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
Airbags
Avg mileage:64,486 mi
Crash-related:10
#38 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:35,522 mi
Crash-related:1
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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 | |
| Airbags | 10 | 10 | — | 64,486 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 8 | 1 | — | 35,522 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 7 | 2 | 1 | 59,083 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | 1 | — | 81,376 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Air Bags:Frontal
12
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
1
Avg Miles
23,911
Airbags
10
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
—
Avg Miles
64,486
Automatic Transmission
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
35,522
Hydraulic Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
59,083
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,376
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
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
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Child Seat
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking-Brake Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
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
2002 Kia Spectra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Kia Spectra reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2002 Kia Spectra has 121 NHTSA complaints, 38 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Air Bags:Frontal with 12 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Kia Spectra?
Top reported problems: Air Bags:Frontal (12 complaints, avg 23,911 mi); Airbags (10 complaints, avg 64,486 mi); Automatic Transmission (8 complaints, avg 35,522 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Kia Spectra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 48,486 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Kia Spectra?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Kia Spectra include 38 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 27 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Kia Spectra have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Kia Spectra as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Kia Spectra?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
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.
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