Kia Spectra Complaints

906 consumer complaints on file.

#10553838November 26, 2013
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BLOWER FAN MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE HEATING UNIT TO FAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE BLOWER FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE BLOWER FAN REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,106.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10552646November 17, 2013
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
DROVE CAR APROX.15 MILES, PULL THE CAR UP TO A STORE, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WENT INSIDE. NEXT THING SOMEONE CAME UP TO ME AND SAID THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR NEAR THE BATTERY. TRIED TO OPEN THE HOOD, CABLE WAS MELTED AND THE HOOD WOULD NOT OPEN. TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH HELP WITH 4 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, COULD NOT CONTAIN THE FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT FINALLY GOT TO THE SCENE AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO CUT PART OF THE HOOD OFF TO CONTAIN THE FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10552421November 15, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WENT TO TURN ON MY HEATER TODAY AND THE SMELL OF GASOLINE FILLED MY CAR, 4-DOOR SEDAN. THE CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MANY OF THE OTHER OWNERS MENTIONED BEFORE E.G. A BRAKE FLUID LEAK, SQUEALING BRAKES AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ALWAYS SLOW TO KICK IN WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STOP. NEVER EXPERIENCED A GAS LEAK PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER CAR I OWNED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10549264October 23, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
ONE OF THE VEHICLES FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAPS HAS RUSTED INTO AND DRAGGING THE PAVEMENT. THIS WOULD CAUSE A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT, FIRE AND OR EXPLOSION IF TANK HAD HIT THE PAVEMENT AND RUBBED HOLE IN THE TANK. THE VEHICLE HAS NO OTHER RUST ON UNDERCARRIAGE. SAID VEHICLE HAS 92,893 MILES ON IT AND IS A 2006 MODEL YEAR. I BELIEVE STRAPS ARE MADE OF POOR QUALITY METAL AS THERE ARE NO OTHER RUST ISSUES WITH SAID VEHICLE! I THINK THAT THIS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED A KIA DEALER AND HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME KIA'S IN THE NORTH FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. IF THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM THEY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL OF THEM! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10548300October 17, 2013
AIR BAGS
I'M HAVING PROBLEM WITH MY PASSENGER AIRBAGS. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASH WILL NOT GO OFF AND THE ON/OFF FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON THE CENTER CONSOLE WILL NO LONGER SHOW IF IT IS ON OR OFF, WHETHER SOMEONE IS SITTING THERE OR NOT. I TOOK MY CAR TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT KIA STOPS THE WARRANTY'S ON SAFETY FEATURES AT 60,000 MILES. THEN TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW PASSENGER SEAT FOR $1, 700 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545547September 26, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING AT 35 MPH, SLOWING DOWN APPROACHING TRAFFIC LIGHT, PRESSED ON BRAKES AND HAD ALMOST NO TENSION. NEARLY SMASHED DIRECTLY INTO THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. USED BOTH FEET WITH ALL THE PRESSURE I COULD GIVE TO STOP THE CAR. FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID LEAVING ME WITH NO BRAKE FLUID WHATSOEVER. VERY DANGEROUS. THE PROPORTIONING VALVE NEEDS REPLACING. I HAVE BEEN FILLING UP THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM, WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ASSESSED? *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10543781September 16, 2013
AIR BAGS
I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND FELL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL. I WAS TOLD THAT DURING THE TIME OF ME FALLING ASLEEP I WAS TRAVELING AROUND 90 MILES AND HOUR. I SUDDENLY WOKE UP TO A SIGN SAYING TO GET OVER TO THE NEXT LANE DUE TO A SWEEPER TRUCK CLEANING THE HIGHWAY. I REMEMBER SLOWING DOWN ALL OF A SUDDEN AND HEARING MY TIRES MAKING A LOUD NOISE. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT I HIT THE DRIVERS SIDE FENDER AND MY CAR BEGAN SPINNING AROUND TO ONLY BE CUT OF MY CAR WITH THE JAWS OF LIFE, THEN BEING LIFE FLIGHTED TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE. MY STEERING WHEEL ENDED UP SITTING ON MY ARMREST AND MY DASHBOARD ENDED SHIFTING FORWARD TOWARDS ME WITH THE LEFT SIDE OF MY DASHBOARD COMPLETELY FALLING ON MY LEG. I WANTED TO SHARE MY INFO WITH SOMEONE SO KIA CAN CHECK INTO THESE FAULTY ISSUES. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10543110September 11, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT ALL FOUR BULBS HAD BURNED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 11/12/13*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10542165September 5, 2013
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A DEER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10537366August 26, 2013
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISING AND SEVERE PAIN FROM THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINING HER NECK AND CHEST AREA. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 9/17/13*CN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10537367August 26, 2013
AIR BAGS
