2002 Kia Rio
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 48 of 149 complaints (32%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (27) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 223 in 2001 to 149 in 2002.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | vs. 2002 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–2,500 | 2,400–2,600 | 2,400–2,500 | 2,400–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–26 | 24–26 | 25–26 | 24–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–24 / 28–29 | 22–23 / 27–29 | 22–23 / 30 | 21–23 / 29–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 342–355 | 342–370 | 342–355 | 342–370 | |
| Complaints filed | 223 | 149 | 82 | 50 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 21 | 28 | 8 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 14 | 9 | 2 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 12 | 31 | 8 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
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 2002 Kia Rio have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2002 Kia Rio?
Engine: 48 of 149 NHTSA complaints (32%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Kia Rio get?
EPA rates it 24–26 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Kia Rio?
EPA estimates $2,400–$2,600 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) | 27 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 370 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 23 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 | 48 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 19 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical | 11 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 22 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 17 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 35 | 23 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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 (1)
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.