2002 Kia Rio Consumer Reviews

Loooooove this car!!

Vehicle

2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

i just wanted to let everyone know what happened to me so it won't happen to you. i bought this car in 2007 with 20,000 miles for $4000. i know it's horrible but i only got maybe 3 or 4 oil changes. the car has 107,000 miles now. but this car just kept on going. i hit a wall on the highway goin about 50 and i just drove it away. never ever had a problem until 80,000 miles needed new wheel bearings. almost $500. not too bad. kept on going til pulling into my driveway one day it just dies! i knew it was the end because the car had been so good to me it was gonna end its life pulling into the driveway. got it towed to the mechanic and yup, the timing chain broke. broke the engine, $2500 to fix.
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Cheap and Crappy

Vehicle

2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought this car with 50,000 and it has been nothing but problems from day 1. I want to sell it ASAP so I dont have to keep paying for it. My mechanic said that is just a cheap car.
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Love my Rio!!!!!

Vehicle

2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I bougth my Rio used with about 50,000 miles on it in 2004. I've only put normal maintanence in it, except for the rear wheel barring that need to be replaced. I absolutely love driving it!!!! I'll be buying a Sportage in the next few months, but I will be keeping my Rio. It will remain my go to car, at least until it dies. I'm at 150,000 miles right now and hopeing I'll get a 100,000 more out of it. Not much on luxury, but a true JOY to drive!!!!!!!
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Mixed bag

Vehicle

2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I love my little Kia... except that this year has many problems. You either get one that will last forever, or you get an utter lemon. My luck has given me the latter. These things have a nasty habit of bad grounds, blowing head gaskets, and having sensors go out... all at a premium cost if you can even find the parts. If the car were more reliable, I would recommend it to anyone. What I love is the handling. The car is fun to toss around in S-turns and roundabouts. I like the interior and it is comfortable. RPM spin a little high on the freeway, but then the motor is tiny, so what do you expect.
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So So Car

Vehicle

2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Recently bought this used Kia Rio Cinco with 33.000 original miles. Weak performance, especially with a/c on. Engine light is on and not fixed yet. Unknown why light is on. Car handles badly with vibrations, etc. A car with only 33k miles should not have these problems. My 1991 Buick regal I sold to buy this Kia was a lot better running car. No more Kia for me.
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Do not buy one

Vehicle

2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought my Rio in January with 68K miles and not after 5 months of driving the engine died! I was on the freeway and it seized! After inspection they thought it was a timing belt but in the process of inspection of the engine found that the lower part of the engine died and then broke the timing belt, spark plugs blown into bits and pieces! After call KIA they said that the last 2 years they made better engines and the engine in the 2002 was not "good." They tried to sell me a new kia but after my experance I will never buy a kia and never recommend them to a friend, in fact I told my friend who owns a kia to sell his fast! Don't get one!
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My red hot kia rio

Vehicle

2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I got my kia used for $2000.00. My check engine light came on after four days. So I took it to auto zone. It was the mass air sensor. Then I took it to kia they told me it would be $360.00 to fix. I started asking around. You can buy cleaner for the sensor. It will fix the problem most of the time. You can get the mass air sensor cleaner at autozone for $7.00. If you take the air filter out spray the cleaner there with someone giving the car gas for about a min. This safed me $360.00.
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Great economy car very dependable.

Vehicle

2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is my second Kia Rio 4 door sedan. I buy the base model with no power steering, no air, no radio. I live in Minnesota and in the winter at 20-30 below zero it always starts right away and heats up in less then 2 miles of driving. Gas mileage is 33-35 city and 45-48 highway. This car uses the old Mazda 626 drivetrain and so it is a very dependable car. Several of my family members have also purchased either the Rio, or Sophia. Just a really dependable vehicle for the day to day drive, with a fully adjustable drivers seat (On the Rio only). Maintenance through the dealership is very reasonable compared to other cars.
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The Little Rio That Could

Vehicle

2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is a follow-up on this car. In short, I bought it early summer 2008 USED with 69K on the odometer. It's coming up on 100000. By the end of this year it'll be beyond that. Things I've replaced so far are four sets of tires about 5 oil changes and a right rear wheel bearing that was going. Other than that, this car is still going. I live in Florida and without AC you'd die out here. I have not had to refill the AC unit yet. It's still going strong. One of the best AC units out there. I'm going to put tint on the windows this winter and see if that'll make a difference. I'm still on the original brake pads when I bought the car.
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120,000 and still running great

Vehicle

2002 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

My cinco has been the most reliable car I've ever owned. I'm so happy with it I'm buying another kia. Why can't we build cars this reliable. I only wish they put a light in the glove compartment.
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