Kia Spectra Complaints (2003)

90 consumer complaints on file.

#10090371September 3, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AFTER REAR ENDING A LARGE TRUCK AT 45 MPH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10067396August 20, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AT 13,500 MILES TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083062July 31, 2004
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR, EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 2 CAR LENGTHS AHEAD OF ME AND OUR 2 YEAR OLD SON IN HIS CAR SEAT IN BACK. HE WAS DRIVING APROX 50 MPH. HE WAS IN A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE BACK WINDOW BLEW OUT. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A WARRANTY UP TO 60000 MILES. WE IMMEDIATELY DROPPED THE CAR OFF. THEY SAID WE DID SOMETHING WRONG IE HIT SOMETHING THREW SOMETHING ECT. THEY CLAIMED THE FOUND A PEBBLE ON THE BACK LID (WE SEARCHED THE CAR) THE PEBBLE HAD THE SAME EPOXY FOUND ON THIER SHOP FLOOR. THEY DID NOT REPLACE NOR TAKE BLAME. WE WERE BLOWN OFF. AND SCIENTIFICALLY SPEAKING IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR A PEBBLE TO FLY BACKWARDS INTO A REAR WINDOW AND SHATTER IT. THERE ARE NO OVER PASSES OR ANYTHING IN THAT AREA. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10075744June 7, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. DEALER STATED ROTORS WERE WARPED AT 15,000 MILES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073299May 28, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
MY DAUGHTER, WHOM IS 7, WENT IN THE TRUNK TO RETRIEVE SOME BELONGINGS AND THE TRUNK CLOSED ON HER. SHE DID EXACTLY WHAT SHE WAS TAUGHT AND PULLED THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE. THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY (THE BALL AT THE END OF THE CABLE DISENGAGED FROM THE LATCH) AND MY CHILD WAS LOCKED IN THE TRUNK FOR 20 MIN. SHE STRUGGLED SO HARD TO GET OUT THAT SHE HAD CUTS ON HER HANDS AND FEET. I THEN MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE MY KIA SPECTRA 2003 INSPECTED. THE SERVICE TEC. STATED TO ME THAT IS WAS MOST DEFINITELY A PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS THAT WAY ON ALL 2003 KIA SPECTRAS. HE WOULD THEN TELL ALL THE APPROPRIATE HIGHER UPS ABOUT PROBLEM. I WAS CONTACTED A WEEK OR SO LATER AND A KIA SPOKES PERSON STATED TO ME THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ETR AND THAT CHILDREN SHOULD NOT PLAY IN CARS. HE TOLD ME THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. MY DAUGHTER IS NOW TERRIFIED OF THE CAR AND WANTS TO GET A VAN SO THIS WONT HAPPEN AGAIN. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10073571May 13, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET IT SUDDENLY DISENGAGES BY ITSELF. WHEN THIS OCCURS VEHICLE DECELERATES TO A LOW SPEED. THEN, WITHOUT WARNING CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGES AT THE SPEED IT WAS PREVIOUSLY SET. DEALERSHIP REPLACED CRUISE CONTROL MODULE, AND REPAIRED THE WIRING AT THE HARNESS TO THE PIN CONNECTOR BECAUSE OF A SHORTAGE. HOWEVER, FAILURE RECURRED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10064274March 31, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS LETTER IS BEING WRITTEN AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT (CASE # FHPH040FF003275) INVOLVING MY 2003 KIA SPECTRA GSX AND ANOTHER VEHICLE ON MARCH 6, 2004.*AK THE CRUISE CONTROL CONTINUED TO WORK UNTIL ABOUT 1:00PM ON INTERSTATE 10 WHEN I WAS IN THE SLOW LANE AND DRIVING AT 70 MPH (SPEED LIMIT) WITH THE CRUISE ON. I WAS SLOWLY CATCHING UP TO TWO TRUCKS IN MY LANE, WHEN THE REAR TRUCK STARTED TO PASS THE SLOWER TRUCK AHEAD OF ME. TRAFFIC BEHIND ME WAS CATCHING UP TO ME AT THE SAME TIME AS THE PASSING TRUCK PULLED INTO THE PASSING LANE. I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO SLOW DOWN SO I PRESSED DOWN ON THE COAST SET BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL, FOUR OR FIVE TIMES AND MY KIA SLOWED DOWN TO 65 MPH. THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED DOWN TO LET THE PASSING TRUCK IN THE FAST LANE GET BY. I PRESSED THE SAME