Kia Spectra Complaints

906 consumer complaints on file.

#10174576November 28, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, TIRES, VISIBILITY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SUSPENSION
PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY OF 2003, JUNE 30TH OF 2003 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD TO HAVE THE TPS REPLACED AND 3 MORE TIMES TO PRESENT. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED, HEATING PROBLEM, EXHAUST REPLACED. CAR IS NOW ON 46,000 HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED (THROUGH AN ATT. FROM LEMON LAW) AT 16,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED. AND, NOW TO DATE TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR THE 5TH TIME, BRAKES WERE DONE 4 TIMES, NOW TO FIND OUT THE REASON TIRES AND BRAKES WERE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SO MANY TIMES IS BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION IS WAY OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHICH SEEING I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG I NOW BELIEVE IT WAS A DEFECT ALL ALONG. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174356November 26, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE POWER TRAIN IN MY CAR SHIFTS VERY HARD AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OUT OF THE CAR. HAVE HAD THE CAR IN TO BE FIXED BY THE DEALER TWICE AND TOMORROW WILL BE THE THIRD TIME. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173950November 21, 2006
SUSPENSION, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, STEERING
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 70 MILES BEFORE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILED, 1400 MILES BEFORE I DETERMINED THE STALLING PROBLEM WAS NOT OPERATOR ERROR, AND ABOUT 90 DAYS BEFORE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND FINDING A SHAKE IN THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE SELLING DEALER 20 TIMES WITH THE AIRBAG PROBLEM AND STEERING SHAKE UN-REPAIRED. SC0055 ON THE AIRBAG ISSUE, REPROGRAMMING THE SENSOR(S) AND REPLACING THE SEAT BOTTOM HAS NOT ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM OR FAILURES. 7 NEW TIRES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AND BALANCED, TO INCLUDE ROAD-FORCE BALANCING 3 TIMES WITHOUT CORRECTING THE SHAKE IN THE STEERING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TEST DRIVEN HUNDREDS OF MILES AT THE DEALERS REQUEST. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173751November 17, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. UPDATED 1/10/2007 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173771November 17, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER THREE TIMES BUT THE SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172493November 2, 2006
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. FOUR OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR TO MODERATE SEATBELT INJURIES. ALL THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING THEIR SEATBELTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SENT AN INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE. THE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THAT A COPY OF THE INVESTIGATION REPORT COULD BE RELEASED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#10171937October 26, 2006
PARKING BRAKE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL, AND HIT A TREE. THE HATCH WAS CRUSHED AND THE FRONT END WAS TORN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT USED THE BRAKE AS A BACK UP BRAKE WHILE DRIVING, BUT IT DOES NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT TAKEN. UPDATED 12/1/2006 - *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171586October 23, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE THE PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER THE AIRBAG WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SEAT AND THE WIRING HARNESS. THE PASSENGER WEIGHED 177 LBS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171264October 18, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAD KIA SINCE 11-2002, HAD TO TAKE BACK TO THE DEALER OVER 10 TIMES WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH. HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS, ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STICK SHIFT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR EASILY. DASH BOARD HAS STARTED WARPING BECAUSE IT IS NOT GLUED TOGETHER. THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO COMES APART. DEALER SAYS IT IS SUPPOSE TO DO THAT. HAD TAKEN IT TO MECHANIC WHO INFORMS ME THAT EVENTUALLY MY DASHBOARD WILL WARP ALL THE TO THE AIRBAGS. NOW I AM AFRAID THAT AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THEN I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BACK BRAKES BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING, AND I WAS NEVER INFORMED AND HAD TO PAY TO HAVE MY BRAKES FIXED MYSELF. I HAVE TALKED TO THE HOME OFFICE OF KIA AND EVERYBODY REFUSES TO HELP ME. PLEASE GIVE ME ANY FEED BACK TO HELP ME. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170961October 16, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT WITH BRAKE PRESSURE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE, AND LURCHED BACKWARDS, CRASHING INTO A TREE STUMP WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, AND THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE REAR. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP TO AWAIT INSPECTION BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170880October 15, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL FAILS TO TURN ON OCCASIONALY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170541October 11, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH KIA USA HONORING MY WARRANTY FOR DAMAGE DONE TO MY CAR IN WHICH I AM NOT AT FAULT. THEY HAVE MADE ALLEGATIONS AS TO THE PROBLEMS WHICH ARE UNTRUE FROM MY STAND POINT AND I AM 23 YEAR OLD SINGLE MOTHER WITH NO VEHICLE NOW. I HAVE MADE MANY ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AND IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 2 WEEKS AND STILL HAD NO RESOLUTION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167722September 8, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY KIA WAS BOUGHT 7/8/2006 AND 8 WEEKS LATER THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WHILE GOING UP A HILL I CHECKED THE OIL AND THE DIP STICK DIDN'T HAVE A DROP OF OIL ON IT. I RUBBED MY HAND ON IT AND THERE WAS NOTHING ON MY HAND. THIS HAPPENED ON 09/04/2006(LABOR DAY). THE CAR LOT WAS CLOSED SO I WENT TO BUY OIL I PUT 1 QUART IN IT STILL SHOWED NO OIL, THE 2ND QUART MADE IT REACH THE DIP STICK. THE OIL LIGHT NEVER STAYED ON, WHICH WAS A PROBLEM ALSO. I TOOK THE CAR IN THE NEXT DAY AND FOUND OUT THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS BROKEN AND OIL WAS LEAKING OUT EXTREMELY BAD. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 2200 MILES ON IT. WHEN YOU BUY A BRAND NEW CAR OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR YOU EXPECT NOT TO HAVE THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS. I PERSONALLY THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE GIVEN ME ANOTHER CAR. BECAUSE WHOSE TO SAY THAT THIS HASN'T CAUSED OTHER PROBLEMS. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA. I CAN'T TRADE IT IN BECAUSE I WILL LOOSE MONEY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165136August 10, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME I HAVE DROPPED OFF MY VEHICLE TO THE TALLAHASSEE KIA REPAIR SHOP. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE FIRST REPAIR, 5-19-05 I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM AT THE BEGINNING OF JUNE I WAS TOLD TO HAVE THE FUEL FILTER REPLACED, I HAVE DONE SO BUT THIS HAS NOT RECTIFIED THE PROBLEM. AS OF LATE, PERHAPS DUE TO THE HEAT, THE PROBLEM IS WORSE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL SURGING FORWARD WHILE I HAVE MY FOOT PRESSED ON THE BRAKE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AROUND TOWN OR ON ROAD TRIP AND WILL SOMETIMES WHEN I FIRST START IT UP. IT OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING. MY FATHER BELIEVES THAT THE COMPUTER IS BAD OR THAT THE SERVICE HAS NOT BEEN DONE ACCORDING TO THE BULLETINS. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS NOT ONLY A DANGEROUS SITUATION BUT IT IS CAUSING ADDITIONAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES. AT THIS JUNCTURE, THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN I SPOKE WITH A SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT MY LOCAL TALLAHASSEE DEALERSHIP AT THE BEGINNING OF JUNE I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD DROP THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEY WOULD TRY TO SIMULATE THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN I WAS WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR A NUMBER OR DAYS AND HAD TO RELY ON FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR TRANSPORTATION TO WORK AND SCHOOL. I AM SCHEDULED TO BRING IN MY VEHICLE 8 -10-06 AND THEY ARE STILL REFUSING TO PROVIDE A VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTATION. WITH NO OTHER CHOICE I AM FORCED TO BRING IT IN FOR SAFETY REASONS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164444August 3, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL-MY KIA DOESN'T LIKE TO CRANK UP ON THE FIRST TIME, STALLS IN TRAFFIC OR WITH A/C ON I TOOK TO A AUTO SHOP AFTER BREAKING DOWN AT A LIGHT IN JACKSONVILLE FL THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRES AND CHARGED ME $468.00 STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP IN GA AND THEY SPENT 8 HOURS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY IT STALLS AT AN IDLE. NO ONE CAN FIX IT. I THINK THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN THE CITY AND I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR LONG DISTANCE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161783July 7, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS , THE ENGINE HESITATED BUT DID NOT STALL. ALSO THE ENGINE RPM RAPIDLY INCREASED, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON CITY ROADS OR STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161817July 7, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE ODOMETER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. AND IN SOME CASES, THE SPEEDOMETER INCREASED TO 110 MPH WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES WHO HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160731June 26, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY AUTO HAS STOPPED ON ME FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THE FIRST TIME IT JUST WOULDN'T START, THE SECOND TIME I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND IT JUST SHUT OFF AND THE THIRD TIME WHICH WAS THIS MORNING IT STARTED THEN SHUT DOWN AND I HADN'T LEFT MY HOME YET. AFTER THAT IT WOULDN'T START. THE CARE MAKE AND MODEL IS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP ON BOTH OCCASIONS AND THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT THE CONNECTION WAS LOOSE THE SECOND TIME IT STATED THAT THE MASTER PULLING TOO MUCH VACUUM CAUSING HER CAR TO SHUT DOWN. I WAS AWAITING A PART. I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 8 AM TO CALL FOR PARTS TO SEE IF IT CAME IN BUT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159357June 8, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I WAS COMING TO A STOP, DEPRESSING MY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, FAILING TO STOP MY CAR. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN, THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD AND THEN CAME TO A STOP. THIS HAPPENED TWICE TODAY, NEITHER TIME CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, BUT CAME CLOSE TO HITTING A HOUSE AND A GAS STATION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159154June 6, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS WAS A FULL FRONT TO REAR INCIDENT. THERE WAS PRE IMPACT BRAKING, THE WHEELS LOCKED UP ON THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO SKID INTO THE REAR OF THE STOPPED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR AND IS AWAITING INSPECTION.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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