Engine complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2003 Kia Spectra has 14 NHTSA engine complaints and 0 engine-related recalls.
14
Complaints
0
Recalls
1
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 29, 2006 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH KIA USA HONORING MY WARRANTY FOR DAMAGE DONE TO MY CAR IN WHICH I AM NOT AT FAU... |
| Aug 26, 2005 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,AIR BAGS | DT: 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DURING THE ... |
| May 19, 2005 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME ... |
| Sep 4, 2004 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES HESITATION, LOST OF POWER, AND ... |
| Jul 6, 2004 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SUDD... |
| Apr 15, 2004 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN OR WHILE BRAKING OR PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT... |
| Oct 10, 2003 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | I BOUGHT A KIA SPECTRA 2003 ON 9/27/03 WITH MANUFACTURER'S DATE OF 11/4/02. IT WAS A USED CAR WITH 2... |
| Jun 11, 2003 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | WHILE DRIVING AT 15MPH ENGINE LOCKED UP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED WITH WATER... |
| May 15, 2003 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. KIA RETURNED THE CAR AFTER 2 WEEKS. IT WORKE... |
| Mar 20, 2003 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,SEAT BELTS | THE ENGINE MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROB... |
| Mar 20, 2003 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE | SNOW ENTERED THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE DOOR NOT TO OPEN. *NLM THE DOOR WAS MISALIGNED, REAR LI... |
| Mar 20, 2003 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE | THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WERE NOT LONG ENOUGH TO HOLD A 135 POUND PASSENGER. *NLM THE DOOR W... |
| Mar 20, 2003 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE | THE VEHICLES WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR YET ... |
| Jan 1, 1970 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | WHILE DRIVING , THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER TOO... |