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2003 Kia Spectra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Kia Spectra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 96.

About this comparison →
90Owner complaints

Model-year median: 96

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
23
200040
200192
200290
200371
2004103
2005100
2006
Compare all Spectra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
16Engine And Engine Cooling
14Service Brakes, Hydraulic
14Air Bags
11Structure
11
All reported categories
Visibility
10Electrical System
9Seat Belts
9Exterior Lighting
7Service Brakes
4Steering
4Equipment
3Fuel System, Gasoline
3Seats
3Suspension
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Fuel/propulsion System
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Wheels
2Tires
1Unknown Or Other
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

60 reports with mileage · 30 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports1 fire reports10 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

14 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train

THE VEHICLES WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. *NLM THE DOOR WAS MISALIGNED, REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, SNOW HAD GOTTEN INTO THE REAR SEAT(S), THE VEHICLE LEAKED, SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE, CLICK NOISE IN THE WIPERS WHEN ON A LOW SPEED, PULLING NO…

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THE VEHICLES WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. *NLM THE DOOR WAS MISALIGNED, REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, SNOW HAD GOTTEN INTO THE REAR SEAT(S), THE VEHICLE LEAKED, SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE, CLICK NOISE IN THE WIPERS WHEN ON A LOW SPEED, PULLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE PER MECHANIC, AND PULLING WHEN SHIFTED. SCC

NHTSA ODI #10012177

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train

THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WERE NOT LONG ENOUGH TO HOLD A 135 POUND PASSENGER. *NLM THE DOOR WAS MISALIGNED, REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, SNOW HAD GOTTEN INTO THE REAR SEAT(S), THE VEHICLE LEAKED, SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE, CLICK NOISE IN THE WIPERS WHEN ON A LOW SPEED, PULLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE PER MECHANIC, AND PULL…

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THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WERE NOT LONG ENOUGH TO HOLD A 135 POUND PASSENGER. *NLM THE DOOR WAS MISALIGNED, REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, SNOW HAD GOTTEN INTO THE REAR SEAT(S), THE VEHICLE LEAKED, SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE, CLICK NOISE IN THE WIPERS WHEN ON A LOW SPEED, PULLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE PER MECHANIC, AND PULLING WHEN SHIFTED. SCC

NHTSA ODI #10012170

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train

SNOW ENTERED THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE DOOR NOT TO OPEN. *NLM THE DOOR WAS MISALIGNED, REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, SNOW HAD GOTTEN INTO THE REAR SEAT(S), THE VEHICLE LEAKED, SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE, CLICK NOISE IN THE WIPERS WHEN ON A LOW SPEED, PULLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE PER MECHANIC, AND PULLING WHEN SHIFTED. SCC

NHTSA ODI #10012169

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train

THE ENGINE MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NLM THE DOOR WAS MISALIGNED, REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, SNOW HAD GOTTEN INTO THE REAR SEAT(S), THE VEHICLE LEAKED, SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE, CLICK NOISE IN THE WIPERS WHEN ON A LOW SPEED, PULLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE …

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THE ENGINE MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NLM THE DOOR WAS MISALIGNED, REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, SNOW HAD GOTTEN INTO THE REAR SEAT(S), THE VEHICLE LEAKED, SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE, CLICK NOISE IN THE WIPERS WHEN ON A LOW SPEED, PULLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE PER MECHANIC, AND PULLING WHEN SHIFTED. SCC

NHTSA ODI #10012167

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.