Used 2002 Kia Rio Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Good second car
tkorcal, 05/05/2004
2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Has been a good dependable second car. Too small for primary vehicle of family. Would be good for young person also. No problems, Oil changes only.
Great value
Larry Hofmeister, 06/04/2004
2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
For a $7000 car this thing has been very impressive. Runs like a watch, comfortable to drive, great mileage and nice looking car.
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See all 0 listingsto quote the Simpson's; "Worst Car Ever"
Randy, 08/30/2006
2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My wife actually bought the car before we got married. It seemed like a cute little car. It was also nice that it had a "warranty". However, the first time it rained, the entire trunk filled with water. When I checked about the seals, and how to have them replaced, they were not covered as a warranty piece. I tried to seal it several times, but they never seemed to stick in place. At 55mph, we had a loud whistle noise in a door that the dealer could not figure out. It was a non-fixable air leak in the window seal. Then, my favorite, at 55,000 miles, it mushroomed a piston-head. I could only prove 18 of 19 oil changes, so it was considered not under warranty. Kia, the enclosed go-cart!
Wish I had Not Purchased
hatetherio, 01/04/2003
2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had my Kia Rio for about 16 months now. The whistling noise is more than annoying, I have already had to replace the brakes and tires, although the gas milage is great there is nothing else good I could say about the car, I am trading it in this week for something much much more reliable.
2002 Kia Rio!
Kevin Zollner, 01/16/2003
2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Runs great, looks good, and I really lke the car.
5 reasons I returned mine....
lizm1, 03/27/2002
2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I drove mine for one full week. 1. After 300 miles, my tires are already squeeking. 2. The car has absolutely NO control in icy or snowy conditions...I've been slipping and sliding all week. 3. The trunk doesn't close properly. You have to push down precisely in the middle. 4. My insurance company wouldn't insure it because (and I quote) "They fall apart too easily". 5. The "new car smell" is very fishy and gave me a headache. ---I was lucky enough that they tried to pull the "Your Financing Didn't go Through scam". I opted to not try to finance it again and I returned it. I'm buying year old Honda instead.
Excellent Little Car!
April, 04/29/2008
2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This vehicle has made me consider never buying an American car again! I love my little Kia Rio and have never had any major problems with it except routine work. I have an hour commute to work, so I needed something with better gas mileage, and this certainly has it. Having never driven a four cylinder before, I was worried that I wouldn't like the slower pick-up. I was pleasantly surprised to discover how fast it could go to 70 or 75 on the freeway. Also, for such a small car it is awfully roomy (This is coming from someone who is 5'10 keep in mind)
Don't waste your money
total garbage, 05/06/2008
2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car and have had nothing but problems. the dealer is crappy they don't even work with the buyer. The car makes a horrible squealing sound when driving, the bolts from the steering wheel fall out when driving the car. the air bag light stays on, the car rattles when driving, this car is a total lemon and I am not afraid to share it with anybody, You couldn't pay me enough to drive another Kia. when I am able to get rid of this one it needs to go to a junkyard so no other poor soul has to deal with the cost of monthly repairs to keep it on the road.
Great little gas saver
Jennifer, 06/04/2021
2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My 2002 Kia Rio was a great little car it has over 280.000 miles by now or more i bought the 02 Rio in December of 2013 from a friend that had the car since brand new when it only just had 3 miles on the clock in when got the Rio the only 116,000 miles on it but since I drive a lot only in 2 years I putted 200.000 miles on the clock in late December 2015 I started to have troubles with the Rio when it only had 208.330 miles I started having transmission problems one day on dec 31 2015 my Rio transmission would not get in to gear and drove at 25 mph and would stop a light but when the would turn green I wouldn’t be able to go thru the green light in time but made it home but pulling in to my drive way my motor started to smoke so I was already in my driveway and I It mediately put it neutral and turned the motor off so after that 2 weeks I got a new transmission in it and it was all back being into my normal daily driver but a month later I gave it to my neighbor cause I gotten a used 2015 Kia Rio so I gave to my neighbor and he said it has done him good
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A mixed bag.
Joseph, 07/10/2021
2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The head gasket will fail before 120k and the manual transmission will usually explode, due to a faulty bolt in the clutch assembly around the same time. But fun to drive and great gas mileage. Try to find one built 2006 or later if you prefer a reliable car. I put nearly 300,000 on mine, but I'm weird. Most people aren't going to go through the effort and cost of rebuilding these if they aren't comfortable doing it themselves.
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Solid and Sane
albuscornix, 07/09/2009
2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have had no problems with the car so far, it runs well, gets amazing mileage, and is fairly comfortable, the interior is a little cheap, but it keeps moving and thats what matters.
I hate this car...
alvaniceia, 08/15/2002
2002 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought my Kia in October of 00' and was pushed into it I felt like, by the dealership and sales guy. I bought the car basic. No A/C no radio, no power steering etc. Manual...First of all the air bag light has been on since about 25thousand miles have been on my car, Im up to about 80,000 miles and the air bag light is still on for no apparent reason, Ive taken it to the dealership in Highland IN several times in the past the service is HORRIBLE, they treat U like CRAP! Every visit to try to get the light right I waited 4 and 5 hours at a time only to leave and before Id make it to my door step the light would be on again. I love the model but hate the car