Complaints
121
Crashes
38
Fires
4
Injuries
27
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Kia Spectra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#112 complaints
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Avg mileage:23,911 mi
Crash-related:11
Fires:1
#210 complaints
AIR BAGS
Avg mileage:64,486 mi
Crash-related:10
#38 complaints
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Avg mileage:35,522 mi
Crash-related:1
Considering a 2002 Kia Spectra?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Kia Spectra.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 12 | 11 | 1 | 23,911 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 10 | 10 | — | 64,486 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 8 | 1 | — | 35,522 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 7 | 2 | 1 | 59,083 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 | 1 | — | 81,376 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 | — | 1 | 82,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 4 | — | — | 4,406 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 4 | — | — | 120,424 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 4 | — | — | 27,500 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 3 | 1 | — | 47,671 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 3 | — | — | 45,005 mi | |
| TIRES | 3 | 2 | — | 100,322 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 | — | — | 10,800 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 | — | — | — | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 2 | — | — | 17,000 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 2 | — | — | 1,000 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 | — | — | 30,716 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| SUSPENSION | 2 | 1 | — | 147,661 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 | — | — | — | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 2 | — | — | 28,000 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 2 | — | — | 3,000 mi | |
| WHEELS | 2 | 1 | 1 | 59,000 mi | |
| CHILD SEAT | 1 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE | 1 | — | — | 31,000 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 | — | — | 165,000 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 | — | — | — | |
| PARKING BRAKE | 1 | — | — | 63,000 mi |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
12
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
1
Avg Miles
23,911
AIR BAGS
10
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
—
Avg Miles
64,486
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
35,522
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
59,083
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,376
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
82,000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
4,406
SERVICE BRAKES
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
120,424
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
27,500
SEAT BELTS
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
47,671
STRUCTURE
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
45,005
TIRES
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,322
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
10,800
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
17,000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
1,000
POWER TRAIN
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
30,716
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
SUSPENSION
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
147,661
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
28,000
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
3,000
WHEELS
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
59,000
CHILD SEAT
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
31,000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
165,000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
PARKING BRAKE
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,000
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Kia Spectra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Kia Spectra Years
Wider context: See the full Kia Spectra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Kia Spectra
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99