2001 Kia Rio review from North America

The check engine light has been off and on since we bought the car, and it has been through long periods of running poorly, including stalling.

With apparent timing belt problems (at least) the car has stranded us in moving traffic twice.

The engine failed completely, probably beyond repair, at 49,000 miles.

Small parts are falling and breaking off.

The paint is 4 years old, looking like 10 years old.

This car has been nothing, but serious trouble during the entire time I've owned it. The first time it quit in moving traffic, my wife and I were almost killed. The second time my teenage son was driving it---far too inexperienced to have a car die suddenly in fast traffic. In addition to the major repairs, the car has been in to have its engine light and poor running checked I believe 4 times. The wonderful warranty is a lie. I've had to pour money into that piece of junk. It is remarkable what is NOT covered, and be ready to rent a car if you need wheels while Kia fools around failing to fix the problems that seem to be over beyond their abilities. Whatever you do, accumulate oil change receipts every 3000 miles. Kia seems to regard having these in hand as a prerequisite to even talking about the warranty. At 49,000 miles the car has broken down beyond repair (frozen cam, broken timing belt, bent valves. This happened a couple months after taking the car into the dealer and asking them to take care of all appropriate service, and to diagnose the engine problems. After 35 years of buying cars, I can confidently say this is by far the worst car I've ever owned, hands down. Anybody who likes their Kia simply has not owned one long enough to enjoy the full experience. NEVER, EVER buy a Kia.