Kia Spectra Complaints

906 consumer complaints on file.

#10228863May 25, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
KIA AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT CRASH IMPACT OF ABOUT 40 MPH. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10224683April 16, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 5/30/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM A STOP IT FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS IN NEUTRAL. UPDATED 05/30/08
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224417April 14, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
I HAVE A 2004.5 KIA SPECTRA EX WHICH AROUND 44,000 MILES STARTED TO HAVE A RATTLING SOUND FROM THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION. INITIALLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. 4,000+ MILES LATER, RATTLING WORSE, TOOK BACK TO DEALER, TOLD THAT THE STRUT MOUNT ASSEMBLY WAS BAD AND THAT IF I HAD BROUGHT IT IN SOONER, IT COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED SIMPLY. OF COURSE I TOLD THEM THAT I HAD BROUGHT IT IN SOONER. NOW AROUND 49,000 MILES SAME NOISE FROM THE RIGHT REAR, HAVE TAKEN IT IN 3 TIMES, WAS EVEN TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE STRUT MOUNT / SUSPENSION WAS DOCUMENTED IN THE KIA SORENTO AND THAT HE WOULD REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY. WHATEVER HE DID WORKED FOR APPOX. 1 WEEK AND NOW THE RATTLING IS BACK, AND WORSE THAN BEFORE. OF NOTE, I WAS TOLD BY A PREVIOUS SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE NOISE THAT I WAS HEARING, THAT CAUSED ME TO BRING THE CAR IN 3 SEPARATE TIMES WAS NORMAL FOR THIS MODEL. HE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TEST DRIVEN SOME OF THEIR LOANER SPECTRAS AND HAD FOUND THAT THE SOUND WAS IN ALL OF THEM. NOT SURE WHAT THAT MEANS. EITHER WAY, 5YR / 60,000 MILE WARRANTY STILL IN EFFECT. I AM DOCUMENTING AND GOING TO BRING THIS ISSUE UP TO THE SERVICE MANAGER OR GENERAL MANAGER AGAIN TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223457April 5, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND MY KIA SPECTRA WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE FOR NECK AND HEAD INJURIES. MY AIRBAG NEVER WENT OFF. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD HAVE. THE INSURANCE WANTS TO CLOSE OUT THE CLAIM AND I ADVISED THEM THAT I WANTED KIA TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AS TO WHY THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. WOULD LIKE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS WITHOUT HAVING TO GET A LAWYER INVOLVED. I WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL WITH WHIPLASH AND PAIN MEDS. I NEED TO GET A NEW VEHICLE AND LIKED MY SPECTRA BUT AM UNSURE AS TO ITS SAFETY. THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING BUT NOT SURE AS TO WHAT CAUSED IT. FIREMAN BROUGHT OVER AN EXTINGUISHER BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THEY USED IT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10222614March 28, 2008
AIR BAGS
1. MY SON WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON US 280 IN ALABAMA JUST SOUTH OF BIRMINGHAM WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT HE WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN HE IMPACTED THE REAR OF ANOTHER CAR. 2. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT HE WAS THROWN FORWARD AND HIS HEAD STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. HE SUFFERED A MILD CONCUSSION AND CUTS AN BRUISES. THE AUTOMOBILE HAS FACTORY INSTALLED AIR BAGS FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. 3. STATE FARM (THE INSURER) WROTE THE CAR OFF AS A TOTAL LOSS. I SENT PHOTOS OF THE CAR TO KIA CORPORATE IN IRVIN, CA. THEIR COMMENT WAS THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AND ACCIDENT OF THIS NATURE. NO ONE LOOKED AT THE CAR TO DETERMINE WHAT FAILED IN THE SYSTEM. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10222623March 28, 2008
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND HIS SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN ON IMPACT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT FROM THE ANGLE THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10222789March 24, 2008
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT BROKE. THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS SECURED IN THAT SEAT BELT WHEN IT BROKE. THE CHILD WAS NOT INJURED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE LABOR RATE IS $70 AND THE COST TO REPAIR IT IS $85. AS OF MARCH 24, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE SEATBELT. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED SINCE HER CHILD CAN REACH THE DOOR HANDLE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN APPEARED TO BE INVALID. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,300. UPDATED 05/19/08. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222131March 24, 2008
STRUCTURE, STRUCTURE:BODY
