Power window regulator and motor failure
VISIBILITY
3 NHTSA complaints · 2003-11 → 2015-03
“WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW FELL”
“DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW LOCKED UP WILL NOT ROLL DOWN”
2002 Kia Spectra Recalls, Problems & Maintenance
The 2002 Kia Spectra has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Power window regulator and motor failure.” Kia uses Hyundai Motor Group's powertrains, so service intervals mirror Hyundai's. Kia Promise covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. Kia owners with the Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Optima, Sorento, Sportage 2011-2019) should adhere strictly to oil intervals due to known oil-consumption issues in Kia TSBs.
Save this car as:
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Known issues & problems for this vehicle
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2002 Kia Spectra.
Reported to NHTSA
Air bags not deploying in frontal and side collisions
AIR BAGS
22 NHTSA complaints · 2002-08 → 2015-07
“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”
“THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS IMPACTED BUT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
“CONSUMER 2002 KIA SPECTRA AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON FRONTAL COLLISION”
Brake fluid leak and loss of braking
SERVICE BRAKES
6 NHTSA complaints · 2003-10 → 2013-09
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOORBOARD”
“FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID LEAVING ME WITH NO BRAKE FLUID WHATSOEVER”
“WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP”
Sudden acceleration or surge when braking
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
9 NHTSA complaints · 2003-02 → 2011-02
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED, CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE”
“WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD AT A HIGH SPEED”
“WHEN STOPPING VEHICLE , IT WILL SURGE FORWARD”
Transmission failure and loss of drive
POWER TRAIN
10 NHTSA complaints · 2002-06 → 2012-05
“TRANSMISSION: CAR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD, ONLY REVERSE”
“WE HAD THE CAR ONLY 7 WEEKS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DIED”
“ON TWO OCCASSIONS, THE VEHICLE HAS DROPPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE BEING DRIVEN HIGHWAY SPEEDS”
Hard starting and engine stalling
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
7 NHTSA complaints · 2002-08 → 2006-08
“FAILURE TO START ON INITIAL STARTUP OF THE DAY, ENGINE STALLS AND GOES DEAD”
“CAR WILL NOT START WITH FIRST TURN OF THE IGNITION, NEED TO CRANK AND STEP ON GAS ABOUT 3 OR 4 TIMES BEFORE CAR WILL START”
“WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SHUTDOWN FORCING CONSUMER TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD”
Seat belt retraction, anchorage and latch failure
SEAT BELTS
5 NHTSA complaints · 2002-04 → 2010-06
“WE HAVE NOW HAD A SECOND FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT”
“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT BROKE”
“THE DRIVER NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTED UPON IMPACT CAUSING INJURIES TO BOTH OCCUPANTS”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Essential maintenance
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Engine Oil & Filter
Every 3,750 miSevere service: every 3,750 miles. Normal: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L on Optima, Sorento, Sportage (2011-2019): full synthetic only, never extend.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Tire Rotation
Every 7,500 miRotate tires every 7,500 miles. Telluride and Sorento AWD owners benefit from rotation every 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Brake Inspection
Every 7,500 miInspect brake pads and rotors every 7,500 miles. Forte and Soul front pads typically last 40,000-55,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Brake Fluid
Every 30,000 miReplace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required for ABS and ESC pump longevity.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Important maintenance
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Engine Air Filter
Every 30,000 miReplace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Every 30,000 miSevere service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Kia SP-IV — same as Hyundai.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Spark Plugs
Every 105,000 miIridium-tipped plugs rated 105,000 miles on most Kia engines. 1.6T (Forte GT, Soul Turbo): 60,000 miles. 3.5L Lambda II V6 (Telluride, Sorento): 105,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Long-Life Coolant
Every 30,000 miKia Long-Life Coolant (pink, same as Hyundai): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not mix with green or orange coolant.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD)
Every 60,000 miOn AWD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
Recommended maintenance
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Cabin Air Filter
Every 15,000 miReplace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Optima, Forte, and Sportage; behind the dashboard panel on Telluride.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Fatal crash history & reported problems
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
120 crashes 1990–2024
How the 120 occupant deaths break down
86
driver deaths
34
passenger deaths
120
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2002 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Why we show driver deaths too
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
27
complaints mentioning a crash
3
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2002 Kia Spectra reflects Kia's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.