Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2003 Kia Rio has 3 recalls, 84 complaints.
3
Recalls
84
Complaints
N/A
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 8, 2026
06V294000
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." WHEN ...
05V557000
CHILD SEAT
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' ...
04V179000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE OF THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR IS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE OR CRACKING DURING REMOVAL OF THE QUICK CONNECT C...
Overall
Not Rated
Front Crash
Not Rated
Side Crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
Rating for: 2003 Kia Rio 4-DR. Wagon
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 22, 2021 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION WHILE DE... |
| Dec 22, 2015 | SEAT BELTS,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | SEAT BELTS, CAR SEAT RETAINING HOOKS, ECM, AND DISTRIBUTOR ARE RECALLED. CHEYENNE KIA HAD 3 WEEKS B... |
| Dec 1, 2015 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | WHEN YOU PARK THE CAR, SHUTOFF ENGINE, PULL UP THE SHORT UNLOCK STICK, THEN PULL THE OPEN BUTTON TO ... |
| Sep 4, 2014 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | ALL OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. DONE A SEARCH TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER P... |
| Sep 16, 2013 | SERVICE BRAKES | FRONT, RIGHT BRAKE ROTOR SEPARATED AT THE INBOARD HALF. PIECES NOT FOUND. OUTBOARD HALF REMAINED I... |
| Jun 19, 2013 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | GOING OUT TO DINNER, ABOUT 1 MILE AWAY FROM HOME SMELL COMING FROM CAR. TURNED DOWN A SIDE STREET, S... |
| Aug 6, 2012 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED AND CO... |
| Apr 7, 2012 | SUSPENSION | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE START... |
| Oct 17, 2011 | STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED AND COULD N... |
| Jun 1, 2011 | SEAT BELTS | THE REAR SEATBELTS DON'T LOCK INTO PLACE RIGHT. NORMALLY, WHEN YOU PULL A SEATBELT THE FULL WAY OUT ... |
| May 1, 2011 | SEAT BELTS | TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO CINCO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRA... |
| Apr 17, 2011 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,TIRES | I BOUGHT MY 03 KIA RIO IN 04 AND WITHIN A MO. HAVE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERS... |
| Dec 28, 2010 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | MY BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE ON MY 2003 KIA RIO CRACKED. MY MECHANIC SAYS IT SHOULD NEVER CRACK NO ... |
| Aug 11, 2009 | SEAT BELTS | BACK IN 2006 I PURCHASED A 2003 KIA RIO AND IN AUG 2009 I WAS SENT A LETTER TELLING ME MY REAR SEATB... |
| Apr 7, 2009 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY TWO YEAR OLD IN THE CAR, THE ENGINE SEIZED UP AND STALLED. THE ... |
| Apr 2, 2009 | AIR BAGS | TRAVELING APROX 30 MPH, REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK ON ANY PASSENGERS, AIRB... |
| Feb 10, 2009 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 2003 KIA RIO DOOR OPENING MECHANISM HAS FAILED TWICE. IT WAS REPAIRED IN 2007. THE MECHANIC WHO RE... |
| Dec 23, 2008 | POWER TRAIN | THE CLUTCH IN MY 2003 KIA RIO HAS FAILED/BROKEN FOUR TIMES NOW. MY FATHER AND I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE ... |
| Sep 26, 2008 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | TIMING BELT BROKE AT 72000 MILES WITHOUT WARNING. KIA SAYS CHANGE AT 60000 MILES IN KY, BUT WARRANT... |
| Feb 6, 2008 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND APPROACHING A STOP, THE V... |