2001 Kia Rio LS from North America

Summary:

Kia should be out of business, what a horrible purchase

Faults:

Just about everything went wrong with this car.

General Comments:

When I first bought my Kia Rio LS I thought it was a good buy. I was a college student looking for a cheap, reliable vehicle. I was wrong about this car! I went out after class one night and my car wouldn't start and this was about 2.5 months after purchasing it. The starter was replaced and later on the brakes were grinding and a fair amount of work was done then. It was my first vehicle and I really wish I found a site like this before I signed on the dotted line. I took my car to my local Honda dealership and traded my car in. The resale went down a lot, but I didn't care. I didn't feel safe in my car, I was embarrassed to have owned one. I feel as though Kia didn't stand behind their vehicles and I would never give them the time of day for my business. Please re-consider if you are thinking of buying a Kia, there are far better cars out there and Kia's really aren't attractive cars. I can't stand the look of them. You get what you pay for.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th December, 2002

8th Apr 2003, 22:32

Your review was pretty accurate. I thought buying a Kia would be a wise idea and boy was I ever wrong. I can't stand the look of them now. I have to drive by the Kia dealership on my way to work and whenever I see someone test driving a Kia, I feel like stopping and warning them. That's pretty bad really. Anyway sorry you had the luck I did... they are definitely lemons and I pity anyone who owns one.

2001 Kia Rio Base 1.5 liter 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

It's a cheap piece of junk

Faults:

A few little things have gone bad on my Rio, like the passenger side mirror control lever cord broke inside the the mirror.

The passenger side mirror cover on the visor fell off.

The passenger side headlight started getting a white hazy fog look to it inside.

The car shakes at around 60-70 MPH.

And it wears down the front tires really quick, we've put three sets of tires on the front, and it only has 15,000 miles on it in all on the odometer.

General Comments:

It hogs gas.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th November, 2002

2001 Kia Rio from North America

Summary:

Buying my Kia Ria was the dumbest thing I've ever done in my life

Faults:

There's lots of stuff that is bad with my Rio.

The paint was chipped and scratched when I first bought it. The Dealer said it was my problem to deal with. Kia said they'd stand behind the dealer.

The dealer then charged me $10 for a "fingernail paint" sized bottle of touch-up paint!

After 2.5 months, the brakes began to squeal.

After 3 months, the air from the AC started to have a stale smell. Also, the mirror cover on the passenger side visor fell off.

After 4 months the car began to jolt when it changes gears while climbing a hill.

After 4-5 months the exhaust started to smell like rotten eggs.

Gas mileage is more like 25 miles/gallon not like the 40-44 like the sticker said.

The engine is very loud, comparable to a truck! Its even louder when the AC is on.

Last week I had to replace the battery.

Today, I have to have the starter replaced!!!

Just a few days ago, when I got into the car after doing some grocery shopping, my 17 month old car with 19K miles wouldn't even start!!! That was very frustrating and embarrassing.

I'm never buying a Kia again. I'm never buying anything Korean again either.

I loved the Toyota that I had previously so I'm not giving up on Imports... at least not yet.

General Comments:

Kia is the worst!

Never buy a Kia.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th October, 2002

30th Apr 2003, 20:51

My 2001 rio never said 40-44 mpg, it was more like 28, about what your getting now, did you see the scrathes when you picked it up?

24th Feb 2010, 13:21

I own a 2001 Kia Rio and it runs great. I have had no problem.