2003 Kia Rio power train problems
12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2003 Kia Rio — 16% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The clutch in my 2003 kia rio has failed/broken four times now. My father and I bought the vehicle brand new in march 2003 the first clutch failed around 8000 miles I believe, the second around 24000 miles, the third around 40000 miles, and now is sitting in my garage unable to go into any gear…”
filed Dec 27, 2008
“2003 kia rio with defective engine. Customer states that the dealership told her that a new engine was put in the car in june 07 but it continues to smoke, overheat and cut off**cc the consumer was told the head gasket needed to be replaced. The tail lights were inoperative. The dealer replaced the…”
filed Aug 10, 2007
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Tsb: automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct automatic transmission fluids that are required for each kia model. Refer to the shop manual on kgis for…
TSBTRA046 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 6, 2013Rio (bc) engine hard to start, runs rough and stalls -- what to check -- crank position sensor (ckp) tone ring. *nj
106 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2007
Power Train problems in other Rio years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Rio | 5 | 19% |
| 2019 Rio | 2 | 10% |
| 2018 Rio | 1 | 4% |
| 2017 Rio | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 Rio | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 Rio | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 Rio | 6 | 12% |
| 2013 Rio | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 Rio | 1 | 4% |
| 2009 Rio | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 Rio | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 Rio | 3 | 7% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2003 Kia Rio
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.