Kia Spectra Complaints

906 consumer complaints on file.

#10250266December 1, 2008
AIR BAGS
BLACK ICE ON ROADS I ENDED UP TURNED UPSIDE DOWN IN A SIX FOOT DITCH. CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. UPSET THAT A CRASH LIKE THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. WHAT IS THE PROTOCOL FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS? *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250342December 1, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A ROCK. ONLY THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND THE CRASH WAS REPORTED TO HER INSURANCE AGENCY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISES AND CUTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000. UPDATED 01-26-09 *BF UPDATED 01/26/09. 8JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10250075November 28, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND ACCELERATES. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE FAILURES TO STOP. THE FAILURE BEGAN IN JANUARY OF 2008. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ON NOVEMBER 9, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE BODY SHOP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 12/17/08.*LJ UPDATED 12/18/08. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250107November 28, 2008
AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2008 AT 4:45PM, I WAS DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY 58 BY JENKINS AND ROSEDALE HIGHWAY IN BAKERSFIELD, CA. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND WAS APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES DUE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF MY BRAKING AUTOMATICALLY, MY BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I WAS IN A FRONT END CRASH. NOT ONLY DID MY BRAKES LOCK UP, BUT MY DUEL SIDED AIR BAGS IN MY 2002 KIA SPECTRA WHICH I HAVE ONLY OWNED FOR FOUR MONTHS DID NOT DEPLOY. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BADLY INJURED BUT DUE TO THIS INCIDENT MY MUSCLES ARE BADLY SORE AND BRUISED. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE IS DESTROYED AND MOST IMPORTANTLY MY HEADLIGHTS WHICH ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO HAVE, ARE SHATTERED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249105November 18, 2008
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DOES NOT DIM WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE SENDING A RE-CALIPER SWITCH TO REPAIR THE AIR BAG INDICATOR. TWO WEEKS LATER, NO ONE HAS CALLED THE CONTACT REGARDING THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. UPDATED 12/15/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247654November 4, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
HAD A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH MY VEHICLE, IN WHICH THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE SENSOR IN FRONT OF THE CAR DIDN'T OPEN THE FRONT AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. THANK GOD I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT, IT KEPT ME FROM CRASH HEAD ON THROUGH THE WIND SHIELD. I WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. WHEN I CALLED THE KIA DEALERSHIP ABOUT WHAT HAD HAPPEN TO THE CAR AND THE DEFECT OF THE AIRBAGS NOT OPENING UP, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER GOT VERY NASTY WITH ME, LIKE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE PRODUCTS. THAT'S THE REASON WHY I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT AGAINST KIA. I COULD HAVE RECEIVE MORE SERIOUS INJURIES IN WHAT I HAVE OR WORSE, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10246179October 20, 2008
AIR BAGS
MY DAUGHTER WAS CRITICALLY INJURED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT WITH MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE "SAFETY" RATINGS AND FELT SHE WOULD BE WELL PROTECTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS AS WELL AS DASH AIRBAGS. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THIS ACCIDENT. IN READING THE INFORMATION PACKET THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE I UNDERSTAND THE FRONT AIRBAGS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO DEPLOY IN A ROLLOVER, HOWEVER I BELIEVE THE SIDE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION PROVIDED. OTHERS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH (MECHANICS,ATTORNEYS ETC) AGREE. THIS VEHICLE WAS 8 MONTHS OLD AND HAD ONLY 8000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS A "TOTAL LOSS": *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10246021October 19, 2008
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL ALSO LUNGE WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR, FORWARD AND REVERSE. IT DOES NOT OCCUR EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE STARTS. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE 2ND TIME THEY SAID THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR RPM'S TO GO UP WHEN THE ENGINE IS COOL. WHEN THE CAR LUNGES, THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO STOP THE CAR. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM THEY HAD WITH THE KIA AMANTI. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238694August 18, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
WHILE FILLING UP WITH GAS, I HEARD A DISTINCT CLICK AND UPON LOOKING SAW THAT ALL OF THE CAR DOORS HAD LOCKED. MY KEYS WERE STILL IN THE IGNITION. I CALLED THE ROAD SERVICE THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CAR AND THEY HAD IT OPEN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY FOR ME. THE DOORS HAVE LOCKED INDEPENDENTLY A FEW MORE TIMES SINCE THEN WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. APPROXIMATE MILEAGE: 17,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238067August 13, 2008
