2003 Kia Spectra Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Kia Spectra, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes1813.7%
- Engine1410.7%
- Transmission129.2%
- Body & structure118.4%
- Airbags118.4%
- Visibility107.6%
- Electrical107.6%
- Seat belts96.9%
- Exterior lighting75.3%
- Fuel system53.8%
- Powertrain (other)43.1%
- Interior & seats43.1%
- Steering43.1%
- Driver assistance32.3%
- Suspension32.3%
- Tires & wheels32.3%
- Heating & air conditioning21.5%
- Other / unspecified10.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID UNDERNEATH MY CAR ONE DAY AND CHECKED MY LEVEL TO FIND THAT THERE WAS BASICALLY NO BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR. TURNS OUT IT'S THE BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A TREND AND HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS PREVIOUSLY. THE MECHANIC WAS SURPRISED THAT THIS WAS INDEED THE PROBLEM AFTER CALLING AND THEN GETTING THE CAR REPAIRED. THE LEAK CAME ON SUDDENLY AND WAS FAIRLY SEVER REQUIRING THAT I ADD BRAKE FLUID AFTER EVERY SHORT DRIVE. IF I HADN'T NOTICED THIS PROBLEM I LIKELY WOULD HAVE ENDED UP REAR-ENDING SOMEONE OR WORSE. IT ALSO SEEMS TO BE PREVALENT AMONGST THE 2000-2005 MODELS.
AT MY COST I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE WHICH WAS CAUSING A BRAKE FLUID LEAK. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON DANGEROUS SITUATION. PLEASE CREATE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE'S BRAKES COMPLETELY FAIL IN TRAFFIC. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY OF 2003, JUNE 30TH OF 2003 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD TO HAVE THE TPS REPLACED AND 3 MORE TIMES TO PRESENT. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED, HEATING PROBLEM, EXHAUST REPLACED. CAR IS NOW ON 46,000 HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED (THROUGH AN ATT. FROM LEMON LAW) AT 16,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED. AND, NOW TO DATE TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR THE 5TH TIME, BRAKES WERE DONE 4 TIMES, NOW TO FIND OUT THE REASON TIRES AND BRAKES WERE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SO MANY TIMES IS BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION IS WAY OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHICH SEEING I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG I NOW BELIEVE IT WAS A DEFECT ALL ALONG. *JB
I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH KIA USA HONORING MY WARRANTY FOR DAMAGE DONE TO MY CAR IN WHICH I AM NOT AT FAULT. THEY HAVE MADE ALLEGATIONS AS TO THE PROBLEMS WHICH ARE UNTRUE FROM MY STAND POINT AND I AM 23 YEAR OLD SINGLE MOTHER WITH NO VEHICLE NOW. I HAVE MADE MANY ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AND IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 2 WEEKS AND STILL HAD NO RESOLUTION. *NM
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT MY 2003 KIA SPECTRA BRAND NEW,KEPT UP WITH OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE,MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 71,OOO MILES. I HAD THE SO CALLED 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON IT. THEY DID NOT COVER ANY OF IT THEY SAID BECAUSE I LIVE IN GA IT GETS HOT,SO THE WARRANTY WONT COVER IT. ALSO,I WAS RECENTLY IN A FENDER BENDER AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY,AND WE HAVE ALSO HAD SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE KIA PLACE BECAUSE OF MINOR STUFF SUCH AS THE AIR NOT WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUALLY STAYING ON. THE 2003 KIA SPECTRA'S ARE A JOKE AND IF YOU LIVE WERE IT GETS HOT OR TOO COLD YOUR WARRANTY IS OF NON EFFECT.
PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY OF 2003, JUNE 30TH OF 2003 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD TO HAVE THE TPS REPLACED AND 3 MORE TIMES TO PRESENT. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED, HEATING PROBLEM, EXHAUST REPLACED. CAR IS NOW ON 46,000 HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED (THROUGH AN ATT. FROM LEMON LAW) AT 16,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED. AND, NOW TO DATE TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR THE 5TH TIME, BRAKES WERE DONE 4 TIMES, NOW TO FIND OUT THE REASON TIRES AND BRAKES WERE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SO MANY TIMES IS BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION IS WAY OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHICH SEEING I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG I NOW BELIEVE IT WAS A DEFECT ALL ALONG. *JB
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DIRT CHEAP CARS SOLD ME A CAR THAT WONT PASS INSPECTION
I BOUGHT A CAR FROM A USED DEALER AND I WAS INFORMED THAT IT HAD NO FRAME DAMAGE BUT I TOOK IT TO TWO GARAGES AND BOTH GARAGES INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS FRAME DAMAGE FRONT AND BACK AND THE ONE GARAGE I TOOK IT TO SAID THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FRAME DAMAGE
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,234. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL*THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE RIDING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER BLACKED OUT, CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND MULTIPLE BRUISES. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE BRUISES TO THE BODY AND A TOOTH WAS KNOCKED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. A POICE REPORT WAS FILED.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
2003 KIA SPECTRA. NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. POWER WINDOWS FAIL TO WORK. A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CAME OFF THE TRACK, AND THE IN-DOOR ASSEMBLY HAD CRUMBLED WITHIN THE DOOR. TOOK GETTING AN ENTIRE ASSEMBLY TO REPAIR THE WINDOW. TODAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT OPEN. MOTOR STILL WORKS. A CLICKING SOUND CAN BE HEARD AS IT RUNS, BUT IT IS NOT GRIPPING THE WINDOW TO LOWER IT. (STILL NOT REPAIRED). *TR
DRIVER'S DOOR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILS CAUSING WINDOW TO SLIDE DOWN TRACK INTO THE DOOR. THE POWER REGULATOR RAISES AND LOWERS THE WINDOW WITH A METAL WIRE RUNNING THROUGH PLASTIC GUIDES ON A METAL TRACK. THE ENDS OF THE WIRE ARE CAPPED INSIDE A PLASTIC BRACKET TO WHICH THE WINDOW IS ATTACHED. THESE PLASTIC PARTS WEAR AND CRACK CAUSING THE WIRE TO COME LOOSE THUS PREVENTING THE WINDOW FROM BEING HELD UP. *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD NOISE. THE RPM, SPEED, AND TEMPERATURE WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE INFORMATION AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS CONFIRMED, BUT APPEARS TO BE INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,100.
I HAVE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 KIA SPECTRA, APPROX. 2 YEARS AGO I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WHILE I CAME TO A STOP AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO KIA AND THEY DID A TUNE UP AND REPLACED A PART THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE PROBLEM FOR THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF OR TO ACCELERATE WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT TAKES ALL YOU CAN DO TO KEEP THE CAR FROM LUNGING FORWARD. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN YOU TURN THE AIR CONDITIONER ON IT CAUSES THE CAR TO ACCELERATE WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CAR COULD RUN GREAT FOR DAYS, BUT THEN IT STARTS TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN. ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS. I HAVE BEEN IN SOME SCARY SITUATIONS ON VERY BUSY HIGHWAYS, WHERE THE CAR SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING , FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD MY CAR TO STS 3 TIMES TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND ON THOSE OCCASIONS THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO SIMULATE. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS APPROX 8 TIMES. I'VE HAD BOTH LOW BEAMS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. *JB
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT SEATBELTS ON 2003 KIA SPECTRA UNLATCH. *TR
THE FRONT PANEL IN THE CONSUMER'S 2003 KIA SPECTRA MADE NOISE. *NM THE CONSUMER HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT WAS BROKEN, DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WERE INOPERATIVE, FAULTY SPEAKER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE, THERE WOULD BE A CLICKING SOUND IF IT WAS FORCED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH FOR 10 MINUTES. *JB
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 KIA SPECTRA, APPROX. 2 YEARS AGO I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WHILE I CAME TO A STOP AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO KIA AND THEY DID A TUNE UP AND REPLACED A PART THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE PROBLEM FOR THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF OR TO ACCELERATE WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT TAKES ALL YOU CAN DO TO KEEP THE CAR FROM LUNGING FORWARD. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN YOU TURN THE AIR CONDITIONER ON IT CAUSES THE CAR TO ACCELERATE WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CAR COULD RUN GREAT FOR DAYS, BUT THEN IT STARTS TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN. ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS. I HAVE BEEN IN SOME SCARY SITUATIONS ON VERY BUSY HIGHWAYS, WHERE THE CAR SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING , FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD MY CAR TO STS 3 TIMES TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND ON THOSE OCCASIONS THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO SIMULATE. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS APPROX 8 TIMES. I'VE HAD BOTH LOW BEAMS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. *JB
PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY OF 2003, JUNE 30TH OF 2003 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD TO HAVE THE TPS REPLACED AND 3 MORE TIMES TO PRESENT. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED, HEATING PROBLEM, EXHAUST REPLACED. CAR IS NOW ON 46,000 HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED (THROUGH AN ATT. FROM LEMON LAW) AT 16,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED. AND, NOW TO DATE TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR THE 5TH TIME, BRAKES WERE DONE 4 TIMES, NOW TO FIND OUT THE REASON TIRES AND BRAKES WERE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SO MANY TIMES IS BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION IS WAY OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHICH SEEING I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG I NOW BELIEVE IT WAS A DEFECT ALL ALONG. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR IS LEAKING GAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDERNEATH THE CAR I ALSO HAVE GAS FUMES IN MY CAR TOO, I AM LOSING A LOT OF GAS IN MY CAR.I HAVE STRANGERS POINTING OUT THAT MY CAR IS LEAKING GAS AND THE SMELL OF GAS WHEN I PARK MY CAR IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT WHEN I DO SHOPPING, I FEAR THAT MY CAR WILL GO UP IN FLAMES AND I HAVE MY CHILDREN RIDE IN THE CAR AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FUMES OF GAS I SEE THAT THERE WAS THE SAME RECALLS ON 2004 KIA SPECTRA. MINE IS IS A 2003 WHICH I HAVING THE EXACT PROBLEMS WITH A GAS LEAK . I NEED THIS TO BE ON A RECALL LIST TO GET REPAIR ASAP , FOR THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY KIDS.
