2001 Kia Rio review from North America

The day I drove it off the lot, looked to my right and found the adjuster for the side mirror broken.

Within months I had warning lights flashing, I brought it right in and was told it was a sensor chip.

A few months later I was in a parking lot and simply could not shift the car out of Park.

A couple of weeks after that, I had backed the car out of my drive-way and could not shift out of reverse.

Check air-bag light comes on for the first time shortly after 1yr of purchase. This will happen no less than half a dozen times over the next 2 years.

Year 2, shifter sticking again.

I notice a whistle from the windshield at highway speeds.

More warning lights flashing on and off -- especially if it rains.

Year 3, car difficult to start in rain or extreme cold.

Driving on highway is deafening -- car shakes and is so loud I can't hear the radio.

Alternator goes, needs replacing, and battery too.

More warning lights, check-airbag and the O/D off light flashes constantly, I'm told this is the shifter again. It's completely replaced this time, but the problem happens again less than two months later.

Almost without fail I am at the dealership every 3 months -- and not just for an oil change. All work so far has been covered under warranty, but the warranty does not cover my time or frustration.

This is without a doubt THE worst car I have ever driven -- and it's not that cheap either -- apparently a single woman doesn't get the advertised deals at a KIA dealership.

I'm sick of the KIA service folks telling me how much everybody else loves their Rio.