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE VEHICLE PULLING DRASTICALLY TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIE RODS WERE FAULTY AND THE TIRES WOULD NOT WEAR. SHE STATED THAT THE TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED EVERY 3,000 MILES FOR THE LAST 46,000 MILES ON HER VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2005 KIA SPECTRA, WHICH WAS IDENTICAL TO THE FAILURE SHE WAS EXPERIENCING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V183000 (STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT EVERY 20,000 MILES THE TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE TIRE LIFE STATES THAT THIS SHOULD OCCUR EVERY 60,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,250.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236947August 4, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THREE YEARS AGO WHILE TRAVELING DOWN I-40 THE CRUISE CONTROL STUCK ON THE CAR, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE CAR HAD CLIMB TO 90 MPH IN A 65 BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR WAS TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND CUT THE ENGINE. THANK THE DEAR LORD IN HEAVEN ME AND 2 OTHER CO-WORKERS WERE NOT IN HEAVEN TRAFFIC THAT DAY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO KIA IN WINSTON SALEM, NC WHERE THE MECHANICS ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT HAD EVER WORKED ON THAT CAR AT THAT TIME. THEY TRIED TO SAY THAT IT WAS AN ANIMAL OR SOMEONE MUST HAVE TOUCHED THE CABLE CAUSING IT TO SLIP OUT OF THE GROOVE WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL TO STICK. THEY FLIPPED IT BACK ON AND IT WORKED FINE UNTIL FRIDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 1, 2008 AROUND 9:00 AT NIGHT WHEN ME AND MY 10 YR OLD DAUGHTER WAS COMING HOME FROM HAVING DINNER OUT. AGAIN THE CRUISE CONTROL STUCK STARTED ACCELERATING WITH NO WAY OF STOPPING IT AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE CAR HAD CLIMBED TO 70 MPH IN A 55 BEFORE I FINALLY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND CUT THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAS SCARED ME TWICE NOW. I AM SCARED THAT IT WILL HAPPENED IT AGAIN AND NEXT TIME WE WANT BE LUCKY. I AM AFRAID THIS CAR MAY END UP HURTING US OR SOMEONE ELSE REALLY BAD. I COMPLAINED TO KIA 3YRS AGO THEY DIDN'T CARE WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND I SURE DON'T SEE THEM CARING NOW. DO YOU? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235861July 26, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I HAD A NEAR-FRONTAL CRASH IN MY 2006 KIA SPECTRA IN WHICH THE FRONT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SPEED AT TIME OF CRASH IS ESTIMATED TO BE BETWEEN 40-50 MPH. THE FRONT-LEFT PART OF MY HOOD WAS STRUCK BY A TURNING VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG IN THE OTHER VEHICLE DID DEPLOY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235209July 21, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC, SUSPENSION
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 17000 MILES ON AND THE STRUTS SWAYBAR LINKAGE AND TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 17,500 AND AT 29,000 MILES JUST 12000 MILES THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP PROPERLY AND AFTER INVESTIGATION FOUND THE ROTORS AND PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234952July 20, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
THE ALTERNATOR ON MY 2006 KIA SPECTRA EX WENT OUT WITH WARNING AND THE CALL STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. MY COUSIN AND I WERE STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY FOR 3.5 HOURS BEFORE HELP ARRIVED. BOTH OF US WERE SUNBURNED AND I AM A HEART PATIENT, WHO SUFFERED FROM HEAT EXHAUSTION AND DEHYDRATION ON THIS DAY. KIA DID NOT HONOR THE 10 YEAR OR 100,000 WARRANTY. MY CAR ONLY HAVE 76,000 MILES. PAID NEARLY $400 FOR A REBUILT ALTERNATOR. CAUSED GREAT HARDSHIP AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS OVER THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234418July 15, 2008
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
ALL FOUR(4) SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AUTO INCIDENT INVOLVING 2008 MODEL KIA SPECTRA. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10233653July 9, 2008
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD OUR 2005 KIA SPECTRA STEERING LOCKED UP AS IF THE CAR WAS IN PARK. A KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN VICTORVILLE WAS UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG AND THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO US. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE SAME EVENT HAPPENED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR WAS IN PARK. THE CAR WAS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY HOWEVER, THE SERVICE CENTER CLAIMED AN ADJUSTMENT WAS NEEDED WHICH WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WE PAID $240 TO HAVE THE ADJUSTMENT MADE. YESTERDAY, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AGAIN A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD NEARLY SENDING US OVER THE EDGE OF A CLIFF. PER THE KIA DEALER, VEHICLES THAT WERE MANUFACTURED ONE MONTH AFTER OUR VEHICLE'S PRODUCTION DATE HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME STEERING PROBLEMS BUT THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO OUR VEHICLE ONLY THOSE MANUFACTURED 30 DAYS AFTER THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF THIS PARTICULAR CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233693July 9, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY VEHICLE SPUTTERS WHILE DRIVING. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS WHERE MY VEHICLE HAS ALMOST STALLED ON THE FREEWAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN FAST LANE. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 5 TIME IN A 2 MONTH WINDOW, AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE, SO THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX MY VEHICLE OR TAKE ALL OF THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT SINCE THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE, THEN THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO AND I AM JUST STUCK WITH A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE, WHICH HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233145July 3, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FRONT END COLLISION, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. 2004 KIA SPECTRA. IT WAS HIT BY A TRUCK AT APPROX. 55 MPH IN THE LEFT FRONT CORNER PUSHING EVERYTHING INTO THE MOTOR AREA AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231497June 18, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE DOOR WITH THE KEYS STILL IN THE IGNITION. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, ALL OF THE DOORS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY WITH HER 11 MONTH OLD CHILD STILL IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S FATHER USED A SLIM JIM TO OPEN THE DOOR. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12,769. UPDATED 09/13/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. UPDATED 09/16/08.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229588June 2, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2007 KIA SPECTRA WITH DEFECTIVE AUTO-OFF HEADLAMPS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE AND HIM TO NEED A JUMPSTART. HE ALSO STATES THAT THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON PERIODICALLY AND WILL SOMETIMES STAY ON. *KB THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH FAILED, AS WELL AS THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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