Model Year Problem Record

Kia RIO 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 Kia RIO: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

128Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

1Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

41Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Engine41

Brakes23

Air Bags21

Seat Belts16

Fuel and Propulsion System16

Latches, Locks and Linkages3

Unknown Or Other2

Wheels2

Equipment2

Vehicle Speed Control1

Seats1

Steering1

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine41 complaints

41 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System16 complaints

16 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V179000.

Suspension9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

04V179000Reported April 9, 2004 - 187,790 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on April 9, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 187,790 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA02009Opened July 2, 2002 - Closed July 2, 2003

AIR BAG NON DEPLOY. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20011

200219

200331

200428

200516

20066

20076

20084

20093

20105

20113

20121

20131

20142

20161

20191

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.