Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (13.3% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints here are 2.2× 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 | 17 · 13.3% | not available | — |
| Air Bags:frontal | 14 · 10.9% | not available | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 13 · 10.2% | not available | — |
| Seat Belts | 10 · 7.8% | not available | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 9 · 7% | not available | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery | 8 · 6.2% | Recalled | Recall 04V179000 |
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.
Percentages are the share of the 128 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.
NHTSA campaign 04V179000 · 2004 · reported 04/09/2004
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park 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.
“WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2002 KIA RIO, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING AND WOULD NOT START UP. THERE WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10277906 — filed 07/22/2009 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“I HAVE TAKEN MY 2002 KIA RIO TO A CERTIFIED REPUTABLE MECHANIC. HIS DETERMINATION OF THE FAULTY ENGINE WAS DUE TO THE FACT OF A…”NHTSA complaint 10210004 — filed 11/26/2007 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR IN NOV. 2001, IT HAS GIVEN ME NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD THE STRUTS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY FOR LEAKING OIL, IT…”NHTSA complaint 10114768 — filed 03/26/2005 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine and engine cooling:engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 17 of 128 NHTSA complaints (13.3%), followed by air bags:frontal (14), engine and engine cooling (13), seat belts (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
128 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 25 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 27 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 04V179000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
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.
