2002 Kia Spectra Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2002 Kia Spectra recalls

No safety recalls on file for the 2002 Kia Spectra.

Most common 2002 Kia Spectra problems

Problem areas named in the 92 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	22
Power Train	12
Electrical System	9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	9
Seat Belts	8
Visibility	7
Vehicle Speed Control	7
Steering	7
Engine And Engine Cooling	6
Structure	5

What owners report

2016-04-13, Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DOOR HANDLES WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

2015-07-14, Steering
A FRONT TIE ROD BROKE, SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE, AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIT UP BUT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE NOT POINTING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ISSUE LIKELY CAUSED A DISCONNECT IN A CIRCUIT, WHICH CAN PREVENT ALL AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING.

2015-03-09, Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. AFTER OPENING THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS, THEY FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW NEEDED A NEW MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICL

2014-11-18, Structure
THE PAINT JUST FADED AWAY. ALOT ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR. LOOKS BAD WITH PART OF THE PAINT FADING AWAY. WAS THERE A RECALL FOR THE FACTORY PAINT JOB ON THE CAR/ *TR

2014-08-13, Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRUM. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND IT WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP CONNECTOR AND A BLOWN FUSE . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

2002 Kia Spectra questions

Does the 2002 Kia Spectra have any recalls?

No. NHTSA has no safety recalls on file for the 2002 Kia Spectra at this time.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Kia Spectra?

Based on 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (22), Power Train (12), Electrical System (9).

How do I check if a recall on my 2002 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.