Kia Spectra Complaints

906 consumer complaints on file.

#10139372October 11, 2005
SEAT BELTS:FRONT, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I HAD NO INDICATION THAT MY SEAT BELT OR AIRBAG WERE FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH I STRUCK A CAR THAT TURNED LEFT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. MY SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK AND I WAS LIFTED OUT OF THE SEAT AND HIT MY HEAD, SHOULDER, AND HIP ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR. THE AIRBAG DID NOT INFLATE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THE AIRBAG DIDN'T INFLATE CONSIDERING THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10136028October 6, 2005
AIR BAGS
DT: 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BY THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT SO HARD THAT THE BUMPER CAME OFF AND PUSHED THE ENGINE AND HOOD UP. THE FIREMAN SAID THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND TWICE. THIS BROKE THE REAR AXLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE ENDED UP SIX FEET FROM WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER'S BACK WAS SORE FOR A FEW WEEKS. A POLICE REPORT TAKEN. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO SEE WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10138554October 4, 2005
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THERE WAS NO INDICATION PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT, I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT AND HE WAS DRIVING. MY SEAT BELT LOCKED AND HIS DIDN'T ALLOWING HIM TO BE THROWN INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, THIS LEFT HIM WITH A SEVERELY BRUISED RIBCAGE. THE SEAT BELTS WERE BOTH REPLACED AS PART OF THE DAMAGES TO THE CAR. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS STANDARD PROCEDURE AFTER AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT OBVIOUSLY DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, AND I FEEL THAT IT SHOULD HAVE SINCE I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR A LITTLE LONGER THAN A YEAR. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10138590October 4, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION HOUSING EXPLODED,COMPANY REFUSES TO BACK WARRANTY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133000September 23, 2005
SEATS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT: 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONSUMER STATES THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS A FEATURE THAT HAS A LIGHT THAT COMES ON IF THE PERSON IN THE SEAT IS LESS THAN 90 POUNDS, STATING THE AIRBAG IS OFF. THIS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE SEAT WAS SENT TO HOUSTON, AND IT WAS RECALIBRATED. THE SEAT WAS DOING THE SAME THING, AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNTIL THE DEALERSHIP TALKED TO A KIA REPRESENTATIVE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE.*AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134756August 30, 2005
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
I OWN A SPECTRA 5. I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THE CAR IN MOST EVERY ASPECT, BUT THE FRONT SPOILER IS NOT SECURED TO THE CAR PROPERLY. I TAPPED IT ON A PARKING CURB ONCE, AND NOW IT'S COMPLETELY FALLING OFF. MY KIA DEALER COULDN'T FIX IT AND SAID I NEEDED TO GO TO THE BODY SHOP. I WENT TO A KIA BODY SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE MORE THAN $700 TO FIX AND THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE NEXT TIME IT CAUGHT ON A PARKING CURB OR LOW DIP IN THE ROAD IT WOULDN'T FALL OFF AGAIN. I AM NOT PREPARED TO PAY $700 TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT WAS DESIGNED TO BE THAT LOW TO THE GROUND BUT IS NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE SOME MINOR IMPACT AS IT WAS BOUND TO EXPERIENCE. ALMOST ALL ROADS HAVE SOME DEFECTS THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS SPOILER TO HIT THE GROUND AND MANY CAR PARKS HAVE SPEED BUMPS AND ENTRANCES TO DRIVEWAYS HAVE DIPS THAT THIS WILL MOST CERTAINLY CATCH ON AGAIN. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REMOVE FROM THE CAR UNTIL KIA CAN MAKE STURDY ENOUGH TO HANDLE NORMAL USE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134346August 26, 2005
AIR BAGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DURING THE FIRST ACCIDENTCONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS CUT OFF BY SOMEONE IN FRONT. IN TURN A SUV HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE. DURING THE SECOND ACCIDENT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED A CAR IN FRON. THIS WAS A FRONT TO REAR COLLISION AT 25 T-30 MILES MPH. THERE WAS INJURIES IN THE SECOND ACCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. ALSO, THERE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH OIL CIRCULATION. ITHE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE OIL SENDING UNIT WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10126542August 26, 2005
