2002 Kia RIO Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 1%of 128 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Kia RIO, 1% of the 128 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Vehicle was in a head on collision at 46 MPH. Upon impact, passenger side air bag deployed, but driver side air bag didn't deploy. Steering wheel came completely off, and the driver died as a result. Consumer's wife was hit head on while driving at 50 MPH by a toota tacoma. The drivier of the tacoma was on drugs when crossed over into path of the RIO. The driver of the RIO experienced a severed brain stem, punctured lung from the steering column and a severed arm. The driver of the RIO was wearing the seat belt. …”
NHTSA complaint #10040288, filed 2003-09, 12,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 25% |
| 2022 | 1 | 8% |
| 2021 | 4 | 27% |
| 2020 | 4 | 15% |
| 2019 | 2 | 9% |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 10 | 7% |
| 2011 | 2 | 8% |
| 2010 | 1 | 4% |
| 2009 | 2 | 5% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 3 | 8% |
| 2003 | 4 | 5% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
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 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 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