2003 Kia Spectra LS from North America - Comments

The car won't start in park, I have to start it in neutral.

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.

It is a shame that this reviewer chose to criticize Kia for problems caused by an aftermarket remote starter device.

This is obviously a neutral start switch. if you took it to Kia in the first place instead of the "starter guy" your problem would have been solved. Try more constructive methods of problem solving and don't have some hack shop put in a cheesy aftermarket remote start.

Replying to the first comment. If Kia made parts that were halfway reliable, there wouldn't be a need to buy aftermarket parts in hope of having a car that works.

Replying to the previous comment, and defending the first reply, Kia should not be blamed or held responsible for aftermarket alterations to a vehicle, and in some situations the warranty could/should be void. Obviously the issue is with the installer and not Kia. So pleas, do not make ridiculous comments in the future.

Hi. I am a used car dealer and I have encountered this problem. It had to do with the transmission lever. What happpens is that the cable gets jammed and unles the lever shows PARK position on the dashboard car will not start. Get the transmission cable lubrified and it will fix the problem. Cable is in the engine compartment.

Hope this will help.