Kia Spectra Complaints (2005)

103 consumer complaints on file.

#10161817July 7, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE ODOMETER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. AND IN SOME CASES, THE SPEEDOMETER INCREASED TO 110 MPH WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES WHO HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158361May 26, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES INDICATING THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE WAY THE PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND OFFERED NO REPAIRS. UPDATED 06/30/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157521May 14, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
INFREQUENTLY, WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE, THE RPM'S WILL GO UP TO THE 7 OR 8,000 RANGE, AND I CANNOT SUCCESSFULLY STOP THE CAR; I HAVE HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PUT THE CAR IN PARK IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP. ONE TIME I WENT THROUGHT THE INTERSECTION OF A STOP SIGN, FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS PRESENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157059May 9, 2006
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WE WERE BROADSIDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE CONTACTED KIA AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS NOT ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. MY WIFE HAD TO BE EXTRACTED BY THE JAWS OF LIFE. WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSOR LIGHT NO GOING OFF WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT. WE HAD IT BROUGHT IN AND THEY DID THE RECALL. BUT THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROOF THAT THEY DID OR DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. KIA COVERS THEMSELVES BY STATING THAT NOT ALL ACCIDENTS WILL DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10157063May 9, 2006
AIR BAGS
WE OWN A KIA SPECTRA 05 , WE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT NOT GOING OUT WHEN THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. WE BROUGHT IN THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IT AS "REFLASHED". BUT THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT IN MARCH WHERE OUR CAR WAS BROADSIDED BY AN SUV AT THE SPEED OF AT LEAST 40 MPH. MY WIFE WAS STUCK IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO EXTRACT HER WITH THE JAWS OF LIFE AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE FIRE CHIEF WAS VERY UPSET THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE CONTACTED KIA NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO LOOK INTO WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE SENT PICTURES OF THE CAR AND A POLICE REPORT. THEIR RESPONSE WAS VERY POOR. IT STATED THAT FROM THE EVIDENCE, WE WERE HIT BEHIND THE FRONT WHEEL WELL AND IN FRONT OF THE DOOR HANDLE.( THE FRONT OF A SUV IS LARGER THAN THE AREA THEY CLAIM WAS DAMAGED.) SO THE B PILLAR SENSORS WERE NOT ACTIVATED. THE GARAGE THAT TOWED OUR VEHICLE CLEARLY STATES THAT THE B PILLAR WAS SMASHED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED OUR CAR. DAMAGE WAS IN EXCESS OF $10,000. MY WIFE'S HIP WAS DISLOCATED AND SHE WAS BRUISED ON THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF HER BODY. OUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN DENIED TWICE BY KIA. THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NO PROOF THAT THE SENSOR WORKED OR DID NOT WORK. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10155175April 4, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT
2005 SPECTRA FRONT END MAKES A RATTLING NOISE IN THE FRONT END THAT COULD BE HEARD INSIDE THE HOUSE WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. *TS THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN RECTIFIED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT STRUTS, INSULATORS, PADS AND FLANGE SELF-LOCKING UNIT. THE LEFT FRONT STRUT NUT WAS CROSSED-THREADED, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO FIND THE RATTLE. UPDATED 09/13/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153313March 21, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 KIA SPECTRA WHICH HAS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION--A FACT NOT DISCLOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. A VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK REVEALED OTHER KIA SPECTRAS HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH HARD SHIFTING AND THAT KIA HAS THE MATTER "UNDER INVESTIGATION". I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO BE DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152074March 7, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AT VARIOUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING WITH AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES IN THE 5 MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED IT. THEY HAVE CHECKED CONNECTIONS ETC. AND SAID THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I MET WITH THE KIA REP LAST WEEK AND HE SAID HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM IN A SPECTRA. THEY ARE REPLACING THE SEAT BOTTOM NOW TO SEE IF THIS HELPS. THEY IMPLIED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY BECAUSE THE PASSENGER WAS LARGE AND THEIR WEIGHT WAS RESTING ON THE OUTER EDGE OF THE SEAT AND NOT PLACING ENOUGH WEIGHT ON THE GEL PAD IN THE CENTER OF THE SEAT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151619March 2, 2006
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT. MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WERE IT WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10151078February 24, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON AT ANY GIVEN TIME . EVEN AFTER THE AIR BAG RECALLS WERE PERFORMED ON IT. REGARDLESS OF WEIGHT. IT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON. WE HAVE COMPLAINED AND SAID THERE CAN BE NOTHING DONE UNLESS YOU BRING IT IN WHILE PASSENGER IS SITTING IN SIT AN AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. *NM
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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#10134756August 30, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
I OWN A SPECTRA 5. I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THE CAR IN MOST EVERY ASPECT, BUT THE FRONT SPOILER IS NOT SECURED TO THE CAR PROPERLY. I TAPPED IT ON A PARKING CURB ONCE, AND NOW IT'S COMPLETELY FALLING OFF. MY KIA DEALER COULDN'T FIX IT AND SAID I NEEDED TO GO TO THE BODY SHOP. I WENT TO A KIA BODY SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE MORE THAN $700 TO FIX AND THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE NEXT TIME IT CAUGHT ON A PARKING CURB OR LOW DIP IN THE ROAD IT WOULDN'T FALL OFF AGAIN. I AM NOT PREPARED TO PAY $700 TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT WAS DESIGNED TO BE THAT LOW TO THE GROUND BUT IS NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE SOME MINOR IMPACT AS IT WAS BOUND TO EXPERIENCE. ALMOST ALL ROADS HAVE SOME DEFECTS THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS SPOILER TO HIT THE GROUND AND MANY CAR PARKS HAVE SPEED BUMPS AND ENTRANCES TO DRIVEWAYS HAVE DIPS THAT THIS WILL MOST CERTAINLY CATCH ON AGAIN. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REMOVE FROM THE CAR UNTIL KIA CAN MAKE STURDY ENOUGH TO HANDLE NORMAL USE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126542August 26, 2005
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO STEER THE CAR TO THE RIGHT IT CONTINUED TO GO TO THE LEFT. APPROXIMATELY FOUR HOURS PRIOR TO THIS THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE WITH VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR WENT IN TO A GUARD RAIL ON SOUTHBOUND 14 FREEWAY IN PALMDALE, CA. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. ONLY THE PASSENGER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE REMAINED. . WHEN THE CAR HIT THE GUARD RAIL, IT WAS THROWN TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FREEWAY, THEN HIT THE OTHER GUARD RAIL. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND BRUISES. THERE WAS ALSO A POLICE REPORT.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10134061August 24, 2005
STEERING
WE BOUGHT A KIA SPECTRA 5 ON 06/18/2005, A 2005 MODEL. ON 06/19/05 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT (WE WERE THE FIRST OWNERS, LESS THAN 100 MILES) OUR KIA DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CAR AFTER TWO WEEKS OF TRYING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, ON 07/27/05, MY HUSBAND STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND TURNED RIGHT, THE CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE TURN (HUSBAND SAID NOTHING ON THE CAR WOULD WORK, STEERING FROZE AND BRAKES FAILED) HE THEN RAN UP ON A CURVE CAR SUSTAINED OVER 2800.00 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO UNDERCARRIAGE, WHEELS, DRIVE SHAFT ETC. HUSBAND SUFFERED BRUISES AND CONCUSSION ( I AM AN RN HE DID NOT SEE PHYSICIAN) REPORTED TO INSURANCE CO, INSURANCE APPRAISER ALSO AWARE OF CIRCUMSTANCES AND DEALER NOTIFIED, NOTHING WAS DONE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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