Consumer Complaint Detail

KIA / RIO / 2002

Recalls
0 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
No Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 006065105 Incident Date: May, 08 2006
Consumer's City: CLINTON TOWNSHIP Consumer's State: MI
Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO Manufacturers Name: Kia Motors America
Model Name: RIO Model Year: 2002
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Power train:automatic transmission
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No Persons Injured: 0
Vehicle's VIN#: KNADC123526 Date added to File: May, 23 2021
Date Complaint Received: May, 11 2006 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: No Purchase Date: Jan, 19 2002
Was Original Owner: Yes Anti-lock Brakes: No
Number of Cylinders: 4 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: Since approximately one year after purchasing my 2002 kia rio, i have had on-going transmission problems. at various times while driving the transmission 'slams' into gear, or shutters. although i have brought this issue to the attention of three different dealerships, and kia corporate, they claim that there is no issue or that they can not identify the problem. they claimed at one point that the transmission fluid was dirty (although it was well below the recommended service mileage), so i had a third party service station perform a complete transmission fluid/filter change. however, the problem has continued, and now a year later the dealership is again telling me that it is the fluid - which i have never heard an issue like this being caused by fluid, but if this is true, there is another issue in that the transmission fluid should not have to be changed every 6-12 months. i recently brought my car to a certified mechanic, and he was able to identify the problem as a torque converter and a tcc prematurely engaging, as well as a transmission 'shutter'. he provided me with written documentation of the issue, and i returned to the dealership. again, the dealership said there was no issue and the symptoms are 'normal'. this vehicle is a lemon, and i am unable to obtain proper service from kia, and i am very concerned that the vehicle could become a safety hazard should the symptoms continue to get worse, or the transmission completely fail while driving. *jb