Does the 2002 Kia RIO have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Kia RIO, the most recent reported on April 9, 2004 (Fuel system, gasoline: delivery). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Kia RIO?

Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (39 complaints), followed by air bags (21).

How many 2002 Kia RIO complaints mention a crash or fire?

25 of 128 complaints report a crash and 6 a fire; 27 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 Kia RIO recalls and problems

1 recall and 128 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Kia RIO.

recalls

128

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Kia RIO recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

NHTSA campaign 04V179000 · reported April 9, 2004 · KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. · 187,790 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel intake nipple of the fuel distributor is subject to fracture or cracking during removal of the quick connect coupling securing the main fuel tube assembly to the fuel intake nipple, or when force is accidentally applied to the intake nipple during the vehicle assembly process or during engine compartment repairs.
The risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assemblies. The recall began june 18, 2004. Owners should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Engine and engine cooling39
Air bags21
Service brakes, hydraulic18
Seat belts16
Fuel system, gasoline14
Suspension9
Electrical system8
Power train8
Structure8
Tires4

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jul 19, 2019 · Wheels
I HAVE HAD THE BERINGS REPLACED 2 TIMES IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TWO TIMES NOW AND ITS DOING IT AGAIN THE OTHER SIDE WAS DONE FIRST . THE CAR JUST STOPPED DEAD IN THE ROAD AND I COULD NOT GET IT TO MOVE BEFORE I GOT IT FIXED THE TIME BEFORE THIS . I DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP FIXING THIS SAME PROBLEM THE CAR HAS BEEN…

Jul 7, 2016 · Air bags · crash reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AGGRESSIVELY AND METAL FRAGMENTS STRUCK THE CONTACT'S FACE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD LACERATION THAT REQUIRED STITCHES, A BROKEN NOSE, AND A…

Aug 27, 2014 · Engine · 100,000 miles
I JUST GOT MY CAR FIXED ON MON. 8/25/14. I TOOK IT IN BECAUSE IT WAS IDLING ROUGH. THE SHOP PUT IN NEW SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. IT COST ME $180. I DROVE IT HOME. IT WAS SMOOTH. THEN I DROVE TO DOWNTOWN AKRON, ABOUT 15 MILES, TO A HIKE. WHEN I WAS ALMOST THERE, MY CAR JUST WENT DEAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I PULLED OVER AND…

Jun 9, 2014 · Structure · 61,000 miles
SLOWING TO TURN INTO GAS STATION, REAR AXLE BROKE DO TO EXCESSIVE RUST ROT. THE BODY ON THIS CAR HAD STATED TO RUST AT 8000 MILES, REAR FRAME HAS EXCESSIVE RUST ROT ALSO. NUMEROUS OTHER KIA RIO OWNERS ARE REPORTING THIS ISSUE THIS IS ALARMING I COULD HAVE SLAMMED INTO THE GAS PUMPS AS THE BRAKES LOCKED DO TO SEVERING…

Sep 18, 2013 · Seat belts · 104,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE SEAT BELTS AND DISCOVERED THAT PART OF THE SEAT BELT WAS DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE…

RIO model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	0	3	0	0
2001	3	223	21	14
2002	1	128	25	6
2003	3	74	8	2
2004	2	38	4	2
2005	1	37	4	4

Across all years, the 2001 RIO has the most complaints (223). All Kia RIO years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Kia RIO have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Kia RIO, the most recent reported on April 9, 2004 (Fuel system, gasoline: delivery). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Kia RIO?: Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (39 complaints), followed by air bags (21).
How many 2002 Kia RIO complaints mention a crash or fire?: 25 of 128 complaints report a crash and 6 a fire; 27 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 19, 2019.