NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2003 Kia Rio; the most frequently affected component is seat belts — rear/other. Owners filed 84 complaints, most often about engine and engine cooling. Among the 21 model years of this model in the database, 2003 ranks #2 for number of recalls.
Seat belts — Rear/otherCampaign 06V294000 · 04 Aug 2006
Problem: Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection." when used with certain child seats, the automatic locking retractor (alr) function in the rear outboard seatbelt assemblies may disengage.
Risk: If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both rear outboard seatbelt assemblies free of charge. The recall began on september 15, 2006. Owners may contact hyundai-kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Child seatCampaign 05V557000 · 12 Dec 2005
Problem: Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, 'child restraint anchorage systems.' certain child restraint anchors will not fully latch onto the lower latch anchors located between the rear seat back and rear seat cushion because of interference between the child seat anchors and a metal wire located in the frame of the rear seat back. Until the recall repair is completed, follow the instructions provided by your child seats manufacturer on how to properly install the child seat with your vehicle's rear safety belts rather than using the latch system.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, if the child seat is not properly installed, personal injury or death could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower anchors free of charge. The recall began on january 30, 2006. Owners may contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Problem: 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 engine compartment repairs.
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
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 owners complain about
Share of the 33 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Engine and engine cooling7 · 21%
Electrical system6 · 18%
Power train5 · 15%
Service brakes4 · 12%
Hydraulic3 · 9%
Seat belts3 · 9%
Fuel system3 · 9%
Gasoline3 · 9%
When complaints were filed
20054
20066
20075
20083
20094
20102
20112
20122
20132
20141
20151
20211
From owner complaints
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…
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…
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…
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…
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.