2002 Kia Rio Cinco review from North America

I bought this car used from the Kia dealer. It has been my worst nightmare.

The check engine light is almost always on - says the same thing every time - evaporator leak, but none is ever found. Somehow it is related to my gas cap, but changed that and the light still comes on.

I have had the same wheel bearing changed 5 times now - three times in the first 6 months alone.

The rack and pinion steering went in month three, but it was not covered by the warranty they sold me (original factory warranty had expired due to high mileage).

9 months after I bought it, the car would idle at 3000 rpms, but when you tried to move forward, would choke and sputter, and almost die, then surge forward quickly. The dealer says no code is showing up and that it does not do it when they drive it.

The lock broke in the locked position, and I had to climb over the passenger seat to get out.

The dashboard lights flicker spontaneously.

The doors lock, then unlock by themselves, unless you use the key to lock the drivers door.

I had to finance at high interest rate (23%) due to past bad credit, so this car is not just costing me in repairs, but in high interest as well.

I will never buy another Kia again, and I wish I had seen this forum before I bought this piece of junk.