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Here Are The Kia Rio Years To Avoid

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Kia Rio on a highway

Source: Pixabay

The Kia Rio is a subcompact vehicle people enjoy for a comfortable ride. It has plenty of luxury features while maintaining the structure of a traditional vehicle. The car has been on the market since 1999, so there are many models to choose from for the average individual. There are also many Kia Rio years to avoid.

If you want a Kia Rio, it’s critical to know the Kia Rio years to avoid. Some of them are better than others. CoPilot can help you locate the years that are worth your money and those that will be less than ideal to drive on the road. We’ll help you find the right Kia Rio.

Quick Answer - Avoid Kia Rio Year Models 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

In all the years of production, some Kia Rio models have been worse than others. Some years are worse than others. We recommend staying away from the 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 models. 

The biggest troubles with the Kia Rio lie in the engine, transmission, and fuel consumption. These troubles can be expensive to deal with and take time out of your day. Know which Kia Rio years to avoid to have the best possible experience as an owner.


OTHER CAR SHOPPING APPS ARE OUTDATED

You won’t realize how outdated other car searching apps are until you try the CoPilot car shopping app. CoPilot does the hard work for you by searching all of the listings in your area and intelligently creating a personalized list of the best buys in the area that match what you’re looking for.


Which Models of the Kia Rio Are Safe to Buy Used?

There are also some excellent Kia Rio years to choose from if you have your heart set on the subcompact car. These will allow you to explore the road and travel in safety and comfort.

According to carcomplaints.com, here are some of the best models of Kia Rio:

  • 1999 Kia Rio
  • 2000 Kia Rio
  • 2005 Kia Rio
  • 2006 Kia Rio
  • 2010 Kia Rio
  • 2015 Kia Rio
  • 2016 Kia Rio
  • 2017 Kia Rio
  • 2018 Kia Rio
  • 2019 Kia Rio
  • 2020 Kia Rio
  • 2021 Kia Rio

There is little to worry about if you invest in one of these years. They are reliable and have very few complaints from customers. The newest ones are the most ideal for drivers interested in the Kia Rio.

Of course, there are still a few troubles that arise with these models. The 2019 Kia Rio had windshield and electrical troubles, while the 2018 Kia Rio had exterior and interior accessory faults. Still, these are minimal compared to the worst Kia Rio models.

Which Models of the Kia Rio Are Not Safe to Buy Used?

Many Kia Rio models will satisfy your every need, but there are other Kia Rio years to avoid. If you’re looking for the most use out of your investments, some options aren’t safe to purchase.


THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE KIA RIO

We’ll point out that car buying should include other factors, like safety performance, which isn’t covered in this article. Keep reading as we explore the most reliable Kia Rio years


According to carcomplaints.com, here are the Kia Rio years to avoid:

  • 2001 Kia Rio
  • 2002 Kia Rio
  • 2003 Kia Rio
  • 2004 Kia Rio
  • 2007 Kia Rio
  • 2008 Kia Rio
  • 2009 Kia Rio
  • 2011 Kia Rio
  • 2012 Kia Rio
  • 2013 Kia Rio
  • 2014 Kia Rio

The worst trouble to plague the Kia Rio is engine troubles. Many models experienced engine seizures, engine knocking, and timing chain troubles. The 2001, 2007, and 2011 models are the worst for the engine.

The 2001 Kia Rio experienced intermittent loss of power regularly. It’s not safe to hit the road with an engine that spontaneously dies on you. 

Several Kia Rio models experienced crazy fuel consumption troubles. The 2013 Kia Rio is the guiltiest with multiple complaints about the way it guzzles fuel on the road. You won’t get the most for your money with these models.


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Common Kia Rio Problems

According to repairpal.com, the Kia Rio has a reliability rating of 4.55. It’s a very reliable vehicle on the market today. Still, there are some prominent troubles you should know about to make your experience as an owner an excellent one.

Here are a few of the most common Kia Rio troubles:

  • Buggy infotainment - Some Kia Rios have an infotainment system that spontaneously glitches. In this case, the sound doesn’t come out of the speakers.
  • Loud engine - Rattling and pinging noises can arise from the engine. It can be a distraction on the road.
  • Constant check engine light - Some Kia Rio owners reported a check engine light that falsely informed them of trouble with their system.
  • Transmission troubles - Many report the transmission as confused. It seems uncertain whether or not it should shift into a particular gear.

Problem Counts By Year

Previous owners of a vehicle are a valuable asset for interested customers. Let’s take a look at the problem counts by the year to determine which are the worst of the worst. 

According to carcomplaints.com, here are the number of problems reported for the Kia Rio by year:

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How Do You Find a Quality Kia Rio Near You?

It can be intimidating to search for a Kia Rio by yourself. We have the solution for you - the CoPilot car shopping app. The technology searches for dealerships operating in your area, looking for one that will suit your needs. You can look for the ideal vehicle right from the screen of your device.

You’re not missing out on anything with this app - CoPilot takes advantage of the same technology as dealerships. It makes the shopping process much simpler for those who are easily overwhelmed. 


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Those interested in newer models can look into CoPilot Compare, the search engine for nearly-new cars. If you take advantage of this program, you’ll only see models five years old or newer. They also have low mileage, most with CPO availability. CoPilot Compare will break down the price comparison if your purchase used versus if you invest in a new car.

There’s no need to worry about sponsored ads here - we don’t work with dealerships to get our information. Learn more about how CoPilot works on our About Us page. We can’t wait to help you find the Kia Rio of your dreams.



Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.