2003 Kia Spectra LS review from North America
"Don't buy a Kia no matter what model!!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The car won't start in park, I have to start it in neutral.
General comments?
I have had many issues with Kia Canada. Let me back track a bit... I bought a brand new 2002 Kia Rio in May of 2002 and by November 2002 they realized it was a lemon after so many electrical problems--which there is not enough room here to get into it. So they decided to help me out--great I got into a 2003 Kia Spectra--perfect I thought--everything seems to go well. Eight days after I bought it, it failed to start--the lights all came on in the dash, but it didn't turn over--AMA ended up coming to look at my car and he was able to start it in neutral. I thought it had something to do with the remote starter (hoping it had nothing to do with the car), I took it to where I got the starter installed. To make a long story short, I have had two brand new starters put in and finally they took it out only to find out that it still won't start in park--I have to start it in neutral each time which is about 30 times now since Dec. 6, 2002 when I bought it. The guy from the starter place is taking it to Kia next week to see what is going on--he thinks it may have something to do with the ECM module. I have also heard that this same problem has happened in a Kia Sportage. I am sick and tired of all these problems with Kia--I certainly will never recommend anyone to buy one of their cars.
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![]() ![]() | This car is possessed |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Reliability marks | 1/10 |
| Comfort marks | 7/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | |
| Distance when acquired | 200 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 1500 kilometres |
| Previous car | Volkswagen Jetta |
| Date of Entry | 9th January, 2003 |


