2002 Kia RIO Cinco Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 38%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,974miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Kia RIO Cinco, 38% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,974 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“My 2002 Kia Rio Cinco's timing-belt broke and caused serious damage to the engine resulting in a $2500 fee to fix the vehicle. Because my timing-belt was not changed at 60000 (we have 61000 miles on the vehicle) they would not honor their warranty. I have done research on these vehicles and a lot of people have had problems with these vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10154924, filed 2006-04, 61,000 miles“Approximately 1.5 years ago I was having a problem with the car hesitating on the highway and the check engine light coming on. I brought my car to the Kia dealership (hamilton, on) for diagnosis and they diagnosed the problem as being the mass airflow sensor. I had them replace the sensor (250$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“The contact stated while driving there is a loud noise. While stopping, the noise gets louder. The vehicle was taken to a dealership for inspection. And they determined the bolts that connect the pipes to the heat shield and the exhaust system burned off. Also, the lugs: nuts have been changed five times because they were corroded.”
NHTSA complaint #10147089, filed 2006-01, 1,500 miles“While driving consumer smelled a rotten egg odor coming through the vents. The consumer indicated that the smell was hydrogen sulfide (Kia recall sc034). The vehicle also exhibited driver's seat problems , engine problems, the alloy wheels rusted and the front and rear brakes problems.”
NHTSA complaint #10099320, filed 2004-10“Vehicles stalls after moving from a stopped position. Vehicle has been recalled for the problem and the problem is still occurring. Car has been owned for a year and has been serviced too many times for the same problem. Problem has occurred since the recall as if it were never fixed. Dealer wants to exchange the car at my expense for the problem. How is this fair???? Then the car will be put back on the market for some other sucker to purchase. …”
NHTSA complaint #10079270, filed 2004-07Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Kia RIO Cinco
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsElectrical system
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