2001 Kia RIO Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 7%of 223 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the seat belts of the 2001 Kia RIO, 7% of the 223 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My drivers rear seatbelt keeps coming apart have had it changed six times inside osf two years and am now fighting to get it warented as a saftey defect because I have now reached 60,000 miles. I want this to be investigated as I am aware of the fact there are several others with same issue. This car is not safe for children. Dealer says car seat but I swear to anyone there is no car seat on that side of car even if there was car seat belts are supposed to hold with out the webbing fraying.”
NHTSA complaint #10067536, filed 2004-04, 3,000 miles“Dt: the contact stated the rear seat belts no longer retracted. When she tried to use the seat belts they became stuck, and would not move nor retract enough to lock into the buckle. The dealer replaced the seat belt retractors. The seat belts were not covered under the warranty of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10142405, filed 2005-11, 44,000 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 2006-10“9+this vehicle was involved in an accident, in which the it was impacted on the passenger's side front. Upon impact, rear driver's side seat belt disconnected, and stroke the driver in the back of the head. A child safety seat was retrained in this seat belt, but wasn't occupied at the time of the crash. Prior to the crash, seat belt were checked by the police department, and the police inspector indicated the belts were fine.”
NHTSA complaint #10079626, filed 2004-09“While driving airbag light illuminated. Took vehicle to dealer, who stated that air bags were inoperable, and would not deploy. Air bag module needed to be replaced. Also, rear seat belt on driver's side did not operate properly, half of the belt was torn .”
NHTSA complaint #10048787, filed 2003-11Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 8% |
| 2021 | 1 | 7% |
| 2020 | 1 | 4% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 2 | 4% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 3 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 6% |
| 2009 | 2 | 5% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 4 | 11% |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
| 2003 | 7 | 9% |
| 2002 | 16 | 13% |
| 2001 | 15 | 7% |
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 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
11 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 31, 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