22nd Jan 2003, 14:50

I purchased my 2002 Kia Spectra in August of 2002. The day after I drove it off the lot I experienced problems starting the car. It had to be in neutral before the car would start. It is now January of 2003 and I am now experiencing my second problem. My transmission changes so hard at times it feels as if the car is falling apart. I have taken the car back to the dealer twice and they cannot seem to find anything wrong. Good Luck with your purchase.

25th Jun 2003, 18:59

June 2003. I just bought 2002 model. When I am driving really slow (20mph) I hear a low grinding noise coming from what seems to be the front left tire. The noise could easily be overlooked, but I caught it. I don't know what it is yet.

15th Aug 2003, 06:18

There is a "service bulletin" concerning the check engine light. If the gas cap is tight and the light stays on there is probably a bad sensor in the gas tank.

The tank needs almost removed to get at this sensor (exhaust needs dropped at back). It took my service center a few hours to change it.

6th Jul 2004, 18:49

I bought a 2004 Kia Spectra in May 2004.

This car sometimes will not change out of second gear, and will not go into third gear.

My car sometimes will not go over 20 mph, and my car's A/C will not get cold when you are stopped or idling.

I took this car to the dealership before I'd owned the car for a month, and they just test drove it, and said that since the check engine light will not come on when these things are happening, I have to just drive it until it quits, and they will tow it. Or I could leave it there with them, and no rental car until they can get it to do it while they are driving it, and then they will fix it if something happens.

26th Jan 2008, 15:37

I have a 2002 Kia Spectra with 62,000 miles. I changed the transmission fluid right when I purchased the car since it was used at 53,000. The transmission went out at 62,000 and the fluid was still clean, but the tranny was a mess. Any with similar problems?