Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Kia Rio owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving home from work, and when I was approximately 1 minute from my home, my check engine light came on, and my car began "chugging". I made it as far as 3 houses away from my driveway when my car just stalled out. Rather than re-starting, I decided to roll to my driveway. I didn't even make it as far as my driveway, and my car caught on fire. The black smoke was so thick, you couldn't even see through it. My whole engine went up in flames, and my car is now totaled. I have had absolutely no problems with this car until now.
The consumer parked the vehicle and left the engine running. After a few minutes, the consumer returned to find the vehicle on fire. The fire department determined the cause of the fire was due to a mechanical failure. Please provide any additional information.
Aside from the fact that we have never received one recall notice from Kia or the dealer, on September 12, 2007, my 2001 Kia Rio (which we bought new in 1/2001) engine light came on after the car engine had warmed up, and the car began to lurch and chug. It stalled at a light and restarted when I turned the key. I applied the accelerator and it revved to a higher gear and lunged forward then immediately tried to stall in the intersection. I nursed the vehicle back home. It was taken to a mechanic where the code claimed an o2 censor was bad. What was found was a plug missing from a panel area (?). Thought car was fixed. Went to drive it home and again the same identical problem only this time the engine light did not come on, my only indication of the problem was the attempt at stalling again! This happened after the engine was warmed up. …
I have had my Kia for 3 years now (bought on April 24,2001), after only having it one year(April 25, 2002) my two front tires were shredded all the way to the metal. The dealer said that my tires were only covered for a year so I had to replace them, come to find out it was caused by the alignment that showed no sign of being off. Right after that the cooling fan shorted causing the engine to smoke and the car to be in the shop for 2 weeks because Kia couldn't order the right part. Soon after that both of my sunvisors broke to the point they are not usable. Kia told me that it would be $35 each to replace, not covered under warranty considered normal wear and tear. My alignment has been fixed 4 times in 3 years with normal driving conditions and regular maintenance. The shifter ( automatic) has gone out twice. Once resulting in Kia having to replace the whole shifter. …
Vehicle fire originating from the vehicle fuel lines. As the consumer was driving, she noticed that something smelled hot in the interior of the vehicle. The consumer then turned the engine off, discovered the smoke coming out of the hood, and saw flames within the engine compartment of the vehicle that continued to grow. Prior to the fire, the consumer noticed that the vehicle decreased in power while driving and the check engine light illuminated. The consumer attempted to get the vehicle repaired the next day and the dealer couldn't get to it until the following week, and was told that driving the vehicle wouldn't harm the vehicle. (a similar occurrence of the check engine light happened a year prior to this event) the fire began in the passenger side of the engine near the bulkhead area of the two metal fuel lines that ran along the bulkhead.
Dt: the caller said the dealer made new holes in the frame to put the bolts in. The dealer cut the frame to put smaller bolts and nuts in. Another dealer said doing that ruined the integrity of the frame. Also, there was an exhaust leak into the vehicle. The transmission bracket was bent and it would not hold the transmission in place. When the dealer fixed it the bolts fell out. The caller had to take vehicle back to dealer. The check engine light was on constantly. Vehicle will not pass inspection with the light on. Dealer said it will pass inspection with the light on. Manufacturer said they could not do anything to help the caller because the warranty expired. The caller said fuses blew out. He replaced the fuses over 200 times. The dashboard lights,headlights and other exterior lights went out.
My car had a recall because of stalling issues before also again when I had this problem the fuel injector was unplugged now it stalls all the time engine check light comes on had a airflow sensor light changed and it is still stalling even more check engine light comes on but goes off before I can get it checked and so I am getting nowhere and I am scared too death off having a accident because of this issue I think this is a real safety issue it is a 2001 Kia Rio can you help me I have contacted Kia already.
2001 kio Rio. Purchased car new from dealer. Shortly after purchase of vehicle it shut itself off while slowed down in traffic. After the dealer checked the car, dealer said they would have to put in a new transmission. Problem keeps occurring and dealer kept offering different reasons this is happening: type of gas used, gas cap not completely on correctly. Numerous times we have brought it into the dealer, they keep telling us they can not find a problem with it when there obviously is.
(1) there were no events leading up to the engine failure (2) for no reason what so ever, the engine just seized while I was sitting at a stop sign. There was plenty of oil and water in the engine. All routine maintenance had been performed. I am now being told I will have to replace the entire engine. I am 14,000 miles over the 60,000 mile warranty. I haven't even owned this care an entire year.
My car stalled while driving would not restart towed to dealer. Found no problem car started for them. Retrieved car stopped for gas, car would not restart, was towed back to dealer. Found glitch in cpu was reprogramed. Got car back, two hours later car would not restart towed back to dealer. Replaced fuel pump, car ran for three days then again would not start has now been towed back to dealer.
Engine complaints in other Rio years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Kia Rio?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Kia Rio, 24% of the model year's 223 complaints. The component named most often is engine (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Kia Rio engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2001 Kia Rio, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Kia Rio engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 5 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.