2001 Kia Rio
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 56 of 223 complaints (25%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | vs. 2001 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–2,500 | 2,400–2,600 | 2,400–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–26 | 24–26 | 25–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–24 / 28–29 | 22–23 / 27–29 | 22–23 / 30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 342–355 | 342–370 | 342–355 | |
| Complaints filed | 223 | 149 | 82 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 1 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 21 | 28 | 8 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 14 | 9 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 12 | 31 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2001 Kia Rio have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2001 Kia Rio?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 56 of 223 NHTSA complaints (25%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Kia Rio get?
EPA rates it 25–26 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2001 Kia Rio?
EPA estimates $2,400–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 355 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 24 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 342 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 53 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 24 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 25 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 56 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 46 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 28 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
WHEELS · Campaign 05V159000 · Apr 20, 2005
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE A MANUFACTURING FLAW THAT COULD CAUSE THE WHEELS TO CRACK UNDER LONG TERM DRIVING FATIGUE. IF CRACKS OCCUR, WHEEL NOISE AND VIBRATION WILL RESULT AND BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME.
Consequence: IF THE CRACK IS SEVERE, THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FOUR WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY · Campaign 04V179000 · Apr 20, 2004
Defect: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 03V352000 · Sep 30, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUEL LEAKS MAY DEVELOP AT THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY BECAUSE OF QUALITY DEVIATIONS.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND FUEL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.