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2001 Kia SpectraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 40 owner complaints about the 2001 Kia Spectra, most often about the air bags. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

2001 Kia Spectra
67
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years50% below the Spectra median · #9 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints4024 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage66kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 31, 2014. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Kia Spectra has problems

40 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags98
Power train82
Engine and engine cooling62
Service brakes, hydraulic61
Electrical system41
Suspension42
Visibility30
Seat belts22
Vehicle speed control21
8 other systems92

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2001 Kia Spectra recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other Spectra year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Spectra median. How we score

'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Kia Spectra, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REFUELING SPIT BACKEA04004 · closed Jul 29, 2004
    No recall
In owners' words

What Spectra owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 10537367 · Aug 26, 2013
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…
Complaint 10537366 · Aug 26, 2013 · 140,000 miles
I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION CAUSING MY CAR TO BE SLAMMED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY,THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK BROKE. I HAVE RECEIVED A LOWER BACK INJURY, SHOULDER AND ARM INJURY, AND HEAD INJURY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED, SO THERE ARE NO REPAIRS TO BE DONE.…
Complaint 10080996 · Jul 13, 2004 · 58,000 miles

Own a 2001 Spectra?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.