2003 Kia RIO Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 9%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Kia RIO, 9% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“Dt: the contact stated the fuel system malfunctioned. The fuel pump and components exploded in the gasoline storage tank. The entire fuel system needed to be replaced. A local repair shop replaced the fuel system. There was NHTSA recall campaign 04v179000 concerning the fuel system. The manufacturer said this problem was not due to the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10144431, filed 2005-12, 114,000 miles“After two visits to the dealer's service shop, I found out that 03 Kia rios have a problem with the engine control modules. As soon as the weather is cool, it prevents the engine from getting enough gas. The car won't start cold until it's been cranked for about 10 minutes, and once you get it started, the car will cut out from lack of gas if you stop the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10039468, filed 2003-09, 150 miles“I purchased a 2003 Kia RIO in may of 2003 and in a month I had hard pulling to the right every time I went left took in to dealer and they rotated the tires and said that this happens on the trip over. We left and it was still pulling a little, with in a week it was the same. Very hard to handle this pull to the right when going left,and I have had bad gas mileage and hard starts from the beginning,and have had my headliner replaced after a few months of owning this car . It goes back in tomorrow hope they fix the problems,”
NHTSA complaint #10053249, filed 2004-01“The contact owns a 2003 Kia RIO. While driving at an unknown speed and approaching a stop, the vehicle stalled but did not shut off when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and diagnosed with fuel pump failure. The fuel pump was replaced. Approximately four months later, the failure recurred. The dealer could not duplicate the failure. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 75,000 and failure mileage was 69,500.”
NHTSA complaint #10234644, filed 2008-07, 69,500 milesRelated recalls
- 04V179000Apr 9, 2004On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel intake nipple of the fuel distributor is subject to fracture or cracking during removal of the quick connect coupling…Covers: Kia RIO 2001–2004, RIO Cinco 2001–2004
Related service bulletins
- 10015755Jan 1, 2004Vacuum leak after tsb sc036. Kia technician times.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 8% |
| 2021 | 1 | 7% |
| 2018 | 2 | 7% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 2 | 4% |
| 2014 | 4 | 8% |
| 2013 | 8 | 5% |
| 2012 | 8 | 15% |
| 2011 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 8% |
| 2009 | 3 | 8% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 3 | 4% |
| 2005 | 3 | 8% |
| 2004 | 6 | 16% |
| 2003 | 7 | 9% |
| 2002 | 15 | 12% |
| 2001 | 24 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2003 Kia RIO
19 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 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