Kia Spectra Complaints

906 consumer complaints on file.

#10654522November 12, 2014
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/22/14*LJ UPDATED 9/05/2017*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10653501November 7, 2014
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA- AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON 1/1/2008, DOWN THE ROAD AT 45MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT FROM HIGH GEAR TO LOW GEAR AND IT STAYED ON LOW GEAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIX. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SOME TYPE OF RELAY THAT NEEDED TO BE RESET. THEY RESET THE RELAY THAT DAY. SINCE THEN IT HAS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES AT HIGHER SPEED, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEM EACH TIME. SO THAT'S A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED. NOW, FOR A FOURTH TIME, IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN ON 11/01/2014. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10652527November 4, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
I DRIVE A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR ROUGHLY 4 YRS. WITHIN THE LAST MONTH MY CAR CONTINUES TO STALL. THIS OCCURS GENERALLY WHEN I'M COMING TO A STOP AND TURNING. THE DASH LIGHTS WILL ALL COME ON AND MY WHEEL LOCKS UP IN THE DIRECTION I WAS TURNING. WHEN I TURN MY CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON, THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF, BUT MY RPM'S REV UP TO A MINIMUM OF 3. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO TWO AUTO MECHANICS. THEY HAVE CHANGED A FUEL TEMP. SENSOR AND SWITCHED OUT ALL MY SPARK PLUGS. BOTH MECHANICS HAVE PLUGGED THE VEHICLE UP TO THE MACHINE AND IT READS CLEAR. THEY CANNOT FIND AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE VEHICLE ACTS UP RANDOMLY, THEY ARE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM WHEN IT'S IN THEIR POSSESSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10651640October 31, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR SMELLS HORRIBLY LIKE GAS FUMES WHEN TURNED ON, MORE SO IN THE COLDER TEMPERATURES. SO MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE, I'M SURPRISED KIA HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL. BREATHING GAS FUMES FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE CANCER OR OTHER PROBLEMS...WOULD BE HORRIBLE IF KIA HAD A LAWSUIT ON THEIR HANDS FOR FAULTY EQUIPMENT CAUSING HEALTH PROBLEMS IN THEIR CAR OWNERS... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10651525October 30, 2014
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON PASSENGER FRONT SEAT SIDE HAS NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY. AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN OCCUPANT IN SEAT. NOW NO LIGHT WORKING AT ALL. JUST RECENTLY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON DRIVER SIDE CAME ON. I TOOK TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID MY AIR BAGS HAVE TURNED THEMSELVES OFF BECAUSE THE OCCUPANT SENSOR PAD IS BAD IN PASSENGER SIDE. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE OVER $2000 TO REPAIR BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT SEAT PAD. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM DRIVING A CAR WITH NO AIRBAGS AND CAN'T AFFORD TO GET NEW SEAT REPLACED. I LOOKED AT THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHY HAVE THEY NOT BEEN RECALLED? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10650333October 27, 2014
AIR BAGS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG "OFF" ILLUMINATING WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A HALF DOZEN OCCASIONS THAT I HAVE NOTICED AND GOES OFF WHEN THE PASSENGER ADJUSTS THEIR SITTING POSITION. THE VEHICLE SURGES INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STOPPED. ADDITIONALLY BRAKE PEDAL HAS STUCK ON A FEW OCCASIONS WHEN THE ENGINE IS COOL. THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO CUT OUT ON OCCASION WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO RESTART, AND CONTINUE DRIVING. THESE ALL HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY WITH NO APPARENT RHYME OR REASON TO THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10650399October 27, 2014
WHEELS, ENGINE, STEERING, AIR BAGS
ON MY WAY TO WORK I TOOK THE SAME ROUTE THAT I ALWAYS TAKE. I WAS GOING ABOUT 25MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON ( CHECK OIL, BATTERY, EMERGENCY BRAKE, TIRE PRESSURE, AIRBAG, AND CHECK ENGINE) THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP CAUSING MY CAR TO SWERVE RIGHT INTO A COMMUNITY MAIL BOX. MY WINDSHIELD IS BROKEN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IS OFF AND THE TWO PASSENGER SIDE TIRES ARE BOTH FLAT. WHEN I GOT MY CAR IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR THREE DAYS AFTER I GOT IT IT HAD STARTED DOING THIS I TOOK IT BACK AND IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR MORE THAN 3 MONTHS. WHEN THEY HAD TOLD ME THIS PROBLEM WAS FIXED I TRUSTED THAT THEY WERE RIGHT BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT LED ME TO THIS... THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT RETURNED MY PHONE CALL AND MY INSURANCE DOES NOT COVER FOR A RENTAL CAR. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN AND MY JOB DOES NOT PAY ME ENOUGH TO JUST PAY AND GET A NEW CAR OR PAY AND HAVE THIS CAR FIXED. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE RESPONSES ABOUT THIS CAR. WHY WOULD THESE CARS BE SOLD TO PEOPLE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10650061October 26, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS MY KIA HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES UPON REFUELING. I HAVE STOPPED TOPPING OFF WHILE REFUELING. THE CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING OR WHILING IDLING. IT GIVES OFF AN AWFUL GAS SMELL. IT HAS SHUT OFF ON HIGHWAYS AND IN CITY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FIND MANY KIA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM CONSTANTLY GIVEN DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTICS FROM KIA AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTERS. REPLACEMENTS FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM ASSEMBLE HAVE TOTALED IN THE THOUSANDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10649904October 25, 2014
AIR BAGS
