Investigation PE04030: 2001 Kia RIO

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Mar 24, 2004

Closed

Jul 22, 2004

Model years

2001

Subject

Steel wheel fracture

Component: Wheels › Hubcap/cover

Summary

On march 24, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged steel wheel fractures in certain model year (my) 2001 kia rio vehicles.the subject vehicles are equipped with wheels manufactured between may 12 and october 18, 2000.wheels were manufactured during this period using a tool (ring die) that had improper surface treatment.this allowed tool damage to develop with accumulated use and resulted in an irregular shaped stamping on the wheel disc at the hat area.the irregular shaped hat area creates a stress riser that may lead to the formation of cracks.odi is aware of 30 non-duplicative consumer reports alleging wheel fracture and 3 alleged wheel separation incidents on the subject vehicles.kia has paid 576 warranty claims for wheel replacement on the subject vehicles.this preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea04-020) to further study the scope and safety consequences 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