2003 Kia RIO
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 74
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Engine and engine cooling
Campaigns on file for 2003
Opened by NHTSA
26% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 74 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 223 |
| 2002 | 128 |
| 2003 | 74 |
| 2004 | 38 |
| 2005 | 37 |
| 2006 | 74 |
| 2007 | 46 |
| 2008 | 46 |
| 2009 | 39 |
| 2010 | 26 |
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2012 | 54 |
| 2013 | 153 |
| 2014 | 52 |
| 2015 | 52 |
| 2016 | 79 |
| 2017 | 31 |
| 2018 | 28 |
| 2019 | 22 |
| 2020 | 27 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 12 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine and engine cooling
26% · 19 reportsMost commonly citing engine and catalytic convertor.
Electrical system
22% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing ignition and wiring.
Show complaint excerpts
Going out to dinner, about 1 mile away from home smell coming from car. Turned down a side street, smoke coming from heat/air adjustment area on dash. Stopped car, fire started coming out of the area where you adjust the heat/air.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-06-24
Service brakes
18% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Power train
18% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Fuel system, gasoline
9% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing tank assembly and fuel pump.
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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I
2002-07-02Engineering analysisClosed 2003-07-02 Air bag non deploy
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2003Complaint volume 74 complaints filed for this model year.
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2004-06-18Fuel system, gasoline04V179000 On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel intake nipple of the fuel distributor is subject to fracture or cracking during removal of the quick connect coupling securing the main fuel tube assembly to…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assemblies. The recall began June 18, 2004. Owners should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
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R
2006-01-30Child seat05V557000 Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 225, 'child restraint anchorage systems.' certain child restraint anchors will not fully…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower anchors free of charge. The recall began on January 30, 2006. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
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2006-09-15Seat belts06V294000 Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant crash protection." When used with certain child seats, the automatic…
Remedy: Dealers will replace both rear outboard seatbelt assemblies free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2006. Owners may contact Hyundai-Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Kia RIO — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine and engine cooling: 19 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 16 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 13 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 04V179000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 05V557000 · Child seat
- Recall 06V294000 · Seat belts
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2003 Kia RIO reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Kia RIO is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Kia RIO?
- The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Kia RIO have?
- 3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.