PASSAGE SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON,TOOK IT TO KIA DEALER THEY CHECKED CONNECTIONS LIGHT WHEN OFF FOR A FEW MONTHS,CAME BACK ON HAD IT CHECKED AGAIN DEALER TELLS ME THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT,BUT THAT THE KIA SPECTRA WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL. THE RIO AND SEPHIA WERE, THE SPECTRA TOOK THE PLACE OF THE SEPHIA, SO WHY WAS THIS NOT RECALLED. THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR CHANGING THE NAME DID NOT FIX THE AIR BAG SENSOR PROBLEM IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10648686October 19, 2014
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
DRIVER PASSED OUT MAKING LEFT TURN GOING 5 MPH AND HIT THE CONCRETE POLE FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT ON THE EAST SIDE OF U.S. 19. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10648265October 16, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I REPORTED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON FUEL TANK OVER FILLING, TANK WAS REPLACED BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. LOST OF POWER WHEN DRIVING AND EXHILARATION WHEN TRYING TO STOP. ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE,ENGINE WAS REPLACED BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10643205October 7, 2014
AIR BAGS
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILED TO REGISTER AN ADULT IN SEAT AND "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. TWO DAYS LATER THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" WOULD NOT STAY ON WHEN SEAT WAS EMPTY. KIA DEALERSHIP DETERMINED IT WAS A FAILED OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT. APPROXIMATE COST OF REPAIR IS $1500. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10638251September 22, 2014
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE AN ADULT PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT. DURING A VISIT TO OUR LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP WE WERE TOLD THE AIRBAG SENSOR MAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE SEAT (WHERE THE MODULE WAS LOCATED) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST $1008 FOR THE PART, AND $222 FOR LABOR. SINCE THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, THERE WAS NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. WHEN WE CONTACTED THE KIA MOTOR CORPORATION TO ASK FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THIS REPAIR, WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. AN AIR BAG SENSOR SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A WEAR-AND TEAR ITEM. IT IS ABSURD THAT KIA WOULD REQUIRE THE CONSUMER TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACING A DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED SAFETY COMPONENT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS COMPONENT AND REPLACEMENT AT NO COST FOR THOSE OWNERS WHOSE AIR BAG SENSORS ARE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637618September 19, 2014
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10632482September 11, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10632519September 11, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND USE THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,424. UPDATED 10/24/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE FOR 45 MINUTES UNTIL HER HUSBAND ARRIVED TO LET HER OUT. SEATBELT WOULD UNLOCK. UPDATED 04/20/2015 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10630859September 4, 2014
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND IMMEDIATELY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR TOTAL RING HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,702.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10628292August 25, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, MY KIA HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES UPON REFUELING. I NEVER TOPPED OFF WHILE FUELING AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON. THE CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. IT ALSO GIVES OFF AN AWFUL GAS SMELL. I AM TERRIFIED OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT'S VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAYS WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS AT LEAST 50MPH. I AM CONCERNED AS I HAVE VERY SMALL CHILDREN THAT COULD BE HARMED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY & FIND MANY KIA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM CONSTANTLY GIVEN DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTICS FROM SERVICE CENTERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10627073August 21, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGIN INCREASING IN SPEED. BRAKES WERE TAPPED, NO DECREASE IN SPEED, BRAKES WERE APPLIED, NO DECREASE IN SPEED, PUSHED TO DE-ACTIVATE CRUISE, NO RESULT; I HAD TO PUSH THE GEAR SHIFT IN NEUTRAL, MOTOR WAS RACING, TURN OFF KEY, TURN BACK ON MOMENTARILY ALL WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THE CRUISE THEN QUIT WORKING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, BEGAN WORKING AGAIN; TRAVELING 60 MPH AND WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A TURN BECAUSE CRUISE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. VERY DANGEROUS!!! AT THIS POINT I DO NOT USE THE CRUISE NOR WILL USE IT UNTIL I CAN HAVE IT SEEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10627289August 21, 2014
AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WAS GOING OFF AND ON FOR ABOUT A MONTH. NOW THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I LIVE IN TEXAS AND NEED TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED BUT IT WILL NOT PASS DUE TO THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT BEING ON. THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT SHOULD BE ON; THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY TYPE OF WRECK OR DAMAGE. THE KIA DEALERSHIP REQUIRES ME TO HAVE THE SEAT REPLACED DUE TO FAULTY AIRBAG SENSOR.THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAULTY SENSOR. I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT FOR KIA TO NOT BE RESPONSIBLE THE FAULTY SENSOR THAT REQUIRES THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT TO BE REPLACED THAT WILL COST ALMOST $1800.00 DOLLARS TO FIX JUST SO I CAN GET THE CAR INSPECTED SO IT CAN BE DRIVEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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