2003 Kia RIO Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 3%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,708miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2003 Kia RIO, 3% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,708 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.
“2003 Kia RIO door opening mechanism has failed twice. It was repaired in 2007. The mechanic who repaired the door said the design of the door opening system inside the door was not good quality and poorly engineered anticipating it might fail again. The driver's door opening devise is totally disengaged and the passenger door has to be used to enter and exit the vehicle. When taken to Kia the dealer acknowledged it was a problem with this model but would cost $250 to $500 to fix this problem eventhough it was not the fault of the owner and had been a problem with several others.”
NHTSA complaint #10279910, filed 2009-08, 84,256 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Kia RIO. The contact stated that the driver side door lock failed and could not be unlocked from the interior or exterior of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that in order to exit the vehicle, she had to do so through the front passenger side door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the driver door spring failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and they denied assistance with the repair due to the age and mileage. The failure and current mileage was 85,160.”
NHTSA complaint #10469545, filed 2012-08, 85,160 milesRelated 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 2003 Kia RIO
19 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsEquipment
3 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