2002 Kia RIO Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 30%of 128 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,780miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Kia RIO, 30% of the 128 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,780 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The car began to run hot when I would be briefly stopped for instance in a drive through restaurant or a longer traffic light. Once the car began to move the car cooled down. I had a mechanic friend do a tune up on my car. He said the fan has no blades they have disintegrated. This was of concern due to the fact there has been no injury to my car such as an animal in the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10238342, filed 2008-08, 114,000 miles“Kia RIO 2002 the check engine light will not go out I took it to get check out.everything is fine.there is nothing wrong.they reset the check engine light and it came back on.I was told buy a Kia dealer ship it is a manufacturer defect. And nothing can be done.this is been going on for four years now. I have to get the check every time the inspection is do and have the light reset. So I can pass the inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #10268470, filed 2009-05, 87,253 miles“I have taken my 2002 Kia RIO to a certified reputable mechanic. His determination of the faulty engine was due to the fact of a inferior timing belt. His statement was that the timing belt gave out and the engine is designed so that basically when this happens the crankshaft and valves ruin itself due to the broken timing belt. This happening leaves me with basically a $2,000 dollar loss all because of maybe a $100 part.”
NHTSA complaint #10210004, filed 2007-11, 102,500 miles“While my daughter was driving her 2002 Kia RIO, all of a sudden the car just stopped running and would not start up. There was no prior indication that anything was wrong - no light or indicators on. Had it towed to our mechanic - engine was locked up. He didn't know for sure why - oil and coolant were fine. We didn't want to pay to have the reason diagnosed, as it doesn't really matter what caused it - the motor is shot. This car has been regularly maintained - oil change every 3000 miles, regular service as recommended in the book. …”
NHTSA complaint #10277906, filed 2009-07, 96,500 miles“I got the second hand 2002 Kia RIO 4 months ago . Me and my wife were driving for 1 mile when the smell of smoke came and in the couple of seconds there was smoke came from the bonnet. I switched off and tried to open the bonnet but the smoke got more and more ,so we left the car immediately and we saw flames came from right part of the bonnet. We were just shocked and scared of fire. We called 911 and firefighters and in less than ten minutes front part of the car was totally ruined. Looking optimistically there was no injury at all . But how about the next one! …”
NHTSA complaint #10368522, filed 2010-12, 101,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10133170Mar 2, 2018PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned…
- 10015272Jan 1, 2005Improved timing belts for the kia rio and optima.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 4% |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% |
| 2015 | 4 | 8% |
| 2013 | 3 | 2% |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 6 | 8% |
| 2005 | 12 | 32% |
| 2004 | 12 | 32% |
| 2003 | 19 | 26% |
| 2002 | 39 | 30% |
| 2001 | 52 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2002 Kia RIO
21 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsSeat belts
16 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsTires
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Kia RIO
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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