels 2Body 1Seat belts 1

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