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Check by VIN to confirm the
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 (3)
Seat belts: rear/other
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." WHEN USED WITH CERTAIN CHILD SEATS, THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR (ALR) FUNCTION IN THE REAR OUTBOARD SEATBELT ASSEMBLIES MAY DISENGAGE.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF A CHILD SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR OUTBOARD SEATBELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI-KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Child seat
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS WILL NOT FULLY LATCH ONTO THE LOWER LATCH ANCHORS LOCATED BETWEEN THE REAR SEAT BACK AND REAR SEAT CUSHION BECAUSE OF INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHILD SEAT ANCHORS AND A METAL WIRE LOCATED IN THE FRAME OF THE REAR SEAT BACK. UNTIL THE RECALL REPAIR IS COMPLETED, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY YOUR CHILD SEATS MANUFACTURER ON HOW TO PROPERLY INSTALL THE CHILD SEAT WITH YOUR VEHICLE'S REAR SAFETY BELTS RATHER THAN USING THE LATCH SYSTEM.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE CHILD SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER ANCHORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
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 (3)
Show 3 Canadian recalls
Seats and restraints
2006-08-28 · campaign 2006-204
On certain vehicles, the rear outboard seat belts Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may disengage when used with certain child seats. If this occurs the child seat will only be restrained by the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) function. As a result certain child seats may not be properly secured. Correction: Dealers will replace both rear outboard seat belt assemblies.
Seats and restraints
2005-12-28 · campaign 2005-404
Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of CMVSS 210.2. The child restraint fixture anchor may contact the rear seat back frame. This interference prevents the forward most portion of the anchor from adequately penetrating the child lower anchors. In the event of a crash, if the child seat is not properly secured, personal injury or death could occur. Correction: Dealers will replace the child lower anchors.
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 (74)
Owners filed 74 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Kia Rio (8 crashes, 2 fires, 7 injuries reported). Among 24 model years of this model, it ranks #5 for the most complaints (median 39).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 19 | |
| Electrical system | 15 | |
| Power train | 12 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 12 | |
| Seat belts | 7 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 6 | |
| Steering | 4 | |
| Suspension | 4 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Kia Rio.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2003 Kia Rio 4-DR. | – | – | – | – |
| 2003 Kia Rio 4-DR. Wagon | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2003 Kia Rio version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Rio 1.6 L Automatic 4-spd | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Rio 1.6 L Manual 5-spd | 23 | 30 | 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.