Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Kia Rio
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Kia Rio has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 128 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #04V179000 KIA/FUEL DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 38 complaints
- Air Bags 21 complaints
- Seat Belts 16 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 16 complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 14 complaints
- Electrical System 8 complaints
Of the 128 complaints on file, 25 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 128 complaints, owners report 27 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$6,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Kia RIO faces many challenges with engine cooling, air bags, and brakes. Frequent engine cooling issues and a significant number of airbag-related complaints underscore its below-average reliability. Additionally, known issues with the fuel system can lead to potential safety hazards.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine cooling | 80,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,200 | very common |
| airbags | 60,000–90,000 miles | $400–$900 | common |
| service brakes | 70,000–100,000 miles | $300–$700 | common |
| fuel system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
| seat belts | 60,000–90,000 miles | $150–$350 | rare |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Brake inspection every 10,000 miles
- Coolant change every 30,000 miles
- Timing belt replacement at 60,000 miles
- Transmission fluid check every 30,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Overheating or coolant leaks
- Brake pedal sponginess
- Airbag warning light on
- Fuel odor from engine bay
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Kia Rio at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.