2002 Kia Rio vs 2003 Kia Rio
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2002 Kia Rio | 2003 Kia Rio |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 128 | 74 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 16 | 16 |
| Investigations | 1 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 25 | 8 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 24–26 | 25–26 |
| Median reported mileage | 50,000 mi | 49,349 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Kia Rio | Kia Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 39 | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 18 | 12 |
| Air Bags | 21 | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 16 | 7 |
| Electrical System | 8 | 15 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 14 | 6 |
| Power Train | 8 | 12 |
| Suspension | 9 | 4 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 23 | 11 |
| Check engine light | 5 | 0 |
| Won’t start | 0 | 6 |
2002 Kia Rio
2003 Kia Rio
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Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.