Page 2 of 2 · complaints 51–90 of 90

2003 Kia Spectra complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 31, 200529,000 milesIL

EVERY TIME I TAKE OFF FROM A STOP SIGN ECT. MY TRANSMISSION KICKS WHEN SHIFTING FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IN AN AUTOMATIC,IT IS RARE. IT IS ONLY A 2003 TOO. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE TELL ME THAT TRANSMISSIONS ARE DESIGNED LIKE THAT. BULL!!! *NM

Wheels › Hub
Filed May 17, 20052,000 milesSC

THE LITTLE CENTER HUB CAPS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO ALUMINUM WHEEL FELL OFF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE KIA DEALER TWICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER IT WAS HIS FAULT. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 7, 200524,800 milesWA

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES HESITATION, LOST OF POWER, AND STALLING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALER ON TEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DEALER REPLACED VARIOUS PART, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 18, 20055,130 milesMI

THE FRONT PANEL IN THE CONSUMER'S 2003 KIA SPECTRA MADE NOISE. *NM THE CONSUMER HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT WAS BROKEN, DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WERE INOPERATIVE, FAULTY SPEAKER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE, THERE WOULD BE A CLICKING SOUND IF IT WAS FORCED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH FOR 10 MINUTES. *JB

Structure › Body › Bumpers
Filed Mar 9, 200538,050 milesFL

FRONT BUMPER COVER COMING LOOSE ON 2003 KIA SPECTRA WITH 38,050 MILES. DUE TO THE COVER COMING LOOSE, THE INSIDE PLASTIC WHEEL WELL ALSO CAME LOOSE AND RUBBED AGAINST FRONT TIRE DAMAGING BOTH THE TIRE AND THE THE PLASTIC WHEEL WELL. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND SHOWS NO SIGNS OF STRUCTURAL DAMAGE PER KIA DEALER AND OUTSIDE MECHANIC. KIA REFUSES TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY CLAIMING THAT THE FRONT BUMPER COVER COMING LOOSE AND CAUSING THIS PROBLEM IS AN "ADJUSTMENT ISSUE". THE OUTSIDE MECHANIC AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A NOT AN ADJUSTMENT ISSUE, RATHER A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND A LIKELY SAFETY ISSUE. SHOULD THE PLASTIC WHEEL WELL HAVE CAME LOOSE ON THE HIGHWAY IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE FRICTION CREATED FROM IT RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE COULD HAVE INCREASED THE TIRE TEMPERATURE IN SUCH A WAY THAT COULD HAVE LED TO CATASTROPHIC FRONT TIRE FAILURE. I WOULD LIKE THIS MATTER CORRECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP AS PART OF THEIR (IRONICALLY) BUMPER TO BUMBER WARRANTY.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 3, 200523,940 milesKY

WE HAVE A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THIS CAR CAME WITH A 100K MILE WARRANTY. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2003 IT HAD ONLY 79 MILES ON IT. IN DECEMBER OF 2004 WITH ONLY 23,000 MILES ON IT, IT GOT STUCK IN THE SNOW IN THE ROAD BLOCKING TRAFFIC. WE HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE STREET. AFTER PUSHING FOR A SHORT TIME TRANSMISSION BURNED UP AND IS NOW DESTROYED. I LIVE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY SO I GET SNOW OCCASIONALLY. DOES THIS MEAN THAT ANYONE LIVING WHERE IT SNOWS SHOULD NOT BY A KIA? I AM AWARE OF THE STIPULATION IN THE WARRANTY THAT THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER DAMAGE DONE BY SNOW, ICE, ROAD DEBRIS ETC. MY ARGUMENT IS THAT I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS, A SATURN FOR INSTANCE WITH CLOSE TO 100K MILES ON IT. IT HAD GOTTEN STUCK IN THE SNOW SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I LIVED IN OHIO. I HAD TO PUSH IT OUT OF A SNOW DRIFT, SPUN THE TIRES. NEVER DID I HAVE A TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. NEVER WOULD I THINK THAT A NEW CAR WOULD BE DESTROYED THAT EASILY, NOR DO I THINK THAT IT IS RIGHT FOR THE DEALER TO SAY IT IS ALL MY FAULT. ARE KIA OWNERS NOT SUPPOSED TO TRY TO GET TO WORK IF IT SNOWS. THIS IS KENTUCKY, NOT MICHIGAN. I THINK PURCHASERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE CAR. FOR INSTANCE, A COOLER PART THAT ?MAY? HAVE METAL PARTICLES IN IT, HAS TO BE REPLACED AND WAS PRICED AT $400. WHEN I CONTACTED KIA'S CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS DIRECTLY I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE DISTRICT MANAGER HAD INSPECTED THE CAR AND MADE THE FINAL DECISION. *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 2, 200527,000 milesGA

