Used 2001 Kia Rio Consumer Reviews
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Careful
When I bought my Rio it was clean, I mean clean like new, you could still smell that new car smell in it, the other owner took such a good care of it and I was very exited to have a car that was so new, so I drove it to work and home and one day when I parked the car at work a piston broke off and that was the end of the car, for no reason or now warning signs a piston broke and now I have to change the whole engine. Kia won't cover it (of course) now I have a car that looks new but doesn't run, it has only 60,000 miles and all three mechanics told me it was garbage, so be careful and listen to what people have to say.
Good first car
I bought it used with 98,000 miles. Now it has 138,000. I have driven it across the country and back, with no porblems and good gas mileage Mine gets in the low 30's city, and high 30's highway. It doesnt have much power, put it still runs good at 80 mph, and topped it out at 116. If you don't mind an odd looking car, then get it. It dont have ac or power steering, but its small and not hard to steer, and ac is overated.
- Base SedanMSRP: $4,9991,214 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: N/A1,286 mi away
No real complaints
I bought my rio with 60,000 miles on it, it now has 128,000 and have done nothing but replace the rear wheel bearings, it's very gutless but the manual tranny helps. it should have been made a coupe or roadster, since the backseat is pointless, and a manual w/o a tach. is just silly, but very relaible, economic, and out does all those useless SUV's in every way, especially the handling! I love my car, even though it's not perfect
Great little car
My parents purchased this car for me shortly after they came on the market. I absolutely love this little car. It takes me everywhere, and I have never had a mechanical problem. Even if I did, I'm happy that I have Kia's 10 year warranty. It was super affordable, and easy to trick out. If your're looking for a reliable, fun to drive, and inexpensive car...check out the Rio. This sounds like a comercial, doesn't it!
I love it
It's fun to drive, econmical, and easy on the gas.
Love my Little Car
This little car has been a great one. No issues with regular oil changes, tires, and brakes. It is a tiny car and really only fits the driver comfortably. Kids in the back have absolutely NO leg room,and if you have a passenger next to you be prepared to be close...really close.This little car never did me any wrong, and with had no frills, there was never anything extra to break. It was my daily commuter. The heater in this car works amazingly! Cold start to fully thawed in 5min flat! After ten years it has began to rattle itself to death. To the point where I no longer want to drive on the freeway. I have no interest in getting my little beater fixed, just gonna drive it till it dies.
Worst car ever made!!!!!!
This is the worst car I have ever had. I have had to replace the transmission twice. I had to replace the master cylinder, airbag, brakes and the control modulator. Now the car kis constantly stalling and the Kia dealer mechanics cant even tell me whats wrong with it. If you want a reliable cheap car, save yourself plenty of headaches and buy and hyundai or toyota.
Problem child
I inherited my Rio and have had problems with the motor mounts (heavy shaking). The engine light continued to come on and when I had taken it for a diagnostic they couldn't find the problem. Then we started replacing everything coil, wires, plugs etc. The engine light still came on of course they charged me for another diagnostic! Replaced the #1 fuel injector less than a year ago, seemed to fix the problem. Guess what! The engine light is on again and it's misfiring again due to the #1 fuel injector. This car has been nothing but a HUGE MONEY PIT! My mother is probably rolling over in her grave and very sorry she left me this trash car.
Love it
i absolutely love my kia. i got my rio sedan with about 83,500 miles on it and now has 90,000+. when i bought it the fuel pump was about done with itself so i bought a new fuel pump for $110 and works gret now. while takes a minute to gety up to speed on the highway because of the engine size, the car works great in town.i am nothing but excited to drive this car all the time. sometimes i will find myself just leaving the house to take a cruise just for the sake of driving it. the front ond was rattling alot but i just wrapped some electrical tape around the hook to hole the hood down and it stopped.great car i have owned. my car came with the original radio stereo and has only a tape player
it's great!
I have a 2001, and it's an awesome car. It's very reliable, and it is very stylish as well. One of my favorite things about it is how it doesn't use a ton of gas at one time, it is very conservative about gas usage. I really can't think of any major drawbacks to it, it is an all around great car. I've had it for 5 years and it hasn't let me down yet!
Best Cheap Car on the Market
I got my KIA (with a crappy trade) for under 3 grand, I figured I would just run it thru the warrenty and throw it away. well, I have put 25k on it in one year, and I really like it a lot. Very reliable (new brakes, thats it) more fun to drive than you would think (and mine has a stick and NO power steering). Its a little rough on hills and bumpy roads but for a commuter car, I can't imagine a better deal out there.
