Kia Spectra Complaints

906 consumer complaints on file.

#10459206May 22, 2012
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS OVER A 4 TO 5 MONTH PERIOD TO START AROUND THE START MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE, NEXT MY SEAT BELT SENSOR SHORTED OUT, AFTER THAT MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALER I WAS INFORMED I HAD NOT ONLY FAULTY WIRING IN MY VEHICLE BUT THAT MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED AND TOOK FOUR YEARS TO BE CAUGHT UNFORTUNATELY THIS ALL DIDN'T OCCUR IN MY FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AND I COULDN'T CLAIM THE LEMON LAW. BECAUSE NOW THE COMPANY EXPECTS ME TO REPLACE ALL OF THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT THEY INSTALLED INTO A VEHICLE THEY TOLD ME WAS "SAFE AND RELIABLE" AND NOW I'M RIDING IN VEHICLE THAT I HAD SOMEONE WHO WORKS FOR KIA TELL WAS "SLAPPED TOGETHER AND I WAS LUCKY MY CAR HADN'T FALLEN APART YET". AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP THE CD PLAYER IN MY VEHICLE DECIDED THAT IT TO WAS GOING TO SHORT OUT AND NOW THIS IS ANOTHER REPAIR I'M SURE ILL BE EXPECTED TO PAY FOR. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10459289May 22, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRICAL AIR BAG SYSTEM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10458015May 10, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WERE PROVIDING INACCURATE LEVEL READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457377May 3, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD LAMPS ON MY 2006 KIA SPECTRA MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE IT'S PURCHASE IN 2006 BUT RECENTLY THE DRIVERS SIDE TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT AND I REPLACED THE BULB AND A WEEK OR SO LATER MY NEIGHBOR TOLD ME THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WAS OUT SO WHEN I PROCEEDED TO CHANGE THE BULB LIKE I DID WITH THE OTHER, I COULDN'T GET IT TO COME OUT, IT APPEARED TO BE FUSED TO THE PLASTIC CASING...WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT OUT AND REPLACED THE BULB I WENT TO TURN THE CAR ON TO CHECK THAT IT LIT UP I NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS HAD GONE OUT AND THE PASSENGERSIDE PARKING LIGHT...I HAVE REPLACED ALL THE BULBS AND ALL THE APPROPRIATE FUSES. I CAN NOT IMAGINE I AM THE FIRST TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456150April 23, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP AND WOULD EXHIBIT LOUD NOISES WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT REVERSE WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AGAIN ADVISED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,432. UPDATED 09/06/12*LJ UPDATED 09/10/2012 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454864April 11, 2012
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS DID NOT CLICK AND LATCH INTO THEIR BUCKLES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE REAR SEAT BELT WERE NEVER PREVIOUSLY OPERATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF UPDATED 05/14/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453207March 27, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, WHEELS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. NO CAUTION LIGHTS CAME ON. FIRE STARTED AROUND THE BACK TIRE OF CAR, PASSENGER REAR. POSSIBLY TRUNK. HAVE PHOTOS. SMOKE QUICKLY ENTERED BACK SEAT AREA WITH ONLY MOMENTS TO STOP AND JUMP OUT BEFORE IT WENT UP IN SMOKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10452643March 22, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING IN RAINY WEATHER, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE FRONT DRIVER FRONTAL AND SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES FROM THE IMPACT AND WAS KILLED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 04/23/12 UPDATED 05/08/12*LJ SPOKE WITH CONSUMER, THERE WAS ONE DEATH AND NO INJURIES. UPDATED 05/151/2
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#10449935March 1, 2012
POWER TRAIN
MY MOTHER BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW COUPLE YEARS BACK. HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS TILL NOW. ON MY WAY TO WORK IM GOING AROUND A CURVE AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THOUGHT FOR A SECOND I ACCIDENTALLY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. MY TRANSMISSION NEVER SLIPPED, SHIFTED HARD OR ANY OTHER SIGNS OF PROBLEMS. THIS IS CRAZY, NOT SURE YET IF KIA IS COVERING THEY PROMISED WARRANTY.. I REALLY HOPE SO.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10449047February 23, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
AFTER I FILLUP GAS TANK CAR SHAKE AND DIE ON THE HIGHWAY ORLANDO FL KIA DEALER CHANGE THE CANSTAR IN THE TANK STEEL DOING THE SAME THING. IT IS VERY DANGERES NEEDS TO BE CK BY THE GOV. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447682February 12, 2012
AIR BAGS
