2002 Kia Rio Cinco problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:clutch Assembly (2) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery (2) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Rio Cinco model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (4)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2021-09-13 · TSB_BOD055_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: information for headlamp condensation and moisture - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to some kia models tha
Parking Brake:indicator Light 2008-08-28 · KT-2008082201 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
kia: all models. article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple kia models. *pe
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2005-04-27 · 01011901 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
rear brake noise. *jb
Fuel System, Gasoline 2004-04-13 · 04132004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pending recall relating to the fuel distributor and fuel connector assemblies. kia has expanded the range of affected vehicles. *tt
What owners report
2012-03-19 · Suspension · 70,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia rio cinco. while driving approximately 60 mph, the steering wheel began to vibrate excessively and pulsation occurred when the accelerator pedal was engaged. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on three separate occasions where the front passenger and driver side wheel hub bearings were replaced each t…”
2007-08-31 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch“electrical line from rear of brake switch is short in length and unsecured resulting in wire damage that shorts electrical fuse to switch. results in brake light failure and possible rear end collision due to no brake lights. new switch from factory was installed by kia dealership- but problem persists. the vehicle is a 2002 kia rio cinco. i'm wor…”
2007-07-21 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery · 60,948 mi“refer to nhtsa campaign number: 04v179000 in january 2007, i took my vehicle (2002 kia rio) to ray carter kia dealership at 6373 blanding blvd, jacksonville, fl 32244, because the engine would not idle and would sometimes cut off during acceleration. the service tech told me i needed the 60,000 mile maintenance service which included replacing t…”
2007-07-18 · Air Bags:frontal · 35,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl*the contact owns a 2002 kia rio cinco. on july 14, 2004, while driving 35 mph, another vehicle ran a stop sign and crashed head on into the contact's vehicle. the air bags failed to deploy. she sustained permanent injuries to her occipital neuralgia from snapping her head forward. a spec scan showed that she received some brain damage, lower…”
2006-04-10 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys · 61,000 mi“my 2002 kia rio cinco's timing-belt broke and caused serious damage to the engine resulting in a $2500 fee to fix the vehicle. because my timing-belt was not changed at 60000 (we have 61000 miles on the vehicle) they would not honor their warranty. i have done research on these vehicles and a lot of people have had problems with these vehicles. …”
2006-02-02 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery · 72,000 mi · 🔥 fire“an engine compartment fire was discovered by other employees approximately 10-15 minutes after i had parked the vehicle at work and had entered my office. the workers extinguished the fire with 8 portable fire extinguishers. the damage was most severe near the firewall on the passenger side of the vehicle. all hoses had burned away and plastics …”
2006-01-27 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:drum:shoes/Linings · 56,000 mi“after having the brakes serviced i heard a ping noise when i would make a right turn. as i kept driving the vehicle and the noise went away for about a week. when the noise returned it was much worse and when i would come to a stop i could feel something hitting together could feel it too. when i took the tire off to check, the pin that holds th…”
2006-01-06 · Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs · 1,500 mi“dt*: the contact stated while driving there is a loud noise. while stopping, the noise gets louder. the vehicle was taken to a dealership for inspection. and they determined the bolts that connect the pipes to the heat shield and the exhaust system burned off. also, the lugs: nuts have been changed five times because they were corroded. *ak…”
2005-12-14 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 🔥 fire“consumer 2002 rio cinco with less than 60,000 miles , caught on fire while driving . *ts *jb…”
2005-12-06 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting · 57,000 mi · 🔥 fire“dt: the contact stated while husband was driving the check engine light illuminated. less than one minute later there was black smoke coming from under the hood. he got out of the vehicle and saw that the vehicle was on fire. the fire department was called to extinguish the fire. the vehicle was towed and has not been inspected at this time. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.