2003 Kia Spectra recalls & problems
The 2003 Kia Spectra has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 90 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is power train (16 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2003 Kia Spectra.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2003 Kia Spectra 4-DR
| Overall | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Spectra
| City / highway | 21 / 29 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Spectra
| City / highway | 19 / 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Power train Automatic transmission | 16 | 51,000 mi |
| Engine and engine cooling Engine; Exhaust system › Emission control | 14 | 41,500 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Differential proportional valve; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor | 14 | 85,075 mi |
| Air bags Frontal | 11 | 25,500 mi |
| Structure Body; Body › Hatchback/liftgate | 11 | 104,000 mi |
| Visibility Windshield wiper/washer › Motor; Power window devices and controls | 10 | — |
| Seat belts Front; Rear/other | 9 | 5,130 mi |
| Electrical system 12v/24v/48v battery; Wiring | 9 | 53,503 mi |
| Exterior lighting Headlights | 7 | — |
| Steering Hydraulic power assist system; Rack and pinion | 4 | — |
| Service brakes | 4 | 93,000 mi |
| Seats Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler | 3 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- May 5, 2018Fuel/propulsion system
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. - Aug 3, 2017 · 113,276 milesStructure › Body
DIRT CHEAP CARS SOLD ME A CAR THAT WONT PASS INSPECTION - Oct 16, 2016Structure › Body
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 - Oct 17, 2016 · 80,000 milesService brakes
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. - Jun 14, 2014 · 100,234 milesAir bags
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. - Aug 11, 2014 · 112,000 milesPower train
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. - Jan 1, 2013 · 100,000 milesService brakes
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 - Jun 1, 2011 · 155,000 milesSteering
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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.