Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Kia Spectra, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and brakes categories. 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 12 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2001 | 1 | 1 |
| May 2001 | 4 | 5 |
| Dec 2001 | 2 | 7 |
| Aug 2002 | 2 | 9 |
| Oct 2002 | 4 | 13 |
| Aug 2003 | 1 | 14 |
| Jan 2004 | 1 | 15 |
| Mar 2004 | 1 | 16 |
| Aug 2004 | 5 | 21 |
| Jul 2005 | 1 | 22 |
| Oct 2005 | 1 | 23 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION
THE MANUFACTURER HAS INITIATED A SAFETY RELATED CAMPAIGN TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOR CORRECTION OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DEFECT.THE CORRECTIVE ACTION IS TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS/BUCKLES.THIS SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM HAS BEEN ASSIGNED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 04V305.
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 FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
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 OF THE SUBJECT CABLE.CONSUMER COMPLAINT DATA INDICATE THAT THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE HAS DECLINED SINCE A PEAK IN LATE 2001.THE MOST RECENT KNOWN EVENT OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER OF 2002. KIA WILL PERFORM A SERVICE CAMPAIGN BEGINNING IN LATE 2003 TO INSPECT SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO JANUARY 2000 FOR CABLE DAMAGE AND WILL REPLACE DAMAGED CABLES AS NECESSARY. GIVEN THE DECLINING FIRE RATE AND KIA?S SERVICE CAMPAIGN, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS UNJUSTIFIED IN THIS MATTER.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED. FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE FOUND IN THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
TRANSMISSION HOUSING EXPLODED,COMPANY REFUSES TO BACK WARRANTY. *NM
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2000 KIA SPECTRA WHEN THE CLAM SHELL (STEERING COLUMN COVER) CAME APART WHILE SHE WAS MAKING A TURN. THE TOP PIECE PULL A WIRE LOOSE CAUSING THE AIR BAG INDICATOR TO COME ON, AND IT ALSO PREVENTED HER FROM COMPLETING THE TURN THAT SHE WAS TRYING TO MAKE. SHE EVENTUALLY HAD TO COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. WE HAD JUST PICKED UP THE CAR THAT SAME DAY FROM HAVING THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT SERVICED AND THE RADIO REPLACED (2ND TIME FOR THE RADIO), AND THEN THE SERVICE MANAGER AND TECH CAME OUT TO OUR HOUSE AFTER MY WIFE FINALLY WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. WE WERE GOING TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER BUT IT WAS TOO LATE IN THE DAY SO THEY CAME OVER AND DROVE IT BACK THEMSELVES. SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER OUR EXTENDED WARRENTEE WHICH WAS STILL IN FORCE AT THE TIME. I ALSO RENTED A CAR FOR THE 3 DAYS THAT THEY HAD OUR CAR, AND THAT TOO WAS NOT TO BE COVERED. HE SAID THAT I COULD TAPE IT UP AND IT SHOULD BE FINE IF I DID NOT WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO SAID THAT MOST AUTOMOBILES HAD THIS PART ATTACHED WITH SCREWS HOLDING THE 2 PIECES TOGETHER, BUT THIS ONE HAD ONLY PUSH TABS AND THE SAME PROBLEM COULD EVENTUALLY HAPPEN WITH THE REPLACED PART. THAT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND TO ME IS POOR WORKMANSHIP, AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO TAPE UP MY CAR AND OR PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS THE MANUFACTURERS FAULT. ALSO, IF THIS HAPPENED TO MY CAR, IT MIGHT HAPPEN TO THE OTHERS AS WELL, AT LEAST THE OTHER 2000 KIA SPECTRAS. RIGHT NOW, I DO HAVE TAPE HOLDING IT TOGETHER, AND I INTEND ON GETTING IT REPLACED, BUT ACTUALLY I DON'T WANT TO REPLACE IT WITH THE SAME THING IS IT COULD OCCUR AGAIN. (I'VE HAD THE CAR EXACTLY 5 YEARS WITH 50,000 MILE ON IT.)
