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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (1)
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Canadian recalls (1)
Show 1 Canadian recall
Fuel system
2003-11-12 · campaign 2003-279
On certain 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. If this occurs, fuel leakage can result and fire may occur if an ignition source is present. Correction: Dealer will install a redesigned fuel distributor and main fuel tube assembly.
Owner complaints (128)
Owners filed 128 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Kia Rio (25 crashes, 6 fires, 27 injuries, 1 deaths reported). Among 24 model years of this model, it ranks #3 for the most complaints (median 39).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 39 | |
| Air bags | 21 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 18 | |
| Seat belts | 16 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 14 | |
| Suspension | 9 | |
| Electrical system | 8 | |
| Structure | 8 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Kia Rio.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2002 Kia Rio 4-DR. Wagon | – | – | – | – |
| 2002 Kia Rio 4-DR. | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2002 Kia Rio version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Rio 1.5 L Automatic 4-spd | 22 | 27 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Rio 1.5 L Manual 5-spd | 23 | 29 | 26 | $2,600 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.