Complaints
171
Crashes
34
Fires
7
Injuries
40
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Kia Rio Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#117 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:74,500 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#214 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:51,202 mi
Crash-related:13
#313 complaints
Engine & Cooling
Avg mileage:45,381 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Kia Rio.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 17 | 1 | 1 | 74,500 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 14 | 13 | — | 51,202 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 13 | 1 | 1 | 45,381 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 10 | 4 | — | 79,098 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 9 | 1 | — | 42,775 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 8 | — | 2 | 56,258 mi | |
| Airbags | 7 | 6 | — | 33,264 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | 61,050 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 | — | — | 72,312 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 5 | — | — | 68,000 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 5 | — | — | 15,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
74,500
Air Bags:Frontal
14
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
—
Avg Miles
51,202
Engine & Cooling
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
45,381
Seat Belt Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,098
Hydraulic Brakes
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
42,775
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
56,258
Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
33,264
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
61,050
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,312
Gasoline Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,000
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
15,000
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Kia Rio. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Kia Rio Years
2002 Kia Rio — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Kia Rio reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2002 Kia Rio has 171 NHTSA complaints, 34 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine with 17 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Kia Rio?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (17 complaints, avg 74,500 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (14 complaints, avg 51,202 mi); Engine & Cooling (13 complaints, avg 45,381 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Kia Rio?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 56,313 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Kia Rio?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Kia Rio include 34 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 40 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Kia Rio have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Kia Rio as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Kia Rio?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine and engine cooling:engine) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Kia Rio reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Kia Rio
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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