2002 Kia RIO Cinco Problems
- Complaints
- 21filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 56,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Kia RIO Cinco (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2002 Kia RIO Cinco. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 8 complaints (38% of the total), followed by fuel system (4) and air bags (3). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 46% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 56,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling8 38%
- Fuel system4 19%
- Air bags3 14%
- Electrical system3 14%
- Brakes2 9.5%
- Wheels2 9.5%
- Exterior lighting1 4.8%
- Seats1 4.8%
- Suspension1 4.8%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “My 2002 Kia Rio Cinco's timing-belt broke and caused serious damage to the engine resulting in a $2500 fee to fix the vehicle. Because my timing-belt was not changed at 60000 (we have 61000 miles on the vehicle) they would not honor their warranty. I have done research on these vehicles and a lot of people have had problems with these vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10154924, filed 2006-04, 61,000 milesFuel system: “Dt: the contact stated while husband was driving the check engine light illuminated. Less than one minute later there was black smoke coming from under the hood. He got out of the vehicle and saw that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed and has not been inspected at this time. This vehicle was repaired under NHTSA recall campaign 04v179000 in october of 2004 for the fuel distributor and fuel tube assemmblies.”
NHTSA complaint #10144610, filed 2005-12, 57,000 milesAir bags: “While driving, the consumer lost control of the vehicle. When the driver tried correct the vehicle and come back onto the highway , the vehicle almost crashed into the concrete barrier. To avoid crashing into the barrier the driver made a hard turn and over corrected. This resulted in the vehicle going off the edge of the black top into the bottom of a ditch and rolled over 3 times. Upon impact none of the frontal air bags deployed. The roof caved in about a foot on the passenger side. The driver sustained bruises to his left leg, neck pain and slight blurred vision. …”
NHTSA complaint #10092243, filed 2004-09, 40,000 milesElectrical system: “Approximately 1.5 years ago I was having a problem with the car hesitating on the highway and the check engine light coming on. I brought my car to the Kia dealership (hamilton, on) for diagnosis and they diagnosed the problem as being the mass airflow sensor. I had them replace the sensor (250$cad) and do a 300$ tune up on the car. Two days later the check engine light came back on and I brought in back to the dealer. By the time I had the car at the dealer the light had gone off and they said to bring it back when it was on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10126598, filed 2005-06, 105,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
46% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 31,014 and 61,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 04V179000Apr 9, 2004Fuel system, gasoline › DeliveryCovers: Kia RIO Cinco 2001–2004, RIO 2001–2004
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 the fuel intake nipple, or when force is accidentally…
Recall details for the 2002 Kia RIO Cinco → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021Exterior lighting, Body and structure. 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…
- 10026726Aug 28, 2008Brakes, Exterior lighting. 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.
- 10013878Apr 27, 2005Brakes. Rear brake noise.
Other model years of the Kia RIO Cinco
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 12 | 24,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 8 | 70,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 21 | 56,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Kia RIO Cinco have?
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2002 Kia RIO Cinco as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Kia RIO Cinco is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 8 complaints (38% of the total), followed by fuel system with 4.
Has the 2002 Kia RIO Cinco been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Kia RIO Cinco reported?
Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 56,000 miles and the middle half falls between 31,014 and 61,000 miles; 46% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.