Faults:

Lots of little things...

The knobs for the overhead light, side mirror & heat broke off.

Driver seat ripped because metal is poking out.

Driver side visor broke; wouldn't stay up & then fell off.

Window handle fell off, yes I still had the old fashion wind up ones.

Car started getting shaky around 90k, but is still going.

Difficult for non Kia garages to tell what's wrong when the check engine light goes on... which is often.

General Comments:

I bought this car new, and I've had just small problems with it.

It was perfect for me when I bought it, but now is much too small. I can't fit a baby stroller in the trunk for example.

With all the little problems, I still think it was a great deal. I got the car new for around $10000, and 7 years and over 100k it is still going.

Faults:

The low fuel warning light came on at 30K miles. Still on, just ignore it. Ham-handed mechanic stripped oil pan plug and had to heli-coil it. His mistake, my cost.

General Comments:

Good, econo-car. Bought it for my daughter who went away to college for four years. No real problems, very reliable. She picked-out this car and I bought it for her.

After reading all the problems other owners have had I must only guess that they represent a minority of owners. It seems unlikely that this one was one of a few good ones in a sea of lemons.

The comment about high-speed handling is well taken. I recently drove it home for her after her graduation. Approximately 400 miles, at speed (normal traffic flow is sometimes over 85 mph, the car feels like it wants to over steer in turns. One needs to keep that in mind and if one takes a turn too quickly, when the car starts to over steer, simply back-off the turn and it balances out nicely. Not a problem if one drives more cautiously.

Faults:

The brain has been replaced twice. The tires (replaced 2 times), brakes, alignment all have been replaced. The check engine light is repeatedly coming on. All motor mounts have been replaced. Air conditioning compressor has been replaced. The air bag light comes on and the clock spring in it has been replaced two times also. The car shakes and rattles. Service has been routinely performed on this car and it still has problems.

General Comments:

I would not buy or even take another KIA if one was offered to me for free.

The cars are a terrible investment.

They are not worth anything once they are driven off of the lot.

Faults:

My wife and I noticed the first defect driving the car home from the delearship. The hood was not placed on the car straight, when you are going over 50 miles per hour, the car makes a high pitch whistling noise. The overdrive, airbag, and check engine lights all come on at random. The A-frame interior panels have started coming loose and breaking. The radio has been replaced. Gets poor gas mileage (25 miles per gallon) when the sticker on the window said 40+ miles per gallon. There are many other defects with our vehicle. Don not buy a Kia, ever! If your Kia is a good vehicle, you are lucky.

General Comments:

Piece of crap Rio.