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO STEER THE CAR TO THE RIGHT IT CONTINUED TO GO TO THE LEFT. APPROXIMATELY FOUR HOURS PRIOR TO THIS THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE WITH VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR WENT IN TO A GUARD RAIL ON SOUTHBOUND 14 FREEWAY IN PALMDALE, CA. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. ONLY THE PASSENGER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE REMAINED. . WHEN THE CAR HIT THE GUARD RAIL, IT WAS THROWN TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FREEWAY, THEN HIT THE OTHER GUARD RAIL. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND BRUISES. THERE WAS ALSO A POLICE REPORT.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10134061August 24, 2005
STEERING
WE BOUGHT A KIA SPECTRA 5 ON 06/18/2005, A 2005 MODEL. ON 06/19/05 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT (WE WERE THE FIRST OWNERS, LESS THAN 100 MILES) OUR KIA DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CAR AFTER TWO WEEKS OF TRYING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, ON 07/27/05, MY HUSBAND STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND TURNED RIGHT, THE CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE TURN (HUSBAND SAID NOTHING ON THE CAR WOULD WORK, STEERING FROZE AND BRAKES FAILED) HE THEN RAN UP ON A CURVE CAR SUSTAINED OVER 2800.00 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO UNDERCARRIAGE, WHEELS, DRIVE SHAFT ETC. HUSBAND SUFFERED BRUISES AND CONCUSSION ( I AM AN RN HE DID NOT SEE PHYSICIAN) REPORTED TO INSURANCE CO, INSURANCE APPRAISER ALSO AWARE OF CIRCUMSTANCES AND DEALER NOTIFIED, NOTHING WAS DONE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10133795August 22, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
CAR HAS SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT TO DISABLE PASSENGER AIR BAG. AIR BAG DISABLE LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHEN ADULT SITTING IN SEAT. SEAT CUSHION AND SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY DEALOR BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. CONTACTED KIA DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NO FIX. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL ACCIDENT AND TBHE PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY. FROM MY RESEARCH I FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NOT UNIQUE TO MY VEHICLE. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10133803August 22, 2005
WHEELS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CAR IN FRONT STOPPED SHORT SO ALSO IMMEDIATELY APPLIED BRAKES FORCEFULLY IN VEHICLE. WHEELS LOCKED CAUSING CAR TO VEREEN ACROSS HIGHWAY ADN BOUNCE OFF JERSEY BARRIER OUT OF CONTROL AND BACK ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC BEFORE HITTING LEFT SIDE BARRIER AND STOPPING. CAR IS A TOTAL WRECK. KIA BODY PERSON SAYS ACCIDENT CAUSED WHEEL TO LOCK NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. DIDN'T THINK THEY WOULD ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR CAUSING ACCIDENT AND THEY DIDN'T LET ME DOWN ON THAT SCORE. INSURANCE COMPANY SETTLED CLAIM WITH DEDUCTIBLE APPLIED AND MA AUTOMATICALLY PLACES BLAME TO DRIVER ON ONE CAR ACCIDENTS. THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT BUT I CAN'T PROVE IT.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10130718July 31, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
EVERY TIME I TAKE OFF FROM A STOP SIGN ECT. MY TRANSMISSION KICKS WHEN SHIFTING FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IN AN AUTOMATIC,IT IS RARE. IT IS ONLY A 2003 TOO. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE TELL ME THAT TRANSMISSIONS ARE DESIGNED LIKE THAT. BULL!!! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130380July 27, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SPEEDOMETER WILL OCCASIONALLY QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES WILL QUIT ALTOGETHER-OTHER TIMES WILL JERK AROUND-DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129588July 21, 2005
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
SLIGHTEST CONTACT WITH MOST DRIVEWAYS LOOSENS FRONT SPOILER TO THE POINT OF DETACHING FROM VEHICLE. FRONT SPOILER IS TOO LOW TO AVOID THIS TYPE OF DAMGE AND THE SPOILER IS HELD ONTO THE VEHICLE WITH DOUBLESIDED TAPE, 8 POP-OUT BRACKETS AND 2 SCREWS. PARTS BECOME LOOSE OVER TIME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128800July 14, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSON / DRIVETRAIN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128142July 8, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: THE CONSUMER'S ATTORNEY STATED THAT DURING A FRONTAL CRASH THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A FRONT END COLLISION INTO THREE CEMENT CULVERTS. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING AND HE PASSED AWAY. A LAWSUIT WAS FILED AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#10127262July 1, 2005
