Kia Spectra Complaints (2002)

92 consumer complaints on file.

#10266468April 23, 2009
PARKING BRAKE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL 2002. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE AFTER THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKES ARE FINE AND TO PULL A LITTLE HARDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250107November 28, 2008
AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2008 AT 4:45PM, I WAS DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY 58 BY JENKINS AND ROSEDALE HIGHWAY IN BAKERSFIELD, CA. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND WAS APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES DUE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF MY BRAKING AUTOMATICALLY, MY BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I WAS IN A FRONT END CRASH. NOT ONLY DID MY BRAKES LOCK UP, BUT MY DUEL SIDED AIR BAGS IN MY 2002 KIA SPECTRA WHICH I HAVE ONLY OWNED FOR FOUR MONTHS DID NOT DEPLOY. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BADLY INJURED BUT DUE TO THIS INCIDENT MY MUSCLES ARE BADLY SORE AND BRUISED. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE IS DESTROYED AND MOST IMPORTANTLY MY HEADLIGHTS WHICH ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO HAVE, ARE SHATTERED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236947August 4, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THREE YEARS AGO WHILE TRAVELING DOWN I-40 THE CRUISE CONTROL STUCK ON THE CAR, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE CAR HAD CLIMB TO 90 MPH IN A 65 BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR WAS TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND CUT THE ENGINE. THANK THE DEAR LORD IN HEAVEN ME AND 2 OTHER CO-WORKERS WERE NOT IN HEAVEN TRAFFIC THAT DAY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO KIA IN WINSTON SALEM, NC WHERE THE MECHANICS ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT HAD EVER WORKED ON THAT CAR AT THAT TIME. THEY TRIED TO SAY THAT IT WAS AN ANIMAL OR SOMEONE MUST HAVE TOUCHED THE CABLE CAUSING IT TO SLIP OUT OF THE GROOVE WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL TO STICK. THEY FLIPPED IT BACK ON AND IT WORKED FINE UNTIL FRIDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 1, 2008 AROUND 9:00 AT NIGHT WHEN ME AND MY 10 YR OLD DAUGHTER WAS COMING HOME FROM HAVING DINNER OUT. AGAIN THE CRUISE CONTROL STUCK STARTED ACCELERATING WITH NO WAY OF STOPPING IT AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE CAR HAD CLIMBED TO 70 MPH IN A 55 BEFORE I FINALLY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND CUT THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAS SCARED ME TWICE NOW. I AM SCARED THAT IT WILL HAPPENED IT AGAIN AND NEXT TIME WE WANT BE LUCKY. I AM AFRAID THIS CAR MAY END UP HURTING US OR SOMEONE ELSE REALLY BAD. I COMPLAINED TO KIA 3YRS AGO THEY DIDN'T CARE WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND I SURE DON'T SEE THEM CARING NOW. DO YOU? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223457April 5, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND MY KIA SPECTRA WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE FOR NECK AND HEAD INJURIES. MY AIRBAG NEVER WENT OFF. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD HAVE. THE INSURANCE WANTS TO CLOSE OUT THE CLAIM AND I ADVISED THEM THAT I WANTED KIA TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AS TO WHY THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. WOULD LIKE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS WITHOUT HAVING TO GET A LAWYER INVOLVED. I WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL WITH WHIPLASH AND PAIN MEDS. I NEED TO GET A NEW VEHICLE AND LIKED MY SPECTRA BUT AM UNSURE AS TO ITS SAFETY. THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING BUT NOT SURE AS TO WHAT CAUSED IT. FIREMAN BROUGHT OVER AN EXTINGUISHER BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THEY USED IT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10222614March 28, 2008
AIR BAGS
1. MY SON WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON US 280 IN ALABAMA JUST SOUTH OF BIRMINGHAM WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT HE WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN HE IMPACTED THE REAR OF ANOTHER CAR. 2. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT HE WAS THROWN FORWARD AND HIS HEAD STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. HE SUFFERED A MILD CONCUSSION AND CUTS AN BRUISES. THE AUTOMOBILE HAS FACTORY INSTALLED AIR BAGS FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. 3. STATE FARM (THE INSURER) WROTE THE CAR OFF AS A TOTAL LOSS. I SENT PHOTOS OF THE CAR TO KIA CORPORATE IN IRVIN, CA. THEIR COMMENT WAS THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AND ACCIDENT OF THIS NATURE. NO ONE LOOKED AT THE CAR TO DETERMINE WHAT FAILED IN THE SYSTEM. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10222789March 24, 2008
