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Exterior lightingPart report

2003 Kia Spectra Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
8%of 90 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Kia Spectra, 8% of the 90 complaints for this model year.

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.

“I have an ongoing problem with my 2003 Kia Spectra, approx. 2 years ago I started having problems with the car shutting off while I was driving and while I came to a stop at the traffic light. I had the car towed to Kia and they did a tune up and replaced a part that was supposedly the problem for the vehicle to shut off or to accelerate while at a traffic light. When this happens it takes all you can do to keep the car from lunging forward. Also sometimes when you turn the air conditioner on it causes the car to accelerate while at a traffic light. …”

NHTSA complaint #10199784, filed 2007-08

“The back passenger seat belts were not long enough to hold a 135 pound passenger. The door was misaligned, rear lights were inoperative, snow had gotten into the rear seat(s), the vehicle leaked, seat belts were inoperative, click noise in the wipers when on a low speed, pulling noise in the engine per mechanic, and pulling when shifted. Scc”

NHTSA complaint #10012170, filed 2003-03

“The engine made a horrible noise. The dealer inspected the vehicle but could not duplicate the problem. The door was misaligned, rear lights were inoperative, snow had gotten into the rear seat(s), the vehicle leaked, seat belts were inoperative, click noise in the wipers when on a low speed, pulling noise in the engine per mechanic, and pulling when shifted. Scc”

NHTSA complaint #10012167, filed 2003-03

“Snow entered the vehicle, which caused the door not to open. The door was misaligned, rear lights were inoperative, snow had gotten into the rear seat(s), the vehicle leaked, seat belts were inoperative, click noise in the wipers when on a low speed, pulling noise in the engine per mechanic, and pulling when shifted. Scc”

NHTSA complaint #10012169, filed 2003-03

“The vehicles windshield wipers failed intermittently. The dealer replaced the windshield motor yet the problem persisted. The door was misaligned, rear lights were inoperative, snow had gotten into the rear seat(s), the vehicle leaked, seat belts were inoperative, click noise in the wipers when on a low speed, pulling noise in the engine per mechanic, and pulling when shifted. Scc”

NHTSA complaint #10012177, filed 2003-03

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200922%
200887%
200743%
200622%
200522%
200378%
200233%
200125%

Other parts of the 2003 Kia Spectra

Brakes
18 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
16 complaints
Engine cooling
14 complaints
Air bags
11 complaints
Body and structure
11 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaints
Electrical system
9 complaints
Seat belts
9 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Steering
4 complaints
Equipment
3 complaints
Seats
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