The 2002 Kia Rio Cinco has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 187,790 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
AIR BAGS
2
2crashes2injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
2
1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
2
1fires
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
1
Total complaints31
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia rio cinco. While driving approximately 60 mph, the steering wheel began to vibrate excessively and pulsation occurred when the accelerator pedal was engaged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on three separate occasions where the front passenger and…”
“Electrical line from rear of brake switch is short in length and unsecured resulting in wire damage that shorts electrical fuse to switch. Results in brake light failure and possible rear end collision due to no brake lights. New switch from factory was installed by kia dealership- but problem…”
“Electrical line from rear of brake switch is short in length and unsecured resulting in wire damage that shorts electrical fuse to switch. Results in brake light failure and possible rear end collision due to no brake lights. New switch from factory was installed by kia dealership- but problem…”
“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…”
“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…”
“My 2002 kia rio cinco's timing-belt broke and caused serious damage to the engine resulting in a $2500 fee to fix the vehicle. Because my timing-belt was not changed at 60000 (we have 61000 miles on the vehicle) they would not honor their warranty. I have done research on these vehicles and a lot…”
“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…”
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving there is a loud noise. While stopping, the noise gets louder. The vehicle was taken to a dealership for inspection. And they determined the bolts that connect the pipes to the heat shield and the exhaust system burned off. Also, the lugs: nuts have been…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Kia Rio Cinco as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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