Kia Spectra Complaints (2007)

152 consumer complaints on file.

#10255768January 20, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWNED A 2007 KIA SPECTRA 5 SX THE CAR HAD AROUND 36,000 MILE ON IT. WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS OUT OF THE CAR THEN ON THE 10TH OF JAN 09 MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR TO RUN SOME ERRANDS. HE WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE CAR. WHEN WE CALLED KIA FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WE WERE TOLD IT WAS AN INSURANCE MATTER AND WE WOULD HAVE TO CALL THEM. THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE OFFERED TO DO IS BUY THE CAR BACK FOR AROUND 7,000 DOLLARS WHICH IS LESS THAN MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS OFFERING AND NO WHERE NEAR WHAT THE LOAN PAY OFF IS ON THE CAR. THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ELSE. SO MUCH FOR MY 10,000 10 YEAR WARRANTY WHICH COVERED NOTHING. MY HUSBAND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BUT LUCKILY ESCAPED WITHOUT INJURY. I REALLY DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO SOME ONE ELSE WITH A WORSE OUT COME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253907January 5, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL TANK AND PURGE CANISTER SYSTEM. THE NORMAL OPERATION OF FUELING THE VEHICLE CAN CAUSE THE PURGE SYSTEM TO BECOME FILLED WITH FUEL. THIS CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION BY ALLOWING FUEL TO BE EXPELLED OR LEAK OUT OF THE TANK OR WHAT THE DEALER CALLED OVERFLOW ONTO THE FLOOR IN MY GARAGE. WE HAVE FOLLOWED THE DEALERS INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING TOPPING OFF AFTER THE INITIAL SHUTOFF OF THE GAS PUMP TO THE EXTENT OF NOT FILLING THE TANK TO CAPACITY YET THIS HAS NOT MADE ANY DIFFERENCE. NOT ONLY DOES IT PRESENT A SAFETY ISSUE WITH FUEL LEAKING IN AN ENCLOSED AREA BUT IT ALSO CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL AT THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS THREE TIMES. THE PURGE VALVE AND CANISTER HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THESE ACTIONS HOWEVER WILL NOT CORRECT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM , WHICH IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL EVAPORATION RECOVERY SYSTEM. I FULLY EXPECT THE PROBLEM TO REOCCUR. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ON THE INTERNET I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE PRESENT IN OTHER KIA MODELS AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252538December 22, 2008
PARKING BRAKE
I WAS APPROX. 6 CAR LENGTHS FROM CAR IN FRONT OF ME, WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, NOTHING HAPPENED. I CONTINUED TO HIT THE BRAKES , FORCING THEM TO THE FLOOR AND STILL NOTHING. FIRST INSTINCT WAS TO VEER TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR BUT MY STEERING HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN, IT WOULD NOT LET ME TURN OR STOP. MY STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID DEPLOY CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY WRIST AND ARM. BUT THE SCARY FEELING OF TRYING TO STOP WITH NO RESPONSE WAS SCARY. ROADS WERE A LITTLE WET BUT EVEN THEN WITH THE ABS I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUT THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESPONSE. I AM GETTING THE REPAIR FACILITY TO CHECK THE BRAKES. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
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
#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
#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
#10204435September 29, 2007
AIR BAGS
I HAD A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. MY DAUGHTER WAS GOING TO WASHINGTON TO HELP HER HUSBAND FIX UP AN APARTMENT FOR THEM TO MOVE IN. I SUGGESTED TO MY DAUGHTER THAT SHE COULD TAKE MY CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW AND MORE RELIABLE. I RECEIVED A CALL ABOUT 12:30 AM. SHE TOLD ME THAT SOMEONE STOPPED QUICKLY IN FRONT OF HER AND SHE VEERED TO KEEP FROM HITTING HER. SHE SAID THAT WHEN SHE DID SOMETHING HAPPENED WITH THE CAR AND SHE LOST CONTROL. SHE ENDED GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. SANDWICHING THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE. I MIGHT WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS HUMAN ERROR ON HER PART. BUT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT EVEN DEPLOY. THIS TELLS ME THAT SOMETHING WAS HORRIBLY WRONG WITH MY CAR AND MY DAUGHTER WAS BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WALK AWAY FROM THE ACCIDENT. MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING SALVAGEABLE FROM THIS CAR. I TOLD HIM THAT I FELT THAT IT WAS STRANGE THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE CAR WAS CRUSHED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS TELLS ME SOMETHING WAS TERRIBLY WRONG. CAN YOU LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10200566August 23, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNAWARE THAT HER VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE OWNER'S MANUAL MENTIONED THAT HER VEHICLE HAS CRUISE CONTROL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT COME WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,692.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197338July 24, 2007
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION. THE DRIVER SUFFERED HEARING LOSS IN THE LEFT EAR, WHIPLASH IN THE NECK, AND A CUT ON THE ARM. THE REAR PASSENGER WAS A NINE YEAR OLD CHILD WHO SUFFERED HEAD INJURIES. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 29,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10190652May 14, 2007
STEERING, SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND WAS DESTROYED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 600. UPDATED 06/22/07 *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Spectra