Kia Spectra Complaints

906 consumer complaints on file.

#10148444January 24, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TOOK THE CAR TO WALMART FOR FLUID CHECKS. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER LEAVING THERE, I HIT AN ICY PUDDLE AND LOST THE ABILITY TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE CAR RECOVERED, BUT AFTER THAT WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I RETURNED TO WALMART WHO ADVISED ME THEY COULD NOT GET THE PROBLEM TO OCCUR, PROBABLY BECAUSE THE CAR WAS WARM. ALSO, THEY ADVISED ME THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FINE. SINCE THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO SAID THERE WAS INTERNAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER EXPERIENCE TELLS ME IT'S PROBABLY THE FLYWHEEL. NOW THEY DON'T WANT TO HONOR THE WARRANTY CLAIMING FLUIDS WERE NOT CHANGED. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FLUIDS. ALSO THERE IS A SIMILAR PROBLEM, ODI 10112469, WHICH WOULD IMPLY THIS COULD BE A DEFECT. MY CAR HAD 54,000 MILES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148216January 20, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS ALL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR WITHOUT DETERMINING THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 52 MILES. AT 14000 MILES THE FAILURE REPEATED AND THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIR FOR THE SECOND TIME. ON 1/19/06 THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148660January 19, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR, POWER TRAIN
2001 KIA SPECTRA TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. FUEL PUMP AND TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, REAR WINDOW FELL OUT OF VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE TECHNICIAN THAT REPLACED THE REAR WINDOW STATED THE GLUE THAT WAS USED TO INSTALL THE WINDOW WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147349January 10, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
THE BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE IS LEAKING AND THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP HAVING THIS REPLACED. THIS IS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THIS PART APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AS THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED HERE AND ELSEWHERE. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I CANNOT BELIEVE IS LIMITED TO MY VEHICLE. ALSO, THE INTERIOR COMPONENTS STARTED FALLING OFF WITHIN 6 WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP. THE CONSOLE LID BROKE, THE CAPS FOR THE GAS RELEASE LEVER AND THE TRUNK LEVER HAVE ALL COME OFF NUMEROUS TIME. THE CAR JACK SNAPPED THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME IT WAS USED TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE. *JB
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
#10146836January 3, 2006
STEERING:LINKAGES
I PURCHASED MY KIA SPECTRA ON 8/26/05 AND BY THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER THERE WAS A GRINDING, RUBBING NOISE THAT COULD BE HEARD IN THE STEERING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. SHORTLY AFTER THIS NOISE STARTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. I HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT, JEFFREY KIA IN ROSEVILLE, MICHIGAN. INITIALLY FOR THE FIRST WEEK TO WEEK AND A HALF THEY WOULD NOT RESPOND TO EMAILS OR PHONE MESSAGES. WHEN I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE IN THE SERVICE DESK PERSON CLAIMED THE SERVICE TECHS HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DETERMINING WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS HEARD SEVERAL OTHERS VERY CLEARLY. FINALLY AFTER KEEPING MY CAR FOR AN ENTIRE DAY THEY DECIDED IT NEEDED A NEW STEERING ASSEMBLY - SUPPOSEDLY JUST BECAUSE A BUSHING WAS BAD. THEY NEVER GAVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER AS TO WHY THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED IF ONLY A BUSHING WAS BAD. THEY ALSO DETERMINED THE 02 SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THERE IS A RECALL ON MY MAKE VEHICLE BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE AS IT WAS ASSEMBLED AFTER THE RECALL PERIOD. I STRONGLY SUSPECT THEY KNOW MY VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT IS WHY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER, 2 DAYS AFTER PICKING UP MY VEHICLE I AM AGAIN HEARING THE SAME GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND ESPECIALLY DURING TIGHT TURNS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT OF JEFFREY KIA AND THEY REFUSE TO RETURN MY CALLS. I AM ATTEMPTING TO GO TO ANOTHER DEALER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146396December 29, 2005
AIR BAGS
DT: THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND SHE RAN A STOP SIGN. SHE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145280December 15, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAVE REPLACED BOTH HIGH & LOW HEADLIGHTS 3 TIMES EACH. HEATER IS NOT WORKING. JUNCTION BOX NEEDS REPLACED 12/15/05. CAR IS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA WITH 97,500 MILES ON IT. IT WAS BOUGHT NEW. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144843December 9, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN OR WHILE BRAKING OR PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT VEHICLE REVVED AND LURCHED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 1/11/2006 - THE TRANSMISSION LINE HAD COME OFF AND CAUSE COOLANT TO LEAK. THE LINE WAS REPAIR AND TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED BUT TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THREE TIMES AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR THREE TIMES. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THIS TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE GENE PULSE ASSEMBLY. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IDLE SPEED ACTUATOR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144732December 8, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD RED TURNED OFF REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. WHEN AT THE DEALER THE AIR BAG LIGHT RED CORRECTLY, THEREFORE NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK
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
#10143392November 21, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR.*AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143244November 19, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