STEERING:COLUMN
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2000 KIA SPECTRA WHEN THE CLAM SHELL (STEERING COLUMN COVER) CAME APART WHILE SHE WAS MAKING A TURN. THE TOP PIECE PULL A WIRE LOOSE CAUSING THE AIR BAG INDICATOR TO COME ON, AND IT ALSO PREVENTED HER FROM COMPLETING THE TURN THAT SHE WAS TRYING TO MAKE. SHE EVENTUALLY HAD TO COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. WE HAD JUST PICKED UP THE CAR THAT SAME DAY FROM HAVING THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT SERVICED AND THE RADIO REPLACED (2ND TIME FOR THE RADIO), AND THEN THE SERVICE MANAGER AND TECH CAME OUT TO OUR HOUSE AFTER MY WIFE FINALLY WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. WE WERE GOING TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER BUT IT WAS TOO LATE IN THE DAY SO THEY CAME OVER AND DROVE IT BACK THEMSELVES. SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER OUR EXTENDED WARRENTEE WHICH WAS STILL IN FORCE AT THE TIME. I ALSO RENTED A CAR FOR THE 3 DAYS THAT THEY HAD OUR CAR, AND THAT TOO WAS NOT TO BE COVERED. HE SAID THAT I COULD TAPE IT UP AND IT SHOULD BE FINE IF I DID NOT WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO SAID THAT MOST AUTOMOBILES HAD THIS PART ATTACHED WITH SCREWS HOLDING THE 2 PIECES TOGETHER, BUT THIS ONE HAD ONLY PUSH TABS AND THE SAME PROBLEM COULD EVENTUALLY HAPPEN WITH THE REPLACED PART. THAT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND TO ME IS POOR WORKMANSHIP, AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO TAPE UP MY CAR AND OR PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS THE MANUFACTURERS FAULT. ALSO, IF THIS HAPPENED TO MY CAR, IT MIGHT HAPPEN TO THE OTHERS AS WELL, AT LEAST THE OTHER 2000 KIA SPECTRAS. RIGHT NOW, I DO HAVE TAPE HOLDING IT TOGETHER, AND I INTEND ON GETTING IT REPLACED, BUT ACTUALLY I DON'T WANT TO REPLACE IT WITH THE SAME THING IS IT COULD OCCUR AGAIN. (I'VE HAD THE CAR EXACTLY 5 YEARS WITH 50,000 MILE ON IT.)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126959June 28, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: CONSUMER HAS FILED A SAFETY COMPLAINT #6259431 WITH FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. CONCERNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON SAME ISSUE AS STATED IN ODI #10125427. ALSO, CONSUMER SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER KIA MOTORS. MANUFACTURER SAID SOMEONE WOULD BE IN CONTACT WITH CONSUMER WITHIN 3 DAYS. IT HAS BEEN 2 WEEKS AND CONSUMER HAS NOT HEARD ANYTHING. CONSUMER SAID THAT TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR FOR NO REASON. LAST TIME VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER IT WOULD NOT GO VERY FAST, AND THE ENGINE WAS VERY SLUGGISH. CONSUMER SAID THAT IT WAS LIKE TRYING TO PULL OUT IN A HIGHER GEAR THAN 1ST OR 2ND. GEAR. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH THE CAR WOULD DOWN SHIFT TO A LOW GEAR AND IT WOULD DROP TO 35 MPH. DEALER INDICATED THAT SOMETHING WAS MAKING THE VEHICLE DROP INTO SAFE MODE, WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO STAY IN SECOND GEAR. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM), REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY, AND HAS DONE SOMETHING TO THE GROUNDS. IN FEBRUARY THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION . CURRENTLY THEY REPLACED THE TCM, ADDED A NEW COMPUTER , AND ADJUSTED LINKAGE CABLES FOR TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, CONSUMER MAINTAINED THAT PROBLEM BECAME WORSE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10123785June 1, 2005
AIR BAGS
I HAVE ADVANCED AIRBAGS IN MY CAR AND A LIGHT "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF " LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT LETS ME KNOW WHEN THE AIRBAG IS OFF. ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS THE LIGHT HAS COME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE LIGHT HAS ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS STAYED ON FOR UP TO 10 MINUTES. IT HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW AND I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT SEVERAL TIMES AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OUT BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO DO IT. I'M WORRIED THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THAT THE AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IF NEEDED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121188May 17, 2005
WHEELS:HUB
THE LITTLE CENTER HUB CAPS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO ALUMINUM WHEEL FELL OFF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE KIA DEALER TWICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER IT WAS HIS FAULT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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