2001 KIA SPECTRA

0 recalls — 56 complaints

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

56 total complaints 19 crashes 2 fires 12 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL5
POWER TRAIN5
AIR BAGS4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
SEAT BELTS1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Oct 31, 2014
Incident date: Sep 2, 2013
CAR SMELLS HORRIBLY LIKE GAS FUMES WHEN TURNED ON, MORE SO IN THE COLDER TEMPERATURES. SO MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE, I'M SURPRISED KIA HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL. BREATHING GAS FUMES FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE CANCER OR OTHER PROBLEMS...WOULD BE HORRIBLE IF KIA HAD A LAWSUIT ON THEIR HAN... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING May 27, 2014
Incident date: May 27, 2014
2001 KIA SPECTRA 1.9 LT ENGINE [YES, SOME MODELS WERE MADE WITH THIS SIZE ENGINE.] CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVE WAY JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT. NEIGHBORS CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT AT 2:30 AM. CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. FIRE CHIEF FOUND NO EXTERNAL SOURCE OF IGNITION. FIRE CHIEF SAYS ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE TRAVELED ... Read more
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM May 27, 2014
Incident date: May 27, 2014
2001 KIA SPECTRA 1.9 LT ENGINE [YES, SOME MODELS WERE MADE WITH THIS SIZE ENGINE.] CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVE WAY JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT. NEIGHBORS CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT AT 2:30 AM. CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. FIRE CHIEF FOUND NO EXTERNAL SOURCE OF IGNITION. FIRE CHIEF SAYS ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE TRAVELED ... Read more
Fire
AIR BAGS Aug 26, 2013
Incident date: Aug 24, 2013
MY DAUGHTER STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND WITH HER CAR. THE UPON IMPACT THE CAR AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HER CHEST HIT THE STEERING VERY HARD. SHE ENDED UP WITH CHEST, NECK AND SHOULDER SEVERE PAIN. THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGE. RADIATOR FLUID WAS EVERYWHERE. *TR
Crash 1 injured
AIR BAGS Aug 26, 2013
Incident date: Aug 24, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISING AND SEVERE PAIN FROM THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINING HER NECK AND CHEST AREA. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE I... Read more
Crash 1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES Aug 10, 2013
Incident date: Jun 12, 2012
TRANS ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED SLIPPING WITH NO PRIOR ISSUES. WAS READING A TCM CODE THEN CODES FOR EACH GEAR REPLACED TRANS NEW TRANS DROVE 30 MILES AND IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING HAVE TO DRIVE LIKE A STICK 1ST 2ND AND THEN CAN PUT IN DRIVE AROUND 35MPH. ALSO BREAKS COME AND GO AS THEY PLEASE. ... Read more
POWER TRAIN Aug 10, 2013
Incident date: Jun 12, 2012
TRANS ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED SLIPPING WITH NO PRIOR ISSUES. WAS READING A TCM CODE THEN CODES FOR EACH GEAR REPLACED TRANS NEW TRANS DROVE 30 MILES AND IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING HAVE TO DRIVE LIKE A STICK 1ST 2ND AND THEN CAN PUT IN DRIVE AROUND 35MPH. ALSO BREAKS COME AND GO AS THEY PLEASE. ... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jan 15, 2011
Incident date: Feb 13, 2007
THE ENGINE HAD A CASTING DEFECT WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO REPLACE IT I'M HAVING TO CONSTANTLY REPLACE SENSORS O2 AND THE SENSORS IN THE SHIFTER THE CAR IS BREAKING DOWN EVERY MONTH SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. *TR
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Mar 2, 2007
Incident date: Dec 23, 2006
THE HEATER CORE IN THE CAR WENT OUT 4 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS FOR NO REASON, RESULTING IN THE WINDOW FOGGING WITH NO WAY OF SEEING. *JB
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT Jan 29, 2006
Incident date: Jan 28, 2006
I HAVE HAD THE HEATING SYSTEM IN MY CAR REPAIRED 4 TIMES SINCE THE DAY THAT I BOUGHT IT. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. I LIVE IN VERMONT WHERE THE WEATHER GETS EXTREMELY COLD IN THE WINTER, MEANING THAT YOU HAVE TO KEEP WINDOWS CLEARED AT ALL TIMES, ... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Jan 19, 2006
Incident date: Jan 1, 2001
2001 KIA SPECTRA TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. FUEL PUMP AND TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, REAR WINDOW FELL OUT OF VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE TECHNICIAN THAT REPLACED THE REAR WINDOW STATED THE GLUE THAT WAS USED TO INSTALL THE WINDOW W... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS Jan 19, 2006
Incident date: Jan 1, 2001
2001 KIA SPECTRA TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. FUEL PUMP AND TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, REAR WINDOW FELL OUT OF VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE TECHNICIAN THAT REPLACED THE REAR WINDOW STATED THE GLUE THAT WAS USED TO INSTALL THE WINDOW W... Read more
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR Jan 19, 2006
Incident date: Jan 1, 2001
2001 KIA SPECTRA TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. FUEL PUMP AND TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, REAR WINDOW FELL OUT OF VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE TECHNICIAN THAT REPLACED THE REAR WINDOW STATED THE GLUE THAT WAS USED TO INSTALL THE WINDOW W... Read more
POWER TRAIN Jan 19, 2006
Incident date: Jan 1, 2001
