2003 Kia Spectra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 18%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Kia Spectra, 18% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My mother bought this car brand new couple years back. Haven't had any problems till now. On my way to work im going around a curve and transmission went out. Thought for a second I accidentally put it in neutral. My transmission never slipped, shifted hard or any other signs of problems. This is crazy, not sure yet if Kia is covering they promised warranty.. I really hope so..”
NHTSA complaint #10449935, filed 2012-03, 91,375 miles“In april of 2009 my transmission went out without warning right in the center lane of heavy traffic as I was leaving my home, I had to have the car towed to a transmission shop just to find out that Kia would not honor the warranty and the costs ($1550) came out of my own pocket. The repairman told me that this problem occurs quite often with the 2003 Kia Spectra but there was no safety recall. Now it is september of 2011 and the transmission is going out again! With this vehicle at less than 70,000 miles the transmission should not be going out twice already!”
NHTSA complaint #10425111, filed 2011-09, 55,500 miles“Every time I take off from a stop sign ect. My transmission kicks when shifting first to second gear. In an automatic,it is rare. It is only a 2003 too. I have had people tell me that transmissions are designed like that. Bull!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10130718, filed 2005-07, 29,000 miles“I bought my 2003 Kia Spectra brand new,kept up with oil changes and maintenance,my transmission went out at 71,ooo miles. I had the so called 100,000 mile warranty on it. They did not cover any of it they said because I live in ga it gets hot,so the warranty wont cover it. Also,I was recently in a fender bender and my air bags did not deploy,and we have also had several trips to the Kia place because of minor stuff such as the air not working and the check engine light continually staying on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10174655, filed 2006-11, 71,000 miles“We have a 2003 Kia Spectra. This car came with a 100k mile warranty. When we bought the car in december of 2003 it had only 79 miles on it. In december of 2004 with only 23,000 miles on it, it got stuck in the snow in the road blocking traffic. We had to push the car out of the street. After pushing for a short time transmission burned up and is now destroyed. I live in northern kentucky so I get snow occasionally. Does this mean that anyone living where it snows should not by a Kia? …”
NHTSA complaint #10112469, filed 2005-03, 23,940 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10091489Dec 6, 2013Tsb: automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct automatic transmission fluids that are required for each kia…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% |
| 2006 | 7 | 7% |
| 2005 | 7 | 7% |
| 2004 | 16 | 23% |
| 2003 | 16 | 18% |
| 2002 | 12 | 13% |
| 2001 | 8 | 20% |
| 2000 | 2 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2003 Kia Spectra
18 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsAir bags
11 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