2003 KIA SPECTRA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
132
Owner Complaints
0
Recalls
3
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 KIA SPECTRA
The 2003 KIA SPECTRA has received a total of 132 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainautomatic Transmission (12 complaints), Service Brakes Hydraulic (10 complaints), and Engine And Engine Cooling (8 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 KIA SPECTRA
There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2003 KIA SPECTRA. No Active Recalls
Owner Complaints for the 2003 KIA SPECTRA
132 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 KIA SPECTRA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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.
DIRT CHEAP CARS SOLD ME A CAR THAT WONT PASS INSPECTION
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
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.
Safety Rating for the 2003 KIA SPECTRA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 KIA SPECTRA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 KIA SPECTRA
Kia America, Inc. has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 KIA SPECTRA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
026 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE ORVR (ON-BOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY) VALVE. *TT
026 — STEERING
STEERING WHEEL NOISE. *TT
009 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
COLD ENGINE HARD START. *SCC
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 KIA SPECTRA
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the KIA SPECTRA
- 2000 KIA SPECTRA — 30 complaints
- 2001 KIA SPECTRA — 56 complaints
- 2002 KIA SPECTRA — 121 complaints
- 2003 KIA SPECTRA (current)
- 2004 KIA SPECTRA — 92 complaints
- 2005 KIA SPECTRA — 130 complaints
- 2006 KIA SPECTRA — 129 complaints
- 2007 KIA SPECTRA — 206 complaints
- 2008 KIA SPECTRA — 162 complaints
Other KIA Models
- KIA SORENTO — 13,451 total complaints
- KIA OPTIMA — 10,045 total complaints
- KIA SOUL — 7,147 total complaints
- KIA SPORTAGE — 6,540 total complaints
- KIA FORTE — 3,450 total complaints
- KIA SEDONA — 3,334 total complaints
- KIA SEPHIA — 3,080 total complaints
- KIA TELLURIDE — 2,109 total complaints