2002 Kia Rio RX-V from North America - Comments

The day I bought my brand new Kia Rio RXV, I drove it off the parking lot and it stalled in the intersection in front of the dealership. I turned around and made an appointment to have it fixed for that week. It has been stalling ever since that day in October 2002. I have brought it in 13 times in the 19 months that I have owned the vehicle (including regular servicing) and have had 6 demo cars while the dealership has had my vehicle sometimes weeks on end.

On April 24th of this year my car stalled while I was driving it as I was turning a corner (it's an automatic transmission) and my power brakes and steering went out and I came very close to hitting a truck. I was able to slip it in neutral and start it again immediately, but was quite shook up about it. Kia took my car and said they couldn't find anything wrong with it except some brake problems. As I was leaving, my brakes failed and I had to wait an hour and a half while they serviced it and eventually sent me home with another demo.

The manufacturer spoke with the service manager and they both said that because they couldn't re-create the problem, there was nothing they could do about it. The owner told me not to let the previous stalling problems "cloud" my impression of this isolated problem.

Since then the car has stalled at least six times, four times when my boyfriend has been driving the vehicle. The car is in the shop again.

I cannot begin to describe my frustration coupled with my fear in driving this vehicle. People I know have nicknamed it "the deathtrap". I have told the dealership over and over again that I am backing out onto a highway with my two small children in the car everyday when my car will stall or hesitate for up to five seconds at a time.

I have been told by the owner and/or service manager that it was the way I drove it, that I shouldn't "slam it into gear" as soon as I get into the car, that I should hesitate when turning the key, that it was the type of gas used in the Maritimes. On another occasion when I found rust on the front of my car in January 2003, three months after I bought the car, the owner explained to me what rust the definition of "rust". I told him I knew what rust was, but didn't know what it was doing on my brand new car. I also told him that I found him completely condescending.

Kia has since issued a recall for all the stalling problems.

I also have a Kia Rio RXV wagon and have had become very frustrated with it. Its been stalling since the day I bought it. The service guys are nice, but they just can't seem to fix the problem. I've had the car in to the dealership atleast 20 times since july 2003. Recalls, computer flashing, fuel pumps, gas caps. It usually takes 4-6 times of feathering the gas to keep the car running.

Then, Kia had a special computer sent from Korea to fix the problem. It now takes more like 10-15 times... so no luck there.

What really pisses me off is that they must of known of this problem when they sold it to me.

So the car is going back in today... i'll keep my fingers crossed!

I would just like to know if anyone can help me. my KIA RIO RX-V stalls all the time. the last time I could not restart it. what can I do without taking it to the mechanic again. anyone have any suggestions?

I too have been having the similar problems with my car. I am on the highway, in town or whatever, and it just dies!!! I have almost been taken out by a truck on several occasions. What I love most is the way it dies when I go to pass someone. I have had so many people look at it and they say the car is working fine, like hell it is. I have taken it to Kia, who give me a bill and say it is fixed, but by the third day it is doing the same thing over again. I am getting very frustrated, and I am, to the point where I don't know what to do. I have two little babies and I can't be driving a car that is dying all the time.

I have had it with my 2002 Kia Rio RXV. Driving about 60 km an hour it just SHUT OFF... and now won't start. I am being told by a mechanic friend that my engine could be done. The car is only 5 years old... I am not even finished paying for the damn thing because I bought it two years old. I am trying to find ANY info I can on recalls to see if there is a problem with the engine in the 2002 year model... any help?

If it's the cam belt this should be easily identifiable. If it's broken or have missed a couple of teeth, I've got bad news for you. You'll probably need a new engine. But it really does not sound like it, because when the belt goes it happens with a bang. It's a loud bang when your pistons hits your valves at 3000 rpm or so. An expensive bang.

Your problem sounds electronic, if it just dies like that. And you probably can't bank on your Kia "craftsman" to solve your problem. Buy an OBD-II (on board diagnostic reader) to read your engines error code when it dies, if any (I guess that your check engine light is on?). If that does not work try to locate the last honest Kia mechanic and ask him to help you out LOL LOL.

Hi to all you troubled people and your defective Kias. I may have a solution to your problem. I too have had the same problems as yourselves. I checked the engine, motor, and all the major part, that was not it. I had taken to a guy and for two months I would drop my car off and he would drive and do all sorts of test to it. Finally we figured out that it was either tghe coils or the throttle censor, depending on what you are expericing that is. If your car is spitting and sputtering at a stop or at take off, especailly on a rainy day, then it is probably the coil. If your car is losing power like mine, whether passing or just driving down the road, then your are looking at the throttle censor. It can really cause a lot of problmes with accelleration. Itook it to the dealership and they could not figure it out, so I took my car to an independant mechanic and just had him work on it day in and day out. There are test you can have done to figure out whether it is both or either one. I hope this helps all you frustrated Xrv Kia lemon drivers who are stuck with car like me!!!

I bought my wife a new Rio in 03. The first time it died and would not start was the day I drove it off the lot, it had 7 miles on it when the tow truck picked it up. It has been in the shop 12 times in the last 4 3/4 years. It has hesitation issues and has stalled out several times. The dealer has never found any problems. The check engine light came on a few weeks ago for a few days and then went off. Took it to the dealer and they found a bad fuel tank pressure sensor. The check engine light came on again today. This car has only 19,000 miles on it now. I don't see a good future in keeping this thing around any longer than I have to and am going to trade it in on a new Mustang... As soon as I can get the check engine light to go out that is.

Help--KIA Rio--No engine codes displayed. Starts, drives OK

After driving few minutes no drive in any gear or reverse. Transmission resumes after few minutes wait and dies again. Car has 113,000 miles. The battery was disconnected to reset TCM computer to change. New TCM bought no change. Wreckers want $700 to $1000 for used transmission. Could it be a simple easy me fix it?

I suggest you take the dealer/mechanic for a ride on a busy highway, during rush hour, and enjoy the horrified looks on their faces, when it pulls it's little stunts. LOL, then again, maybe I'm just a bit sadistic.