Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2007 Kia SPECTRA problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

152 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

62,900 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2007 model year. Data updated: . 122 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 54 of 152 complaints (35.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation2617.1%
Braking behavior2315.1%
Fuel system concerns2113.8%
Steering behavior149.2%
Electrical and battery issues127.9%
Transmission and shifting117.2%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
54
Fuel/Propulsion System
17
Electrical System
15
Fuel System, Gasoline
15
Latches/Locks/Linkages
11
Vehicle Speed Control
10
Engine
7
Power Train
7
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags54
Fuel/Propulsion System17
Electrical System15
Fuel System, Gasoline15
Latches/Locks/Linkages11
Vehicle Speed Control10
Engine7
Power Train7

Air Bags: 54; Fuel/Propulsion System: 17; Electrical System: 15; Fuel System, Gasoline: 15; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 11; Vehicle Speed Control: 10; Engine: 7; Power Train: 7

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
27
25,000 to 49,999
21
50,000 to 74,999
25
75,000 to 99,999
22
100,000 to 149,999
22
150,000 and above
5
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00027
25,000 to 49,99921
50,000 to 74,99925
75,000 to 99,99922
100,000 to 149,99922
150,000 and above5

Under 25,000: 27; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 25; 75,000 to 99,999: 22; 100,000 to 149,999: 22; 150,000 and above: 5

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (27). 30 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2007
4
2008
6
2009
16
2010
20
2011
9
2012
12
2013
17
2014
24
2015
18
2016
13
2017
4
2018
3
2021
2
2022
2
2023
1
2024
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20074
20086
200916
201020
20119
201212
201317
201424
201518
201613
20174
20183
20212
20222
20231
20241

2007: 4; 2008: 6; 2009: 16; 2010: 20; 2011: 9; 2012: 12; 2013: 17; 2014: 24; 2015: 18; 2016: 13; 2017: 4; 2018: 3; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 26 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 21 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10253907 · 2009-01-05 (January 5, 2009)

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 F…

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253907 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10287401 · 2009-10-14 (October 14, 2009)

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 CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL AT THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES ON THE ROAD; STOP LIGHTS, SLOWER MOVING IN TRAFFIC, IT HAS ALSO SEMI STALLED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY OR ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS TWO TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FIRST TIME IT WAS IN AND OUT FOR ABOUT A MONTH, IT WOULD STALL DRIVING IT OUT OF THE DEALER!! IT IS NOW IN FOR THE SECOND TIME, WITH NO END IN SIGHT. TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10287401 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10252538 · 2008-12-22 (December 22, 2008)

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 T…

Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10252538 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10279912 · 2009-08-10 (August 10, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A REVVING NOISE COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFTER. SHORTLY AFTER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ACROSS THE STREET. SHE ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO AVOID DRIVING INTO A DITCH. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THROUGH BUSHES AND UP A HILL. THE SPEED FINALLY BEGAN TO DECREASE AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES, ONLY HEADA…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10279912 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10247654 · 2008-11-04 (November 4, 2008)

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 RESPONSIBI…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10247654 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10229588 · 2008-06-02 (June 2, 2008)

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10229588 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10344264 · 2010-07-20 (July 20, 2010)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TWICE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS WERE TURNED OFF THEY CAUSED THE LOW BEAMS TO FAIL. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND THEY ARE NOT SURE IF THE REPAIRS WILL BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10344264 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10346401 · 2010-07-30 (July 30, 2010)

ON THREE OCCASIONS MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA'S ENGINE HAS RACED MADLY WHEN I WAS STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING WITH THE BRAKE FULLY DEPRESSED. THE MOST RECENT DATE THAT IT HAPPENED WAS 7/27/2010. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE AND WHEN I RESTARTED IT THE ENGINE WAS OK. AROUND XMAS 2009, THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. I TRIED MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND PARK AND TURNING IT OFF SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I FINALLY PUT IT IN DRIVE AND LET IT INCH FORW…

Owner-reported narrative. 53,752 miles reported. Look up ODI 10346401 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10361914 · 2010-10-23 (October 23, 2010)

IN 2008 I PURCHASED A NEW 2007 KIA SPECTRA 5 SX , IN NOVEMBER OF THAT YEAR I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT AND HAD STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN MY AUTOS ENGINE STARTED TO REVVING AND MOVING FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, I PRESSED AS HARD AS I COULD WITH MY FOOT , BUT THAT DID NOT STOP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD, THE TIRES WERE SPINNING, I THEN PUT MY OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PRESSED AS HARD AS I COULD WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND THAT STOPPED MOVING FORWARD, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUE…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,560 miles reported. Look up ODI 10361914 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

152 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

80.3%Usable mileage122 / 152 records
100.0%Valid incident date152 / 152 records
100.0%Valid filing date152 / 152 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates152 / 152 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component2000200120022003200420052006200720082009
Air Bags
417.4%
ODI 10088414 · 1,819 mi

THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP COMING ON AFTER STARTING THE CAR. FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT'S THE CLOCK SPRING,SECOND TIME IT WAS THE AIR BAG MODULE ,THIRD TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CLOCKY SPRING MODULE AGAIN.*AK

Look up ODI 10088414 at NHTSA ↗

410.0%
ODI 10080996 · 58,000 mi

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION CAUSING MY CAR TO BE SLAMMED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY,THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK BROKE. I HAVE RECEIVED A LOWER BACK INJURY, SHOULDER AND ARM INJURY, AND HEAD INJURY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED, SO THERE ARE NO REPAIRS TO BE DONE. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE. THROUGH SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND OTHERS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO, (SEAT BACK FAILURE) AND I DO KNOW THERE IS A SUIT PENDING IN THE STATE OF FL. I AM SURE THE MANUFACTURER…