VEHICLE CRASH (FRONT END) AT !@55 MPH AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 22, 2004IN

THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISION AT 15 MILES PER HOUR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Nov 8, 200438,800 milesTX

I BROUGHT THIS CAR ON THE 29TH OF OCTOBER. TWO DAYS LATER THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE BATTERY WAS NO GOOD. THE BATTERY WAS CHANGED BUT THE THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN...TWO DAYS AFTER BEING SERVICED. THE BATTERY CORD HAD TO BE JIGGLED IN ORDER FOR IT TO START UP. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN WHERE THE MECHANIC SAID THE PROBLEM COULDN'T BE DUPLICATED, THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR EXCEPT THAT THE BATTERY CORD HAD TO BE TIGHTENED. ANOTHER TWO DAYS LATER THE CAR DOESN'T START AGAIN AND WON'T START UNLESS THE BRAKE AND GEARS ARE MANIPULATED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 8, 200435,000 milesMD

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO COULD NEITHER DUPLICATE NOR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *LA NM

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Sep 3, 200411,500 milesCA

AFTER REAR ENDING A LARGE TRUCK AT 45 MPH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 20, 200413,500 milesWA

AT 13,500 MILES TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear1 injured
Filed Jul 31, 2004MI

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 2 CAR LENGTHS AHEAD OF ME AND OUR 2 YEAR OLD SON IN HIS CAR SEAT IN BACK. HE WAS DRIVING APROX 50 MPH. HE WAS IN A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE BACK WINDOW BLEW OUT. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A WARRANTY UP TO 60000 MILES. WE IMMEDIATELY DROPPED THE CAR OFF. THEY SAID WE DID SOMETHING WRONG IE HIT SOMETHING THREW SOMETHING ECT. THEY CLAIMED THE FOUND A PEBBLE ON THE BACK LID (WE SEARCHED THE CAR) THE PEBBLE HAD THE SAME EPOXY FOUND ON THIER SHOP FLOOR. THEY DID NOT REPLACE NOR TAKE BLAME. WE WERE BLOWN OFF. AND SCIENTIFICALLY SPEAKING IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR A PEBBLE TO FLY BACKWARDS INTO A REAR WINDOW AND SHATTER IT. THERE ARE NO OVER PASSES OR ANYTHING IN THAT AREA. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jun 7, 200415,000 milesCT

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. DEALER STATED ROTORS WERE WARPED AT 15,000 MILES. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Lock1 injured
Filed May 28, 200411,000 milesWA

MY DAUGHTER, WHOM IS 7, WENT IN THE TRUNK TO RETRIEVE SOME BELONGINGS AND THE TRUNK CLOSED ON HER. SHE DID EXACTLY WHAT SHE WAS TAUGHT AND PULLED THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE. THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY (THE BALL AT THE END OF THE CABLE DISENGAGED FROM THE LATCH) AND MY CHILD WAS LOCKED IN THE TRUNK FOR 20 MIN. SHE STRUGGLED SO HARD TO GET OUT THAT SHE HAD CUTS ON HER HANDS AND FEET. I THEN MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE MY KIA SPECTRA 2003 INSPECTED. THE SERVICE TEC. STATED TO ME THAT IS WAS MOST DEFINITELY A PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS THAT WAY ON ALL 2003 KIA SPECTRAS. HE WOULD THEN TELL ALL THE APPROPRIATE HIGHER UPS ABOUT PROBLEM. I WAS CONTACTED A WEEK OR SO LATER AND A KIA SPOKES PERSON STATED TO ME THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ETR AND THAT CHILDREN SHOULD NOT PLAY IN CARS. HE TOLD ME THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. MY DAUGHTER IS NOW TERRIFIED OF THE CAR AND WANTS TO GET A VAN SO THIS WONT HAPPEN AGAIN. *LA

