Kia Spectra Complaints (2007)

152 consumer complaints on file.

#10326909April 21, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM 5 TIMES SO FAR. THEY CLAIM THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THERE ARE NO CODES STORED IN THE COMPUTER. THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE IS FINE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE FOR MY WIFE TO BE A PASSENGER. THEY HAVE OFFERED TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN AFTER WE HAD THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE GET INVOLVED, BUT WE ARE 45 MILES AWAY FROM THE DEALER. THE LAST TIME THEY LOOKED AT IT THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. WE STILL HAVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10326454April 19, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENTIRE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMALLY. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,028. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,050.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10326120April 17, 2010
VISIBILITY
ON 04/12/2010 AT 09:00 A.M. A 2007 KIA SPECTRA OCCUPIED BY 4 ADULTS AND 3 CHILDREN WAS REAR ENDED BY A PICK UP TRUCK AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. CORPUS CHRISTI POLICE INVESTIGATED THE CRASH AND CREATED CRASH REPORT [XXX] . IT APPEARS THAT THE REAR IMPACT FROM THE COLLISION CAUSED BOTH SUN VISOR COVERS TO BE SLUNG OFF THE RODS THAT ATTACH TO THE CEILING OF THE CAR. BOTH RODS WERE THEN EXPOSED AND HAD THE APPEARANCE OF SHARP TIPPED BAYONETTS. THE DRIVER OF THE KIA WAS GORED BY THE EXPOSED ROD ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND SUFFERED A LIFE THREATENING HEAD WOUND. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10323935April 6, 2010
VISIBILITY
2007 KIA SPECTRA WINDSHIELD STRESS FRACTURE, 45,000 MILES. NO IMPACT. DEALER STATES NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, MUST GO TO INSURANCE COMPANY. CRACK IS FROM TOP DEAD CENTER AND EXTENDS ACROSS VISION FIELD OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER. FAILURE AT LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. "KOREA SAFETY GLASS". *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10308877February 12, 2010
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PATCH OF ICE ON THE ROAD CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO THE GUARD RAIL WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. SHE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER HEAD WHEN SHE HIT IT ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND BECAME UNCONSCIOUS. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10300046January 17, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK TO THE FULL LINE. THE CAR OCCASIONALLY SPUTTERS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, AND WILL CUT OFF IF IDLING FOR THAN ONE MINUTE. THE PROBLEM STOP HAPPENING AFTER THE FUEL LEVEL HAS GONE BELOW THE FULL LINE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALERS SAY THERE ARE NO TROUBLE CODES IN THE COMPUTER AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293320November 23, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS LINE/TANK/CANISTER ISSUES. MY SPECTRA HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP APPROX. 11 TIMES. I HAVE HAD THE GAS CANISTER REPLACED 4 TIMES AND ON MY LAST VISIT THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE TANK. THE CAR WILL STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING. WHEN IT STALLS YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER OR BRAKE, BECAUSE THEY LOSE POWER. I HAVE STALLED MID-INTERSECTION, ON THE EXPRESSWAY, AT STOP SIGNS/STOP LIGHTS, NO REASON WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT JUST STARTS SHAKING,SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY AND THEN STALLS. KIA DEALERSHIP SAYS WE ARE OVERFILLING AND THAT THEY RECOMMEND NOT USING CITGO GAS. WE DO NEITHER. THEY HAVE SAID THAT THE CANISTER VALVE DOES NOT STOP OVERFILLING, WHICH ALLOWS THAT GAS TO CONTAMINATE OTHER AREAS OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSES THE STALL. