2003 Kia Spectra Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 12%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Kia Spectra, 12% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,500 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Posess a 2003 Kia Spectra gt that was involved in a rear end collision. Only one person in the vehicle but both air bags deployed. Airbag broke windshield as well as side casing that held the seat belts in place. I am concerned about this and want to know if this is a normal occurrence in this vehicle or any vehicle for that matter? Pieces of the interior of the vehicle shattered and scattered throughout the vehicle and could have caused harm to anyone they contacted. Please advise.”
NHTSA complaint #10016417, filed 2003-04, 45 miles“While driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. The dual airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries,and the vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10048314, filed 2004-01, 24,000 miles“Dt: 2003 Kia Spectra. The consumer stated when turning the vehicle was hit on the front driver's side by the wheel. The vehicle was hit so hard that the bumper came off and pushed the engine and hood up. The fireman said the air bags should have deployed. The vehicle spun around twice. This broke the rear axle on the driver's side. The vehicle ended up six feet from where the accident occurred. The consumer's back was sore for a few weeks. A police report taken. The insurance company totaled the vehicle and has not been inspected to see why the airbags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10136028, filed 2005-10, 23,000 miles“Dt: 2003 Kia Spectra. The car has been in 2 accidents and the airbags did not deploy. During the first accidentconsumer's vehicle was cut off by someone in front. In turn a SUV hit consumer's vehicle on the rear passenger's side. During the second accident consumer's vehicle rear ended a car in fron. This was a front to rear collision at 25 t-30 miles MPH. There was injuries in the second accident. A police report was taken. Also, there there was a problem with oil circulation. Ithe consumer was told by the dealership that the oil sending unit was not working properly.”
NHTSA complaint #10134346, filed 2005-08, 81,275 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10775422, filed 2015-09, 100,234 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 76 | 67% |
| 2008 | 61 | 50% |
| 2007 | 56 | 37% |
| 2006 | 46 | 46% |
| 2005 | 43 | 42% |
| 2004 | 26 | 37% |
| 2003 | 11 | 12% |
| 2002 | 22 | 24% |
| 2001 | 9 | 23% |
| 2000 | 9 | 39% |
Other parts of the 2003 Kia Spectra
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Kia Spectra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology