2001 Kia Rio rs 1.5 from North America

Summary:

Seriously?

Faults:

Third day of purchase my driver side door lock stopped working, repaired it then stopped working again. Then my passenger side door locked stopped working leaving me not being able to lock my doors. My hand brake jammed up and broke. My engine light came on after a couple of weeks of purchase. One night I went out to my car and smelt a heavy odour of gas and decided to start it anyway who knows I could've blown myself up! A friend told me not to fill it up past full because its probably a hole in the tank. After about 1 one year the car won't start right away after a couple turns it will. This went on till today. Then one day not to long ago the engine of the car seems to lose power and I mean horespower, in second gear with the pedal to the metal Miss Daisy would've beat me to the finish line! Then as quickly as it came it would leave (the power or torque or whatever). Not to normal to me. And this problem persists to today. Right now my car won't start and I'll have to lose a day of work to go waste money at the garage. thanks Kia!

General Comments:

Never in my right mind would I ever recommend this car to anyone. In fact, everyone I can I tell not to buy Kia.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th August, 2006

2001 Kia Rio 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Good for driving in town, but not much else

Faults:

My spark plug blew shortly after I got the car. This problem was fixed and a routine malfunction.

The ignition wires were chewed by mice, but this was the mice's fault.

The check engine light comes on periodically and the car shakes at stoplights and when you drive over 60 miles an hour.

General Comments:

The car is really nice for driving to school and work, but I don't drive it on highways because it frequently doesn't go that fast.

When driving with 5 people in the car there were issues with gear changing. It would not go faster than 50 miles an hour.

The car stalls in the rain.

Sometimes the key gets stuck and it is difficult to turn the ignition.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd April, 2006

24th Apr 2006, 09:51

I would have that acceleration with passengers aboard problem fixed. I had a 1980 Tercel with a small engine and I was still able to cruise at 65 with five people aboard (which was rare, but I did it).

I can't fathom two decades after my Tercel was built a more advanced car couldn't do the same thing.

19th Apr 2007, 21:24

I agree, it sounds like there's something seriously wrong. I managed to wring my Rio out to 115mph, admittedly with no passengers, a tail wind and cool air! Shaking at stop lights could be caused by a faulty pedal box - a common problem. Have you had a wheel alignment and checked the rims for cracks?

2001 Kia Rio from North America

Summary:

I would not buy another KIA model in my entire life-very unhappy

Faults:

The main problem that I have had with this car is stalling out in idle mode. (Meaning, I am either at a stop light or sign and the car cuts completely off. Thankfully, after turning the car off and into Park and then restarting, the car starts back up-but it is very nerve wracking when this happens, because I don't know if and when the car will no longer start back up.

General Comments:

It is roomier than other cars, such as the Toyota Echo.

The seats don't go that far back and I have bonked my head on the roof of the car numerous times (while getting into and out of the vehicle-not recommended for short people.)

Car does not travel smoothly at speeds higher than 55 m.p.h.

As a new car buyer, I would not recommend this car to other people due to mechanical issues that are un-solveable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th March, 2006

28th Mar 2006, 16:01

Sounds to me it's a simple fuel injector cleaning. What has Kia done about your problem?