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH KIA HEADQUARTERS AND SPOKE WITH TOM MORALLES, THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS MGR. I ASKED HOW MANY TIMES DOES THE CAR NEED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THEY DEEM IT UNSAFE AND UNABLE TO BE FIXED. HE SAYS THEY NEVER DO, THEY WILL KEEP REPAIRING AND THAT HE DOES NOT HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL TO TELL ME THAT THEY CAN FIX IT ONCE AND FOR ALL. HE TOLD ME THAT IF I AM NOT HAPPY I SHOULD CONTACT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. I DRIVE WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND WHEN THE CAR STALLS AND I HAVE OTHER VEHICLES ABOUT TO SMASH INTO US, IT SCARES THEM AND IT SCARES ME. WHAT IS TO SAY WITH THIS GAS LEAK/CONTAMINATION THAT A COMMON FENDER BENDER AT ONE OF THESE STALL OUT TIMES WOULD NOT RESULT IN MY CAR EXPLODING SHOULD A SPARK IGNITE MY GAS LEAK? KIA KNOWS THAT THIS HAPPENING AND THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE FACT THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO HELP IN ANY OTHER WAY IS UNACCEPTABLE. THESE CARS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD NOT ONLY TO MY FAMILY, BUT OTHER FAMILIES THAT I COULD CRASH INTO WHEN I LOSE POWER AND CANNOT BRAKE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE TO DIE FOR ANYONE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS. I FOUND MANY CASES THE SAME AS MINE JUST BY SEARCHING THE WEB. WHEN IS ENOUGH, ENOUGH ? NOW. BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289003October 19, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
2007 KIA SPECTRA 5 BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TODAY (10/19/2009). SWITCH IS THE EXACT SAME ONE THAT WAS RECALLED ON SIMILAR HYUNDAI ELANTRA CARS. SINCE THAT RECALL DOES NOT COVER KIA'S, I WAS CHARGED $139 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287401October 14, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL TANK AND PURGE CANISTER SYSTEM. THE NORMAL OPERATION OF FUELING THE VEHICLE CAN CAUSE THE PURGE SYSTEM TO BECOME FILLED WITH FUEL. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL AT THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES ON THE ROAD; STOP LIGHTS, SLOWER MOVING IN TRAFFIC, IT HAS ALSO SEMI STALLED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY OR ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS TWO TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FIRST TIME IT WAS IN AND OUT FOR ABOUT A MONTH, IT WOULD STALL DRIVING IT OUT OF THE DEALER!! IT IS NOW IN FOR THE SECOND TIME, WITH NO END IN SIGHT. THE PURGE VALVE AND CANISTER HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THESE ACTIONS HOWEVER WILL NOT CORRECT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM , WHICH IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL EVAPORATION RECOVERY SYSTEM. I FULLY EXPECT THE PROBLEM TO REOCCUR. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE OR SECURE IN THIS VEHICLE AND I DO NOT TRUST IT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286371October 5, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I AM VERY SHOCKED THAT THE HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 SPORTAGE STOP LIGHT BRAKE SWITCH BUT HAS NOT TAKEN KIA TO TASK FOR PRODUCING FAULTY STOP LIGHT BRAKE SWITCHES IN ALL ITS MODELS/YEARS. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE STOP-LIGHT BRAKE SWITCHES IN 2005 AND 2007 KIA SPECTRA'S MULTIPLE TIMES. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL OR THE LIGHT DOES NOT GO ON AT ALL UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES.. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT CHINA, A COUNTRY IMPORTING KIA MODELS, WAS QUICKER TO REACT TO RECALLS THAN YOU GUYS ARE. EVEN IF YOU TAKE YOUR CAR IN FOR A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH...LOTS OF LUCK...KIA DEALERS DON'T EVEN STOCK THE PARTS. WHEN ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO RECALL THE REST OF THE KIA LINE? THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE YESTERDAY. INACTION RESULTS NOT ONLY IN POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS BUT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FINES AND PENALTIES RAKED IN BY THE STATES IN WHICH KIA DOES BUSINESS. KIA IS ADDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE STATE AND CITY COFFERS THE RESULT OF FINES LEVIED AGAINST ITS USERS FOR FAULTY BRAKES.... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284460September 17, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, SEAT BELTS, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
