Consumer Complaint Detail

KIA / RIO / 2002

Recalls
1 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
Yes Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 007106977 Incident Date: May, 22 2007
Consumer's City: MERCED Consumer's State: CA
Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO Manufacturers Name: Kia Motors America
Model Name: RIO Model Year: 2002
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Electrical system:ignition:module
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: Yes Persons Injured: 1
Vehicle's VIN#: KNADC123826 Date added to File: May, 23 2021
Date Complaint Received: May, 24 2007 Complaint Type: LETR
Incident Reported To Police: Yes Purchase Date: Jul, 01 2002
Was Original Owner: Yes Anti-lock Brakes: Yes
Number of Cylinders: 4 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: 2002 kia rio, purchased new and maintained in excellent condition with regular maintenance. had 61,000 miles and while driving, my daughter smelled something burning, engine light came on and at the same time, smoke was coming in through the air vents. she immediately pulled over, stopped the car and removed her keys. the ignition started on its own and the car engine erupted into flames. the car is totally destroyed. fire and highway patrol reports were taken at the scene and car was towed to kia dealership in clovis ca. service manager stated he had taken pictures and became investigation. when i went in to see the car and take pictures, the service team was completely apathetic and rude. i made a call to kia consumer affairs, and found that the report had not been submitted. the individual at kia consumer affairs was extremely helpful and attempted to call the dealership as well. her calls were not returned. my daughter was extremely lucky and only suffered first degree burns to the face, and smoke inhalation that exacerbated her asthma. according to the fire investigator, the fire was caused by an over-filling of transmission fluid by 1 quart. the consumer stated when she saw the vehicle the day after, there was no fluid anywhere. the consumer believed there was a defect with the vehicle possibly related to a recall, which was supposedly had been taken care of at the dealership. *jb updated 06/21/07. *jb