2002 Kia RIO Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 2%of 128 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 117,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2002 Kia RIO, 2% of the 128 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,500 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 contact owns a 2002 Kia RIO. The contact stated that the driver side front seat belt would not buckle and the passenger side front seat belt anchor fell apart. The driver side front door lock would not unlock with the key or from the inside of the door. Kia was contacted and stated that there was nothing they could do. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000. The current mileage was approximately 182,000. The VIN was unknown. Updated 11/05/10.”
NHTSA complaint #10348559, filed 2010-08, 182,000 miles“The driver got into the vehicle, closed the door ,and could not get out. The screws to hold the door latch were gone which caused the latch to get stuck between the doors.”
NHTSA complaint #10034109, filed 2003-08Related 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 2002 Kia RIO
39 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsSeat belts
16 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsTires
4 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 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