MY DAUGHTER STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND WITH HER CAR. THE UPON IMPACT THE CAR AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HER CHEST HIT THE STEERING VERY HARD. SHE ENDED UP WITH CHEST, NECK AND SHOULDER SEVERE PAIN. THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGE. RADIATOR FLUID WAS EVERYWHERE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10534675August 10, 2013
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES
TRANS ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED SLIPPING WITH NO PRIOR ISSUES. WAS READING A TCM CODE THEN CODES FOR EACH GEAR REPLACED TRANS NEW TRANS DROVE 30 MILES AND IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING HAVE TO DRIVE LIKE A STICK 1ST 2ND AND THEN CAN PUT IN DRIVE AROUND 35MPH. ALSO BREAKS COME AND GO AS THEY PLEASE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534520August 9, 2013
AIR BAGS
I HIT WATER ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING MY CAR TO LEAVE THE ROAD. I SLID INTO SEVERAL TREES AND COMPLETELY CAVED IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND BACK FENDER. NOT ONE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AT TIME OF IMPACT OR AFTER (IT HAS FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS). LUCKILY I WAS STRAPPED IN WITH THE SEAT BELT AND HELD ON FOR DEAR LIFE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. OR I WOULD HAVE POSSIBLY GOTTEN THROWN THROUGH THE FRONT OR SIDE WIDOWS. I SUFFERED A TORN BICEP TENDON, WHIP LASH, BACK PAIN AND TRAUMA TO MY LEGS. I WILL NEVER TRUST BUYING A KIA AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10532582July 30, 2013
POWER TRAIN
RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55 - 70) THE CAR WILL DOWNSHIFT VIOLENTLY WITH A SUDDEN JERK, IT WILL REMAIN IN THAT GEAR UNTIL YOU PULLOVER, TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT IN ORDER TO RESUME NORMAL DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10525077July 16, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OWNER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE QUIT MOVING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. UPON INSPECTION, THE IGN 2 30 AMP FUSIBLE LINK LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUSE BOX WAS BLOWN AND THE STARTER SOLENOID, LOCATED ON THE STARTER, WAS MELTED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO FACTORY CIRCUIT PROTECTION BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND THE STARTER SOLENOID. IT IS SPECULATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH BECAME STUCK IN THE START POSITION AND MELTED THE STARTER SOLENOID DUE TO CONTINUOUS STARTER OPERATION AFTER THE INITIAL START UNTIL MELTING AND SMOKE OCCURRED. WHILE THERE WAS NO FIRE THIS TIME, THE ABSENCE OF CIRCUIT PROTECTION ON THIS CIRCUIT POSES A SERIOUS RISK BECAUSE THIS WIRE RUNS FROM THE BATTERY, OVER THE TRANSMISSION, AND UP BEHIND THE ENGINE, ULTIMATELY TO THE STARTER SOLENOID. THERE ARE MANY PLACES WHERE THIS WIRE COULD RUB AND WEAR OFF THE INSULATION OVER TIME, CAUSING A SHORT TO GROUND DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERY WITH NO CIRCUIT PROTECTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10525221July 16, 2013
AIR BAGS, SEATS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AIR BAG LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAME ON, AND MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAULTY SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT (ERROR CODE B1448 - OCS MAT DEFECTIVE), AND SAID THAT THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (AT A COST OF $1,600). THIS IS THE SAME DEFECT FOR WHICH 06-08 KIA RIO'S WERE RECALLED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V244000). THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE SIMILAR MODEL YEAR KIA SPECTRAS - THERE ARE A SIMILAR NUMBER OF NHTSA COMPLAINTS REGARDING AIRBAGS FOR THE 06 KIA SPECTRA AS 06 KIA RIO. PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED BY REPLACING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WITH ONE FROM AN 04 KIA SPECTRA FROM AN AUTO SALVAGE YARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10523528July 7, 2013
AIR BAGS
DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. SHOP SAID IT HAD TO DO WITH SENSOR UNDER SEAT WHICH IS PART OF THE RECALL IN THE RIO. COST ALMOST $2000 TO REPAIR AN KIA WON'T OVER IT. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AIRBAG WON'T DEPLOY. THE SPECTRA SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10523367July 5, 2013
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10522445June 29, 2013
AIR BAGS
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW. FROM DAY ONE THE FRONT AIR BAG WILL TURN OFF WHEN I SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I AM WELL ABOVE THE WEIGHT MINIMUM AT AROUND 140 LBS. AND AM 5'2". THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN KEEP THE AIRBAG ON IS TO ROLL UP A TOWEL AND PUT THAT IN CENTER OF SEAT WHEN I SIT. THIS IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE THOUGH. I COMPLAINED AND COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER. I EVEN OFFERED TO HAVE THEM SEE HOW I WAS SITTING AS THEY KEPT SAYING IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I WAS DOING. BUT NEVER WOULD FIX IT. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT IF WE WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. BOUGHT THE CAR FOR THE SAFETY FEATURES AND THIS ONE DOESN'T EVEN WORK. KIA SHOULD BE MADE TO FIX THIS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10522102June 27, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRING SYSTEM OVERHEATED AND THE STARTED SPARKING. THE RELAY AND COATING MELTED OFF THE WIRES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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