2003 KIA RIO Recalls, Complaints & Safety

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

SEAT BELTS, CAR SEAT RETAINING HOOKS, ECM, AND DISTRIBUTOR ARE RECALLED. CHEYENNE KIA HAD 3 WEEKS BEFORE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT TO GET THE PARTS. I DELIVERED THE CAR FOR REPAIRS ONLY TO GET A CALL 4 HOURS LATER THAT THEY CANNOT FIND THE PARTS. IT HAS NOW BEEN 6 WEEKS SINCE PICKING UP MY CAR AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS. ALL I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS LEAVE A MESSAGE WITH JENNIFER XT 45960 AT 800 333 4542 CASE # K3094095 KIA CUSTOMER CARE TO FIND OUT WHEN I CAN SAFELY PUT MY KIDS IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE CAR.

ALL OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. DONE A SEARCH TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE MINE AND FOUND 3 OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN IN A MECHANIC SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS NOW AND I HAVE JUST GOT DONE TALKING WITH HIM THIS MORNING ABOUT IT AND HE SAID THAT HE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PIN POINT THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BY KIA. *TR

FRONT, RIGHT BRAKE ROTOR SEPARATED AT THE INBOARD HALF. PIECES NOT FOUND. OUTBOARD HALF REMAINED INTACT, AND IS AVAILABLE FOR STUDY/ANALYSIS. WAS ABLE TO USE BRAKES ALTHOUGH EXTREMELY SPONGY AND DANGER OF RESULTING FIRE FROM SPARKS (METAL-TOMETAL CONTACT). REPLACED ROTOR AND PADS. VEHICLE IS BACK IN SERVICE. PHOTOS OF OLD PADS AND ROTOR ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

GOING OUT TO DINNER, ABOUT 1 MILE AWAY FROM HOME SMELL COMING FROM CAR. TURNED DOWN A SIDE STREET, SMOKE COMING FROM HEAT/AIR ADJUSTMENT AREA ON DASH. STOPPED CAR, FIRE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE AREA WHERE YOU ADJUST THE HEAT/AIR. BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD GET THERE THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THIS WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THANKFULLY WE WERE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I FEAR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FAR WORSE IF WE HAD BEEN ON THE EXPRESS WAY AT THE TIME. *TR

Fire

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE RAMP. WHEN THE CONTACT EMERGED FROM THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE FRACTURED COMPLETELY FROM THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED. A REPORT WAS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO MECHANIC SHOP AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,400.

Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE DOOR ACTUATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

I BOUGHT MY 03 KIA RIO IN 04 AND WITHIN A MO. HAVE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP EVERY MONTH FOR THE FIRST 2YRS WHEN IT WAS STILL IN WARRANTY. THERE WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING CONSTANTLY WRONG OR BREAKING. THE TAIL PIPE RATTLED EXTREMELY LOUD TO THE POINT OF SLIGHTLY SHAKING THE CAR, RANDOMLY WHEN I WOULD CAME TO A STOP. IT WAS SO LOUD THAT PEOPLE IN OTHER CARS COULD HEAR IT AND STARE. OF COURSE THE REPAIR SHOPS COULD NEVER FIND THE PROBLEM. I FINALLY GAVE UP EVER HAVING IT FIXED. I'VE PAID 7 TIMES TO HAVE THE AUTO WINDOWS FIXED BUT FINALLY GAVE UP BECAUSE THEY WOULD ONLY WORK ABOUT TWO DAYS BEFORE BRAKING AGAIN. THE CAR ALWAYS HAD ISSUES ACCELERATING AND WOULD STAIN MAKING NOISES SHAKE A BIT THEN AFTER 10 SECONDS MAKE A POP POP NOISE AND FINALLY START MOVING FASTER. WHICH AGAIN COULD NEVER BE FIXED. THE CAR ALSO HAD HORRIBLE SUSPENSION. EVERY LITTLE PUMP MADE THE CAR BOUNCE AND SQUEAK LOUDLY. ALSO COULD NEVER BE FIXED. I THINK I'VE SPENT MORE TIME IN THE SHOP HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED THEN I ACTUALLY DID DRIVING IT. EVERY TIME I BLINKED SOMETHING ELSE WAS BROKEN I REPLACED ALMOST EVER PIECE OF THE CAR; BATTERY TWICE, ALL FOUR TIRES TWICE, HEAD LIGHTS, ETC THOSE ARE JUST THE SMALL THINGS I'VE ALSO HAD THE CAR COMPLETELY BRAKE DOWN ABOUT 6 TIMES WITH MAJOR REPAIRS. NOW MY CAR IS COMPLETELY DEAD 4/17/11 THE TIMING BELT SNAPPED AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE SO I HAVE TO BUY A NEW ENGINE AND TIMING BELT ALL WHICH COST MORE THEN THE CAR ITSELF THE CAR ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT SO THAT TELLS YOU HOW MUCH I ACTUALLY GOT TO DRIVE IT IN THE LAST 8YRS. I MADE SURE TO CONSTANTLY KEEP UP ON MAINTENANCE AS WELL. I WILL NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN ITS A WEIGHT OF MY SHOULDERS TO GET RID OF SUCH A PIECE OF [XXX]. KIAS ARE MADE WITH SUCH CHEAP MATERIALS AND MADE SO POORLY THAT EVERYTHING ON THEM BRAKES AND FALLS OFF. PLEASE ANYONE READING THIS DON'T BUY A KIA YOU WILL REGRET IT. I JUST WANT TO SAVE SOMEONE ELSE FROM A NIGHTMARE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