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed May 13, 200410,000 milesIL

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET IT SUDDENLY DISENGAGES BY ITSELF. WHEN THIS OCCURS VEHICLE DECELERATES TO A LOW SPEED. THEN, WITHOUT WARNING CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGES AT THE SPEED IT WAS PREVIOUSLY SET. DEALERSHIP REPLACED CRUISE CONTROL MODULE, AND REPAIRED THE WIRING AT THE HARNESS TO THE PIN CONNECTOR BECAUSE OF A SHORTAGE. HOWEVER, FAILURE RECURRED.*AK

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Mar 31, 20047,191 milesMN

THIS LETTER IS BEING WRITTEN AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT (CASE # FHPH040FF003275) INVOLVING MY 2003 KIA SPECTRA GSX AND ANOTHER VEHICLE ON MARCH 6, 2004.*AK THE CRUISE CONTROL CONTINUED TO WORK UNTIL ABOUT 1:00PM ON INTERSTATE 10 WHEN I WAS IN THE SLOW LANE AND DRIVING AT 70 MPH (SPEED LIMIT) WITH THE CRUISE ON. I WAS SLOWLY CATCHING UP TO TWO TRUCKS IN MY LANE, WHEN THE REAR TRUCK STARTED TO PASS THE SLOWER TRUCK AHEAD OF ME. TRAFFIC BEHIND ME WAS CATCHING UP TO ME AT THE SAME TIME AS THE PASSING TRUCK PULLED INTO THE PASSING LANE. I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO SLOW DOWN SO I PRESSED DOWN ON THE COAST SET BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL, FOUR OR FIVE TIMES AND MY KIA SLOWED DOWN TO 65 MPH. THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED DOWN TO LET THE PASSING TRUCK IN THE FAST LANE GET BY. I PRESSED THE SAME COAST SET BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL FOUR OR FIVE TIMES TO SLOW THE KIA AND NOTHING HAPPENING. THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED AND THE KIA CONTINUED ITS SPEED OF 65 MPH. I THEN PRESSED THE SAME COAST SET BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE KIA INCREASED SPEED. I PRESSED THE CANCEL BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE KIA INCREASED SPEED. I STEPPED ON THE BREAK AND THE KIA CRUISE CONTROL DIDNT DISCONNECT. I PRESSED DOWN THE CLUTCH AND STEPPED ON THE BREAK THREE TIMES AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDNT OR WOULDNT DISCONNECT. I LOOKED DOWN AT THE COAST SET, CANCEL, AND RES ACCEL BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND PRESSED CANCEL A NUMBER OF TIMES. EV

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Feb 19, 2004FL

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONITUNES TO POP ON. AS OF 2/19/04, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS LIT UP 3 TIMES. ONCE IT WENT OUT ON ITS OWN, I LET IT GO. THE PAST TWO TIMES IT HAS BEEN RELATED TO THE P0442 EVAP LEAK (FUEL CAP). FUNNY THING IS, MY 2003 SPECTRA HAD A RECALL NOTICE COME IN TO HAVE THE FULE CAP REPLACED DUE TO A KNOWN 'LEAK'. I NEVER HAD ISSUES WITH THIS PRIOR TO THE RECALL FIX. I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 1 YEAR NOW AND NEVER HAD PROBLEMS BEFORE. SCHEDULED APPT FOR 02/23/04 AND DEALER ADVISED THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE AND RE-REPLACE FUEL CAP IF NEEDED. IT IS NOT A MAJOR PROBLEM, BUT AN ANNOYANCE. IT WILL MAKE ONE GET TO A POINT WHERE THEY MIGHT IGNORE THE ENGINE LIGHT DO TO IT CONTINUOUSLY COMING ON FOR NO SERIOUS REASON!

