2003 Kia Rio

Summary:

It's my little race car, and I love it, and love to drive it!!

Faults:

Nothing - I love my KIA!

General Comments:

I have owned my KIA for 2 years now, and have not had any problems with it. I received a recall about my fuel tube and even though mine was fine at the time, I still took it in (it was free!)

To everyone who reads all the negative comments - don't believe what you hear. I run my car to the limit, and 2 years and 33,000 miles later, it is still in mint condition. It even looks good with 10 spoke 17 inch rims!! All I can say is that I love my Kia, and I will definatly buy another.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th July, 2005

6th Jun 2012, 13:09

A 2003 Kia Rio that works... you must be one of the lucky ones. Because over and over again, this car is rated a piece of junk... Wait til you get to 40,000 to 50,000km or more, and then you will see it is a piece of junk. I hope you have lots of money to fix it. Good luck, you will need it...

2003 Kia Rio

Summary:

A bad investment. It was my 1st new car and I'm a very sad ownner

Faults:

Windows leaked air since day 1.

Hard start because of reformulated gasoline. Problem fixed.

Oil shooting out of plugs. Replaced head gasket.

Oil shooting out of plugs. Replaced head.

Day after replacing head. Check engine light came on. Temp went to hot and car smoked.

This car is a 2003 and been the worst investment I made.

Car has been in service often.

General Comments:

Car is unreliable.

Looks are great.

Mileage great.

Engine. Atleast in this one was bad.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th June, 2005

17th Jul 2005, 11:34

Have KIA help you out of the car. I have a Spectra bought USED and they are giving me $$$$ to trade it off. Sounds like you got a lemon. Just like I did. This CAN BE DONE!!!

22nd Feb 2007, 23:16

Why do people think cars are investments? Every car depreciates in value, they are not investments! (With the exception of very rare cars and classics)

25th Mar 2008, 17:29

If your temp goes to hot you should turn off the engine so it does not smoke. I mean really. And oil shooting out of the plugs? That has nothing to do with the head gasket or the head. If the oil was leaking out between the head and the engine block that's on thing, or the head and the intake manifold. Unfortunately you make no sense.

27th Apr 2008, 04:59

I agree with the above post - this person is not telling the story as it is, these things do not happen on cars. When was the last time anyone left the car running, opened the bonnet just to see oil spurting out of the plugs. I suspect the engine would not have been working if that was the case. How could combustion be taking place in a pool of oil and no pressure. I know it's not nice to have faults on new things, but it happens and that's why there are warranties. Get the car fixed to your liking for free. Here in the UK KIA have a fabulous reputation for reliability and service.

19th Sep 2008, 02:59

Oil shooting out like that means you intake manifold is cracked. Likely a result of your engine over heating so badly.

2003 Kia Rio

Summary:

Not impressed

Faults:

At 20,000km the car required new tires

At 24,000km a section of the exhaust fell off.

At 40,000km the check engine light has been going on and off. For the past 3 months I have been going to 2 dealers for the light. They have replaced the wheel sensor and transmission sensor. The light came back on again and indicated the wheel sensor again. They finally decided to diagnose the problem. It was corroded wires.

The two Kia dealers were not very helpful as they did not offer a pick up or drop off service.

It has been very inconvenient to keep taking the car in for the engine light.

The engine does not have a protective plate underneath it, so the entire engine compartment is covered with sand and salt from one winter driving.

The car makes loud whistle sounds when driving at high speeds. A complaint was made and I was informed that it is just the design of the car.

After the first oil change at 15,000km I noticed that the fuel mileage would worsen with every tank of gas. I started with about 450km per 30L tank. Now I only get 360km per tank.

General Comments:

Parts come from Korea and take a long time to come in.

The car is not made for tall people.

I am not happy with the Kia dealers as they do not inform you as to how the work is proceeding (if at all).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th April, 2005