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT BROKE. THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS SECURED IN THAT SEAT BELT WHEN IT BROKE. THE CHILD WAS NOT INJURED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE LABOR RATE IS $70 AND THE COST TO REPAIR IT IS $85. AS OF MARCH 24, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE SEATBELT. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED SINCE HER CHILD CAN REACH THE DOOR HANDLE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN APPEARED TO BE INVALID. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,300. UPDATED 05/19/08. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220356March 7, 2008
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217019February 5, 2008
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. THE VEHICLE HAS STARFIRE FLITE-LINE IV, SIZE P185/65R14 (NA) TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVED BACK AND FORTH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS WORN. THE DEALER EXPLAINED WHAT CAUSED THE TIRES TO CONTINUOUSLY WEAR; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT COULD NOT REMEMBER THE INFORMATION. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED SEVEN TIMES WITH DIFFERENT TIRE BRANDS AND LINES. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211447December 11, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW FELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS POOR QUALITY AND THEY REPLACED THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND RE-ATTACHED THE WINDOW CABLE. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOWS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FELL SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WEATHER CAUSED A PLASTIC PART ON THE WINDOW REGULATOR TO FAIL. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL THREE WINDOW REGULATORS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,140.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205291October 9, 2007
TIRES, SUSPENSION
THE REAR DRIVER TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE WINDOW WAS DOWN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN A TAPPING NOISE STARTED TO SOUND, WHEN THE CAR STOPPED BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FEELING SHAKY, THE TIRE HAD A RIP IN THE SIDE OF IT, THE WIRES WERE SHOWING, IT LOOKED LIKE A CUT BUT IT HAD JUST HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS SCARY TO SAY THE LEAST. THE TIRE HAS ALOT OF TREAD LEFT ON IT AND I THINK THE OTHER MATCHING SET OF TIRES MAY EXPLODE ANY DAY. AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW WITH THE TIRES BEING THIS WAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183049February 20, 2007
SEAT BELTS
WE HAVE NOW HAD A SECOND FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. IT NOW LACKS A RETRACT, AS WELL AS A LOCKING MECHANISM AND IS COMPLETELY USELESS. NOW ALSO, TWO MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171264October 18, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAD KIA SINCE 11-2002, HAD TO TAKE BACK TO THE DEALER OVER 10 TIMES WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH. HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS, ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STICK SHIFT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR EASILY. DASH BOARD HAS STARTED WARPING BECAUSE IT IS NOT GLUED TOGETHER. THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO COMES APART. DEALER SAYS IT IS SUPPOSE TO DO THAT. HAD TAKEN IT TO MECHANIC WHO INFORMS ME THAT EVENTUALLY MY DASHBOARD WILL WARP ALL THE TO THE AIRBAGS. NOW I AM AFRAID THAT AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THEN I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BACK BRAKES BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING, AND I WAS NEVER INFORMED AND HAD TO PAY TO HAVE MY BRAKES FIXED MYSELF. I HAVE TALKED TO THE HOME OFFICE OF KIA AND EVERYBODY REFUSES TO HELP ME. PLEASE GIVE ME ANY FEED BACK TO HELP ME. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164444August 3, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL-MY KIA DOESN'T LIKE TO CRANK UP ON THE FIRST TIME, STALLS IN TRAFFIC OR WITH A/C ON I TOOK TO A AUTO SHOP AFTER BREAKING DOWN AT A LIGHT IN JACKSONVILLE FL THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRES AND CHARGED ME $468.00 STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP IN GA AND THEY SPENT 8 HOURS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY IT STALLS AT AN IDLE. NO ONE CAN FIX IT. I THINK THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN THE CITY AND I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR LONG DISTANCE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154702April 6, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE DEALERS 4 TIMES; WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. ON THE FIRST VISIT, PART OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT SERVICE DEALER FOR THE SECOND VISIT WHERE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. ON THE THIRD AND FOURTH VISITS, THE SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147227January 9, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 KIA SPECTRA VIN [XXX] IN THE LAST MONTH I HAD 3 INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN SEVERE ACCELERATION ASSOCIATED WITH APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE FIRST TIME, ON DEC 8TH, AS I WAS STOPPING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE RPM COUNTER WENT TO 7500, THE CAR TRIED TO LURCH FORWARD, AND I HELD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP IT. AFTER A FEW SECONDS IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. MY KIA DEALER ADVISED ME TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP - THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME ON DEC 31 IN A MALL PARKING AREA AS I BRAKED TO TURN INTO A PARKING SLOT - I JUST MANAGED TO AVOID HITTING ONE OF THE PARKED CARS. THE LAST TIME, ON JAN 5TH IN THE TOLL LANE OF THE NYS THRUWAY AS I WAS STOPPING TO PICK UP THE TICKET. THIS TIME AGAIN, A SUDDEN VERY HIGH ACCELERATOR WITH THE CAR TRYING TO JUMP FORWARD AND APPLYING THE BRAKE TO HOLD IT. AFTER I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, AND I STARTED IT AGAIN AND AGAIN EACH TIME I RESTARTED. I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND ADVISE ALL THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME IN THE QUEUE OF MY PROBLEM. AFTER A FEW TRIES, I WAS ABLE TO START IT AGAIN WITHOUT REVVING UP AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER VERY CAREFULLY. FOUR DAYS LATER, HEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT I AM NOT WILLING TO RISK MY LIFE OR THE LIVES OF OTHERS. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE - THEY WERE POLITE BUT UNHELPFUL. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, OTHER THAN OBTAIN LEGAL COUNCEL AS WELL AS REPORT THIS TO THE NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. ANY ADVICE WOULD BE WELCOME THANKS! *JB UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144288November 29, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER 2002 KIA SPECTRA AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON FRONTAL COLLISION. *TS *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10133803August 22, 2005
WHEELS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CAR IN FRONT STOPPED SHORT SO ALSO IMMEDIATELY APPLIED BRAKES FORCEFULLY IN VEHICLE. WHEELS LOCKED CAUSING CAR TO VEREEN ACROSS HIGHWAY ADN BOUNCE OFF JERSEY BARRIER OUT OF CONTROL AND BACK ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC BEFORE HITTING LEFT SIDE BARRIER AND STOPPING. CAR IS A TOTAL WRECK. KIA BODY PERSON SAYS ACCIDENT CAUSED WHEEL TO LOCK NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. DIDN'T THINK THEY WOULD ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR CAUSING ACCIDENT AND THEY DIDN'T LET ME DOWN ON THAT SCORE. INSURANCE COMPANY SETTLED CLAIM WITH DEDUCTIBLE APPLIED AND MA AUTOMATICALLY PLACES BLAME TO DRIVER ON ONE CAR ACCIDENTS. THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT BUT I CAN'T PROVE IT.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10128800July 14, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSON / DRIVETRAIN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111902February 21, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS MOVING MY CAR FROM THE SIDE DOOR OF MY HOUSE TO THE FRONT OF THE GARAGE DOOR WHEN I COULD NOT STOP. I WAS DOING APROXX. 3 MPH AND SLID IN THE GARAGE WHERE IT WAS ABOUT A HALF FOOT FROPM HITTING MY SONS TRUCK WHICH IRONICALLY HE JUST HAD DONE A BRAKE JOB ON THE DAY BEFORE (WORKING GREAT). THE CAR WAS MADE ON 6/20/2001 SO IF ANYONE AS A PROBLEM IT NEED TO BE REPORTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106990February 7, 2005
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, AIR BAGS
THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR AT 65 MPH, CAUSING IT TO STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS BROKE, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *SC *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Spectra