2003 Kia Rio Consumer Reviews

Disappointed.

Vehicle

2003 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I bought this car second hand from a guy who drove mostly highway. In the few months that I have owned it The hatchback has locked up several times, the driver's side door only works half the time (meaning I have to climb out the passenger seat). The car has stalled on me in mid-intersection. The engine light came on and car started to lug, had to pull over it lost all acceleration. The engine constantly revs and drops back down making it impossible to get to the speed you want easily. The back right window will not open from drivers panel. Overall I'm really unhappy with this car and regret buying it.
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Kia Rio

Vehicle

2003 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I had this car for two years and had a lot of problems with it mechanically. Through the short time I had it, it dropped a cylinder, the timing belt broke, bending all of the valves and the ball bearing went bad three times. It was very fuel efficient and not a bad deal for the price, but there is a reason that they are so inexpensive.
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2003 Kia Rio

Vehicle

2003 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I have had this car for 4 years now and have had no issues with it. It has been very reliable, although a little small and not a lot of power. The fuel economy is great, I spend about $40.00/month driving it when gas prices are lower and about $60.00 per month in the summer season. The only thing that has ticked me off is that the paint on mine has started to chip off the door handles and the clear coat is coming off, not sure if this is a defect that only I have had issues with.
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Not a bad ride

Vehicle

2003 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The car had limited power but was reliable and had amazing gas mileage. There were numerous problems but each was a low cost repair or not worth repairing. All door locks failed to work, doors would not stay shut in the winter, interior lights flashed, check engine light turned on and off, there was always oil in the 3rd cylinder, clutch began wearing at 70,000 miles, front brakes were replaced at 60,000 miles. Various noises started coming from the front end or engine after about 60,000 miles. I miss the fuel economy but the car was traded in at 78,000 miles do to numerous problems. Though because of reliability, I upgraded to another kia product.
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Fine Piece of Machinery

Vehicle

2003 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I took over ownership of the car at 17000 miles from my Dad. Currently it has over 92000 miles on it and runs like new.Fuel economy is great.I live in Chicago currently and consistently return over 30mpg in heavy traffic and lots of urban driving.Open road and under less stressful conditions at my previous residence I was consistently returning 36-41 depending on the situation.Kia has the stigma of being cheap but I assure this car is not cheap.It performs very well and I have spent nothing on maintenance except for the usual things like oil changes.The only thing special I do with it is that I use a product called engine restore after each oil change.Kia has done a great job.
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No more Kias

Vehicle

2003 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Worst Car ever once I got it I had to take in in after a few months do to the weather guard on the windows being deformed. Tires blow out so fast on this tire it's not even funny. If it weren't for the great mileage it would have no up side.
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should've been great

Vehicle

2003 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought this car second hand from an elderly lady with 8,300 miles on it, and at first I loved it. Good performance due to light weight, and great mileage (32 mpg) certainly had me feeling good when gas prices soared. Love the warranty coverage, though I've had to use it throughly, and this was the cars ultimate undoing. By 61,000 miles of mixed city, suburban and long highway drives, it has gone through several (4- 5) sets of front wheel bearings, a control arm, a few sensors (check engine light comes on every spring for something different) and a TRANSMISSION. I'm currently facing another failed sensor, an ominous noise that the dealer says is "normal" and spotty starts. Hoped for better.
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Money Saver

Vehicle

2003 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The car is money saver, It's uncomfortable, noisy, unsafe (poor at stopping), but I’ve saved so much. Yes, 41 mpg, is obtainable by keeping the air filter replaced, along with running 93 octane and your good to go (on a 10 gallon tank it’s only a buck more to put the 93 in). The 2008’s I would expect to be a little better in comfort.
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Nice, inexpensive little car

Vehicle

2003 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Bought this little car for my basic point a to point b daily work commute. Very happy with it so far. Very good to excellent condition with 64,000 miles on it. Good ride for its size, very good to excellent gas mileage (32-33 combined city/highway), very maneuverable, decent acceleration. Bought it used, purchase price was excellent (that's due to the rather high depreciation of Kia's). Drove it from Nebraska to Arizona and back without any problems. Have become quite fond of and pleasantly surprised by this little car.
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Build quality

Vehicle

2003 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Overall the car has been reliable, requiring little maintenance. However many smaller items such as door handles, rear hatch handle, wiper arms, and headlight bulbs fail. Also horn no longer works, keyless entry no longer works, and power locks malfunction, indicating poor electrical system.
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