Basic Transportation
These ratings are for a car which is basic transportation, not for a $35,000.00 Lexus or Acura. I drive this car 40 miles to work, every other day, (car pool). I have 33,000 miles on it, without one problem. I average 35 mpg. There are no rattles, no squeaks. It has a firm ride, but it gives me what I need. Reliable transportation to and from work, for $9,100.00 plus tax/title.
Reliable car
Not a single problem for more than 1 year of driving in harsh condition like traffic jam, or passing a slow car. I just can't believe this car doesn't has any problem except changing the motor oil and washing it. Other than that I think it's excellent to own it if you don't have much money to spend on car otherwise buy a camry instead if you have family.
Thank Goodness for Warranty
Within 1 year of owning the Kia the rear wheel bearings & automatic transmission gave out. Thankfully it was covered by the warranty & I also had all maintenance records! Have replaced the sun visors, the rubber insulation around the doors. Dealer replaced the pump for the wiper washer fluid and the air conditioning belt, but the belt still squeals & the washer fluid doesn't pump. The paint on the rear bumper is very faded and paid $50 for a plastic radiator fan which likely costs 50 cents in Korea. Saving grace is the gas mileage and that the car is paid for until the next repair, as the warranty has expired.
Great for young or singles - not family!
We bought the car used in 2002; paid WAY too much for it. Kept up with regular maintenance, oil changes and tire needs; started giving us problems once we moved from FL/GA area to TX. Have had the car in shop 3 times since Xmas, replaced fan/timing belts and radiator pcs once it died on freeway. One month later it has completely died - engine out and is more costly to replace. It is great for singles or couples, if you are young and starting out or at college; not meant for family car (space is VERY limited). Excellent gas mileage and great for tight parking spaces. I like Kias, just be sure to do research and know what you are paying for; newer KIA models are worth the investment.
Not worth it
I got this car 2 years ago, and honestly I would have bought something else if I had known what I know now. The check engine light comes on when there is nothing wrong. The parking brake light stays on constantly. It is not a comfortable ride. The vibration is terrible and the car often "jumps" when accelerating. It's not very safe. I was in a minor collision and the other drivers car was not damaged at all, but my bumper fell off and the seatbelt didn't even hold me in place as I bumped my chest into the steering wheel. Its great on gas, but there are much better cars out there for the price.
lemon
I have had a bad experience with this vechile. It has been in the shop 8 times and needs to go back because I am having the same problem I was having a year ago. I don't care for the car and wish there was some way to get out from under it. I thought about getting a lawyer to sue them to get out from under it. I will never buy another Kia as long as I live.
So far so good, so simple.
I bought my Kia Rio in November, 2001 I was skeptical when buying the Kia last year, I had driven a 1987 Honda Accord for many years and didn't want to pay for any more repairs. Along with other financial obligations the Kia Rio was a great deal. I've currently got around 12000 miles on it, and haven't had any troubles at all. We also took it on a trip to New York and it handled very well, however cruise control would have been nice. So far so good....I am cautious as I approach more miles, I hope the "cheapest car in America", can give me Honda dependability.
Been a good one for me
Well, I have had the car for a year now and have no problems whatsoever with it. It has never seen the dealership for anything. No recalls, no mechanical problems. Gets me about 35 to 36mpg on each tank of gas. Standard with air(cold air at that.)If you are looking for a cheap inexpensive vehicle for your kid or you to drive to work and back, then this is your car. I would not recommend it as your only car but for a second vehicle, you can't go wrong.
2001 KIA RIO
Lots of trouble when I first purchased vehicle. It took dealer four service visits to find the problem. I have had no problem for four months, about 6,000 miles,
When you really need a car.....
We've gotten what we expected out of our Kia Rio. It has been reliable through the first 8000 miles, so that's a good sign. Features are very good for a car that cost $11,400 out the door - A/C, multi-adjustable driver seat and armrest are nice features for an econobox. The interior space is a little cramped when putting a car seat in the back. Most surprising feature: Very low interior noise. The sound on the road sounds like a much more expensive car. Overall, if you don't expect a whole lot you may be nicely surprised at how far your dollar goes in a Kia.
No problems-fun to drive-economical
I won this car in May 2001 and have never had it in the shop. (over 17,000 miles on it now)I get good gas mileage but I do wish it were earier to handle on rain and snow (it does do some sliding). I also wish you couldn't hear so much engine noise when doing highway driving (although I do realize that it is only a four cylinder). This car has been reliable, fun to drive and cheap to maintain. It would be great for a college student or as a going to work car. If you do a lot of traveling you might want to buy a car with a little better ride. I personally recommend this car for short trips or in-town driving.
Kia Rio
Reliable, fiesty, economical, great short drive vehicle. Interior is a little tight for long trips but its great handling and above assets make it an ideal choice for two or three people to transport
Thank God I got out!!!