2001 KIA SPECTRA TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. FUEL PUMP AND TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, REAR WINDOW FELL OUT OF VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE TECHNICIAN THAT REPLACED THE REAR WINDOW STATED THE GLUE THAT WAS USED TO INSTALL THE WINDOW W... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Nov 2, 2004
Incident date: Nov 2, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. ... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER Oct 26, 2004
Incident date: Oct 25, 2004
BRAKE FAILURE - MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, MECHANIC SAID HE HAD A HARD TIME BLEEDING THE BRAKES???? ABOUT A WEEK AFTER REPAIRED BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY AND WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE DAUGHTER COULD NOT STOP. HAVE TO PRESS THE PEDAL ALMOST THROUGH THE FLOOR TO STOP AND S... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY Aug 20, 2004
Incident date: Aug 20, 2004
SIX MONTHS AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT EXPERIENCED IGNITION PROBLEMS. VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION. DASHBOARD COMPONENT LIGHTS CAME ON, BUT THE ENGINE FAILED TO TURN OVER. THE MAIN COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE COM... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Aug 20, 2004
Incident date: Aug 20, 2004
SIX MONTHS AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT EXPERIENCED IGNITION PROBLEMS. VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION. DASHBOARD COMPONENT LIGHTS CAME ON, BUT THE ENGINE FAILED TO TURN OVER. THE MAIN COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE COM... Read more
AIR BAGS Jul 13, 2004
Incident date: Jun 21, 2004
I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION CAUSING MY CAR TO BE SLAMMED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY,THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK BROKE. I HAVE RECEIVED A LOWER BACK INJURY, SHOULDER AND ARM INJURY, AND HEAD INJURY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED, SO THERE ARE NO REPAIRS TO BE DONE. T... Read more
Crash 1 injured
SEATS Jul 13, 2004
Incident date: Jun 21, 2004
I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION CAUSING MY CAR TO BE SLAMMED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY,THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK BROKE. I HAVE RECEIVED A LOWER BACK INJURY, SHOULDER AND ARM INJURY, AND HEAD INJURY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED, SO THERE ARE NO REPAIRS TO BE DONE. T... Read more
Crash 1 injured
SUSPENSION:REAR Jun 28, 2004
Incident date: Jun 27, 2004
WHILE COMING AROUND A BEND INTO TRAFFIC VEHICLE'S REAR END COMMENCED TO JERK/PULL, AND REAR END HIT A SIGN. THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS STILL UNDETERMINED. NEITHER DEALER OR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Jun 25, 2004
Incident date: Dec 31, 2003
TWO WEEKS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED ENGINE MADE A TAPPING NOISE BECAUSE OIL WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE ENGINE MOTOR SEAL. A FUEL DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY RECALL 04V179000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS MODEL VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Apr 22, 2004
Incident date: Dec 15, 2001
I GOT IN A ACCIDENT WHEN MY BRAKES WENT OUT THAT NIGHT AND I COULDN'T STOP. WHEN MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP THEY TOLD MY THAT THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND I NEED THE HAVE THE BRAKE LINE CHECKED OUT. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE KIND OF BRAKES THEY ARE THE WOULD SQUEAK. THEY NEV... Read more
Crash
POWER TRAIN Apr 22, 2004
Incident date: Dec 15, 2001
I GOT IN A ACCIDENT WHEN MY BRAKES WENT OUT THAT NIGHT AND I COULDN'T STOP. WHEN MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP THEY TOLD MY THAT THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND I NEED THE HAVE THE BRAKE LINE CHECKED OUT. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE KIND OF BRAKES THEY ARE THE WOULD SQUEAK. THEY NEV... Read more
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Apr 22, 2004
Incident date: Dec 15, 2001
I GOT IN A ACCIDENT WHEN MY BRAKES WENT OUT THAT NIGHT AND I COULDN'T STOP. WHEN MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP THEY TOLD MY THAT THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND I NEED THE HAVE THE BRAKE LINE CHECKED OUT. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE KIND OF BRAKES THEY ARE THE WOULD SQUEAK. THEY NEV... Read more
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR Feb 19, 2004
Incident date: Aug 1, 2001
WARPED ROTORS AND CHEAP BRAKE PADS
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Feb 19, 2004
Incident date: Feb 18, 2004
ON A FRONT SLIGHTLY LEFT INPACT TO MY VEHICLE, MY AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT.I WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH, I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING A RATHER LARGE BUMP AND BRUISE. I HAVE PAIN TURNING MY NECK AND IN MY SHOULDERS AND WILL SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR THIS.
Crash 1 injured
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING Feb 13, 2004
Incident date: Feb 13, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING SHEARED OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND PULLED OVER. DRIVER NOTIFIED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND CONS... Read more
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT Feb 12, 2004
Incident date: Feb 12, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT Feb 12, 2004
Incident date: Feb 12, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
TIRES Nov 5, 2003
Incident date: Nov 5, 2003