MY BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE ON MY 2003 KIA RIO CRACKED. MY MECHANIC SAYS IT SHOULD NEVER CRACK NO MATTER THE TEMPERATURE CLIMATE ETC. HE SAYS HE HAS NEVER SEEN A CRACKED ONE BEFORE AND MY CAR WOULD HAVE NO SIGNS THAT IT WAS BAD. I WOULD GO FROM PERFECT BRAKES TO NO BRAKES. THAT IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT HAPPENED. I WAS LUCKY AND HAD JUST GOT GAS AND LEAVING THE PARKING LOT. THE BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE I DRIVING SLOWLY TO THE STREET. I HAD ENOUGH BREAK TO STOP. MY COMPLAINT IS NOT FOR ME SO MUCH AS SOMEONE ELSE WHO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY. I FEAR FOR OTHERS. PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT ON FURTHER VEHICLES. *TR

THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY BLOWER (PART # 97251 FD000) CONSTANTLY GOES OUT ON MY 2003 KIA RIO. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. I REPLACED IT. 6 MONTHS LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN. I REPLACED IT ALONG WITH THE RESISTOR ASSEMBLY (PART# 1K552 61C08). 8 MONTHS LATER, IT WENT OUT AGAIN. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FUSE. THERE IS NOT A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM THAT CAN BE FOUND. I HAVE YET TO REPLACE THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY ANTICIPATING THE COMPANY RECTIFYING THIS. *TR

Fire

BACK IN 2006 I PURCHASED A 2003 KIA RIO AND IN AUG 2009 I WAS SENT A LETTER TELLING ME MY REAR SEATBELTS HAD BEEN RECALLED DUE TO MALFUNCTION WHEN CHILDRESTRANT SEATS WERE USED. THE COMPANY KNEW ABOUT THE RECALL IN 2006 ACCORDING TO THE LETTER BUT DIDN'T NOTIFY ME UNTIL 2009, AND I HAVE A 7 YR OLD SON WHO HAS BEEN RIDING IN MY CAR WITH RECALLED SEATBELTS, THIS MADE ME UPSET SINCE THAT'S THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD. THE COMPANY DID REPLACE THE SEATBELTS BUT IT TOOK THEM ANOTHER 3 WEEKS TO GET THE PARTS AFTER ME NOTIFYING THEM ABOUT THE RECALL LETTER. *TR

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. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY TWO YEAR OLD IN THE CAR, THE ENGINE SEIZED UP AND STALLED. THE CAR CURRENTLY WONT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. HOWEVER, WE JUST HAD ALL OF THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TO THE CAR LESS THEN 300 MILES PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SEIZING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. AS OF TODAY, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS EXCEPT THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INCIDENTS WITH THE CAR AND IT WAS ALWAYS SERVICED ON TIME. *TR

TRAVELING APROX 30 MPH, REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK ON ANY PASSENGERS, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Crash 3 injured

