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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2001–2004

Kia Rio Cinco recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 41 owner complaints for the Kia Rio Cinco, covering model years 2001 to 2004. The 2002 model year drew the most complaints (21), and Engine and Engine Cooling is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Kia Rio Cinco VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 1 recall campaign on file
  • 41 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 4 model years with data (2001–2004)
  • most complaints: 2002 (21 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine and Engine Cooling (11 complaints)
  • latest recall 04V179000 (reported Apr 9, 2004)
  • 4 complaints reporting a crash (9.8%)
  • 3 complaints reporting a fire (7.3%)
  • 5 complaints reporting an injury (12.2%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Kia Rio Cinco complaints by model year

3 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2002 model year has the most complaints: 21 of 41, or 51.2%. Next come 2004 (12) and 2003 (8).

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Kia Rio Cinco owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2002–2004Column chart of 41 complaints across 3 model years. The highest is 2002 with 21. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2002: 21 complaints2120022003: 8 complaints820032004: 12 complaints122004
Kia Rio Cinco complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Kia Rio Cinco complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2002213340
200380010
2004121000
All model years414350

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Kia Rio Cinco components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often, in 11 complaints (26.8% of all 41), followed by Power Train (9) and Fuel System, Gasoline (5).

Components named most often in Kia Rio Cinco complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Kia Rio Cinco complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine and Engine Cooling1126.8%
Power Train922.0%
Fuel System, Gasoline512.2%
Electrical System49.8%
Suspension49.8%
Air Bags37.3%
Structure37.3%
Seat Belts24.9%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic24.9%
Steering24.9%
Wheels24.9%
Exterior Lighting12.4%
Seats12.4%
Service Brakes12.4%
Unknown or Other12.4%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Kia Rio Cinco recalls

1 campaign · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Rio Cinco, newest first. The only campaign, 04V179000, covers model years 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

  • 1 recall campaign
Kia Rio Cinco recall campaigns covering each model year
2001: 1 campaign2002: 1 campaign2003: 1 campaign2004: 1 campaign

  1. NHTSA campaign 04V179000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery

    Model years 2001–2004

    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.

    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.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Kia Rio Cinco questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Kia Rio Cinco have?

NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall campaign for the Kia Rio Cinco, covering model years 2001 to 2004. The campaign, 04V179000, was reported on April 9, 2004 and is filed under “Fuel system, gasoline”.

Which Kia Rio Cinco model year has the most complaints?

The 2002 model year, with 21 of the 41 complaints in NHTSA’s file (51.2%). The next are 2004 (12) and 2003 (8). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Kia Rio Cinco complaint?

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often: 11 complaints, or 26.8% of all 41. Power Train (9) and Fuel System, Gasoline (5) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Kia Rio Cinco?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Kia dealer.

How many Kia Rio Cinco complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 41 complaints, 4 report a crash, 3 a fire, 5 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Kia models

8 models · most complaints first

The Kia models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Kia VIN decoder with every Kia model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Kia Sorento 2003–2026 · 40 recalls · 10,159 complaints
  • Kia Optima 2001–2020 · 22 recalls · 7,499 complaints
  • Kia Soul 2010–2025 · 15 recalls · 5,532 complaints
  • Kia Sportage 1995–2026 · 36 recalls · 4,687 complaints
  • Kia Forte 2009–2024 · 18 recalls · 2,539 complaints
  • Kia Sedona 2002–2021 · 23 recalls · 2,406 complaints
  • Kia Telluride 2020–2027 · 19 recalls · 2,009 complaints
  • Kia Sephia 1995–2003 · 7 recalls · 1,687 complaints

All Kia models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.