MY DAUGHTER OWNS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA [XXX] WITH A BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE THAT STARTED LEAKING ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED. ARE THESE VALVES DEFECTIVE BECAUSE MY OTHER DAUGHTER WITH A 2002 KIA RIO [XXX] HAD THE SAME VALVE REPLACED LAST YEAR ON HER RIO. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. *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
#10142785November 15, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS A SEAT SENSOR AND IT SHOULD TURN THE AIR BAG ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE PASSENGER IS AN ADULT MALE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEREFORE, THERE HAVE BEEN NO CORRECTIONS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. *NM UPDATED 11/29/2005 - THE FAILURE OCCURS EACH TIME THE MALE PASSENGER SAT IN THE SEAT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141885November 6, 2005
AIR BAGS
I PURCHASED A 2005 KIA SPECTRA EX ON JULY 11, 2005 AND HAVE ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY "ADVANCED" PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM. AS OTHER POSTERS HAVE STATED, THE LIGHT HAS COME ON WHILE DRIVING WHEN A PERSON OF PROPER STATURE IS IN THE SEAT AND STAYS OFF FOR VARYING AMOUNTS OF TIME. I LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS THANKFULLY WE HAVE THE LEMON LAW HERE THAT ALLOWS YOU SOME PROTECTION FOR DEFECTS OF THIS NATURE. TOMORROW MY CAR GOES IN FOR THE FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT AND IF IT IS NOT FIXED, IT WILL BE CLASSIFIED AS LEMON, ALLOWING ME A REFUND OR REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR THIS PROBLEM 4 TIMES AND STILL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN, THE SYSTEM WAS RE-PROGRAMMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED. THIS REPROGRAMMING DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A LARGER ISSUE AT HAND. IF ANYONE ELSE HAS GOTTEN TO THIS POINT, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [email protected]. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141180October 29, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I HAVE A 2005 KIA SPECTRA, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAS A FEATURE THAT MEASURES THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER AND TURNS ON OR OFF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. TWICE NOW WITH A FULL SIZED ADULT SITTING CORRECTLY IN THE SEAT THE AIR BAG WOULD TURN OFF FOR NO REASON. BOTH TIMES IT HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OR IN CITY TRAFFIC...THE AIR BAG REMAINED OFF FOR AROUND 5-10 MIN WHEN IT JUST WOULD TURN BACK ON. THERE WAS NO CAUSE THAT WE COULD SEE FOR IT TO JUST TURN OFF AND ON. DURING THAT TIME, IF WE WOULD HAVE CRASHED THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140636October 24, 2005
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
DT: THE CONTACT PESUMES THAT THE SPINDLE BROKE ON THE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE PULLED O THE LEFT. HE PULLED OVER, CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT SPINDLE WAS BROKEN. HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WITH HOPES OF BUYING A NEW SPINDLE. THE CAR CAME WITH DRUM BRAKES, AND WHEN THE DEALER LOOKED UP THE VIN THE COMPUTER SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH DISC BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIND A NEW SPINDLE FOR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE ISSUE.*AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - THE SPINDLE WAS PROVIDED BYTHE DEALER ON NOV 1, 2005. AFTER THAT DAY OTHER PARTS WERE NEEDED. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140297October 20, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 KIA SPECTRA 5 (LESS THAN A MONTH AGO) WITH AIRBAG SENSORS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYED ON WITH AN ADULT SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR REPAIRS. THE FIRST TIME, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG (AND THAT THE PERSON MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SITTING PROPERLY IN THE FRONT SEAT). THE SECOND TIME, AFTER STATING THAT I WAS NOT LEAVING UNTIL SOMETHING WAS DONE, THE SEAT WAS REMOVED AND SENT OUT FOR REPAIRS. WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK THREE DAYS LATER, NOTHING HAD BEEN FIXED. WHILE MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP, I WAS GIVEN A KIA SPECTRA AS A RENTAL CAR. THE RENTAL CAR EXHIBITED THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140057October 17, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL LEAKAGE. I TOOK MY CAR TO KIA DEALER FOR ENGINE AN LIGHT. THEY REPLACED THE GAS CAP AND THE ORVR VALVE IN WHICH THEY REPLACED THE OTHER NIGHT WHILE DRIVING HOME I SMELLED GAS WENT TO ACCELERATE AND CAR STARTED TO STALL I GAVE IT MORE GAS AND STARTED TO SPUTTER THE CAR BEHIND ME STARTED BEEPING AND FLASHING THE LIGHT. THEY PULLED NEXT TO ME AND SAID GET OUT OF THE CAR GAS WAS POURING OUT. I PULLED OVER SHUT ENGINE OFF THE GAS STOPPED POURING OUT THE NEXT MORNING MY HUSBAND GOT UNDER THE CAR AND THE FUEL LINE TO THE BACK OF THE FILTER HAD JUST CAME OFF. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139671October 14, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HER TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE SLIPPING. SHE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES TO BE EXAMINED. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM OCCURRED BETWEEN 20-40 MPH. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK THEN BACK TO DRIVE. EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A TEMPORARY FIX, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL HARD TO PULL OVER WHEN IN TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH KIA, AND THEY TOOK HER INFORMATION AND HAD THE DEALERSHIP CALL HER BACK. WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS AT THE DEALER, THEY SIMPLY EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, THEN GAVE IT BACK TO THE CONSUMER AND TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN FIND THAT IS WRONG. THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN THEY TREATED HER LIKE SHE MADE UP THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER IS CONSIDERED APPLYING FOR THE LEMON LAW IN HER STATE. *AK (12/08/05) THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FASTER. KIA REPLACED THE COMPUTER BOARD IN RELATION TO THE TRANSMISSION. *SC UPDATED 1/25/2006 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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