THE CLUTCH IN MY 2003 KIA RIO HAS FAILED/BROKEN FOUR TIMES NOW. MY FATHER AND I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN MARCH 2003 THE FIRST CLUTCH FAILED AROUND 8000 MILES I BELIEVE, THE SECOND AROUND 24000 MILES, THE THIRD AROUND 40000 MILES, AND NOW IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE UNABLE TO GO INTO ANY GEAR; THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 65000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING STICK SHIFTS FOR 14+ YRS. AND I KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY OPERATE THEM, YET WHENEVER I TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP I AM TOLD IT IS DRIVER ERROR AND CHARGED AT LEAST $1000 IN REPAIRS. I HAVE HAD AT LEAST THREE OTHER MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A DESIGN/BAD PARTS PROBLEM NOT DRIVING ERROR, HOWEVER I DON'T WANT TO JEOPARDIZE THE WARRANTY BY HAVING IT REPAIRED ANYWHERE BUT THE DEALERSHIP. WITH THE LAST REPAIR (CLUTCH #3) MY FATHER WAS ALLOWED TO SPEAK TO THE DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC AFTER THE CAR WAS PULLED APART AND CAUGHT THE DEALERSHIP IN A LOT OF LIES BASED ON THE TOTAL DAMAGE DONE TO THE CLUTCH AND SURROUNDING PARTS. THERE WAS NO WAY THAT MUCH DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN DONE SIMPLY BY DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THEY GAVE HIM SOME FREE PARTS AND LABOR BUT THE BILL WAS STILL OVER $600 AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE AS EVIDENCED BY THE VEHICLE NOT GOING INTO ANY GEAR NOW. I HAVE READ OVER 100 SIMILAR REPORTS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR AS MINE. KIA NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, NOT THE CUSTOMER. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR AS TO NOT HAVE ANYONE INJURED, I DRIVE MY FIVE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THAT CAR, BUT I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED IN SEVERAL NOT NICE NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE OF THE CLUTCH FAILURE AND HAVE HAD THE CLUTCH GO OUT WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE PROBLEM COMES ON SUDDENLY WITH LITTLE TO NO WARNING OF THE CLUTCH HAVING PROBLEMS AND IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD, NOT ONLY TO THE PEOPLE INSIDE THE VEHICLE BUT FOR THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. IF THIS CONTINUES, SOMEONE WILL BE SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED IF IT HAS NOT HAPPENED ALREADY. PLEASE HELP. *TR

TIMING BELT BROKE AT 72000 MILES WITHOUT WARNING. KIA SAYS CHANGE AT 60000 MILES IN KY, BUT WARRANTY IN CA ALLOW FOR 105000 MILE CHANGE. KIA REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY. STRANDED FOR 45 MINUTES. HAD TO PAY DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT KIA DEALER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND APPROACHING A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED BUT DID NOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND DIAGNOSED WITH FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,500.

BOUGHT 2003 KIA RIO NEW. IN JAN 2005 AT ABOUT 53,000 MILES I HEARD A RATTLE AT ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR. IN A FEW SECONDS THE ENGINE JUST SHUTDOWN (TIMING BELT BROKE WHICH DESTROYED THE ENGINE) KIA REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. MAY 21 2008 WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR WE HEARD A SQUEAL AND AGAIN THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN. COASTED TO A STOP, ONCE AGAIN THE TIMING BELT WHICH MEANS ANOTHER ENGINE (58,000 SINCE THE LAST ENGINE) NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY (AN ENGINE COST ALMOST AS MUCH AS THE CAR ITSELF). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN AND THE CONTACT WAS TRAPPED INSIDE. THE DOOR WAS ABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED AS WELL. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE ON THE DOORS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,800.

2003 KIA RIO WITH DEFECTIVE ENGINE. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS PUT IN THE CAR IN JUNE 07 BUT IT CONTINUES TO SMOKE, OVERHEAT AND CUT OFF**CC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BULBS. THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE WERE INOPERATIVE. THEY REPLACED THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PLACE THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCH. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP YET AGAIN BEING FIXED. UPDATED 08/23/07. *TR

