2001 Kia Rio Sedan 1.5 OHC from Puerto Rico

Summary:

The make and model aren't reliable

Faults:

One month after I had bought it the check engine light came on, it took the dealer more than six months to figure out the problem.

Then at 10,000 miles the car would turn off while driving on the highway and repeated this behavior at 19,000, 25,0000 and 35,0000 miles. I took it in and they would always say it was nothing. Now my car has 60,000 miles and it turned off once more. Now since the car has no warranty they (the dealer) knows what causes the car to turn off (total cost of fixture $500.00.

I have always given it great maintenance and I just replaced the whole brake system, cleaned the fuel injectors and flushed the motor for a total of $1000.00. I thought that with all this everything would be great, but guess what? If I accelerate it won't run beyond 35 miles per hour.

General Comments:

What to do? I don't know, what I do know is that I have lost faith in car dealers, new cars and salesman. Society is only based on the money they can make not the quality they can give the consumer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th November, 2004

23rd Mar 2005, 10:35

Have they mentioned anything to you about the recall of the Engine Control Module? I received such notice in February of 2004. Might ask the dealership about this. If it's the problem, they should fix it free of charge for you.

2001 Kia Rio from North America

Summary:

The Kia Rio is worse than expensive and annoying, it I s dangerous

Faults:

The check engine light has been off and on since we bought the car, and it has been through long periods of running poorly, including stalling.

With apparent timing belt problems (at least) the car has stranded us in moving traffic twice.

The engine failed completely, probably beyond repair, at 49,000 miles.

Small parts are falling and breaking off.

The paint is 4 years old, looking like 10 years old.

General Comments:

This car has been nothing, but serious trouble during the entire time I've owned it. The first time it quit in moving traffic, my wife and I were almost killed. The second time my teenage son was driving it---far too inexperienced to have a car die suddenly in fast traffic. In addition to the major repairs, the car has been in to have its engine light and poor running checked I believe 4 times. The wonderful warranty is a lie. I've had to pour money into that piece of junk. It is remarkable what is NOT covered, and be ready to rent a car if you need wheels while Kia fools around failing to fix the problems that seem to be over beyond their abilities. Whatever you do, accumulate oil change receipts every 3000 miles. Kia seems to regard having these in hand as a prerequisite to even talking about the warranty. At 49,000 miles the car has broken down beyond repair (frozen cam, broken timing belt, bent valves. This happened a couple months after taking the car into the dealer and asking them to take care of all appropriate service, and to diagnose the engine problems. After 35 years of buying cars, I can confidently say this is by far the worst car I've ever owned, hands down. Anybody who likes their Kia simply has not owned one long enough to enjoy the full experience. NEVER, EVER buy a Kia.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th November, 2004

14th Dec 2004, 21:36

My wife's Kia Rio lost the belt too and trashed the entire engine, she had it only 2 years.. the warranty is a joke. Stay away from this junk... I told her so, but she didn't listen.

30th Jan 2005, 20:19

I agree!!! The Kia Rio is a big piece of junk that I've had nothing, but problems since I bought it in March of 2004. My boss says Kia= Killed In Action. I think he's right.