2003 Kia RIO Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 18%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,277miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Kia RIO, 18% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,277 miles. 3 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.
“While accelerating my 2003 Kia RIO onto the interstate while going uphill, the car's transmission slipped and had no power on the incline even when it was floored. It always does this when passing cars also. I took it to the dealer who said they could find nothing wrong with it. My brakes lock up when they are damp. I did not think this was a problem, but it is.”
NHTSA complaint #10086602, filed 2004-08, 2,000 miles“In april 2003 I bought a 2003 Kia RIO cinco for my family. When I try to start it in the morning it will not start. It takes about six to ten tries to get it started. Then it runs bad for miles. It also runs very hot and it seems the more I drive it the less preformance I been geting. My brakes are also bad when I first drive it after it sits for hours. Kia told me that it all has to do with the reformuladed gas we use in milwaukee and chicago. After months of people at Kia not calling me back and tring to resoulve this with Kia I am interested in a class astion law suit.”
NHTSA complaint #10069745, filed 2004-01, 1,800 miles“My Kia RIO has 15000 miles on and the brakes went in the car. I called the dealer heritage ford and they did not want to cover this. It was only the passenger side in the front. So that meant a faulty part in my eyes. I called Kia also who did not care. So I had the brakes replaced and when taking them off on the passenger side the pad itself was there but the brake fell off the pad. And most normal cars the brakes are held on with a pop rivet. Not this car. They are held on with thin pieces of aluminum which everyone knows how easy aluminum bends and twists exactly how mine were. …”
NHTSA complaint #10052968, filed 2004-01, 15,000 miles“Front, right brake rotor separated at the inboard half. Pieces not found. Outboard half remained intact, and is available for study/analysis. Was able to use brakes although extremely spongy and danger of resulting fire from sparks (metal-tometal contact). Replaced rotor and pads. Vehicle is back in service. Photos of old pads and rotor are available.”
NHTSA complaint #10552924, filed 2013-11, 78,000 miles“203 Kia RIO purchased 12/02 since purchase have had several issues with brakes, I have brought it back to dealer on 5 different occasions have had shoes replaced have had rotors turned a couple of times by dealer to which problem continued . On 11/06/04 car was involved in accident resulting from rear drivers side wheel locking up without using the brakes causing to lose control of the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10098649, filed 2004-11, 51,554 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10026726Aug 28, 2008Kia: all models. Article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple kia…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 17% |
| 2021 | 3 | 20% |
| 2020 | 3 | 11% |
| 2019 | 1 | 5% |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% |
| 2017 | 7 | 23% |
| 2016 | 18 | 23% |
| 2015 | 12 | 23% |
| 2014 | 10 | 19% |
| 2013 | 30 | 20% |
| 2012 | 6 | 11% |
| 2011 | 4 | 17% |
| 2010 | 4 | 15% |
| 2009 | 2 | 5% |
| 2008 | 5 | 11% |
| 2007 | 8 | 17% |
| 2006 | 3 | 4% |
| 2005 | 1 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 11% |
| 2003 | 13 | 18% |
| 2002 | 20 | 16% |
| 2001 | 17 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2003 Kia RIO
19 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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