REAR RIGHT TIRE DEVELOPED BUBBLES AND MADE NOISE WHILE DRIVING. NAME OF TIRE: KUMHO, ECSTA-HP4, TIRE SIZE: P185/65R14 DOT: NUMBER UNKNOWN. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Oct 16, 2003
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES BROKE WHEN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS AND BRUISES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THEY WERE LATER RELEASED. *AK
Crash 2 injured
POWER TRAIN Sep 5, 2003
Incident date: Sep 1, 2003
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAD GONE INTO REVERSE BY ITSELF AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIR. THERE WAS A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL UP... Read more
STEERING Sep 5, 2003
Incident date: Sep 1, 2003
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAD GONE INTO REVERSE BY ITSELF AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIR. THERE WAS A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL UP... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) Jul 2, 2003
Incident date: Apr 6, 2003
TRANSMISSION MODULE ON ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING TRANSMISSION DAMAGE, LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPLACED. SECOND TRANSMISSION BLEW A FRONT PUMP SEAL WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES WHILE ON OUR VACATION/HONEYMOON. THIRD TRANSMISSION REPLACED WHILE ON VACATION OUT OF STATE. CURRENT (THIRD) TRANS... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Jul 2, 2003
Incident date: Apr 6, 2003
TRANSMISSION MODULE ON ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING TRANSMISSION DAMAGE, LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPLACED. SECOND TRANSMISSION BLEW A FRONT PUMP SEAL WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES WHILE ON OUR VACATION/HONEYMOON. THIRD TRANSMISSION REPLACED WHILE ON VACATION OUT OF STATE. CURRENT (THIRD) TRANS... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Apr 16, 2003
Incident date: Apr 14, 2003
I OWN A 2001 KIA SPECTRA HATCHBACK. I HAVE 24,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS STARTED STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND I ALSO HAVE TROUBLE STARTING IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS ON A "CALL" LIST. I WAS GIVEN NO FURTHER INFORMATION. I WAS JUST TOLD TO GIVE TH... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR Apr 2, 2003
Incident date: Mar 31, 2003
THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WORN, WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Mar 25, 2003
Incident date: Mar 25, 2003
THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB
SUSPENSION:FRONT Jan 28, 2003
Incident date: Jul 27, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND DIDN'T CHANGE GEARS. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO FULL THROTTLE. (TWO ACCIDENTS HAD OCCURRED DUE TO THESE FAILURES) TS THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT HAD PULLED TO THE LEFT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. SCC
Crash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Jan 28, 2003
Incident date: Jul 27, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND DIDN'T CHANGE GEARS. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO FULL THROTTLE. (TWO ACCIDENTS HAD OCCURRED DUE TO THESE FAILURES) TS THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT HAD PULLED TO THE LEFT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. SCC
Crash
STRUCTURE Jan 28, 2003
Incident date: Jul 27, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND DIDN'T CHANGE GEARS. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO FULL THROTTLE. (TWO ACCIDENTS HAD OCCURRED DUE TO THESE FAILURES) TS THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT HAD PULLED TO THE LEFT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. SCC
Crash
POWER TRAIN Jan 28, 2003
Incident date: Jul 27, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND DIDN'T CHANGE GEARS. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO FULL THROTTLE. (TWO ACCIDENTS HAD OCCURRED DUE TO THESE FAILURES) TS THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT HAD PULLED TO THE LEFT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. SCC
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Nov 15, 2002
Incident date: Oct 28, 2002
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Sep 5, 2002
Incident date: Aug 27, 2002
AIRBAG MALFUNCTION RESULTED IN SEVERE NECK & BACK DAMAGE CAUSING IMMEDIATE CHIROPRACTIC CARE.*AK
Crash 1 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Aug 1, 2002
Incident date: Jun 2, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION AREA, AND AT TIMES IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CHANGE GEARS. DEALER SHIP HAS REPLACED COMPUTER INSIDE TRANSMISSION, AND HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION THREE TIMES, BUT PROBLEM SITLL OCCURS.*AK
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Jul 9, 2002
Incident date: Jul 8, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH WAS IINVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISON AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.DRIVER WAS INJURED.*AK
Crash 1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Jun 14, 2002
IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS, VEHICLE IS NOT STARTING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Jun 6, 2002
Incident date: May 26, 2002
VEHICLE HIT A GUARDRAIL AT 65 MPH, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK *JB
Crash 1 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL Apr 18, 2002
Incident date: Sep 18, 2001
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD AFTER STARTING VEHICLE NONE OF THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS WORK UNTIL CAR WARMS UP. NLM