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 28, 2004CA

WHILE DRIVING 28 MPH IN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 15, 200424,000 milesGA

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. THE DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES,AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *JB

Seat Belts
Filed Jan 15, 2004AL

ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. THE RUBBER WEATHER STRIP CAME OFF AND CONTINUES TO COME OFF AFTER A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I NEEDED TO PUT OIL IN THE CAR 2 MONTHS AFTER I GO IT, IT WAS ALMOST OUT OF OIL. I WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGED A FEW MONTHS LATER AT KIA OF COLUMBUS GA, AND ASKED WOULD THEY TOP OFF ALL FLUIDS AND THEY REPLIED YES. LESS THAN 3 WEEKS LATER I HAD TO GET MY OIL CHANGED AGAIN AND I NEEDED TRANSMISSION FLUID. I HAVE HAD A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES SQUEAKING SINCE ABOUT AFTER THE FIRST WEEK. THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY TOLD ME AT KIA OF COLUMBUS GA THAT MY BRAKES WERE FINE. MY BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEAK. THE LIGHT INSIDE THE CAR WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN, COMES ON BY ITSELF WHEN ALL THE DOORS ARE CLOSED. THE LIGHT ON THE CEILING OF THE CAR HAS TO STAY IN A PERMANENT OFF POSITION, OR THE LIGHT WILL COME ON BY ITSELF. MY CAR HAS BEEN KICKING BACK WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE WHILE MAKING THIS GROANING NOISE WHEN IN REVERSE. MY SEAT BELT ALSO SEEMS TO PULL IN A LOCKED POSITION SOMETIMES WHEN I AM AT A RED LIGHT, I AM SITTING STILL, NOT MAKING ANY SHARP TURNS FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS KIA SINCE I BOUGHT IT

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 20041,500 milesSC

AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. KIA RETURNED THE CAR AFTER 2 WEEKS. IT WORKED FOR 1 HOUR. RETURNED IT TO KIA-KIA RETURNED AFTER 5 WEEKS. AIR WORKED FOR 3 WEEKS. RETURNED TO KIA-SAID IT WAS THE FREON. WORKED FOR 30 MINS AND QUIT. I CANNOT TAKE IT BACK TO HAVE IT WORKED ON BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT GIVE ME A CAR TO DRIVE. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING IN THE HEAT WITH NO AIR BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO ACCOMODATE ME. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AND ONLY DRIVEN IT FOR 3.5 MONTHS BECAUSE OF REPAIRS.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Oct 10, 2003TX

I BOUGHT A KIA SPECTRA 2003 ON 9/27/03 WITH MANUFACTURER'S DATE OF 11/4/02. IT WAS A USED CAR WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT. ON 10/09/03, THE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING AN EMISSION SYSTEM PROBLEM. THE DEALER CHECKED IT AND REPLACED THE GAS CAP THAT THEY DISCOVERED WAS LEAKING. HOWEVER, ON 10/10/03, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE CHECK LIGHT BLINKED ON MOMENTARILY WHILE THE CAR LOST SPEED, AND WHEN THE LIGHT BLINKED OFF IT RESUMED ITS SPEED. IN REVIEWING TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, IT APPEARS THAT KIA SPECTRAS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 5/4/01 AND 7/12/02 WERE TO BE HAVE THE ORVR VALVE REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CAR MAY HAVE THE SAME DEFECT BUT IS NOT COVERED BY THE TSB. I WOULD APPRECIATE RECEIVING FURTHER UPDATES ON THIS SITUATION FOR MY CAR IN CASE THE TSB IS EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF MY CAR. *LA

