Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
Dt: the concusmer was involved in an accident and a tire blew out. After the vehicle stopped spinning, the consumer got out of the vehicle and it burst into flames, the fire department came and they said fire started from heat of power equipment and the ignition burned. This happened on August 6, 2005. The consumer stated she was not informed about the recall regarding the wheels. The consumers daughter complained that the steering wheel vibrated from the time the vehicle was purcahsed. The same tire that the blew out was the same one that had been replaced numerous times.
The vehicles drivers side front tire rim developed 14 inch cracks all around and pieces of the rim were falling off. The consumer believes the tire May fall off. Please describe further. Son notified owner at @ 45K miles that there was a strange noise coming from the front end of the vehicle and he thought there might be a problem, perhaps with the brakes. Owner went for a ride with the son to confirm noise but owner could not hear it. Shortly thereafter, the son complained to his father again about the noise, stating it was now much worse. Owner took vehicle for a test drive and he could hear a loud grinding/cracking/popping noise from the front end. He removed the front driver side wheel to inspect and he saw large cracks at the wheel hat area about 2-3" above the lug holes on the wheel disc. …
In December of 2003 I started hearing a loud clanking from the passenger-side, rear wheel. Assuming it was the rear brakes needing replaced, I purchased the parts. Upon removing the hub cap I saw that the rim was severely cracked. Within an inch or so of actually breaking completely apart. (the brakes were not worn.) when I returned the brake parts to high desert Kia, in victorville, ca., I told the service department about the cracked rim and inquired of the warranty on the rims. I was told the warranty period is 30,000 miles.(at the time, my vehicle had approx.55,000 miles.) then in June of 2004, I heard the same clanking from the driverside, rear wheel. Upon inspection I found that this rim had also cracked in the same manner as the first. …
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. …
I purchased new tires around February 2007 from sears at the virginia center commons store location. Within three weeks between April and May of 2008 I experienced three flats. Two of the flats were on the same day within 2 hours of each other. I had the fourth one replaced at this time. All three flats were because of faulty valve stems. Recently I read about a 6 million recall of tr413 valve stems from tech international a distributor of shanghai baolong. I believe my problem is part of the recall which notified the clients but not the public. Fortunately none of the flats occurred at high speed while on the highway but on secondary roads at speeds of 45mph or less. I did complain to sears on their feedback survey but received no reply. …
My vehicle started making a horrible noise in the front. It sounded like the brakes were digging into the rotor so I figured I needed a brake job. When I removed the wheels I looked at my brakes and they were fine, I then looked at my wheel and noticed a very large crack all they way around. I went the dealership where I purchased my vehicle and they refused to do anything since it was out of warranty. They insisted that when I had new tires put on that they must of used too much force and cracked the rims. I went to the tire place where I had just recently purchased tires and they said there was no way they could have done it, but put my car up on the racks and checked the rest of my wheels. Come to find the other three rims were cracked as well. …
I was on a major interstate doing the speed limit of 65 MPH when I heard a loud pop sound. The car started to shake and I thought I had a flat tire. I immediately put on my hazard lights and slowed down to reach the nearest exit ramp. I was alone in the car and thank god I had no children in the car and as soon as I reached the exit ramp I got off the exit and called aaa. They sent a tow truck but when the driver went to put the car up he noticed the right back wheel was extremely loose and then called for a flat bed. While being towed to my mechanic with the car on the flat bed the wheel came completely off. I looked online for recalls on my car and there was one issued in 4/20/2005 and I was never notified by Kia or the dealer where I purchased the car about this issue when the recall began on 6/22/2005. …
Consumer complaint: odi case number: 10136024 component: wheels gas ignition? You tell me? When are these people going to be compensated for their lemons Kia-2001 details: dt: the consumer was involved in an accident and a tire blew out. After the vehicle stopped spinning, the consumer got out of the vehicle and it burst into flames, the fire department came and they said fire started from heat of power equipment and the ignition burned. This happened on August 6, 2005. The consumer stated she was not informed about the recall regarding the wheels. The consumers daughter complained that the steering wheel vibrated from the time the vehicle was purchased. The same tire that the blew out was the same one that had been replaced numerous times. Occurrences: 1 injuries: 0 fail date: 08/06/2005 deaths: 0 date added to database: 9/9/2005 [file] your own complaint on this model car.
We own a 2001 Kia recall which has a safety recall on it that requires all 4 wheels to be replaced . Our vehicle is making the noises described in the recall . We contacted ann arbor automotive matt the service person has told us Kia is withholding the parts to fix these vehicles . The parts are currently on back order through Kia . We have been waiting 8 weeks so far and we have been told iot could take another month to get the parts in . I am concerned for my husbands safety ,he drives this vehicle daily. I would like to stand on record now by saying if anything happens to the vehicle and cause harm or injury to my family we will take extensive legal action against Kia. Thank you lillian fierro.
I have a 2001 Kia Rio, manual transmission. At 32000 miles the left front rim cracked, and was replaced under warranty. I had the right front crack at 62000 miles. Kia did not consider this a defect, so I had to purchase a new rim for 98.00, and have it mounted at additional cost. I spoke with the dealer, and Kia directly about this being a safety concern. Kia's response was since it was out of warranty, they would only cover manufacturing defects. The 13 inch steel rim has no damage which would have caused the tear in the steel; circumference with the lug bolt holes.
Related recalls
Wheels
Certain passenger vehicles May have a manufacturing flaw that could cause the wheels to crack under long term driving fatigue. If cracks occur, wheel noise and vibration will result and become progressively worse over time.
Remedy: Dealers will replace all four wheels free of charge. The recall began on June 22, 2005. Owners May contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA investigations
Steel wheel fracture
On March 24, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged steel wheel fractures in certain model year (my) 2001 Kia rio vehicles.the subject vehicles are equipped with wheels manufactured between May 12 and October 18, 2000.wheels were manufactured during this period using a tool (ring die) that had improper surface treatment.this allowed tool damage to…
Steel wheel fracture
On March 24, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe04-030) to investigate alleged steel wheel fractures in certain model year (my) 2001 Kia rio vehicles.the subject vehicles are equipped with wheels manufactured from May 12 through October 17, 2000.wheels were manufactured during this period using a tool (ring die) that had improper surface treatment.this allowed tool…
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Rio years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2001 Kia Rio?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2001 Kia Rio, 17% of the model year's 223 complaints. The component named most often is rim (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Kia Rio wheel & tire problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-159 (wheels, Apr 20, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Kia Rio wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires 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.