Most common 2002 Kia Rio Cinco problems
Share of the 21 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Rio Cinco complaints by model year
Best Rio Cinco years: 2003, 2004. Years to avoid: 2002. Compare all years →
2002 Kia Rio Cinco recalls (1)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel intake nipple of the fuel distributor is subject to fracture or cracking during removal of the quick connect coupling securing the main fuel tube assembly to the fuel intake nipple, or when force is accidentally applied to the intake nipple during the vehicle assembly process or during…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assemblies. The recall began June 18, 2004. Owners should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
What 2002 Kia Rio Cinco owners say
Engine & cooling
Approximately 1.5 years ago I was having a problem with the car hesitating on the highway and the check engine light coming on. I brought my car to the Kia dealership (hamilton, on) for diagnosis and they diagnosed the problem as being the mass airflow sensor. I had them replace the sensor (250$cad) and do a 300$ tune up on the car. Two days later the check engine light came back on and I brought in back to the dealer. By the time I had the car at the dealer the light had gone off and they said to bring it back when it was on. Finally after a number of visits they determined that the ECM needed a flash. They flashed the ECM and the car seemed fine. Approx 3 weeks ago the car started hesitating again and I brought it back to the dealer. …
Refer to NHTSA campaign number: 04V179000 in January 2007, I took my vehicle (2002 Kia Rio) to ray carter Kia dealership at 6373 blanding blvd, jacksonville, fl 32244, because the engine would not idle and would sometimes cut off during acceleration. The service tech told me I needed the 60,000 mile maintenance service which included replacing the timing belt, oil change, tire balance, throttle cleaning, fuel additive, front and rear axle oil, transfer case oil, etc etc and a whole host of other non-engine related inspections. This was at a cost of $759.65. I left the dealership believing it was fixed, however, the same problem kept returning. Today, 21 July 2007, I went back to ray carter Kia for the same problem and they performed an oil and filter change, tire pressure adjustment and topped off fluids at a cost of $77.75. …
Fuel & propulsion system
An engine compartment fire was discovered by other employees approximately 10-15 minutes after I had parked the vehicle at work and had entered my office. The workers extinguished the fire with 8 portable fire extinguishers. The damage was most severe near the firewall on the passenger side of the vehicle. All hoses had burned away and plastics were melted or burned. A recall had been issued for a defective gasoline distributor part that could result in engine compartment fire. The recall work was performed in July, 2005 according to Kia of clarksville service department. Kia of clarksville is located in clarksville, in.
Dt: the contact stated while husband was driving the check engine light illuminated. Less than one minute later there was black smoke coming from under the hood. He got out of the vehicle and saw that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed and has not been inspected at this time. This vehicle was repaired under NHTSA recall campaign 04V179000 in October of 2004 for the fuel distributor and fuel tube assemmblies.
Transmission & drivetrain
I have had my manual transmission Kia Rio Cinco back to the dealer 6 times since its purchase (07/02) for the same reason. The clutch in this car does not seem strong enough to work. I drive aprox 60 miles each way to work, and rarely use the clutch. I have been driving manual transmissions all my life, and my occupation is a truck driver. The clutch has been completly replaced 2 times (aprox. Every 30,000 miles) and the dealer has actually told me its normal for the clutch to slip. The car now has 75,000 miles on it (past the 60,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty) and the clutch has started slipping again. The clutch slips when you accelerate when in gear with the clutch fully ingaged, at first it is noticeable in 5th gear, then the clutch gets progressively worse.
Purchased a 2002 Kia Rio Cinco on November 30, 2004. After three weeks it began to experience a loss of acceleration while driving the vehicle. Maroone Kia pelpaced a number of the brake components adfter deciding that the brakes were locking up. The day after getting it back the same thing happened again. This time they say that it must be the transmission, but since it ids intermitten they cannot fix it. Their advice was to drive it until it "tears up" and then they can fix it. My daughter-in-law uses the vehicle to transport her 3 month old child and to get to work. The vehicle abruptly slowing from highway speeds to 25 miles an hour, and not being able to move forward after stopping is a safety hazard.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Kia Rio Cinco a good car?
Based on 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Rio Cinco rates use caution: 2.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Rio Cinco at the same age. It is one of the Rio Cinco years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Kia Rio Cinco?
The engine & cooling — 8 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (4) and transmission & drivetrain (3).
How many recalls does the 2002 Kia Rio Cinco have?
There is 1 recall for the 2002 Kia Rio Cinco, the most recent from April 9, 2004 (delivery). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Rio Cinco?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2002. See the full Kia Rio Cinco years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Kia Rio Cinco problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 56,000 miles; 46% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.