BRAKES MAKE NOISE AND FEEL LOW, CAR TOOK TIME TO STOP WHEN BRAKING. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE BRAKE AT THE FIRST TIME. SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH .STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THAT NOISE AT THE MOMENT. ON AUGUST 2000 I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 55MPH AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE WEATHERSTRIP JUST FEW INSIDE THE CAR AND IT LOOKS JUST LI A SNAKE AND I ALMOST CRASH. THE CAR HAD 1729 MILEAGE.FOLOWING WEEK THE REAR DOOR WINDSHIELD TRIM CAME OFF.THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WON'T WORK BECAUSE OF A CUT WIRE.EVERYTHING IN THIS CAR IS FALLING APART.I DIDN'T EXPECT A NEW CAR TO BE LIKE THAT.I FEEL SO UNSAFE IN THIS CAR SPECIALLY THE SMOKE THAT COMING FROM UNDER MY STEERING WHEEL AT TIMES.PLEAS HELP ME BEFOE I GET KILLED IN THIS UNSAFE CAR.*AK
PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST AND MUFFLER. LOTS OF NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR.THEY REPLACED THE SILENCER THE FIRST TIME, GASKET-EXHAUST PIPE, THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE SILENNER,,GASKET-EXHAUST PIPE, NUTS
ENGINE OVERHEATS A LOT.WHEN I START THE CAR AT TIME SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER NEAT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. AC LINE FROZEN . COOLING FAN NOT WORKING. FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED JUNCTION BLOCK, SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP,,,GASKET AND THIRD TIME THEY REPLACED THE RELAY....REPLACED COOLING FAN. *AK
ENGINE OVERHEATS A LOT.WHEN I START THE CAR AT TIME SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER NEAT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. AC LINE FROZEN . COOLING FAN NOT WORKING. FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED JUNCTION BLOCK, SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE WATER PUMP,,,GASKET AND THIRD TIME THEY REPLACED THE RELAY....REPLACED COOLING FAN. *AK
THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP COMING ON AFTER STARTING THE CAR. FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT'S THE CLOCK SPRING,SECOND TIME IT WAS THE AIR BAG MODULE ,THIRD TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CLOCKY SPRING MODULE AGAIN.*AK
SILENCER PIPE SPLIT WHICH IS NO CAUSE OR DAMAGE FROM CONSUMER, THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PART, MY CAR HAS MADE AN EXCESSIVE EXHAUST NOISE FOR QUITE SOME TIME, WHICH AT FIRST WAS DIAGNOSISED AS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, LATER TO DISCOVER FROM AN AUTHORIZED KIA DEALERSHIP THAT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE THE SILENCER PIPE HAD SPLIT DUE TO POOR PRODUCTION. THIS I BELIEVE IN TURN ALSO HAS AFFECTED MY PERFORMANCE OF MY CAR AND CAUSED THE PURGE VALVE THAT I MUST ALSO REPLACE TO HAVE FAILED LEAVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND WHEN REGISTERATION COMES DUE MY CAR WILL NOT PASS SMOG. I HAVE HAD EVERY SCHEDULED MAINTANENCE OUTSIDE THE DEALERSHIP NO ONE COULD DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. EVERYONE CAN NOT AFFORD TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THEIR OUTRAGEOUS CHARGES BUT I HAD TO BREAKDOWN AND GO TO PAY 82.00 FOR A DIAGNOSIS FOR AT LEAST 420.00 WORTH OF SERVICE THAT I MUST PAY TO GET THE PROBLEM CORRECTED 315.00 TO REPLACE SILENCER PIPE THAT WAS ALREADY DEFECTIVE FROM MANUFACTURER AND 90.00 FOR THE PURGE VALVE THESE CHARGES ACCORDING TO KIA DEALERSHIP INCLUDE LABOR. ALREADY LOSING THE 82.00 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. MY CAR HAS ONLY 57493 MILES WITHIN THE 4 YEARS I HAVE HAD IT. I HAVE HAD TO ALSO HAD THE AIR BAG MODULE CONTROL REPLACED THAT HAD BEEN DEFECTIVE FROM MANUFACTURER ON 6/21/01 AND CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THUS I HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER DEFECTIVE ISSUE FROM KIA, WHICH WAS OF NO CHARGE THE FIRST TIME BUT USED MY WARRANTY?*AK
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING; STRUCTURE
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.?
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. Customers may experience issues with their head units that may be related to the use of aftermarket USB charging cables, including; * Electrical interference and limited or no functionality when attempting to play music, or when charging a device through the USB port * Excessive static or noise when listening to the audio source * Malfunctions and screen freeze of the head unit screen * Slow down of the system response while device is plugged in * Music will not play from iPhone 5 or 6 with Kia iPod cable and aftermarket adapter * No or limited functionality when trying to play music from an Apple device
POWER TRAIN
TSB: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE CORRECT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUIDS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH KIA MODEL. REFER TO THE SHOP MANUAL ON KGIS FOR THE SPECIFIC KIA MODEL, THEN REFERENCE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE SYSTEM/ REPAIR PROCEDURES/ INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT SECTION FOR THE CORRECT ATF CHECK/FILL PROCEDURES.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.