THE FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA WILL NOT REMAIN ANCHORED. ALTHOUGH I'M WRITING THIS COMPLAINT IN 2009, THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2007. I RECENTLY BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE DOOR LOCKS (WHICH LOCK ON THEIR OWN IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOU UNLOCK THEM) AND I BROUGHT MAT ISSUE TO THE ATTENTION OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHILE THERE. THEY PROCEEDED TO PUSH THE MAT BACK INTO THE ANCHOR (LIKE I HAVEN'T TRIED THAT HUNDREDS OF TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS?), BUT IT WAS OUT AGAIN WITHIN A DAY - SO THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THIS NOR APPEAR TO WANT TO ADDRESS IT. I VIEW THIS AS AN UNACCEPTABLE SAFETY ISSUE AND AFTER SEEING A NEWS REPORT TONIGHT ABOUT A MAJOR FATAL ACCIDENT INVOLVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH A TOYOTA I AM DETERMINED TO GET THIS ADDRESSED BY THE DEALERSHIP! ON THE NOTE ABOUT THE DOOR LOCKS - I WILL BE BRINGING IT BACK FOR THE FOURTH TIME TO ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM NEXT WEEK. I ALSO WANTED TO POINT OUT, THAT I HAD A SAFETY CONCERN WITH MY OLD 2000 KIA SEPHIA YEARS AGO WHERE THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WOULDN'T STAY LATCHED IF YOU JUST TUGGED ON THE BELT A LITTLE. THE DEALERSHIP (A DIFFERENT ONE) REFUSED TO REPLACE IT (BECAUSE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED) AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX IT. I FILED A COMPLAINT AND THE USDOT HIGHWAY SAFETY DIVISION PAID TO REPLACE THEM AS LONG AS I SENT THE OLD COMPONENTS TO THEM SO THEY COULD TEST THE LATCH. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE SEATBELTS TO BOTH FRONT SEATS WERE RECALLED AND I WENT BACK IN TO GET MY PASSENGER LATCH REPLACED UNDER THIS MASSIVE RECALL. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED TO FIND THAT KIA IS STILL NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE ON SAFETY ISSUES WITHOUT HAVING TO GET REGULATORY BODIES INVOLVED! THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO RUIN CUSTOMER LOYALTY IN SOMEONE WHO GAVE THEM A SECOND CHANCE!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10280202August 12, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, AIR BAGS
1. TWO PASSENGERS (FEMALE 64 YR DRIVER AND FEMALE 13 YR OLD PASSENGER) WERE PROCEEDING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD IN A 2007 KIA SPECTRA AT LESS THAN 20 MPH. HALFWAY DOWN THE ROAD, DRIVER BEGAN TO LIGHTLY APPLY THE BRAKE KNOWING THAT THE STOP SIGN WAS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. AT THIS MOMENT THE CAR REVVED AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER SHOUTED OUT THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CAR ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. UNABLE TO STOP, THE CAR WENT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN AND PROCEEDED ACROSS THE STREET TOWARDS A GUARD RAIL. DRIVER INSTINCTIVELY TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT SO THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT HIT THE GUARD RAIL HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE GUARD RAIL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THROWING THE DRIVER INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHERE THE OTHER PASSENGER WAS SITTING. THE DRIVER HIT HER HEAD HARD ON THE PASSENGER WINDOW AND EXPERIENCED OTHER INJURIES AS A RESULT OF BEING THROWN FROM THE DRIVER SEAT. THE AIR BAGS IN THE CAR FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CAR BOUNCED OFF THE GUARD RAIL AND PROCEEDED AT FULL SPEED ACROSS THE STREET AGAIN. THE CAR RAN OVER SOME SMALL HEDGES IN A RESIDENT'S YARD AND PROCEEDED UP A STEEP HILL BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE PASSENGER OF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY DIALED 911 AND THE POLICE/AMBULANCE ARRIVED SHORTLY AFTER. 2. THE CAR'S ELECTRONIC THROTTLE IS BELIEVED TO BE DEFECTIVE. THIS DEFECT RESULTS IN RANDOM EPISODES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. BECAUSE THE EPISODES ARE RANDOM, THE PROBLEM IS NOT EASILY DUPLICATED. HOWEVER, THERE ARE NUMEROUS DOCUMENTED CASES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN KIA VEHICLES ON THE INTERNET. 3. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INVESTIGATION. MECHANIC ATTEMPTED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE 2007 KIA SPECTRA IS NOT SOPHISTICATED ENOUGH TO APPLY SUCH A TEST. VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION. KIA CLAIMS THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10279912August 10, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A REVVING NOISE COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFTER. SHORTLY AFTER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ACROSS THE STREET. SHE ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO AVOID DRIVING INTO A DITCH. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THROUGH BUSHES AND UP A HILL. THE SPEED FINALLY BEGAN TO DECREASE AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES, ONLY HEADACHES AND BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE BY THE POLICE, BUT WAS LATER TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE WAS TOO UNSOPHISTICATED; THEREFORE, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST COULD NOT BE PERFORMED. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME TYPE OF DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AND SHE BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4,500. UPDATED 6/19/10 *CN THE CONSUME STATED SHE PLACED HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. UPDATED 07/22/10*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10278696July 29, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ON MAY 26, 2008, I PURCHASED A 2007 KIA SPECTRA AT CARMAX, WHICH IS LOCATED AT 11335 ATLANTIC BOULEVARD, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32225. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER I DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OF SATISFACTORY QUALITY, BECAUSE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT ADVANCE NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF AT THE STOP LIGHT, DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR, PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY, OR AFTER MAKING TURNS. THESE OCCURRENCES HAVE PLACED MY LIFE, MY FAMILY MEMBERS; AS WELL AS, THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN DANGER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. I AM DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT IS CLEARLY UN-ROADWORTHY. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON SEVEN DIFFERENT OCCASIONS BY 'SPECIALIZED KIA TECHNICIANS' TO NO AVAIL. WORK WAS PERFORMED BY TECHNICIANS FROM CAMDEN (GEORGIA), BRUNSWICK (GEORGIA), AND JACKSONVILLE (FLORIDA) KIA DEALERSHIPS THEY HAVE YET TO IDENTIFY OR SUCCESSFULLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. I AM DISSATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE I HAVE RECEIVED THUS FAR. I HAVE ALREADY ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM BY CONTACTING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CORPORATE OFFICE VIA TELEPHONE, CONTACTING THOMAS J. FOLLIARD, CEO OF CARMAX, VIA MAIL, CONTACTING KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN ADDITION TO CONTACTING KIA CORPORATE OFFICE VIA TELEPHONE. I HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL ADMINISTRATIVE AVENUES. I HAVE ENCLOSED COPIES OF MY RECORDS, RECEIPTS, IN ADDITION TO PERTINENT HISTORY AND CONTACT INFORMATION FOR YOUR REVIEW. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEMS REMAIN UNRESOLVED. AS I AM SURE YOU CAN RELATE; I RELY ON MY VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORT. EACH ATTEMPT MADE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAS CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT INCONVENIENCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276576July 13, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WE OWN A 2007 SPECTRA WITH 13,000 MILES, BOUGHT NEW IN JULY 2007. WE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER JUNE 2009 AND IT BLEW HOT AIR. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WE WERE TOLD, " THE SCREWS AND BOLTS WHICH HOLDS THE A/C HOSE ON HAD COME LOOSE FROM HITTING BUMPS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DRIVE", SO THE FREON LEAKED OUT. THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE, "EVEN THOUGH IT IS A PROBLEM WITH KIA'S THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE ANY PARTS". I CONTACTED THE KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL FREE NUMBER WHO STOOD BY THE DEALER AND DISMISSED MY CONCERN. THEY TIGHTENED THE HOSE AND REPLACE THE FREON. WE WERE FORCED TO PAY EVEN REFUSING MY GRANDFATHER THE SENIOR DISCOUNT PROMISED TO HIM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270289May 27, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, SUSPENSION, AIR BAGS, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
2007 KIA SPECTRA HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG AND SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER 4 MONTHS OF COMPLAINING AND FINALLY CALLING CORPORATE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPLACED. IN SEPTEMBER 2008, THE PROBLEM RESURFACED AGAIN. THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN DEC 2008, THE PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG RESURFACED AGAIN. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE NOISES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. UPON DIAGNOSIS, THE SWAY BAR LINKS WERE FAULTY, THE WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE SPEAKER IN THE FRONT DOOR HAD BLOWN. THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED SPORADICALLY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269876May 25, 2009
