2001 Kia Spectra Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2001 Kia Spectra recalls

No safety recalls on file for the 2001 Kia Spectra.

Most common 2001 Kia Spectra problems

Problem areas named in the 40 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	9
Power Train	9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	6
Engine And Engine Cooling	6
Electrical System	5
Suspension	5
Visibility	3
Seat Belts	2
Vehicle Speed Control	2
Exterior Lighting	2

What owners report

2014-10-31, Fuel/Propulsion System
CAR SMELLS HORRIBLY LIKE GAS FUMES WHEN TURNED ON, MORE SO IN THE COLDER TEMPERATURES. SO MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE, I'M SURPRISED KIA HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL. BREATHING GAS FUMES FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE CANCER OR OTHER PROBLEMS...WOULD BE HORRIBLE IF KIA HAD A LAWSUIT ON THEIR HANDS FOR FAULTY EQUIPMENT CAUSING HEALTH PROBLEMS IN THEIR CAR OWNERS... *TR

2014-05-27, Electrical System
2001 KIA SPECTRA 1.9 LT ENGINE [YES, SOME MODELS WERE MADE WITH THIS SIZE ENGINE.] CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVE WAY JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT. NEIGHBORS CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT AT 2:30 AM. CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. FIRE CHIEF FOUND NO EXTERNAL SOURCE OF IGNITION. FIRE CHIEF SAYS ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE TRAVELED DOWN FUEL LINES TO GAS TANK. ENTIRE CAR BURNED. CAR IS TOTALED. FIRE CHIEF CANNOT SAY IF THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL, WIRING OR WHAT TYPE OF PROBLEM IN ENGINE. BOUGHT CAR NEW IN OCT 2001, ONE OWNER CAR. PLEASE ADVISE IF ANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THIS OR ANY OTHER KIA MODELS. *TR

2013-08-26, Air Bags
MY DAUGHTER STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND WITH HER CAR. THE UPON IMPACT THE CAR AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HER CHEST HIT THE STEERING VERY HARD. SHE ENDED UP WITH CHEST, NECK AND SHOULDER SEVERE PAIN. THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGE. RADIATOR FLUID WAS EVERYWHERE. *TR

2013-08-26, Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISING AND SEVERE PAIN FROM THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINING HER NECK AND CHEST AREA. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 9/17/13*CN

2013-08-10, Power Train
TRANS ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED SLIPPING WITH NO PRIOR ISSUES. WAS READING A TCM CODE THEN CODES FOR EACH GEAR REPLACED TRANS NEW TRANS DROVE 30 MILES AND IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING HAVE TO DRIVE LIKE A STICK 1ST 2ND AND THEN CAN PUT IN DRIVE AROUND 35MPH. ALSO BREAKS COME AND GO AS THEY PLEASE. *TR

2001 Kia Spectra questions

Does the 2001 Kia Spectra have any recalls?

No. NHTSA has no safety recalls on file for the 2001 Kia Spectra at this time.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Kia Spectra?

Based on 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (9), Power Train (9), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (6).

How do I check if a recall on my 2001 Kia Spectra has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.