2001 KIA Spectra Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

AIR BAGS

8 complaints

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

Aug 26, 2013

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

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

Aug 26, 2013

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

ON A FRONT SLIGHTLY LEFT INPACT TO MY VEHICLE, MY AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT.I WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH, I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING A RATHER LARGE BUMP AND BRUISE. I HAVE PAIN TURNING MY NECK AND IN MY SHOULDERS AND WILL SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR THIS.

Feb 19, 2004

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

AIRBAG MALFUNCTION RESULTED IN SEVERE NECK & BACK DAMAGE CAUSING IMMEDIATE CHIROPRACTIC CARE.*AK

Sep 02, 2002

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH WAS IINVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISON AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.DRIVER WAS INJURED.*AK

Jul 09, 2002

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

+ 3 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

4 complaints

THE ENGINE HAD A CASTING DEFECT WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO REPLACE IT I'M HAVING TO CONSTANTLY REPLACE SENSORS O2 AND THE SENSORS IN THE SHIFTER THE CAR IS BREAKING DOWN EVERY MONTH SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. *TR

Jan 15, 2011

TWO WEEKS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED ENGINE MADE A TAPPING NOISE BECAUSE OIL WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE ENGINE MOTOR SEAL. A FUEL DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY RECALL 04V179000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS MODEL VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK

Jun 25, 2004

I OWN A 2001 KIA SPECTRA HATCHBACK. I HAVE 24,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS STARTED STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND I ALSO HAVE TROUBLE STARTING IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS ON A "CALL" LIST. I WAS GIVEN NO FURTHER INFORMATION. I WAS JUST TOLD TO GIVE THEM A FEW DAYS TO "TRY" TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *NLM

Apr 16, 2003

THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

Mar 25, 2003

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

4 complaints

BRAKE FAILURE - MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, MECHANIC SAID HE HAD A HARD TIME BLEEDING THE BRAKES???? ABOUT A WEEK AFTER REPAIRED BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY AND WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE DAUGHTER COULD NOT STOP. HAVE TO PRESS THE PEDAL ALMOST THROUGH THE FLOOR TO STOP AND SEEMS TO HAVE NO BRAKES. RETURNED TO SHOP, AND BRAKES WERE BLEED AGAIN, MECHANIC DROVE FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND VEHICLE WAS RETURNED, DAUGHTER AGAIN TRIED TO DRIVE A COUPLE DAYS LATER AND AGAIN NO BRAKES!!!!!! CHECKING IF VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL BRING TO DEALER. ALSO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME, IDLES ROUGH ETC., THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED!*AK

Oct 26, 2004

WARPED ROTORS AND CHEAP BRAKE PADS

Feb 19, 2004

THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WORN, WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB

Apr 02, 2003

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

Nov 15, 2002

POWER TRAIN

3 complaints

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Nov 02, 2004

TRANSMISSION MODULE ON ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING TRANSMISSION DAMAGE, LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPLACED. SECOND TRANSMISSION BLEW A FRONT PUMP SEAL WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES WHILE ON OUR VACATION/HONEYMOON. THIRD TRANSMISSION REPLACED WHILE ON VACATION OUT OF STATE. CURRENT (THIRD) TRANSMISSION IS STILL SLIPPING. HAVE NOT SOUGHT OUT SERVICE FOR THIS FAILURE YET AS WE DO NOT TRUST THE DEALERSHIPS IN OUR AREA. WE HAVE WRITTEN KIA CERTIFIED MAIL OVER A MONTH AGO TO BE REIMBURSED FOR EXCESS EXPENSES INCURRED DUE TO THESE MECHANICAL FAILURES AND TRAVEL INTERUPTION MONIES UNDER THEIR WARRANTY, BUT TO DATE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. *AK

Jul 02, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION AREA, AND AT TIMES IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CHANGE GEARS. DEALER SHIP HAS REPLACED COMPUTER INSIDE TRANSMISSION, AND HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION THREE TIMES, BUT PROBLEM SITLL OCCURS.*AK

Aug 01, 2002

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 complaints

SIX MONTHS AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT EXPERIENCED IGNITION PROBLEMS. VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION. DASHBOARD COMPONENT LIGHTS CAME ON, BUT THE ENGINE FAILED TO TURN OVER. THE MAIN COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPUTER CHIP THE FAILURE OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN WHICH THE DEALERSHIP TIGHTENED A LOOSE IGNITION WIRE, REPLACED THE BATTERY, AND SERVICED A BAD CONNECTION IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS SAME ISSUE.*AK

Aug 20, 2004

IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS, VEHICLE IS NOT STARTING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

Jun 14, 2002

WHILE DRIVING 65MPH VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AFTER PRESSING GAS PEDAL. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO JERK. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER OF A SHORT IN WIRES. HAD WIRE FUSED BACK, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

Jan 16, 2002

SUSPENSION

3 complaints

WHILE COMING AROUND A BEND INTO TRAFFIC VEHICLE'S REAR END COMMENCED TO JERK/PULL, AND REAR END HIT A SIGN. THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS STILL UNDETERMINED. NEITHER DEALER OR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK

Jun 28, 2004

Crash: 1

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING SHEARED OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND PULLED OVER. DRIVER NOTIFIED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT.*AK

Feb 13, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Feb 12, 2004

VISIBILITY

2 complaints

THE HEATER CORE IN THE CAR WENT OUT 4 TIMES IN 4 MONTHS FOR NO REASON, RESULTING IN THE WINDOW FOGGING WITH NO WAY OF SEEING. *JB

Mar 02, 2007

I HAVE HAD THE HEATING SYSTEM IN MY CAR REPAIRED 4 TIMES SINCE THE DAY THAT I BOUGHT IT. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. I LIVE IN VERMONT WHERE THE WEATHER GETS EXTREMELY COLD IN THE WINTER, MEANING THAT YOU HAVE TO KEEP WINDOWS CLEARED AT ALL TIMES, IF NOT, IT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH SHOULD THERE BE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER SHIP FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE, THOUGH THEY HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF IT HAPPENING NOW. THIS WILL BE THE 5TH TIME THAT IT HAS GONE IN FOR REPAIRED ON THE SAME ISSUE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE A/C BLOWER AND HEATER ARE WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. THE BLOWER DOES NOT WORK AND THERE IS NO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE.*AK

Jan 29, 2006

SEAT BELTS

2 complaints

FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES BROKE WHEN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS AND BRUISES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THEY WERE LATER RELEASED. *AK

Oct 16, 2003

Crash: 1

Injuries: 2

VEHICLE HIT A DEER AND SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN CONSUMER. HIT HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. SUFFERED BACK/ NECK AND KNEE INJURIES. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $ 8000. *AK

Sep 21, 2001

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

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

Oct 31, 2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

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

May 27, 2014

Fire: 1

POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

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

Aug 10, 2013

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY

1 complaint

2001 KIA SPECTRA TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. FUEL PUMP AND TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, REAR WINDOW FELL OUT OF VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE TECHNICIAN THAT REPLACED THE REAR WINDOW STATED THE GLUE THAT WAS USED TO INSTALL THE WINDOW WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB

Jan 19, 2006

AIR BAGS,SEATS

1 complaint

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. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE. THROUGH SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND OTHERS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO, (SEAT BACK FAILURE) AND I DO KNOW THERE IS A SUIT PENDING IN THE STATE OF FL. I AM SURE THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE, ( SINCE THERE IS A SUIT PENDING) YET THEY HAVE NOT MADE STRIDES TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. *LA

Jul 13, 2004

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

I GOT IN A ACCIDENT WHEN MY BRAKES WENT OUT THAT NIGHT AND I COULDN'T STOP. WHEN MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP THEY TOLD MY THAT THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND I NEED THE HAVE THE BRAKE LINE CHECKED OUT. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE KIND OF BRAKES THEY ARE THE WOULD SQUEAK. THEY NEVER TOOK THE TIME TO REALLY LOOK AT THE BRAKES BECAUSE THAT SAME DAY I HAD MY BRAKES REPLACED. I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND ALTERNATOR PROBLEMS AND A LOT MORE.

Jan 15, 2004

Crash: 1

STEERING,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAD GONE INTO REVERSE BY ITSELF AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIR. THERE WAS A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL UPON GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE DEALER. *AK *SCC *JB

Dec 02, 2003

TIRES

1 complaint

REAR RIGHT TIRE DEVELOPED BUBBLES AND MADE NOISE WHILE DRIVING. NAME OF TIRE: KUMHO, ECSTA-HP4, TIRE SIZE: P185/65R14 DOT: NUMBER UNKNOWN. *AK

Nov 05, 2003

SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND DIDN'T CHANGE GEARS. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO FULL THROTTLE. (TWO ACCIDENTS HAD OCCURRED DUE TO THESE FAILURES) TS THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT HAD PULLED TO THE LEFT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. SCC

Jan 28, 2003

Crash: 1

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD AFTER STARTING VEHICLE NONE OF THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS WORK UNTIL CAR WARMS UP. NLM

Apr 18, 2002

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

MY WIFE WAS ON HER WAY TO PICK UP OUR SON FROM SCHOOL,WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AS SHE STEP ON THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP,IT SEEM TO BE ACCELARATING. SHE ALMOST REAR-ENDED A TRUCK, SHE HAD TO RUN A RED LIGHT,THANK GOD THE ROAD BEGAN TO GO UP HILL AND SHE FORCED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AT WHICH TIME VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. SHE IS 8 1/2 MONTH PREGNANT, DEALER CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. WE DO NOT TRUST VEHICLE ANY LONGER. *AK

Mar 10, 2002

⭐

4.6/5.0

73 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2001 KIA Spectra have?

The 2001 KIA Spectra currently has 40 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2001 KIA Spectra?

The most common problems reported for the 2001 KIA Spectra are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2001 KIA Spectra problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2001 KIA Spectra comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.