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I PURCHASED MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA BRAND NEW...IT ONLY HAD 55 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT TIME OF PURCHASE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW WEEKS IT STARTED TO GRIND IN 2ND GEAR, I TOOK THE KIA TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY INFORMED ME THAT SOME SCREWS HAD COME LOOSE AND THAT IS WHERE THE GRINDING WAS COMING FROM, I WAS DRIVING WITH SCREWS IN THE CLUTCH! THEY GAVE ME A RENTAL AND PUT THE SCREWS BACK IN THE CLUTCHING SYSTEM. I GOT THE CAR BACK AND IT DID GOOD FOR A WHILE AND THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, AGAIN THEY SAID SCREWS WERE LOOSE AGAIN! I QUESTIONED HOW THE SCREWS KEPT COMING LOOSE, THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS TIME THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME A RENTAL, I HAD TO GET MY OWN AND THEY HAD TO LEAVE WORK EARLY. GOT THE CAR BACK AND IT DID FINE FOR A SHORT WHILE AND AGAIN THE SAME PROBLEM! I TOOK IT TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THIS TIME IT WAS SOME PLASTIC PIECE THAT HAD COME LOOSE AND THAT WAS MAKING IT GRIND IN 2ND GEAR. AGAIN, I WAS WITHOUT MY VEHICLE AND AGAIN, NO RENTAL. GOT THE CAR BACK AND DROVE FINE FOR A FEW DAYS THEN THE SAME PROBLEM. CONSIDERING HOW LONG THEY KEPT MY CAR EACH TIME AND HOW LONG I WAS WITHOUT A VEHICLE EACH TIME...I CALLED KIA AND TOLD THEM THE SAME PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING AGAIN. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT UP THERE AND THEY WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT...I COULDN'T BE WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR THAT LONG AGAIN AND MISS WORK AGAIN AND FIND WAYS FOR MY CHILDREN TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL. THINKING IT WAS THE PLASTIC PIECE AGAIN, I JUST KEPT DRIVING IT BECAUSE OF ALL THE PAST PROBLEMS, I ASSUMED IT WOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY. I WAITED LONGER THIS TIME DUE TO THE LENGTH OF TIME THEY KEPT IT EACH TIME AND I REALLY NEED MY VEHICLE. SO BECAUSE I WAITED TOO LONG, THEY ARE QUESTIONING THE FACT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT IT WILL BE UNDER WARRANTY AND WANT ME TO SIGN A PAPER SAYING THAT IF THEY TEAR IT DOWN AND DON'T FIND ANY MANUFACTURING DEFECTS, THEN I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TEAR DOWN AND ANY REPAIRS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264476April 8, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. IN JANUARY OF 2009, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A BYPASS HOSE WAS LEAKING. THE HOSE WAS REPLACED AND THE ENGINE WAS CLEANED BECAUSE OIL LEAKED ALL OVER THE MOTOR. THE OIL WAS ALSO CHANGED. IN APRIL OF 2009, THE VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO OVERHEATING AND WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER STATED THAT DUE TO THE CONTACT'S LACK OF MAINTENANCE AND FAILURE TO CHANGE THE OIL REGULARLY, SHE WOULD NEED A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS BURNT UP AND WOULD COST $6,000 TO REPLACE. THE KIA MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BASED ON THE DEALER'S INFORMATION, THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,165.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261319March 9, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ON FEB 25, 2009 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE 2007 KIA SPECTRA SMELLED STRONG ODOR OF GAS PULLED CAR OVER ON SIDE OF ROAD OPENED HOOD AND THE MOTOR WAS ON FIRE CALLED 911. CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259891February 25, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK INDEPENDENTLY OF THE FOB OR DOOR BUTTON. WHEN USING THE FOB THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK AND THEN LOCK BACK INSTANTLY. I HAVE TO PLAY A 'CATCH ME IF YOU CAN' GAME, JUST TO GET INTO MY CAR. I CAN NOT EXIT THE CAR TO GET GAS WITHOUT IT LOCKING ON IT'S OWN. FIRST TIME I TURNED IT IN FOR SERVICE THE PROBLEM 'COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED'. TURNED IN SECOND TIME AND THEY ARE REPLACING THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM. WAITING ON PARTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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