THEIR IS STANDING WATER INSIDE THE DASH I BELIEVE. YOU CAN SMELL STAGNATE WATER . ON WARM DAYS CAR WILL STEAM UP ON INSIDE OF WINDOWS. YOU CAN ALSO HEAR IT MOVING AROUND. SEEMS TO BE QUITE A BIT OF WATER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10221040March 13, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
WARNING LIGHT FOR AIRBAG ON THE SPEEDOMETER PANEL STAYS ON. DEALER AND KIA TECH FIRST REPLACED PASSENGER SEAT COVER AND DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BUCKLE BECAUSE THEY WERE SHORTED OUT. THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY THEN SAID THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE OF SOME FLUID SPILLED ON COMPUTER UNDER CUP HOLDERS IN THE CENTER COUNCIL. (WHY WOULD ANYONE PUT A LIQUID SENSITIVE PRODUCT UNDER A CUP HOLDER?) THEY STATED THAT PIN 3 ON THE COMPUTER CONNECTOR WAS SHORTED OUT. I THEN POINTED OUT THAT PIN 3 WAS A GROUND PIN. KIA HAS HAD MASSIVE FAILURES WITH THEIR EARLY AIRBAG SYSTEMS AND HAVE REFUSED TO FIX AN ITEM THAT WAS THE BASES FOR CHOOSING THEIR PRODUCT. KIA HAS SINCE INTRODUCED A NEW AIRBAG PRODUCT THAT SEEMS TO WORK FLAWLESSLY. THIS NEW PRODUCT SHOULD BE OFFERED AT NO EXPENSE TO THOSE OF US THAT WERE PROVIDED A INFERIOR AND UNSAFE PRODUCT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220356March 7, 2008
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220138March 5, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AUTOMATICALLY. THE VEHICLE CAN ONLY BE STOPPED BY BEING TURNED COMPLETELY OFF. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,600. UPDATED 03-19-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE DEFECT. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED PROBLEM HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. UPDATED 03/19/08 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219990March 4, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN MY TACHOMETER FOR NO EXPLAINABLE REASON SHOT UP OVER 7000 RPM'S CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE BEYOND THE BREAKING POINT AND CAUSING ME TO BE INVOLVED IN THREE SEPARATE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ALL WITHIN A TWO HOUR TIME PERIOD ON THE SAME DAY. TWO WEEKS EARLIER, MY CAR HAD DONE THE EXACT SAME THING SLOWING DOWN COMING AROUND A BEND CAUSING ME TO HIT A CEMENT BARRIER WHICH LUCKILY ONLY CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO MY DRIVER SIDE MIRROR AND WHEEL WELL. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AFTER THE THREE CONSECUTIVE ACCIDENTS WHERE THEY CLAIMED THE CAUSE OF THIS PHENOMENON WAS CAUSED ?BY MY FLOOR MAT BEING IN A BAD POSITION. AS A RESULT, I REMOVED THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR MAT ONLY TO HAVE THIS SAME UNEXPLAINABLE ACCELERATION HAPPEN TO ME AGAIN AT A RED LIGHT ACROSS FROM A VERY DANGEROUS INTERSECTION APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER. THIS TIME I HAD TO THROW THE CAR INTO PARK TO GET IT TO STOP BEFORE COMPLETELY ENTERING THE INTERSECTION. EVEN AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE TACHOMETER CONTINUED TO RACE ABOVE 7000 RPM?S FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 MORE SECONDS BEFORE LEVELING BACK OFF. THIS TIME NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I HAD MY CAR TOWED BACK TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHO HAS NOW HAD IT IN THEIR POSSESSION FOR OVER FIVE DAYS NOW. IN MY OPINION, THE 2004 - 2005 KIA SPECTRA IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND IS ONE EPISODE AWAY FROM BECOMING A VERY TRAGIC ACCIDENT FOR SOMEONE. LET ME STATE THAT IN OVER 24 YEARS OF DRIVING, I HAVE NEVER BEEN SITED FOR A MAJOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AND HAVE HAD A PERFECTLY CLEAN DRIVING RECORD FOR OVER TEN YEARS BEFORE ALL OF THIS. I URGE ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR KIA SPECTRA'S TO PLEASE POST THEIR EXPERIENCES ON THIS WEBSITE SO OTHERS MAY BE WARNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219973March 3, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD NOISE. THE RPM, SPEED, AND TEMPERATURE WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE INFORMATION AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS CONFIRMED, BUT APPEARS TO BE INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217019February 5, 2008
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. THE VEHICLE HAS STARFIRE FLITE-LINE IV, SIZE P185/65R14 (NA) TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVED BACK AND FORTH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS WORN. THE DEALER EXPLAINED WHAT CAUSED THE TIRES TO CONTINUOUSLY WEAR; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT COULD NOT REMEMBER THE INFORMATION. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED SEVEN TIMES WITH DIFFERENT TIRE BRANDS AND LINES. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214623January 13, 2008
TIRES
