10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
11 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 1
Average Mileage:
5,978 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Kia Spectra seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2002 Kia Spectra Owner Comments

problem #12

Jan 162006

Spectra

  • 53,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On Monday, January 16, 2006, a 1984 GMC pickup, crossed the center line of tx 317, causing a severe frontal collision with a 2002 Kia Spectra. Although the Spectra driver was properly wearing her seat belt, she sustained fatal blunt force injuries when the frontal driver?S side air bag failed to deploy in the severe frontal collision due to an open circuit in the airbag system. The passenger air bag, however, did deploy and provided supplemental restraint to the belted passenger, thus she was not seriously injured in the crash. Warranty claims to Kia for open circuits in this and similar models' airbag systems number in excess of 400 and maybe many times that number.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #11

Mar 112008

Spectra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I was involved in a front end collision and my Kia Spectra was a total loss. I was taken to the hospital by ambulance for neck and head injuries. My airbag never went off. I believe it should have. The insurance wants to close out the claim and I advised them that I wanted Kia to inspect the vehicle as to why the airbag did not deploy. Would like to take care of this without having to get a lawyer involved. I was released from the hospital with whiplash and pain meds. I need to get a new vehicle and liked my Spectra but am unsure as to its safety. The vehicle was smoking but not sure as to what caused it. Fireman brought over an extinguisher but I don't believe they used it.

- Centennial, CO, USA

problem #10

Nov 292005

(reported on)

Spectra

  • miles
Consumer 2002 Kia Spectra airbags did not deploy upon frontal collision.

- Muncy Valley, PA, USA

problem #9

Jan 012005

Spectra 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

During an accident the consumer's seat belt released and the air bags did not deploy. Kia sent the consumer a letter stating that its engineers designed airbags to only deploy in severe accidents where the risk of serious injury or death was substantial. The consumer requested information on whether or not any lawyer is pursuing any cases against Kia.

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #8

Sep 152003

Spectra

  • miles
The vehicle was hit in the front right corner by another vehicle traveling 10-15 mph. The air bag sensor was impacted but the front air bags did not deploy. The driver received injuries to the back and neck.

- Fort Lewis, WA, USA

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problem #7

Apr 072002

Spectra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,734 miles
I rear ended another vehicle at 30-40 mph, front end damage resulting in over $6400, including unibody alignment. Upon impact driver and passenger air bags did not deploy, brakes locked up and did not release. I am concerned about the safety of this vehicle and would like an investigation into this matter.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #6

Dec 172002

Spectra

  • 5,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving at 40 mph, vehicle was T-bone on the front passenger side fender, and none of the air bags deployed upon impact. This resulted in driver being injured.

- Valley Springs, CA, USA

problem #5

Dec 132002

Spectra

  • miles
While traveling about 50mph on the highway hit a curb. And lost control of vehicle and then hit a telephone pole. Upon impact, dual airbags didn't deploy. Ts....

- Woodland, WA, USA

problem #4

Nov 192002

Spectra

  • miles
While driving vehicle was hit from the rear and the front and none of the air bags deployed upon impact. This resulted in driver being injuried.

- Woodland, WA, USA

problem #3

Sep 302002

Spectra

  • miles
While driving vehicle was hit on the driver side which caused the vehicle to spin out of control and go into a ditch. None of the air bags deployed upon vehicle impact which resulted in injuries to occupants.ts

- Beckley, WV, USA

problem #2

Aug 282002

(reported on)

Spectra

  • miles
Vehicle was involved in a 35-40 mph frontal collision hitting a tree in which driver and passenger air bags did not deploy, cause unknown.

- Plattsburgh, NY, USA

problem #1

Aug 162002

Spectra

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
When driving on flat surface consumer was hit on front left driver side of vehicle and air bags did not deploy. Dealer notified. Consumer states during the accident the seat belt failed to retract and the back seat unlocked and came down.

- Corona, CA, USA

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