2003 Kia RIO Cinco Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Kia RIO Cinco (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2003 Kia RIO Cinco. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by seat belts (2) and engine cooling (1). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Seat belts2 25%
- Engine cooling1 13%
- Other or unknown1 13%
- Body and structure1 13%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “I have several issues with Kia. I'll give you a quick synopsis of my dealings with Kia. 1-I wanted to buy the 2002 Rio Cinco in august 2002. I researched it online, and picked the one I wanted before going to a dealership. I went to the dealership that had billboards posted all over grand rapids, mi advertising: $99 down / $99 per month. I waited over 2 hours to be waited on. When the salesman finally waited on me, I was told they had to get the car I wanted from another dealership, and I could pick it up in 2 days. …”
NHTSA complaint #10211541, filed 2007-12, 79,000 milesSeat belts: “The rear seatbelts don't lock into place right. Normally, when you pull a seatbelt the full way out then let it wind back in, it should have tension on it. The seatbelts in the rear of my vehicle don't do this. They can be pulled back out without stopping. They clip into the buckles fine though. I have 2 car seats in the back, so I need this feature to work properly to secure the child seats.”
NHTSA complaint #10415434, filed 2011-07, 50,000 milesEngine cooling: “1/10/04 saturday. Around 10:30 am hope calls and says the motor has blown on the Kia. I called Kia's roadside assistance. Hope meanwhile had to walk two miles in 40 degree below zero wind chill to the nearest exit and call me. 1/12/04 monday I called bortz and talked to dean the service manager. He told me I have a piston rod in the oil pan and the motor will need to be replaced. He also said there is no oil in the engine. He that I had no proof of oil changes. I told him I had receipts for oil dating back to july 2003 . He told me that didn't prove oil changes and voided the warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10078990, filed 2004-06, 25,000 milesOther or unknown: “When you park the car, shutoff engine, pull up the short unlock stick, then pull the open button to open the door. That's normal procedure. But if you are in hurry, pull the door open button first and forget pull the unlock stick, you cannot open door anymore, you cannot go back and pull up the unlock stick to unlock door anymore. It will keep locking the door back when you pull up the unlock stick. You have to fight for 15 min to open the door. Dangerous if in the emergency.”
NHTSA complaint #10809842, filed 2015-12Mileage when problems were reported
29% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 79,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
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 2003 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. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021Body and structure, Exterior lighting. 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, 2008Exterior lighting, Brakes. 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.
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 2003 Kia RIO Cinco have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2003 Kia RIO Cinco as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Kia RIO Cinco is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by seat belts with 2.
Has the 2003 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 2003 Kia RIO Cinco reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 79,000 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.
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.