THIS 2003 KIA RIO WAS PURCHASED USED AT A DEALERSHIP A.V. KIA, PALMDALE, CA, , BUT SOON DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, CITING PROBLEMS WHICH OCCURRED DUE TO OUR SON, WHICH WERE ALLEGATIONS MADE BY A. V. KIA. SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR BECAME INOPERABLE AND STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY QUITE SUDDENLY. NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT OUR SON AND HIS PASSENGERS WERE RATHER SHOOK UP. FIXED ONE MORE TIME, WHILE OUR SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE LEFT FRONT AXLE FELL OFF. THIS HAPPENED AFTER A. V. KIA REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER BEING FIXED ONCE AGAIN WITH ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION, WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER PICKING IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP IT ONCE AGAIN DEVELOPED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CAR STOPPED AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IN ROSAMOND, CA. THE CAR WAS FIXED, (SENSOR PROBLEM, AND SOON TAKEN TO A CAR DEALERSHIP IN LANCASTER, CA. TO BE SOLD ON CONSIGNMENT. WHILE THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE WAS TAKING IT OUT TO SHOW AND ATTEMPT TO SELL THE CAR AGAIN IT STOPPED, THIS TIME ON VERY BUSY SIERRA HIGHWAY. THE DEALER CALLED US TO IMFORM US OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. A. V. KIA TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR ONCE AGAIN, REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION!. WITH ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS HAD WE FOUND IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, NOT ONLY TO OUR FAMILY, BUT POTENTIALLY TO SOMEONE ELSE. A. V. KIA CONTINUED TO JUST PASS THE BUCK WITHOUT REALLY GETTING TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. WE DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHERE TO TURN, BUT WE FELT THAT FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE DOT WAS A GOOD START. A. V. KIA AND KIA OF AMERICA SHOULD BE HELD TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DANGEROUS JUNK THAT THEY WERE SELLING AND MANUFACTURING.*AK

AT 53,000 THE VEHICLE BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN ADVISED IT NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH AT A COST OF $1600.00. I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE PRIMARILY BETWEEN DETROIT MICHIGAN AND CARY ILLINOIS. EIGHTY PERCENT OF THE MILES DRIVEN SO FAR HAVE BEEN HIGHWAY MILES WITH LITTLE NEED TO CONSTANTLY SHIFT GEARS. WHEN THE TECHNICIANS LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE HE COMMENTED ON HOW SMALL THE CLUTCH WAS. I BELIEVE KIA HAS INSTALLED AN INFERIOR CLUTCH SYSTEM TO KEEP THE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE DOWN AND THEN REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

AUG. 12, 2006 THE HARRELL-SWATTY COS. 6 CONCOURSE PARKWAY NE ATLANTA GA 30328-6117 DEAR MR. X: I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN KIA AT ARBOR PLACE. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR WARRANTY SERVICE IN MARCH BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. I BROUGHT IT BACK THREE MORE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. NOW THAT THE CAR HAS MORE THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT WORK ON IT AGAIN UNLESS I PAID THEM. BUT THEY TOOK IT IN TO DIAGNOSE IT AGAIN AND DID NOT TELL ME UNTIL I CAME TO PICK UP THE CAR THAT IT WOULD COST ME $88 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE TO GET IT BACK. THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED ONCE. I WAS FORTUNATE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. I KEEP ADDING BRAKE FLUID WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON. EVIDENTLY THERE IS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CAR IS UNSAFE. I WANT MY $88 BACK, AND I WANT THE CAR FIXED, AT NO COST TO ME. YY ZZ HAS NOT REPLIED TO MY TWO PREVIOUS LETTERS. *NM

MY BACK PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING HAS GONE BAD THREE TIMES WITH A YEAR'S TIME. THE LAST BEARING WAS REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER 06, AND THE SAME BEARING IS GOING BAD AGAIN (CURRENTLY MID OCTOBER). *NM

JUNE 2006 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2006 MY KIA RIO HAS LOCKED UP IN THE PARKING GEAR NOT ALLOWING TO REMOVE TO REVERSE OR DRIVE. DEALER HAS HAD IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES AND HAS CHANGED BREAKING LIGHT TWICE ALONG WITH GEAR CONSOLE. NOW STATING EVEN WITH THE VEHICLE BEING AT SHOP SINCE THE END OF SEPTEMBER 2006 CAN NOT ENACT PROBLEM. *NM

DRIVING DOWN I-65, AND A SEMI TRUCK TRIED GETTING OVER INTO MY LANE. I DROVE INTO THE MEDIUM, LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SPUN OUT AND HIT THE SEMI TRUCK. IT ENDED UP RUNNING OVER THE TOP OF MY CAR. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. EVERYTHING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DESTROYED, MELTED, ETC. LUCKILY I WASN'T HURT, BECAUSE I LOCKED MYSELF AGAINST THE SEAT; HOWEVER THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I LUCKILY ENDED UP ALRIGHT PHYSICALLY; HOWEVER SOMEBODY ELSE WITH THE SAME CAR MAY NOT HAVE MY STROKE OF LUCK THAT I HAD THAT DAY. *JB

