Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine — runs 1.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
223Complaints
3Recalls
21Crashes
14Fires
12Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (9% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints here are 1.8× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
20 · 9%
not available
—
Power Train:automatic Transmission
17 · 7.6%
not available
—
Air Bags
17 · 7.6%
not available
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
16 · 7.2%
not available
—
Wheels
14 · 6.3%
Recalled
Recall 05V159000
Wheels:rim
13 · 5.8%
Recalled
Recall 05V159000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE16 · 7.2%
WHEELS14 · 6.3%
WHEELS:RIM13 · 5.8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING13 · 5.8%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL12 · 5.4%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE11 · 4.9%
Percentages are the share of the 223 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
IF THE CRACK IS SEVERE, THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARS ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.”NHTSA complaint 8005530 — filed 03/12/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“VEHICLE WILL SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER WILL FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.”NHTSA complaint 8004856 — filed 03/01/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“VEHICLE SHAKES AND VIBRATES AND SHUTS OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.”NHTSA complaint 896013 — filed 09/07/2001 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Kia RIO?
Engine and engine cooling:engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 20 of 223 NHTSA complaints (9%), followed by unspecified/other issues (19), power train:automatic transmission (17), air bags (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2001 Kia RIO have?
223 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 21 involved a crash, 14 involved a fire, and 12 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2001 Kia RIO have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 05V159000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2001 Kia RIO's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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