2002 Kia Rio

Summary:

A death trap!

Faults:

Windshield

Unexplainable rattling

Bad transmission

Airbag light going on and off

Some nasty smell when the car was running

Broken seats!

General Comments:

My friend bought a KIA Rio in 11/2002. At first it was a perfect car! She was happy with it, her Rio was the first new car she ever owned! We went all over town in her new car. Then things started happening.

The first was she let a friend drive it to Neveda. While driving through the desert the windshield crack. No rock ever hit it, it just cracked. So she had it replaced.

Then it started making a rattle sound so she took it in, got the oil changed, and got it checked out. They said it was fine, but a few miles down the road it started rattling again. The rattling comes and goes. The dealership said "There is nothing wrong with it!"

Then her air bag light would come on then go off. It started shifting funny.

In the last few months it had developed the most nastiest smell, like rotten eggs! We knew it wasn't coming from the inside. She had the car detailed and still it smelled. But it only smelled when the car was running.

But the thing that got us both wondering was last week. My friend was driving her KIA Rio and I was in the front passenger seat, when we were struck from behind, in a hit and run. While we were waiting to be taken to the hospital, because of neck and back pain, we noticed our seats had broke!! The impact and because the car was so light (in other words cheap) from the point of impact rippled a dent all along the passenger side. So the firemen had to rip the car door open to get to me! The car maybe cute and at first fun to drive, but cute and fun don't add up to safety! So my friend is also looking to do a class action suit!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th October, 2003

22nd Jan 2004, 22:46

Lawsuit against who? On what basis?

24th Jan 2004, 17:06

As far as the rotten egg smell, that might be the battery. You might want to check with the better business bureau for the issues you have been having, especially with the seat.

25th Jan 2004, 01:14

Newer cars are supposed to break so we don't the more it breaks the less force is pushed into us. For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.

Usually a rotten egg smell is a bad oxygen sensor, you probably smell it when the car is is under heavy acceleration. Like a minute after starting off from a stoplight. It also may not be your car. If you are behind someone else after they accelerate hard you will smell it from their car. It would be covered by the bumper to bumper warranty.

Finally, I would never let somebody take my car on a long trip. you would be surprised how some people drive. Also do you remember at any time when you first bought the car (first 500 mile) doing a screeching or hard stop. The first 500 mile break in of a car is critical.

19th Apr 2004, 22:40

The rotten egg smell may also be a result of the sulfur content in cheap gas. You can check out the sulphur contents of different company's gas to find the one with the least sulfur.

2002 Kia Rio STD 1.6 Liter

Summary:

Good value for the money

Faults:

Check Engine Light appeared recently. (Will be checked this week)

General Comments:

This is the first car I have personally owned myself. I bought it brand-new in June of 2002. I got the car with 8 miles and have put 25,798 miles on it. I work for UPS and drive many miles back and forth to different buildings, plus my own personal errands. I have not had any problems with the car. I feel I got a very good deal. The car has held up better than I expected it too. It still feels as solid as the day I bought it. The only concerns I have which will be addressed shortly are that the car appears to have a minor shimmy going speeds of 60-63 miles per hour; it only occurs at these speeds; below or above these speeds it disappears. I feel very safe and do not experience crosswinds as I have in other cars. I know a friend who has a Dodge Neon, and am confident my car is much more reliable and well-constructed than the Neon. I have been very happy with the service I have received from the dealer. The salespeople are friendly and do their best to accommodate you when you need assistance. I wanted a car that was reliable and dependable, and that appears to be what I got. I realize many people state that Kia's are crap, but they are ignorant. Half the time they haven't owned one. Kia's aren't bad cars; they don't have a reliability record like that of Hyundai, they simply have yet to establish a record. I do believe the car could use a bit more low-end torque, however, that will be fixed as I am having a CAI and custom dual-exhaust installed this week. And the warranty is unbeatable.

P.S.: I used the browser back button because they didn't tell me when I wrote the review higher is cheaper...it should be 9/10.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th June, 2003