WENT TO TURN ON MY HEATER TODAY AND THE SMELL OF GASOLINE FILLED MY CAR, 4-DOOR SEDAN. THE CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MANY OF THE OTHER OWNERS MENTIONED BEFORE E.G. A BRAKE FLUID LEAK, SQUEALING BRAKES AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ALWAYS SLOW TO KICK IN WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STOP. NEVER EXPERIENCED A GAS LEAK PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER CAR I OWNED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
MY MOTHER BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW COUPLE YEARS BACK. HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS TILL NOW. ON MY WAY TO WORK IM GOING AROUND A CURVE AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THOUGHT FOR A SECOND I ACCIDENTALLY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. MY TRANSMISSION NEVER SLIPPED, SHIFTED HARD OR ANY OTHER SIGNS OF PROBLEMS. THIS IS CRAZY, NOT SURE YET IF KIA IS COVERING THEY PROMISED WARRANTY.. I REALLY HOPE SO.. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DURING MY TRIP TO WORK (ABOUT AN HOUR TRIP EACH WAY FROM MY HOME), AND MY SEAT SUDDENLY FLUNG BACK INTO THE BACK SEAT. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FOR A MOMENT AND LUCKILY SNAPPED BACK UP AND GOT THE VEHICLE BACK UNDER CONTROL. AFTER LOOKING AT WHAT HAD HAPPENED, THE METAL RAILING UNDER THE SEAT THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE FLOORBOARD HAD SNAPPED...THE FRONT PART OF THE RAILING STILL BOLTED DOWN, AND THEN AN INCH OR TWO BACK THE METAL IS JUST SIMPLY SNAPPED IN TWO. I CALLED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND WAS GIVEN A WEEK OUT APPOINTMENT AND WANRED I MAY HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS MYSELF. *JB
DRIVERS SEAT BRACKET ATTACHING SEAT TO CAR BROKE THREE TIMES, ONCE UNDER WARRANTY WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO ENTIRE SEAT, AND ONCE UNDER REPLACEMENT PARTS WARRANTY . THIRD TIME OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY PERIOD. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE COVERING AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN HAS CRUMBLED AND IS COMING APART. I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE IF THIS WILL AFFECT THE AIR BAG IF NEEDED. VERY POOR QUALITY OF MATERIAL WAS USED FOR THIS. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING A LEFT HAND TURN AT 15MPH, THE STEERING RACK AND PINION BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT THE STEERING WAS IMMOBILE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING RACK AND PINION ONCE BEFORE. THE PREVIOUS REPLACEMENT OCCURRED AT A REGULAR MAINTENANCE INSPECTION, BUT THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED NO OBVIOUS PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OVER TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CONTACT WISHED TO RELINQUISH OWNERSHIP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME I HAVE DROPPED OFF MY VEHICLE TO THE TALLAHASSEE KIA REPAIR SHOP. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE FIRST REPAIR, 5-19-05 I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM AT THE BEGINNING OF JUNE I WAS TOLD TO HAVE THE FUEL FILTER REPLACED, I HAVE DONE SO BUT THIS HAS NOT RECTIFIED THE PROBLEM. AS OF LATE, PERHAPS DUE TO THE HEAT, THE PROBLEM IS WORSE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL SURGING FORWARD WHILE I HAVE MY FOOT PRESSED ON THE BRAKE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AROUND TOWN OR ON ROAD TRIP AND WILL SOMETIMES WHEN I FIRST START IT UP. IT OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING. MY FATHER BELIEVES THAT THE COMPUTER IS BAD OR THAT THE SERVICE HAS NOT BEEN DONE ACCORDING TO THE BULLETINS. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS NOT ONLY A DANGEROUS SITUATION BUT IT IS CAUSING ADDITIONAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES. AT THIS JUNCTURE, THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN I SPOKE WITH A SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT MY LOCAL TALLAHASSEE DEALERSHIP AT THE BEGINNING OF JUNE I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD DROP THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEY WOULD TRY TO SIMULATE THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN I WAS WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR A NUMBER OR DAYS AND HAD TO RELY ON FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR TRANSPORTATION TO WORK AND SCHOOL. I AM SCHEDULED TO BRING IN MY VEHICLE 8 -10-06 AND THEY ARE STILL REFUSING TO PROVIDE A VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTATION. WITH NO OTHER CHOICE I AM FORCED TO BRING IT IN FOR SAFETY REASONS. