30 of the
1,816 complaints filed about the KIA RIO
are about the doors, latches and locks —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the contact heard an abnormally loud bang and believed that the vehicle had been struck in the rear by an object. The contact opened the trunk and became aware that the trunk shocks had become detached from the latch. The contact was able to open and close the trunk lid, but the lid failed to remain open after being raised. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who advised the contact that the trunk latch spring had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was advised that the spring and latch mechanism were on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
NHTSA complaint #11723220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while attempting to open the trunk with the key fob, the trunk failed to unlock or open. In addition, the contact engaged the emergency gear, and the trunk would not open. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
NHTSA complaint #11590009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My trunk latch wasn't working. I couldn't close my trunk. I contact Kia service and since I still have a platinum warranty with them, asked them if they could repair it free of charge. They said no. So I had to use tape to keep the trunk shut which kept getting wet from the rain while I had to wait for my kia truck latch part to arrive through mail so my husband could install it. I am not sure if this was right before they knew of the issue or not, but I feel like I deserve a refund for the part.
NHTSA complaint #11557447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A deer ran out in front of me. I hit it head on. My hood unlatched and flew up and the hinges cut into the very top of the fenders. I don’t think a hood is supposed to pop open like this.
NHTSA complaint #11505599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Doors latches. I have had to replace ALL door latches multiple times and also have issues with door handles not working in manual or with keyless entry. very poor design and prone to breaking or shattering the internal latch to door causing failure to locking or functional of doors.
NHTSA complaint #11491616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V622000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11442870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Rio. The contact stated while attempting to open the rear trunk a clicking noise was heard coming from the trunk as the trunk failed to open. The contact attempted multiple times to open the trunk but it would not open. The contact took their vehicle to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as the latch for the trunk was broken and that the only way to repair the failure was to break the latch from the inside of the trunk. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 17,570.
NHTSA complaint #11421816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE FAILED TO LOCK SECURELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000.
NHTSA complaint #11341121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN WHEN USING THE KEY OR BY MANUALLY PULLING THE LOCK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE SHE HAD TO DO SO THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGERS DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA complaint #10609586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKED CAR AT WORK CAME BACK OUT AND THE DOOR LOCK WAS DOWN TRIED TO PULL UP BUT IS STUCK OR CAUGHT ON SOMETHING. THE WAY THE SCREWS ARE IN THE DOOR 2 OF THEM CANNOT BE TAKEN OUT WITHOUT HAVING THE DOOR OPEN. WITH LONG LEGS ITS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET IN AND OUT OF VEHICLE!!! ALSO TROUBLE WITH THE ENGINE MISFIRING OF SPARKPLUG WITH SOME LOSS OF POWER.
NHTSA complaint #10554083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IT IS DIFFICULT TO ENTER THE CAR WITH THE KEY AND WHEN I PULL THE DOOR HANDLE THE LOCK DROPS DOWN TO THE CLOSE POSITION AND I CAN'T GET OUT THIS HAPPENS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE,I HAVE TO HOLD THE LOCK ON THE UP POSITION WITH A PIECE OF METAL OR LEAVE THE REAR DOORS UNLOCKED IN CASE I HAVE TO JUMP OUT..THIS CAR IS A LEMON I HAVE REPLACED SENSORS ALTERNATOR, STARTER, AC PARTS AND MANY OTHER PARTS THE ONLY THING GOOD IS THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE...
NHTSA complaint #10545123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUAL DOOR LOCKS ON BOTH THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND EXIT IN THE SAME MANNER. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,599.
NHTSA complaint #10485125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED AND COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, SHE HAD TO DO SO THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR SPRING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THEY DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,160.
NHTSA complaint #10469545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BOTH DOOR LOCKS GET STUCK ON BOTH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVERS SIDE. WE HAVE HAD TO CLIMB IN THE BACK SEAT TO EXIT THE CAR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE DEATH OR INJURY IF A FIRE AND COULD NOT EXIT THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10419394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT WOULD NOT BUCKLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHOR FELL APART. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR FROM THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR. KIA WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 182,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/05/10.
NHTSA complaint #10348559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, EVEN WITH FORCE. I NOTICED THIS ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN IT TO PUT IN PACKAGES. PRIOR TO THAT I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG THE PROBLEM OF THE STUCK DOOR EXISTED SINCE I AM A SINGLE PERSON AND RARELY USE IT. I BROUGHT IT TO PHIL SMITH KIA, THEY SAID IT NEEDS A COMPONENT FOR THE LOCKING MECHANISM, IT WOULD COST ME AROUND $300. I SAID I WOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH THE NHTSAS(YOU) THEY TOLD ME TO CALL KIA-WHICH I DID, TALKED TO JUSTINE(EXT-45161), SHE SAID THEY WOULD PAY FOR PARTS IF I WOULD PAY FOR LABOR. I FEEL THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH, I NEVER USE THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR, ITS A DEFECT AND THE REST OF THE DOOR LOCKS MIGHT ALSO BECOME DEFECTIVE. THEN I DID A SEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH KIA RIOS. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE LOCK JAMS WHEN THERE IS A CRASH, ETC. IF THE LOCK FAILS TO UNLOCK, IT MIGHT ALSO FAIL TO LOCK OR COME UNLOCKED WHILE DRIVING. I WOULD LIKE KIA TO REPLACE THE EXISTING REAR DOOR LOCK FREE OF CHARGE AND TO EXAMINE THE REST OF THE LOCKS ON MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10297822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR INSIDE LATCH RELEASE HANDLE SUDDENLY FAILED TO RELEASE THE DOOR LATCH, THE DOOR WAS UNLOCKED AT THE TIME. THIS OCCURRED AT 0445 HOURS ON 30 OCT 2009 WITH APPROXIMATELY 62,200 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. A NEW PART HAS BEEN ORDERED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE BROKEN PART ON THE SAME DAY, THE OLD PART WILL BE AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10290465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2003 KIA RIO DOOR OPENING MECHANISM HAS FAILED TWICE. IT WAS REPAIRED IN 2007. THE MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE DOOR SAID THE DESIGN OF THE DOOR OPENING SYSTEM INSIDE THE DOOR WAS NOT GOOD QUALITY AND POORLY ENGINEERED ANTICIPATING IT MIGHT FAIL AGAIN. THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPENING DEVISE IS TOTALLY DISENGAGED AND THE PASSENGER DOOR HAS TO BE USED TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN TAKEN TO KIA THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL BUT WOULD COST $250 TO $500 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM EVENTHOUGH IT WAS NOT THE FAULT OF THE OWNER AND HAD BEEN A PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL OTHERS.
NHTSA complaint #10279910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK IN 2004. REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP AT COST TO ME OF $300. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK IN 2007. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS RARELY USED AS THERE IS ONLY ONE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10188685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.