Investigation PE03016: 2001 Kia RIO

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Apr 15, 2003

Closed

Aug 28, 2003

Model years

2001

Subject

Engine compartment fires

Component: Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Summary

Kia has identified 22 non-crash engine compartment fires of any or unspecified cause on the subject vehicles.nine fires (of which 4 were also reported to odi) are identified as being due to a fuel system leak originating between the firewall and the fuel injector rail (p/n 0k30e 13 150) in the passenger side area of the engine compartment.the remaining fires were due to varied or unknown causes.all 9 fires caused by a fuel system leak sustained severe and total damage.analysis indicates that 1 fire was caused by a failed quick connect between the flexible high-pressure fuel supply line (p/n 0k32a 13 49xb) and the rigid line mounted to the firewall; 5 fires were caused by a failure of the flexible high-pressure fuel supply line itself or its related connectors; the remaining 3 fires were caused by unspecified fuel leaks in the vicinity of the fuel injector rail, flexible high-pressure fuel supply line, and the rigid line mounted to the firewall.kia reports that neither the fuel injector rail nor the flexible high-pressure fuel supply line has been substantially modified since their introduction in the 2001 model year.this preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea03-015) so that odi may collect additional information and conduct further study of this issue.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.

Model years covered

• 2001 Kia RIO223 complaints