2001 Kia RIO Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 5%of 223 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,273miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2001 Kia RIO, 5% of the 223 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,273 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.
“The first time I heard a noise coming from the right front passenger side of my car and thought it was either my brakes or a pvc boot going out on my car. December 4, 2003. I was shocked to find my wheel-rim was seriously cracked. It was cracked almost the entire way around just abut an inch from the holes for the lugs. If it would have broke completely when I was driving home from arizona to fresno, california, my passenger and I could have been seriously injured or killed. I do take around 6-8 long distance trips per year. We were lucky. …”
NHTSA complaint #10086579, filed 2004-08, 64,634 miles“Parked car at work came back out and the door lock was down tried to pull up but is stuck or caught on something. The way the screws are in the door 2 of them cannot be taken out without having the door open. With long legs its very difficult to get in and out of vehicle!!! Also trouble with the engine misfiring of sparkplug with some loss of power.”
NHTSA complaint #10554083, filed 2013-11, 129,500 miles“Both door locks get stuck on both the passenger side and drivers side. We have had to climb in the back seat to exit the car. This is very dangerous and could cause death or injury if a fire and could not exit the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10419394, filed 2011-08, 100,000 miles“Consumer was unable to enter the vehicle by using the key. When the consumer entered vehicle from the unlocked back door it was still not possible to open the doors from inside.”
NHTSA complaint #10059628, filed 2004-02, 101,273 miles“I own a 2001 Kia RIO, I have had nothing but problems since I purchased the car, the dealership refuses to assist with any of them. I no longer have use of my front doors and have to climb through the back door to get into the car. This has been an on going problem. Not only that but the seat belts in the back keep defraying and are not safe. And the seat has metal in it that has cut through the fabric on the seats.”
NHTSA complaint #10172039, filed 2006-10Related service bulletins
- 10109777Nov 4, 2016TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited…
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 17% |
| 2018 | 2 | 7% |
| 2017 | 2 | 6% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2005 | 1 | 3% |
| 2004 | 2 | 5% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 11 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2001 Kia RIO
52 complaintsAir bags
33 complaintsWheels
31 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsSuspension
22 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsEquipment
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Kia RIO
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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