Seat Belts › FrontCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 12, 2003FL

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THE SEAT BELT BROKE AS A RESULT OF DRIVER NOT BEING RESTRAINED PROPERLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Aug 26, 2003SC

CONSUMER STATES THAT AIR CONDITIONER ON NEW KIA DOES NOT WORK. WHENEVER SHE TURNS DEFROSTER ON THE AIR BLOWS OUT OF THE VENT. AFTER COMPLAINING TO THE MECHANIC ,SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO BE REPAIRING THE PROBLEM, BUT WHEN SHE GOT THE VEHICLE BACK , THE AIR WAS BLOWING ON THE FEET ONLY. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE, AND EACH TIME IT STAYED IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS. LAST TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP IS STAYED IN THERE 2.5 WEEKS WAITING FOR A NEW PARTS, NEW FAN AND BLOWER. SHE WANTED TO KNOW IF THE LEMON LAW WOULD HELP HER GET ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Jul 17, 2003GA

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING STEERING WHEEL WOULD PULL IN EITHER DIRECTION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Wheels › Hub
Filed Jul 4, 20032,800 milesIN

I HAVE A KIA SPECTRA LS VIN [XXX] WITH OPTIONAL ALLOY WHEELS PACKAGE. THE PROBLEM IS I HAVE LOST 2 CENTER HUB CAPS ON THESE WHEELS. I AM PRETTY CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE NOT BEING STOLEN AND I DO NOT RECALL ROUGH DRIVING ON EITHER OCCASION.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jun 16, 2003SC

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate
Filed Jun 15, 2003NE

TETHER ANCHORS: CHILD SEAT REAR TETHER CAN NOT BE INSTALLED/USED PROPERLY ON HATCH BACK MODEL. THE HATCH COVER, ANCHOR LOCATION, AND CARGO PREVENT THE TETHER REMAINING SNUG. THE HATCH COVER PUSHES ON THE TETHER, LOOSENING THE STRAP. THE ANCHORS POSITION MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LOAD, TRANSPORT OR UNLOAD CARGO WITHOUT COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE TETHER AND CAUSING IT TO LOOSEN. THE OWNER'S MANUAL CAUTIONS AGAINST USING A TETHER IN THE MIDDLE SEATING POSITION (RECOMMENDED POSITION FOR CHILD SAFETY SEATS) BECAUSE THE TETHER COULD SLIP BETWEEN THE SPLIT SEATS, AGAIN CAUSING SLACK AND PREVENTING THE TETHER FROM HELPING HOLD THE CHILD SEAT SECURE. *NLM

Suspension
Filed Jun 12, 2003SC

ONCE VEHICLE REACHES 70 MPH THERE IS VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 11, 2003TX

WHILE DRIVING AT 15MPH ENGINE LOCKED UP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED WITH WATER INSIDE THE ENGINE. DEALERWON'T COVER THE GUARANTEE. *AK

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed May 6, 20032,000 milesAZ

THE REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO FASTENED. 8JB

Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 23, 200345 milesGA

POSESS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA GT THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. ONLY ONE PERSON IN THE VEHICLE BUT BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AIRBAG BROKE WINDSHIELD AS WELL AS SIDE CASING THAT HELD THE SEAT BELTS IN PLACE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE IN THIS VEHICLE OR ANY VEHICLE FOR THAT MATTER? PIECES OF THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE SHATTERED AND SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED HARM TO ANYONE THEY CONTACTED. PLEASE ADVISE. *JB

Steering
Filed Mar 24, 2003IL

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. *NLM

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 20, 2003NJ

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

Structure
Filed Mar 20, 2003NJ

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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 20, 2003NJ

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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 20, 2003NJ

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

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Feb 27, 2003OH

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB

Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler
Filed Dec 27, 2002RI

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE HEATER WENT OFF, DEALER INSPECTED AND FIXED THE PROBLEM ON 12/ 27/02 AGAIN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE HEATHER SYSTEM WENT OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *DT

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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