Model year record
2003 Kia Spectra
No recall campaigns on file for this model year. 132 owner complaints on file.
Recalls
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
| Component | Complaints | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|
| Power train: automatic transmission | 12 | 29,000 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 10 | 99,000 mi |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 24,800 mi |
| Electrical system | 7 | 26,416 mi |
| Structure | 7 | 104,000 mi |
| Air bags: frontal | 6 | 24,000 mi |
| Seat belts | 6 | — |
| Air bags | 5 | 81,275 mi |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | — |
| Power train | 4 | 55,500 mi |
| Service brakes | 4 | 86,000 mi |
| Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor | 4 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling: engine | 3 | 35,000 mi |
| Suspension | 3 | 113,276 mi |
| Exterior lighting: headlights | 2 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 70,000 mi |
| Seat belts: front | 2 | 5,130 mi |
| Seats | 2 | 51,000 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve | 2 | 30,000 mi |
| Steering | 2 | 155,000 mi |
| Structure: body | 2 | 113,276 mi |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 48,000 mi |
| Visibility: power window devices and controls | 2 | 104,000 mi |
| Wheels: hub | 2 | 2,000 mi |
| Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery | 1 | 38,800 mi |
| Electrical system: wiring | 1 | 68,206 mi |
| Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly | 1 | 57,500 mi |
| Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system | 1 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control | 1 | — |
| Equipment: appliance: air conditioner | 1 | — |
| Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc. | 1 | 5,130 mi |
| Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap | 1 | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch | 1 | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock | 1 | 11,000 mi |
| Seat belts: rear/other | 1 | 2,000 mi |
| Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler | 1 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip | 1 | 25,000 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor | 1 | 15,000 mi |
| Steering: hydraulic power assist system | 1 | — |
| Steering: rack and pinion | 1 | 45,000 mi |
| Structure: body: bumpers | 1 | 38,050 mi |
| Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate | 1 | — |
| Tires | 1 | — |
| Unknown or other | 1 | — |
| Vehicle speed control: cruise control | 1 | 10,000 mi |
| Visibility | 1 | — |
| Visibility: glass, side/rear | 1 | — |
| Visibility: windshield wiper/washer | 1 | — |
| Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages | 1 | 6,500 mi |
The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.