Model year
2001 Kia Rio
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 223 complaints for the 2001 Kia Rio (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 1 recall and 0 complaints under RIO CINCO. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE (20), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (19), AIR BAGS (17). NHTSA lists 6 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 25–26 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,600–$2,700, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 223 complaints
- 2002 128 complaints
- 2003 74 complaints
- 2004 38 complaints
- 2005 37 complaints
- 2006 74 complaints
- 2007 46 complaints
- 2008 46 complaints
- 2009 39 complaints
- 2010 26 complaints
- 2011 24 complaints
- 2012 54 complaints
- 2013 153 complaints
- 2014 52 complaints
- 2015 52 complaints
- 2016 78 complaints
- 2017 31 complaints
- 2018 28 complaints
- 2019 22 complaints
- 2020 27 complaints
- 2021 15 complaints
- 2022 12 complaints
- 2023 12 complaints
Recalls
05V159000 · Apr 20, 2005
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.
04V179000 · Apr 9, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
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…
03V352000 · Sep 24, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUEL LEAKS MAY DEVELOP AT THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY BECAUSE OF QUALITY DEVIATIONS.
Complaints
223 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 21, fire flag on 14, injury field 12, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| RIO CINCO | 1 | 0 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE02022 | AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT FRONTAL CRASH · AIR BAGS | Feb 12, 2002 | Jul 2, 2002 |
| EA02009 | AIR BAG NON DEPLOY · AIR BAGS | Jul 2, 2002 | Jul 2, 2003 |
| PE03016 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY; FUEL SYSTEM,… | Apr 15, 2003 | Aug 28, 2003 |
| EA03015 | FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY; FUEL SYSTEM,… | Aug 28, 2003 | Apr 30, 2004 |
| PE04030 | STEEL WHEEL FRACTURE · WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER; WHEELS | Mar 24, 2004 | Jul 22, 2004 |
| EA04020 | STEEL WHEEL FRACTURE · WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER; WHEELS | Jul 22, 2004 | Apr 28, 2005 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio · 1.5L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 28 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Rio · 1.5L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 29 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2001 Kia Rio at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.