Engine Belts And Pulleys problems of the 2002 Kia Motor RIO

I just got my car fixed on mon. 8/25/14. I took it in because it was idling rough. The shop put in new spark plugs and wires. It cost me $180. I drove it home. It was smooth. Then I drove to downtown akron, about 15 miles, to a hike. When I was almost there, my car just went dead while I was driving. I pulled over and parked off the busy road onto a parking lot (part of/by akron university). The car was dead. It made a clicking noise when I tried to start it. I called aaa and they didn't know what was wrong (it had a brand new 6 year battery in it). They towed me back to the shop that had worked on it earlier that day - 15 miles. The next day, 8/26/14, the shop told me the timing belt broke and it ruined the engine. They said kia's have an interference motor. When the belt breaks, it breaks off all the pistons (something like that) and ruins the motor. It can't be fixed. I have to buy a new motor $2000 apprx, or a new car. I live alone and don't have the money for either. I was counting on this car to last me 2-3 more years. A couple of different garages told me it looked good and should last that long at least. I was going to start saving for a new car. This is very unethical of kia. They should not be allowed to make/sell a car that has a motor that self-destructs. I've had other cars and the timing belt broke, but it did not ruin the motor. They just replaced the timing belt. This is horrible! I had no idea, no warning! all the shop I took it to never said a thing! kia should not be allowed to do this. They should at least have to warn you about it! I have a manual and I never saw anything about it in there. My chevy manual had the miles and what you need to do at those miles. The kia book does not. I had no idea!! this should be illegal! total rip off!.

2002 kia Rio. Consumer states timing belt failed the consumer stated the timing belt failed for a second time at 59,059 and destroyed the second engine. The consumer was informed the vehicle would not be covered under warranty, because the original timing belt was not replaced at the proper mileage. The consumer stated the original timing belt was replaced at 53,668 and the replacement belt failed at 59,059 before the recommended 60,000. A kia representative informed the consumer the warranty only extended to the original engine, not the replacement engine.

The contact owns a 2002 kia Rio. While the contact was driving approximately 2-5 mph in the residence driveway, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where they informed that the failure was related to the timing belt. The technician advised that the engine would need to be replaced. Also, previously the spark plugs, and crank shaft position sensor were replaced by the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the compliant. The failure mileage was 103,000. Updated 01/14/11 updated 03/01/11 updated 04/1511.

I have taken my 2002 kia Rio to a certified reputable mechanic. His determination of the faulty engine was due to the fact of a inferior timing belt. His statement was that the timing belt gave out and the engine is designed so that basically when this happens the crankshaft and valves ruin itself due to the broken timing belt. This happening leaves me with basically a $2,000 dollar loss all because of maybe a $100 part.

- the contact owns a 2002 kia Rio. While driving at 35 mph the vehicle stalled and the engine lost power. The steering, the brakes and the emergency brake were locked, the contact was unable to steer the vehicle or stop it which caused a crash with a van. The failure mileage was 77,000. There were no injuries. The vehicle was repaired three times due to the failure. The mechanic stated that the failure was due to the fuel injection system, and later claimed it was the timing belt. The contact experienced the failure after the vehicle was repaired. All of the repairs were at cost to the contact. The dealer stated there were no recalls for this year, make and model. Advised the contact of NHTSA recall#04v179000: fuel system, gasoline:delivery. The current mileage was 78,000. Customer did receive a recall letter in the mail. Updated 4/9.

Original owner of 2002 kia Rio - timing belt failed at 93,000 miles causing total engine failure (interference engine). Timing belt is covered under warranty for 100,000 miles for original owner according to the manual. Kia would not honor warranty. Several thousand dollars later, I had a replacement engine installed. It failed 2,300 miles later due to the camshaft shearing and the interference problems. Again, not covered under warranty.

2002 kia Rio - timing belt failure causes entire and instantaneous engine loss - car comes to halt in roadway unexpectedly. Timing belts are covered under kia's 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, but they do not honor their warranty for this problem.

While traveling on a residential road the car back fired then the engine seized up, the timing belt was the likely cause according to the dealer, but because it had 60,274 miles they would not cover it under warranty. The service person said they have had at least six similar failures in the last year, a couple were less than 59,000 miles and were covered. In talking to kia direct, they said because we bought the car used and had no service record from before, nothing could be done. It's clear from the number of failures this is a design defect. The timing belt failure and subsequent engine lockup could cause a fatality if it happened at freeway speeds!.