2003 Kia RIO Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 3%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,900miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Kia RIO, 3% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,900 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 2003 Kia RIO. The contact stated that the driver side door failed and could not be opened automatically or manually. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing which located the failure at the door actuator. The manufacturer was contacted but denied assistance with the repair because the warranty was expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 35,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10432621, filed 2011-10, 35,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Kia RIO. After parking the vehicle, the passenger side door failed to open and the contact was trapped inside. The door was able to be opened from the outside. The dealer stated that the failure was unrecognizable. A few days later, the driver side door failed as well. No repairs were made on the doors. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 74,800.”
NHTSA complaint #10202931, filed 2007-09, 74,800 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 8% |
| 2022 | 1 | 8% |
| 2019 | 1 | 5% |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 2 | 3% |
| 2015 | 2 | 4% |
| 2014 | 6 | 12% |
| 2013 | 3 | 2% |
| 2011 | 2 | 8% |
| 2010 | 2 | 8% |
| 2009 | 3 | 8% |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 4% |
| 2005 | 2 | 5% |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 8 | 6% |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% |
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 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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