Powertrain complaints and recalls from NHTSA
Summary
The 2003 Kia Spectra has 9 NHTSA powertrain complaints and 0 powertrain-related recalls.
9
Complaints
0
Recalls
1
Injuries Reported
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 2014 | POWER TRAIN | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GE... |
| Feb 5, 2012 | POWER TRAIN | MY MOTHER BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW COUPLE YEARS BACK. HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS TILL NOW. ON MY WAY ... |
| Apr 6, 2009 | POWER TRAIN | IN APRIL OF 2009 MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING RIGHT IN THE CENTER LANE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC ... |
| Sep 25, 2006 | POWER TRAIN | I BOUGHT MY 2003 KIA SPECTRA BRAND NEW,KEPT UP WITH OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE,MY TRANSMISSION WENT... |
| Jan 2, 2006 | POWER TRAIN | TOOK THE CAR TO WALMART FOR FLUID CHECKS. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER LEAVING THERE, I HIT AN ICY PUDDLE AND ... |
| Jul 27, 2005 | POWER TRAIN | EVERY TIME I TAKE OFF FROM A STOP SIGN ECT. MY TRANSMISSION KICKS WHEN SHIFTING FIRST TO SECOND GEAR... |
| Dec 23, 2004 | POWER TRAIN | WE HAVE A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THIS CAR CAME WITH A 100K MILE WARRANTY. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN DECEM... |
| Apr 16, 2004 | POWER TRAIN | AT 13,500 MILES TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK |
| Nov 25, 2003 | POWER TRAIN,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT | THE FRONT PANEL IN THE CONSUMER'S 2003 KIA SPECTRA MADE NOISE. *NM THE CONSUMER HAD SEVERAL PROBLE... |