My car is leaking gas on the passenger side underneath the car I also have gas fumes in my car too, I am losing a lot of gas in my car.I have strangers pointing out that my car is leaking gas and the smell of gas when I park my car in a public parking lot when I do shopping, I fear that my car will go up in flames and I have my children ride in the car and complain about the fumes of gas I see that there was the same recalls on 2004 kia spectra. Mine is is a 2003 which I having the exact problems with a gas leak . I need this to be on a recall list to get repair asap , for the safety of me and my kids.
The worst 2003 Kia Spectra problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes18
- Transmission16
- Engine14
- Airbags11
- Body11
- Visibility10
- Electrical9
- Seat belts9
- Lights7
- Fuel system5
- Steering4
- Acceleration3
- Seats3
- Suspension3
- Locks2
- Wheels2
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Kia Spectra
No deployment 9Wipers 6Check engine light 5Transmission failure 5
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Kia Spectra 12
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Information for headlamp condensation and moisture
- Pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- TSB - use of aftermarket USB charging cables in USB/12V ports
- Automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the...
- Kia: doors locking intermittently without driver input from the rke transmitter or key switch may be...
- Kia: all models. article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear...
- Charging system upgrade. tt
- Service campaign to replace orvr (on-board refueling vapor recovery) valve. tt
2003 Kia Spectra fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-21 | 27-29 | 22-24 |
What 2003 Kia Spectra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Dirt cheap cars sold me a car that wont pass inspection
I bought a car from a used dealer and I was informed that it had no frame damage but I took it to two garages and both garages informed me that there was frame damage front and back and the one garage I took it to said that they were aware of the frame damage
I noticed brake fluid underneath my car one day and checked my level to find that there was basically no brake fluid in the reservoir. Turns out it's the brake proportioning valve. After looking online it seems like this is a trend and has caused accidents previously. The mechanic was surprised that this was indeed the problem after calling and then getting the car repaired. The leak came on suddenly and was fairly sever requiring that I add brake fluid after every short drive. If I hadn't noticed this problem I likely would have ended up rear-ending someone or worse. It also seems to be prevalent amongst the 2000-2005 models.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia spectra. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,234. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia spectra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
At my cost I had to replace the brake proportioning valve which was causing a brake fluid leak. Apparently this is a common dangerous situation. Please create a recall before someone's brakes completely fail in traffic.
The covering around the steering column has crumbled and is coming apart. I'm concerned because I'm not sure if this will affect the air bag if needed. Very poor quality of material was used for this.
The dash, where it meets the windshield, has curled up and detached from the defroster vent on the driver side. The plastic defroster vent is also crumbling from being exposed to the sun. I can't believe how cheap of materials was used for this.
Went to turn on my heater today and the smell of gasoline filled my car, 4-door sedan. The car had the same problems as many of the other owners mentioned before e.g. A brake fluid leak, squealing brakes and the transmission is always slow to kick in when pulling off from a stop. Never experienced a gas leak problem with any other car I owned.
Compare the 2003 Kia Spectra
Other model years
Questions about the 2003 Kia Spectra
Is the 2003 Kia Spectra reliable?
Owners have filed 90 complaints about the 2003 Kia Spectra, close to a typical Spectra model year.
What is the 2003 Kia Spectra year score?
The 2003 Kia Spectra scores 77 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Kia Spectra: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Kia Spectra?
Brakes, with 18 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles. Next is transmission (16).
How many recalls does the 2003 Kia Spectra have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the Kia Spectra have bad brakes?
The Kia Spectra model years with the most brakes complaints are 2003 (18 complaints), 2002 (15 complaints) and 2005 (10 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Kia Spectra get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Kia Spectra range from 22 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-21 city and 27-29 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Kia Spectra?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history