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN MARCH 2001 BRAND NEW! WHERE DO I START. LETS SEE.....WE ARE UP TO 25 TIMES IN THE SHOP AS OF TODAY! ENGINE LIGHT, AIR BAG LIGHT, LOSS OF POWER GOING 55MPH. YA WHAT ELSE DO I SAY. I HAVE A LEMON!! AND TO PROVE IT, KIA IS BUYING IT BACK. I HAVE A FEW THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THE CAR, NOT ITS ENGINE, BUT I LIKE ITS HANDLING AND IT DRIVES FUN!!WHEN IT WORKS!!! BUT THE ENGINE IS, I DON'T KNOW SOMETHING IN MINE WAS WRONG??? I WENT THROUGH 3 WATER PUMPS, 2 O2 SENSORS, ALL NEW ELECTRICAL WIRES, YOU NAME IT,ITS BEEN DONE TO THAT CAR. WOW! ANYONE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS?? LAWYER PLEASE!! IT HELPS!
cute but cramped
I have had absolutely no problems with this car, but it is not for a family (I have 4 people!) and not for long trips. If you are larger/taller, it is not for you. Good performance for a small car with auto and air and great on gas mileage. Instrumentation simple and all within easy reach.
Good Cheap Car
I've had my rio for 2 years and I drive a lot of miles. The car has been reliable. For the most part it is comfortable on long drives because of the manual seat controls. However I do wish I could have had cruise control. I get anywhere from 35-38 miles to the gallon on average, but I mostly drive on the freeway. My only complaint would be a whistling sound from the front when traveling over 80mph or when there are strong winds. I did have an engine problem around 50,000 miles, but it was taken care of right away and I was really impressed with the service and concern that was extended to me.
I like my rio but want to sell it
This car is fun to drive if you like to drive a go cart .It has been relly cheap to maintian and have had no problems .The only reason for the average rating is it is CHEAP CAR CHEAP TO DRIVE. gets you around thats it.Really I love to drive it I just would like to look better in a BMW
i hate it
I have had many troubles since i had purchased this car. It has been in the shop a dozen times.Its great on gas but not very roomy . The price was right at the time or so I had thought but i would have never bought this car if i knew then what I know now.
Better Than They Say
This is a peppy car - forget what a few reviewers (and motor magazine article's) are saying about the zip in this car. It's plenty fast, even uphill and certainly on the freeway. We are getting a consistent 28 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. There is lots of front seat room, decent rear seat room if you are careful (!), and a generous trunk space. The Rio handles nimbly. Our Rio has been very dependable with zero dealer repair needs. To tell you the truth, this Rio reminds me a whole bunch like the Honda Accord quality of the mid to late 80's. And that's good, folks!
good cheap car
this car is great for single guy and not suitable for family car.I bought mine on Oct 00 and in Feb 04 i've drove over 60K miles. In 2003 I drove this car from New York to San Jose,California without problem. Things that should be improved from Kia is they need to bigger their second row seat.
Best 4 wheels for the price
I bought the car hardly used (only 2500 miles) from the dealership for less than $5,000. No defects except a little minor damage inside on the cheap shift boot. Besides that the car is a blast to drive. pick up is fine, but shifting can seem tough with the hard gates. I am a highschool student who does a lot of city driving and this car has got me through it all not to mention dirt/off road driving daily... This car is a car for the masses, enjoy
Awesome!
this is an awesome car, i love it i love it i love it....yay!
great car to have
exellent car its neato!
love it
for the money its a great little car,have put 75,000+ miles on it since I bought it new in 2001. Ive been from Wi. to S.C. three times and no problems with it. I've drove it with a foot on snow on road and never got stuck. only problems i've had is a burnt plug wire and visor broke .
Promises they don't keep
I got this on a trade and the gas millage is ok (not what the window sticker says), my transmission started leaking at 54K, this should have been made as a two seater car because there is only six inches between the back of the front seat and the back seat. Here is the killer though that wonderful 100,000 mile warrenty is only good if you are the origional owner. If you aren't it is only good to 60,000 miles and it may even go down if you are the third who knows. One thing that is really good is the comfort if you are the driver I love the versitility of the seat. Lots of trunk space probably bigger than the back seat. Service dept. was really nice.
Cute as a Bug !!
I bought this car to save on gas, since I am a college student who lives outside of town. It has saved me hundreds in gas money and it holds myself and my three children quit comfortably. I will definatly be keeping it around a long while. My favorite question that I get from strangers all the time is..."What do they call that color?"
Not for long trips
I have enjoyed my Kia Rio over the last year. It appears to be well made and even if it is not, the warranty covers it! My biggest concern is that the seats are incredibly stiff. Kia took the time to put an arm rest (wonderful!!!) and multiple seat adjustments, but skimped out on the cushion. Cruise control would have been a nice option. Another problem is the lack of mechanics willing to work on them. The dealer is too high. (as all are) I will probably not buy another one because of the seats and lack of mechanics. But overall I am happy.
