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2001 Kia Spectra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Kia Spectra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 96.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 15 of 40 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports1 fire reports10 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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. RETU…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10096417

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WARPED ROTORS AND CHEAP BRAKE PADS

NHTSA ODI #10058494

14,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

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 LOO…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10069028

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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

NHTSA ODI #10015006

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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

NHTSA ODI #8022840

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #759164

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA04004 · Refueling Spit Back

Opened Feb 3, 2004 · Closed Jul 29, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap; Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly; Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:filling/charging

BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (7)

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Gasoline

BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:filling/charging

BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.