2002 Kia RIO Cinco Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 14%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 105,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Kia RIO Cinco, 14% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“Electrical line from rear of brake switch is short in length and unsecured resulting in wire damage that shorts electrical fuse to switch. Results in brake light failure and possible rear end collision due to no brake lights. New switch from factory was installed by Kia dealership- but problem persists. The vehicle is a 2002 Kia Rio Cinco. I'm worried for my family's and others safety. This is a design defect, that I feel the consumer should not have to bear the expense.”
NHTSA complaint #10201309, filed 2007-08“Vehicle repeated stalls in the middle of traffic while driving, took it to dealer the replaced harness. During a sudden stop vehicles check engine light came on, took it to dealer cannot find anything wrong with it. Once again car shuts off in the middle of the road had the car towed spent 24 hrs with dealer, dealer cannot find out the problem diagnostic test run and cannot find anything wrong with car. Took the car home today, dec 1, car shuts off again and will not start. Car runs like it wants to shut off”
NHTSA complaint #10100898, filed 2004-12Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 8% |
| 2002 | 3 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2002 Kia RIO Cinco
8 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Kia RIO Cinco
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology