2003 Ford Focus 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 | 2003 Ford Focus | 2003 Kia Rio |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 977 | 74 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 109 | 16 |
| Investigations | 1 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 52 | 8 |
| Fire reports | 17 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–27 | 25–26 |
| Median reported mileage | 57,019 mi | 49,349 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Focus | Kia Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 522 | 15 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 82 | 2 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 60 | 19 |
| Steering | 73 | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 51 | 12 |
| Power Train | 48 | 12 |
| Suspension | 49 | 4 |
| Air Bags | 46 | 4 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 60 | 11 |
| Rust / corrosion | 22 | 0 |
| Won’t start | 20 | 6 |
| Vibration / shaking | 19 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 9 | 0 |
| Brake problems | 7 | 0 |
| Electrical failures | 7 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 7 | 0 |
2003 Ford Focus
2003 Kia Rio
Compare all Ford Focus vs Kia Rio years →
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.