The 2003 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 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. 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
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
SEAT BELTS
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1
1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
Total complaints8
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“When you park the car, shutoff engine, pull up the short unlock stick, then pull the open button to open the door. That's normal procedure. But if you are in hurry, pull the door open button first and forget pull the unlock stick, you cannot open door anymore, you cannot go back and pull up the…”
“The rear seatbelts don't lock into place right. Normally, when you pull a seatbelt the full way out then let it wind back in, it should have tension on it. The seatbelts in the rear of my vehicle don't do this. They can be pulled back out without stopping. They clip into the buckles fine though. I…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 kia rio cinco. The contact stated that the rear automatic seat belt retractor was not locking properly; therefore, the safety seat might come loose. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and a report was filed since the vehicle was not…”
“I have several issues with kia. I'll give you a quick synopsis of my dealings with kia. 1-I wanted to buy the 2002 rio cinco in august 2002. I researched it online, and picked the one I wanted before going to a dealership. I went to the dealership that had billboards posted all over grand rapids,…”
“Cont...2 of 3 3-I've followed the maintenance schedule, provided evidence for routine oil changes, transmission flushes, air conditioner maintenance., tires, brakes, etc. Every auto I've every owned (dating back to 1976) has given me in excess of 200,000 miles...and my toyota had over 350,000 ...…”
“7-the engine light is again on at 89,000. This time steve took the car to a local mechanic we know & trust, and was told the transmission was slipping. Again, steve took the car to a dealership around 90,000...this time the transmission was slipping. At this point, the dealership mechanics could…”
“Had a clunking sound from the right rear of vehicle, brought vehicle to dealer for inspection. Tech checked the strut mounts and found nothing loose. He then removed the interior panels and found the metal holding the strut tower in place had broken below the welds. I was in formed that the…”
“1/10/04 saturday. Around 10:30 am hope calls and says the motor has blown on the kia. I called kia's roadside assistance. Hope meanwhile had to walk two miles in 40 degree below zero wind chill to the nearest exit and call me. 1/12/04 monday I called bortz and talked to dean the service manager.…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Kia Rio Cinco as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.