MY SON HAS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA AND I HAVE A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. BOTH CARS HAVE DIFFICULTY TURNING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WHEN THE CAR IS/HAS BEEN COLD AND MY WIFE SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SHE WEIGHS APPROX 105 POUNDS AND WHEN THE CARS HAVE BEEN SITTING IN THE COLD, THE SENSORS IN THE SEAT DO NOT REGISTER THAT SHE'S THERE. CONSEQUENTLY THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE KIA DEALER ABOUT IT AND THEY SAY THAT IF FUNCTIONS NORMALLY. BUT IT DOESN'T. IF THE WEATHER'S WARM, NEITHER CAR SEEMS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM AS OFTEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447282February 9, 2012
AIR BAGS
ON 12-13-11, AT 6:15PM MY WIFE (DRIVER) AND DAUGHTER (PASSENGER) WERE INVOLVED IN A MVA IN WHICH THEY WERE "T" BONED BY A 2002 CHEVY SUBURBAN. AT NO TIME DID THE SUPPLEMENTAL SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOY, AND THIS SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSED GLASS TO IMPLODE ON MY WIFE IN HER SCALP AND HAIR. CONTACTED KIA USA ([XXX]) WHO STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT A NEAR FATAL ACCIDENT, THEREFORE THE AIR BAGS ACTED ACCORDINGLY. I FIND THIS TO BE RIDICULOUS! AND I'M BEING NICE HERE. REQUESTING A FULL INVESTIGATION INTO THIS FAILURE OR FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY WE ARE LED TO BELIEVE. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED CAUSED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE OTHER DRIVER WAS CHARGED AND REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT I FEEL THAT THIS MATTER NEEDS ATTENTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446870February 6, 2012
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO FRACTURED COLLAR BONES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,207. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ UPDATED 03/08/12
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10446553February 3, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR WITHIN THE SEAT FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,593.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445288January 24, 2012
AIR BAGS
2007 KIA SPECTRA. CONSUMER STATES AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING COLLISION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS DRIVING 15 MPH AND WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHO WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS AND NONE OF THEM DEPLOYED.*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10444981January 23, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, AIR BAGS, SUSPENSION
THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE SPECTRA 2005 4-DOOR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY 1. THE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, THE LIGHT WENT OFF SO THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. NOW THE LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY 'ON' AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS WORKING OR NOT. IT IS DEFINITELY A CONCERN AND IT IS A DEFINITELY A PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, THE TIMING BELT KEEPS LOOSENING ON A CONTINUAL BASIS. I HAVE REPEATEDLY BOUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC TO GET IT TIGHTENED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. THE TIMING BELT, ONCE FIXED, SHOULD REMAIN IN TACT AT LEAST FOR A LENGTH OF TIME (NOT A MONTH!). THAT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, THE LIGHT REMAINS ON. WHATEVER, I HAVE BEEN VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE CAR. AM DISAPPOINTED. I REALIZE THE COST WAS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR UPON PURCHASE, BUT MY HYUNDAI AT THE SAME COST BREAK (ACTUALLY LOWER) PROVED TO BE A SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER CAR. I GAVE THE HYUNDAI TO A FRIEND OF MINE AND IT IS KEEPS ON TICKING. IT IS STILL IN SERVICE AND RUNS BETTER THAN THE KIA AT OVER TRIPLE THE MILEAGE. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION REPLACED AT 65,000 WHICH IS UNUSUAL AS I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR HARD AND I AVOID BUMPS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10443177January 9, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE POWER DOOR LOCKS HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10442488January 5, 2012
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD LOCK WHEN IT WAS BUCKLED; HOWEVER, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHO STATED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441302December 27, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT A SIZZLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10440848December 21, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT STATED HIS CHILD APPLIED THE SAFETY LOCK TO THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE SAFETY LOCK WAS APPLIED THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN ELECTRONICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Spectra