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NHTSA model-year recall report

2003 Kia RIO Recalls

3 campaigns in our verified NHTSA snapshot, with source consequences, remedies, and VIN-specific next steps.

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3

NHTSA campaigns

3

Affected systems

0

Urgent advisories

Aug 4, 2006

Latest campaign date

At a glance

What the record says

This model year's count is above the Kia RIO average of 1.4 campaigns per listed year. That is context only—not proof that this year is safer or less safe.

The most frequent affected category is Seat Belts › Rear/other, appearing in 1 campaign.

  1. 1

    Read

    Review every campaign and urgent instruction below.

  2. 2

    Verify

    Check your exact VIN with NHTSA or the manufacturer.

  3. 3

    Repair

    Contact an authorized dealer if a campaign applies.

Source campaign records

All 2003 Kia RIO recall campaigns

Shown newest first. NHTSA summary, consequence, and remedy text is preserved without truncation.

NHTSA campaign 06V294000

Seat Belts › Rear/other

Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

Reported Aug 4, 2006

What is recalled

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." WHEN USED WITH CERTAIN CHILD SEATS, THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR (ALR) FUNCTION IN THE REAR OUTBOARD SEATBELT ASSEMBLIES MAY DISENGAGE.

Safety consequence

IF A CHILD SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR OUTBOARD SEATBELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI-KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 05V557000

Child Seat

Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

Reported Dec 12, 2005

What is recalled

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS WILL NOT FULLY LATCH ONTO THE LOWER LATCH ANCHORS LOCATED BETWEEN THE REAR SEAT BACK AND REAR SEAT CUSHION BECAUSE OF INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHILD SEAT ANCHORS AND A METAL WIRE LOCATED IN THE FRAME OF THE REAR SEAT BACK. UNTIL THE RECALL REPAIR IS COMPLETED, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY YOUR CHILD SEATS MANUFACTURER ON HOW TO PROPERLY INSTALL THE CHILD SEAT WITH YOUR VEHICLE'S REAR SAFETY BELTS RATHER THAN USING THE LATCH SYSTEM.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE CHILD SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER ANCHORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

NHTSA campaign 04V179000

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery

Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

Reported Apr 9, 2004

What is recalled

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE OF THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR IS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE OR CRACKING DURING REMOVAL OF THE QUICK CONNECT COUPLING SECURING THE MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLY TO THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE, OR WHEN FORCE IS ACCIDENTALLY APPLIED TO THE INTAKE NIPPLE DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS OR DURING ENGINE COMPARTMENT REPAIRS.

Safety consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Campaign history does not confirm applicability or repair status for one VIN.

Campaign details

Other Kia RIO model years

Compare campaign histories within the same model. Counts are descriptive, not a safety grade.

20221 campaign20212 campaigns20201 campaign20191 campaign20181 campaign20172 campaigns20162 campaigns20151 campaign20141 campaign20131 campaign
View all model years

Other 2003 Kia recall reports

2003 Kia Sedona4 campaigns2003 Kia Optima2 campaigns2003 Kia Sorento1 campaign

2003 Kia RIO recall questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Kia RIO have?

This verified dataset contains 3 NHTSA campaigns associated with the 2003 Kia RIO. A campaign can apply to some, not all, vehicles of the same model year.

Does this confirm an open recall for my 2003 Kia RIO?

No. This page is a model-year campaign history. Use NHTSA's official lookup or an authorized dealer to confirm whether a campaign applies to your exact VIN and whether the repair remains open.

Are vehicle recall repairs free?

When a safety recall campaign applies to your VIN, the manufacturer remedy is generally provided at no charge through an authorized dealer. Confirm eligibility and scheduling with the manufacturer or dealer.

Source: NHTSA. Dataset includes campaigns through Jul 30, 2026. Last processed Aug 8, 2026. Methodology