COAST SET BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL FOUR OR FIVE TIMES TO SLOW THE KIA AND NOTHING HAPPENING. THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED AND THE KIA CONTINUED ITS SPEED OF 65 MPH. I THEN PRESSED THE SAME COAST SET BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE KIA INCREASED SPEED. I PRESSED THE CANCEL BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE KIA INCREASED SPEED. I STEPPED ON THE BREAK AND THE KIA CRUISE CONTROL DIDNT DISCONNECT. I PRESSED DOWN THE CLUTCH AND STEPPED ON THE BREAK THREE TIMES AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDNT OR WOULDNT DISCONNECT. I LOOKED DOWN AT THE COAST SET, CANCEL, AND RES ACCEL BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND PRESSED CANCEL A NUMBER OF TIMES. EVERY TIME I PRESSED THE CANCEL BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR ACCELERATED BUT NOW I WAS OUT OF ROOM AND TIME. I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING LITTLE DAMAGE TO THEIRS, RUBBED THEIR BUMPER BUT A LOT OF DAMAGE TO MINE, $1500 - $2000. WHEN OUR TWO VEHICLES COLLIDED THE CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058467February 19, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONITUNES TO POP ON. AS OF 2/19/04, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS LIT UP 3 TIMES. ONCE IT WENT OUT ON ITS OWN, I LET IT GO. THE PAST TWO TIMES IT HAS BEEN RELATED TO THE P0442 EVAP LEAK (FUEL CAP). FUNNY THING IS, MY 2003 SPECTRA HAD A RECALL NOTICE COME IN TO HAVE THE FULE CAP REPLACED DUE TO A KNOWN 'LEAK'. I NEVER HAD ISSUES WITH THIS PRIOR TO THE RECALL FIX. I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 1 YEAR NOW AND NEVER HAD PROBLEMS BEFORE. SCHEDULED APPT FOR 02/23/04 AND DEALER ADVISED THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE AND RE-REPLACE FUEL CAP IF NEEDED. IT IS NOT A MAJOR PROBLEM, BUT AN ANNOYANCE. IT WILL MAKE ONE GET TO A POINT WHERE THEY MIGHT IGNORE THE ENGINE LIGHT DO TO IT CONTINUOUSLY COMING ON FOR NO SERIOUS REASON!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055988January 28, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 28 MPH IN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069743January 15, 2004
SEAT BELTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. THE RUBBER WEATHER STRIP CAME OFF AND CONTINUES TO COME OFF AFTER A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I NEEDED TO PUT OIL IN THE CAR 2 MONTHS AFTER I GO IT, IT WAS ALMOST OUT OF OIL. I WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGED A FEW MONTHS LATER AT KIA OF COLUMBUS GA, AND ASKED WOULD THEY TOP OFF ALL FLUIDS AND THEY REPLIED YES. LESS THAN 3 WEEKS LATER I HAD TO GET MY OIL CHANGED AGAIN AND I NEEDED TRANSMISSION FLUID. I HAVE HAD A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES SQUEAKING SINCE ABOUT AFTER THE FIRST WEEK. THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY TOLD ME AT KIA OF COLUMBUS GA THAT MY BRAKES WERE FINE. MY BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEAK. THE LIGHT INSIDE THE CAR WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN, COMES ON BY ITSELF WHEN ALL THE DOORS ARE CLOSED. THE LIGHT ON THE CEILING OF THE CAR HAS TO STAY IN A PERMANENT OFF POSITION, OR THE LIGHT WILL COME ON BY ITSELF. MY CAR HAS BEEN KICKING BACK WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE WHILE MAKING THIS GROANING NOISE WHEN IN REVERSE. MY SEAT BELT ALSO SEEMS TO PULL IN A LOCKED POSITION SOMETIMES WHEN I AM AT A RED LIGHT, I AM SITTING STILL, NOT MAKING ANY SHARP TURNS FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS KIA SINCE I BOUGHT IT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10070297January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. KIA RETURNED THE CAR AFTER 2 WEEKS. IT WORKED FOR 1 HOUR. RETURNED IT TO KIA-KIA RETURNED AFTER 5 WEEKS. AIR WORKED FOR 3 WEEKS. RETURNED TO KIA-SAID IT WAS THE FREON. WORKED FOR 30 MINS AND QUIT. I CANNOT TAKE IT BACK TO HAVE IT WORKED ON BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT GIVE ME A CAR TO DRIVE. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING IN THE HEAT WITH NO AIR BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO ACCOMODATE ME. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AND ONLY DRIVEN IT FOR 3.5 MONTHS BECAUSE OF REPAIRS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048314January 15, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. THE DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES,AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10041615October 10, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
