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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Kia Spectra Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2001 Kia Spectra right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 40 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Kia Spectra.

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2001 Kia Spectra owner complaints

Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Kia Spectra, describing incidents dated January 1, 2001 to May 27, 2014.

Most-cited components

  • Air Bags 9 complaints
  • Power Train 8 complaints
  • Service Brakes 7 complaints
  • Engine 6 complaints
  • Electrical System 4 complaints
  • Suspension 4 complaints

Of the 40 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 40 complaints, owners report 11 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10651640 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #10594233 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #10537367 · Filed

    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

Read all 40 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Kia Spectra in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations
We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2001 Kia Spectra right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

Other Kia Spectra model years

Check your 2001 Kia Spectra VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kia Spectra at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Kia VIN