Showing 50 of 56 complaints.

NHTSA Safety Investigations — KIA SPECTRA

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE15031 Opened: Sep 1, 2015 — Closed: Feb 11, 2016
PE — Closed — Model Year: 2008
Occupant Classification System
The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles.Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat.This sensor mat is embe... Read more
PE04065 Opened: Sep 21, 2004 — Closed: Feb 8, 2005
PE — Closed — Model Year: 2002
REAR DRUM BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKAGE
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR DRUM BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKAGE IN 2002 KIA SPECTRA VEHICLES.THIS INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY KIA?S EARLY WARNING REPORT TO THE AGENCY FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2004, WHICH CONTAINED A ... Read more
EA04004 Opened: Feb 3, 2004 — Closed: Jul 29, 2004
EA — Closed — Model Year: 2001
REFUELING SPIT BACK
BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHE... Read more
EA02016 Opened: Aug 6, 2002 — Closed: Oct 7, 2003
EA — Closed — Model Year: 2000
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ODI GATHERED FIRE DATA FROM VARIOUS SOURCES AND INSPECTED SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ASSESS THE SCOPE AND FREQUENCY OF NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES CAUSED BY STARTER CABLE CHAFING.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOUND THAT MOST OF THE SUSPECT FIRES OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD RECEIVED SERVICE REPAIRS IN THE AREA O... Read more

KIA SPECTRA — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the KIA SPECTRA across all model years (2004–2007).

5 Total Recalls
1,218 Total Complaints
4 Investigations
261 Reported Crashes
23 Reported Fires
7 Reported Deaths

KIA SPECTRA — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2009 0 152 View
2008 0 162 View
2007 1 206 View
2006 1 129 View
2005 2 130 View
2004 1 92 View
2003 0 132 View
2002 0 121 View
2001 (current) 0 56
2000 0 30 View

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SORENTO HYBRID 62 159 View
SOUL EV 62 50 View