Crash

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CAR LOST TOTAL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STEER AND CONTROL THE CAR AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SEVERAL CARS HAD TO SWERVE OUT OF THE WAY AS THEY WERE GOING THE SPEED LIMIT BUT THE CAR CONCERNED WAS GOING SIGNIFICANTLY SLOWER. UPON INSPECTION, THE TIMING BELT SPROCKET WAS HANGING OUTSIDE OF THE PLASTIC COVER WHICH WAS BURNING FROM MELTED PLASTIC. THE CAR IS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE WARRANTY AND WE ARE AWAITING A FINAL DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER AND COVERAGE DETERMINATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAME UNBOLTED FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE SEAT BELTS FAILED. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN A CORNER AT 10 MPH THE TIMING BELT BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED AS BEING THE TIMING BELT RENDERING THE ENGINE INOPERABLE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE FUEL PUMP AND COMPONENTS EXPLODED IN THE GASOLINE STORAGE TANK. THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V179000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT DUE TO THE RECALL. *AK

MY 2003 KIA RIO HAS DIED OUT ON ME ABOUT SIX TIMES SO FAR. I HAVE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER EACH TIME, NOW AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR FIND A PROBLEM. THEY HAVE REPLACED A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR HOWEVER, THAT DID NOT HELP. MY CAR DOESN'T DIE OUT ALL THE TIME ONLY ONCE IN AWHILE. IT HAS DIED OUT WHILE REVERSING, DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WAITING AT A STOPLIGHT. I HAVE PURSUED LEMON LAW IN HAWAII AND AM WAITING FOR THE DECISION OF THE ARBITRATOR. AT HEARING, MANUFACTURER KNEW OF STALLING DEFECT HOWEVER, HE SAID IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY VIN NUMBER. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SHOCKS ON MY VEHICLE, THEY DO NOT ABSORB MUCH AND MAKE NOISE WHEN I GO ON A BUMPY ROAD. MY CAR ALSO MAKES A LARGE WHISTLING SOUND WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH BUT IT ONLY OCCURS SOMETIMES.*AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY LETICIA'S LAWYER MR. JOHN FITZPATRICK. *AK

Crash 2 injured

203 KIA RIO PURCHASED 12/02 SINCE PURCHASE HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH BRAKES, I HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK TO DEALER ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS HAVE HAD SHOES REPLACED HAVE HAD ROTORS TURNED A COUPLE OF TIMES BY DEALER TO WHICH PROBLEM CONTINUED . ON 11/06/04 CAR WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT RESULTING FROM REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL LOCKING UP WITHOUT USING THE BRAKES CAUSING TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. *JB

Crash 1 injured

SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE IN 12/02 THE CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL REACUURING PROBLEM MOST OF WHICH THE BRAKES VIBRATION AND CAR SHAKEN WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. IT HAS BEEN BACK TOP DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES FOR BRAKE PROBLEM COMPLAINTS MOST RECENT WAS 10/23/03. SO FAR THEY HAVE DPNE NEW PADS IN FRONT WHEELS RESURFACEWD ROTORS MORE THAN ONCE REPLACED WHEEL SEAL AND MOSTLY SAID COULD NOT NOTICE ANY PROBLEM. ON 11/06/04 AT BETWEEN 10:15 -10:30 THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCEDENT DUE TO A DRIVERSIDE REAR WHEEL FREEZING UP WITH OUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES CAUSING VEHICLE TO VEER OFF THE ROAD.*AK

Crash 1 injured

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE SENSOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, THE VEHICLE TEMPORALLY LOST POWER. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT CONSUMER HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES GRABBED ABRUPTLY. WHEN SHE TRIED TO MOVE THE BRAKES THEY GRABBED AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES WITH NO CHANGE IN CONDITION. SHE WAS TOLD THAT WITH THE LEAST ACCUMULATION OF MOISTURE FROM THE PADS GETTING WET BRAKES WOULD GRAB. THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE PADS NO LONGER CONTAINING ASBESTOS. *AK THE BRAKES GRABBED EXCESSIVELY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CLIMATE WAS RAINY OR FOGGY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *SC