Used 2003 Kia Rio Consumer Reviews
Used Rio for sale
A Flimsy Car
MichaelZ, 02/16/2024
updated 02/18/2025
2003 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
UPDATE: I still think the 03 Rio Cinco was a flimsy car! And I am still driving my 99 Toyota Camry - just made a 120 mile round trip as it completes about 280K miles! And it starts in -10F temps, kept outside! I had the 2003 Rio Cinco Wagon. Right off the bat, the AC leaked flooded and ruined the blower. After a new blower, it still flooded inside. After a dealer run-around, I found the problem was the tiny outlet hole that quickly clogged with leaves and debri. All the dealer did was punch a screw driver though the debris and charged me an hour of labor! I fixed the problem myself by putting a smaller hose through the opening making it impossible to clog. Also, right from the start, the car would misfire in wet weather! Shortly after the warranty expired, the front tire nearly fell off due to suspension/steering parts failing - this car could not handle the rough roads (like other cars we have can). The brake proportioning valve went - $350 kaching! The AC went - $450 kaching! (Or bake your brains out as the vent would produce 100F fresh air). More suspension problems - $300 kaching! Timing belt failure at 150K - $1500 kaching! Wheels constantly knocked out of align at the slightest bumps a tires wearing out and even blowing out at 10k miles or less. The shifter would not even move as the linkage was on the underside of the car exposed to the elements so we replaced that. And the clutch went out! Finally, my son who I gave the car to for college abandoned it 6 years ago and then it would not even start so it was pushed to where it could be towed for scrap. A poorly built and engineered car all the way around. And for comparison, we still drive around a 1999 Toyota Camry that endures the same harsh weather and road conditions!
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That Engine Don't Burn Straight
Denise Vosburgh, 06/21/2016
2003 Kia Rio Cinco 4dr Wagon (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
Timing belt has built in obsolescence making Engine seizure almost guaranteed. Should be check at 30K, replaced every 60K. Edmunds does not offer any real guarantees and does not apparently do the repair work recommended by the manufacturer. Lemon! YOU ARE ALMOST GUARANTEED ONE HEADACHE AFTER ANOTHER.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2003 Kia Rio for sale near you
Showing 3 of 3 listings
- Cinco WagonMSRP: $2,290656 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: $2,9502,203 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: $2,9992,298 mi away
good little car
altimax9091, 02/16/2012
2003 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
i replaced the timing belt and water pump at 60k ...a lot of people don't know ...right now has 92k ..its been reliable ..really good in gas since its standar ..power windows terrible ..don`t work ..but i don`t care as long the a/c, heater works ..very cheap to fix , parts etc ..and looks easy , my friend has a rio that has 140k and still running strong
The Kia Rio is a Great Deal
KellyAnn, 10/23/2003
2003 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
As a commuter college student purchasing a new car, I chose the Kia Rio for its affordable price, outstanding warranty, and dependability. I'm terrible at parallel parking, so I chose the Rio for its small size. However, the car is actually quite spacious, and even my father, who stands 6'4", commented on how much leg room he had while riding in my back seat.