ON 10/27/06 (@ 30,048 MILES) I PURCHASED 4 TIRES (SUMITOMO HTR H4; P195-60-R15; 87H M+S). ROTATION OF THESE FOUR TIRES OCCURRED @ 34,917 MILES. ON 7/27/07 A DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT AND WAS REPLACED WHERE I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THEM. DRIVING OFF THE FREEWAY DAMAGED THE TIRE INTO TWO PIECES (SIDEWALL STILL ATTACHED TO RIM), SO DETERMINING WHAT CAUSED THE FLAT WAS FRUITLESS. NEXT SERVICE OCCURRED @ 41,640 MILES AND INCLUDED ROTATION AND ALIGNMENT. THEN ON 12/29/07, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WENT FLAT, ALTHOUGH THE TREAD LOOKED FINE WITH NO VISIBLE PUNCTURES. APPX THREE HOURS LATER, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WENT FLAT AND THIS TIME DAMAGE WAS VISIBLY SEEN ON OUTSIDE SIDEWALL OF TIRE. AGAIN, NO VISIBLE PUNCTURE ON TREAD. I STILL HAVE THIS TIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212118December 17, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN HIS 125 POUND SPOUSE IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THIS INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY IN A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KIA ISSUE AND IS BEING CORRECTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. UPDATED 03/14/08. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212786December 17, 2007
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE DEALER STATED ON FOUR TO FIVE OCCASIONS, THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THEY FAILED TO STATE WHAT WAS REPAIRED AND DID NOT PROVIDE AN INVOICE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER TIRES TO WEAR AT 10,000 MILES. THE TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FIVE THIRTY SECONDS OF TREAD REMAINING ON THE TIRES. THE NORMAL MILEAGE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES SHOULD NOT BE BEFORE 40,000 MILES. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THAT THE TIRES SHOULD BE ROTATED AT 7,500 MILES. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FUEL TYPE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 4,550.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211447December 11, 2007
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW FELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS POOR QUALITY AND THEY REPLACED THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND RE-ATTACHED THE WINDOW CABLE. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOWS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FELL SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WEATHER CAUSED A PLASTIC PART ON THE WINDOW REGULATOR TO FAIL. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL THREE WINDOW REGULATORS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,140.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210097November 27, 2007
EQUIPMENT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. AFTER ACTIVATION, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WOULD DISENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. ON ONE OCCURRENCE, THE LIGHTER DISENGAGED, LANDED INSIDE A TRASH BAG, AND CAUGHT FIRE. AS OF NOVEMBER 27, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208740November 12, 2007
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
MY 2006 KIA SPECTRA HATCHBACK WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE E-BRAKE ON, BOTH FRONT DOORS WERE OPEN AND THE CAR WAS RUNNING, I SAT IN THE CAR AND CLOSED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND THE SEAT AND SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS WENT OFF, HITTING ME. I CONTACTED KIA IMMEDIATELY TO FILE A COMPLAINT, HAD THE CAR TOWED TO KIA WHERE THEY EXAMINED IT. I TOLD KIA I WANTED THE CAR REPLACED, WE JUST BOUGHT IT IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR. THE CAR IS TORN UP INSIDE FROM THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING AND I'M AFRAID THE SYSTEM WILL MALFUNCTION AGAIN. ON 11/12/07 THEY CALLED AND SAID THAT THE COMPUTER REGISTERED THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN IN A COLLISION AND THEREFORE THEY WILL NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE CAR. THE CAR WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND DOES NOT HAVE A DENT ON IT PLUS I HAVE A WITNESS THAT WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE OPENED PASSENGER DOOR WHEN IT HAPPENED. I'M AFRAID TO PUT MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR FOR FEAR THAT THE OTHER AIR BAGS WILL DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY AND INJURE OR KILL THEM. THIS HAS AFFECTED MY HEARING AND MY NECK HAS BEEN HURTING, KIA HASN'T EVEN CALLED TO SEE IF I WAS OK. I'M CALLING A LAWYER TOMORROW MORNING BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE AND RUN SOME TESTS WHILE CLOSING THE DOORS. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN KIA. THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IF THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR HAZARDOUS DEFECTS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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