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Engine & cooling

2002 Kia Spectra Engine problems

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2002 Kia Spectra's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 6% of all its complaints, most recently on September 14, 2004. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Engine & cooling

While driving the check engine light appeared on the dashboard. The vehicle surges forward while applying the brakes the vehicle will continue speed. The driver was able to drive it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the vehicle was placed on a diagnostic machine the problem cannot be duplicated the problem. Please fill in additional information.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10092151
Engine & cooling

At the end of july 2004 my kia spectra began to act as if the car was choking and not going to start after I turned on the ignition of the car. I noticed that the car only did this after it had sat for a while (like over night). I took the car to the dealership where I had purchased it a year earlier and they said that there was not any thing wrong with the car it was acting normal. If that is the case then why is it just now starting to act like this and it does not do it all the time. If you ask me I think they...

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just don't want to fix the problem while it is still under warranty. I bet if I where to take the car to the dealer after my warranty has ran out then they would find what is wrong with it because I would have to pay to get it fixed. Guess what farrell kia of spartanburg I only have 11,500 miles on this 2002 kia spectra. By the way the car is still acting like it is about to turn off or choking when I try to start the car sometimes.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10088246
Engine & cooling

While driving at any speed vehicle shutdown forcing consumer to pull out of the road. Dealer replaced twice the battery,but problem still recurring. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10030100
Engine & cooling

The vehicle ran rough, idled rough at stop lights, and had a hard start in the morning. In a few weeks of purchase, two spark plugs were replaced. The dealer stated the rough running was normal. Scc *jb

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10009904
Engine & cooling

Power is down if radio and air conditioner is on. Vehicle will intermittently restart if stalled. Dealer is aware of problem. Service technician at dealership stated that engine may possibly not be strong enough for vehicle. *Akwhen on an incline, the vehicle will roll forward even though the clutch and the gas had been engaged. The check engine light does not illuminate to give warning of a failure. *Jg

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8015954
Engine & cooling

My driver's window and passenger's right front window has a air leak and water will come in, and engine runs very rough. *Ak

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 763632

Kia Spectra engine complaints by year

Spectra engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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