2002 Kia Spectra recalls and problems

The 2002 Kia Spectra has 0 recalls and 92 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is air bags.

2001 Kia Spectra
Pictured: a 2001 model; the 2002 may differ in details. Photo: 2001 Kia Spectra by OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2002 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 10 Spectra model years — 6th most.

0recalls
92complaints
25crashes
2fires
19injuries
42,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
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0 recalls

No recall campaigns on file.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2002: 22 complaints2002222003: 17 complaints2004: 12 complaints20042005: 6 complaints2006: 4 complaints20062007: 3 complaints2008: 7 complaints20082009: 3 complaints2010: 5 complaints20102011: 1 complaints2012: 4 complaints20122013: 2 complaints2014: 3 complaints20142015: 2 complaints2016: 1 complaints20161

NHTSA investigations

REAR DRUM BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKAGE

PE04065 · opened Sep 21, 2004 · closed Feb 8, 2005
Summary

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR DRUM BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKAGE IN 2002 KIA SPECTRA VEHICLES.THIS INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY KIA?S EARLY WARNING REPORT TO THE AGENCY FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2004, WHICH CONTAINED A SINGLE FIELD REPORT THAT IDENTIFIED 13 INCIDENTS OF WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKAGE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE AVAILABLE IN BOTH 4-DOOR SEDAN AND 5-DOOR HATCHBACK BODY STYLES.THE SAME PARTS SUPPLIER PROVIDES WHEEL CYLINDERS FOR BOTH VEHICLE TYPES, ALTHOUGH THEIR PART NUMBERS DIFFER.THESE PARTS ARE USED ON ALL MY2002-2004 SPECTRA ?TYPE-I? VEHICLES MANUFACTURED THROUGH 12/30/2003.ADDITIONALLY, MY2001-2005 KIA RIO VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/17/2004 USE THE SAME WHEEL CYLINDERS AS THE SUBJECT SPECTRA ?TYPE-I? 4-DOOR SEDAN.MY2004 SPECTRA ?TYPE-II? VEHICLES, WHICH STARTED PRODUCTION ON 12/8/2003, DO NOT USE THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS AS THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH REAR DISC BRAKES.THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED ODI OF ONE COMPLAINANT WHOM ALLEGED A CRASH CAUSED BY, ?INADEQUATE BRAKE SYSTEM RESPONSE,? RESULTING IN ONE PERSON INJURED.HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THAT MULTIPLE CAUSAL FACTORS MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CRASH INCIDENT AND NO SINGLE FACTOR HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE PRIMARY CAUSE.IN TOTAL, ODI IS AWARE OF 5 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, 1 FIELD REPORT, AND 813 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN 2002 KIA SPECTRA VEHICLES.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED DEGRADED STOPPING PERFORMANCE…

2002 vs. other Kia Spectra years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2002. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2002 Kia Spectra have recalls?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Kia Spectra. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.

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

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (22), service brakes (14), power train (12). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.