You get what you pay for
I get great gas milage (38-43mph) but you get what you pay for. I have named it a "Utilitarian" car, I have the base model, with no bells or whistles. Only a few minor problems (even with 36,420 miles!) The stereo I had put in required a special wiring solution to bypass the fuse block because of shorting out in the fuse box(poor workmanship).
Something
Nice car with cool featurs but it should have faster engine and i wish it came in a two door sport version.
Worth My Money
Bought it with 39000 miles on it. Went through a cold icy winter with only 1 problem - the lock tended to freeze up. But it has always started on the first try, has a great heater. Gas mileage is better than I expected. Because I'm short there is adequate leg room in back of the driver for one of average height.
2001 Kia
I have had no major problems with this car. It needs a lot more power. 98HP is not enough
I love my little green jellybean!
I bought it used with 19,000 miles on it. I drive it 90 miles a day, everyday. So far (knock on wood) I haven't had any major problems. It even drove wonderfully in a foot of snow. Actually i was making it up hills that 4 wheel drive trucks couldn't make it up. I have only had a few minor problems with it...the door lock got frozen (from sitting out in the winter) and broke, also the molding between the driver's side window and the windshield keeps poping off. However, Kia has taken care of these problems for me in a very timely fashion. I would recomend this car to anyone who doesn't want to spend a lot on gas and who have long commutes everyday!!
Make fun if you want, but its a good car
My friends like to pick on my little car, but it is perfect for zipping down the roads. Put a CD player in there and now I am jamming. Learning to drive a 5- speed as my first car was an experience but now I can take off fast and it impresses people that girls can drive a stick!
DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY
Ever since I've gotten my car it's given me hell. There's a squeaking in the right side (maybe the suspension) which the Kia dealer "doesn't know what's wrong with it". The check engine light comes and goes when it pleases. When the weather is cold my car stalls and doesn't shift well; revs really high before shifting into the next gear until the car is completely warmed up 30 minutes later. My brakes went out once - they all of a sudden started rubbing and were completely gone by the time I got home. This car is too light weight -- if there's a breeze you will be flying into the next lane. I haven't been happy with this car or the dealership/ customer service since I got this car.
garbage car of the year
i have a 2001 kia rio sedan and it is more time parked than running.I'm not satisfied with it's performance economy and service is so expensive.To find part is too difficult
My Putt Putt
I love my little car. After 4 years I've had oil changes, tire rotations, and the usual maintenance. No major problems at all. This is the best car I've ever owned. The best part? It's Emerald Green ... my husband and sons won't drive it! LOL People laugh at it, but every winter I drive by the SUV's and bigger cars that go off the road or stall. It's definitely a keeper!
Reliable and Dependable
I have owned the Kia Rio since January 2001. It has been very reliable and dependable. It has some warranty and repair work done in the first two years I owned it, but I never had to pay any out of pocket expenses for repair work on the car. After owning a Plymouth Sundance and a Dodge Neon, this is the most dependable car I have owned. It's well over 100,000 miles now and still going strong. I also hit two deer with the vehicle and it held up very well. This car does not have any special features or a powerful engine, but its good on the gas and gets me where I need to go.
May It Rest In Peace
I drove this car for 6 of it's 8 years of life.... Yesterday a Ford Expedition pulled out in front of me and I T-Bone it.... Air bags deployed as they were supposed to which probably save both my wife an my lives.... The Kia took all the impact and distroyed the front end but the inside was OK... We went to hospital but were relased with only minor nicks and scraps.... I just got back from getting our stuff out of the reckage and had to say good by to an old friend.. Except for minor fix ups and normal oil changes, this car has been a great car for me and my family...... I drive an average of 20,000 miles a year on the freeway and I got 32MPG.. It died with 150000+ miles on it.
One Year Review
Excellent small cheap car. Great city milleage. Exceptional air conditioner system and nice stereo. Very reliable. Already over 15k miles, and have only had to do oil changes. Spending only about $40 a month on gas, or less. Still using same original tires and brakes. Very peppy engine, good for the hills.
My Rio at 2 Years Old
Air bag light came on about as soon as I got it - dealers say moisture, finally after near 2 yrs they are replacing clock spring, trunk leaked when it rained, they're fixing, driver seat broke, they're fixing. It doesn't do well in snow, wind blows it around too much, too light of a vehicle. Windows fog up easily & it's hard to get the defrost to unfog them. Only engine trouble is needed plugs & wires. Back seat room limited, cup holders too small for most cups, armrest can't be used comfortably while shifting, A/C very cold.