I BOUGHT A KIA SPECTRA 2003 ON 9/27/03 WITH MANUFACTURER'S DATE OF 11/4/02. IT WAS A USED CAR WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT. ON 10/09/03, THE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING AN EMISSION SYSTEM PROBLEM. THE DEALER CHECKED IT AND REPLACED THE GAS CAP THAT THEY DISCOVERED WAS LEAKING. HOWEVER, ON 10/10/03, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE CHECK LIGHT BLINKED ON MOMENTARILY WHILE THE CAR LOST SPEED, AND WHEN THE LIGHT BLINKED OFF IT RESUMED ITS SPEED. IN REVIEWING TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, IT APPEARS THAT KIA SPECTRAS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 5/4/01 AND 7/12/02 WERE TO BE HAVE THE ORVR VALVE REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CAR MAY HAVE THE SAME DEFECT BUT IS NOT COVERED BY THE TSB. I WOULD APPRECIATE RECEIVING FURTHER UPDATES ON THIS SITUATION FOR MY CAR IN CASE THE TSB IS EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF MY CAR. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10039850September 12, 2003
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THE SEAT BELT BROKE AS A RESULT OF DRIVER NOT BEING RESTRAINED PROPERLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10037690August 26, 2003
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CONSUMER STATES THAT AIR CONDITIONER ON NEW KIA DOES NOT WORK. WHENEVER SHE TURNS DEFROSTER ON THE AIR BLOWS OUT OF THE VENT. AFTER COMPLAINING TO THE MECHANIC ,SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO BE REPAIRING THE PROBLEM, BUT WHEN SHE GOT THE VEHICLE BACK , THE AIR WAS BLOWING ON THE FEET ONLY. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE, AND EACH TIME IT STAYED IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS. LAST TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP IS STAYED IN THERE 2.5 WEEKS WAITING FOR A NEW PARTS, NEW FAN AND BLOWER. SHE WANTED TO KNOW IF THE LEMON LAW WOULD HELP HER GET ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10029581July 17, 2003
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING STEERING WHEEL WOULD PULL IN EITHER DIRECTION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10025428July 4, 2003
WHEELS:HUB
I HAVE A KIA SPECTRA LS VIN [XXX] WITH OPTIONAL ALLOY WHEELS PACKAGE. THE PROBLEM IS I HAVE LOST 2 CENTER HUB CAPS ON THESE WHEELS. I AM PRETTY CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE NOT BEING STOLEN AND I DO NOT RECALL ROUGH DRIVING ON EITHER OCCASION.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10024076June 16, 2003
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023107June 15, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
TETHER ANCHORS: CHILD SEAT REAR TETHER CAN NOT BE INSTALLED/USED PROPERLY ON HATCH BACK MODEL. THE HATCH COVER, ANCHOR LOCATION, AND CARGO PREVENT THE TETHER REMAINING SNUG. THE HATCH COVER PUSHES ON THE TETHER, LOOSENING THE STRAP. THE ANCHORS POSITION MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LOAD, TRANSPORT OR UNLOAD CARGO WITHOUT COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE TETHER AND CAUSING IT TO LOOSEN. THE OWNER'S MANUAL CAUTIONS AGAINST USING A TETHER IN THE MIDDLE SEATING POSITION (RECOMMENDED POSITION FOR CHILD SAFETY SEATS) BECAUSE THE TETHER COULD SLIP BETWEEN THE SPLIT SEATS, AGAIN CAUSING SLACK AND PREVENTING THE TETHER FROM HELPING HOLD THE CHILD SEAT SECURE. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10022916June 12, 2003
SUSPENSION
ONCE VEHICLE REACHES 70 MPH THERE IS VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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