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN OR WHILE BRAKING OR PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT VEHICLE REVVED AND LURCHED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 1/11/2006 - THE TRANSMISSION LINE HAD COME OFF AND CAUSE COOLANT TO LEAK. THE LINE WAS REPAIR AND TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED BUT TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THREE TIMES AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR THREE TIMES. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THIS TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE GENE PULSE ASSEMBLY. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IDLE SPEED ACTUATOR. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
DIRT CHEAP CARS SOLD ME A CAR THAT WONT PASS INSPECTION
PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY OF 2003, JUNE 30TH OF 2003 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD TO HAVE THE TPS REPLACED AND 3 MORE TIMES TO PRESENT. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED, HEATING PROBLEM, EXHAUST REPLACED. CAR IS NOW ON 46,000 HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED (THROUGH AN ATT. FROM LEMON LAW) AT 16,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED. AND, NOW TO DATE TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR THE 5TH TIME, BRAKES WERE DONE 4 TIMES, NOW TO FIND OUT THE REASON TIRES AND BRAKES WERE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SO MANY TIMES IS BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION IS WAY OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHICH SEEING I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG I NOW BELIEVE IT WAS A DEFECT ALL ALONG. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY OF 2003, JUNE 30TH OF 2003 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD TO HAVE THE TPS REPLACED AND 3 MORE TIMES TO PRESENT. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED, HEATING PROBLEM, EXHAUST REPLACED. CAR IS NOW ON 46,000 HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED (THROUGH AN ATT. FROM LEMON LAW) AT 16,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED. AND, NOW TO DATE TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR THE 5TH TIME, BRAKES WERE DONE 4 TIMES, NOW TO FIND OUT THE REASON TIRES AND BRAKES WERE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SO MANY TIMES IS BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION IS WAY OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHICH SEEING I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG I NOW BELIEVE IT WAS A DEFECT ALL ALONG. *JB
THE LITTLE CENTER HUB CAPS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO ALUMINUM WHEEL FELL OFF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE KIA DEALER TWICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER IT WAS HIS FAULT. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THAT AIR CONDITIONER ON NEW KIA DOES NOT WORK. WHENEVER SHE TURNS DEFROSTER ON THE AIR BLOWS OUT OF THE VENT. AFTER COMPLAINING TO THE MECHANIC ,SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO BE REPAIRING THE PROBLEM, BUT WHEN SHE GOT THE VEHICLE BACK , THE AIR WAS BLOWING ON THE FEET ONLY. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE, AND EACH TIME IT STAYED IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS. LAST TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP IS STAYED IN THERE 2.5 WEEKS WAITING FOR A NEW PARTS, NEW FAN AND BLOWER. SHE WANTED TO KNOW IF THE LEMON LAW WOULD HELP HER GET ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE HEATER WENT OFF, DEALER INSPECTED AND FIXED THE PROBLEM ON 12/ 27/02 AGAIN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE HEATHER SYSTEM WENT OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *DT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 2 CAR LENGTHS AHEAD OF ME AND OUR 2 YEAR OLD SON IN HIS CAR SEAT IN BACK. HE WAS DRIVING APROX 50 MPH. HE WAS IN A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE BACK WINDOW BLEW OUT. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A WARRANTY UP TO 60000 MILES. WE IMMEDIATELY DROPPED THE CAR OFF. THEY SAID WE DID SOMETHING WRONG IE HIT SOMETHING THREW SOMETHING ECT. THEY CLAIMED THE FOUND A PEBBLE ON THE BACK LID (WE SEARCHED THE CAR) THE PEBBLE HAD THE SAME EPOXY FOUND ON THIER SHOP FLOOR. THEY DID NOT REPLACE NOR TAKE BLAME. WE WERE BLOWN OFF. AND SCIENTIFICALLY SPEAKING IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR A PEBBLE TO FLY BACKWARDS INTO A REAR WINDOW AND SHATTER IT. THERE ARE NO OVER PASSES OR ANYTHING IN THAT AREA. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .