Two problems related to clutch have been reported for the 2003 Kia Motor RIO. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Kia Motor RIO based on all problems reported for the 2003 RIO.
At 53,000 the vehicle became impossible to shift from one gear to another. Dealership technician advised it needed a new clutch at a cost of $1600. 00. I have driven this vehicle primarily between detroit michigan and cary illinois. Eighty percent of the miles driven so far have been highway miles with little need to constantly shift gears. When the technicians looked at the vehicle he commented on how small the clutch was. I believe kia has installed an inferior clutch system to keep the price of the vehicle down and then refuses to cover the repairs under warranty.
Consumer will not drive over 50 mph, had difficulty in changing 5 speed gears. A service technician noticed that clutch needed replacement.