2002 Kia SpectraProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 92 owner complaints about the 2002 Kia Spectra, most often about the air bags. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 13, 2016. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Where the 2002 Kia Spectra has problems
92 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 22 | 21 |
| Power train | 12 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 9 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 8 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 1 |
| Visibility | 7 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 |
| 13 other systems | 30 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2002 Kia Spectra recalls and how many were fixed
No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.
2002 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
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2002 Kia Spectra safety ratings
2002 Kia Spectra 4-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2002 Kia Spectra, and the recalls they led to.
- REAR DRUM BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKAGENo recall
What Spectra owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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,…
ON MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2006, A 1984 GMC PICKUP, CROSSED THE CENTER LINE OF TX 317, CAUSING A SEVERE FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. ALTHOUGH THE SPECTRA DRIVER WAS PROPERLY WEARING HER SEAT BELT, SHE SUSTAINED FATAL BLUNT FORCE INJURIES WHEN THE FRONTAL DRIVER?S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO…
ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2008 AT 4:45PM, I WAS DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY 58 BY JENKINS AND ROSEDALE HIGHWAY IN BAKERSFIELD, CA. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND WAS APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES DUE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF MY BRAKING…
Own a 2002 Spectra?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.