Look up ODI 10080996 at NHTSA ↗

1010.9%
ODI 10020276 · 1,800 mi

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. NONE OF THE VEHICLES AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *NLM PH

Look up ODI 10020276 at NHTSA ↗

55.6%
ODI 10016417 · 45 mi

POSESS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA GT THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. ONLY ONE PERSON IN THE VEHICLE BUT BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AIRBAG BROKE WINDSHIELD AS WELL AS SIDE CASING THAT HELD THE SEAT BELTS IN PLACE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE IN THIS VEHICLE OR ANY VEHICLE FOR THAT MATTER? PIECES OF THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE SHATTERED AND SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED HARM TO ANYONE THEY CONTACTED. PLEASE ADVISE. *JB

Look up ODI 10016417 at NHTSA ↗

1318.3%
ODI 10091094 · 17,000 mi

WE WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OUR SEAT BELTS AND AIRBAGS FAILED TO WORK. WE WERE BOTH THROWN INTO THE WINDSHEILD . SUFFERED INJURIES TO BACK, HEAD AND NECK. TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL BY EMS. OUR VECICLE 2004 KIA SEPTRA 4 DOOR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *JB

Look up ODI 10091094 at NHTSA ↗

2423.3%
ODI 10123785 · 3,400 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10123785 at NHTSA ↗

3838.0%
ODI 10158728 · 223 mi

ON THE AFTERNOON OF THE 25TH DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR 2006, MY WIFE AND MYSELF WERE DRIVING DOWN I-5 SB TO MAMC FOR HER HOSPITAL APPT. WE WERE THEN INVOLVED IN A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT OFF NEXT TO THE OFF RAMP OF EXIT 123. WE TRIED TO SLOW DOWN IN TIME BEFORE NOTICING THE JUST WRECKED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US AND MY ABS IN MY 2006 KIA SPECTRA SX DID NOT ENGAGE, MY TIRES THEN LOCKED UP AND I SKIDDED AND SLID INTO THE STOPPED VEHICLE. WE HIT THEM DOING APPROX. 35-45 MPH AND SMASHED IN THE FRONT OF OUR CAR. AT THAT TIME MY AIRBAGS (BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENG…

Look up ODI 10158728 at NHTSA ↗

5435.5%
ODI 10197338 · 29,000 mi

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.

Look up ODI 10197338 at NHTSA ↗

5444.6%
ODI 10249105 · 500 mi

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

Look up ODI 10249105 at NHTSA ↗

7162.3%
ODI 10269983 · 13,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR-ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT LEAST FIVE TIMES SINCE THE TIME IT WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WANTS A REFUND OR ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM KIA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 06/03/09 *BF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, THE RE…

Look up ODI 10269983 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

12.5%
ODI 10594233 · 92,600 mi

2001 KIA SPECTRA 1.9 LT ENGINE [YES, SOME MODELS WERE MADE WITH THIS SIZE ENGINE.] CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVE WAY JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT. NEIGHBORS CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT AT 2:30 AM. CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. FIRE CHIEF FOUND NO EXTERNAL SOURCE OF IGNITION. FIRE CHIEF SAYS ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE TRAVELED DOWN FUEL LINES TO GAS TANK. ENTIRE CAR BURNED. CAR IS TOTALED. FIRE CHIEF CANNOT SAY IF THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL, WIRING OR WHAT TYPE OF PROBLEM IN ENGINE. BOUGHT CAR NEW IN OCT 2001, ONE OWNER CAR. PLEASE ADVISE IF ANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR …

Look up ODI 10594233 at NHTSA ↗

44.3%
ODI 10072691

THE VEHICLE DROPS SERIOUS POWER WHEN THE AC AND RADIO ARE ON. IF I TRY ROLLING WINDOWS DOWN WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT WITH THE AC AND RADIO ON, LOSE MORE POWER.*AK

Look up ODI 10072691 at NHTSA ↗

77.8%
ODI 10064274 · 7,191 mi

THIS LETTER IS BEING WRITTEN AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT (CASE # FHPH040FF003275) INVOLVING MY 2003 KIA SPECTRA GSX AND ANOTHER VEHICLE ON MARCH 6, 2004.*AK THE CRUISE CONTROL CONTINUED TO WORK UNTIL ABOUT 1:00PM ON INTERSTATE 10 WHEN I WAS IN THE SLOW LANE AND DRIVING AT 70 MPH (SPEED LIMIT) WITH THE CRUISE ON. I WAS SLOWLY CATCHING UP TO TWO TRUCKS IN MY LANE, WHEN THE REAR TRUCK STARTED TO PASS THE SLOWER TRUCK AHEAD OF ME. TRAFFIC BEHIND ME WAS CATCHING UP TO ME AT THE SAME TIME AS THE PASSING TRUCK PULLED INTO THE PASSING LANE. I HAD …

Look up ODI 10064274 at NHTSA ↗

68.5%
ODI 10126959

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 I…

Look up ODI 10126959 at NHTSA ↗

87.8%
ODI 10148216 · 52 mi

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS ALL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR WITHOUT DETERMINING THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 52 MILES. AT 14000 MILES THE FAILURE REPEATED AND THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIR FOR THE SECOND TIME. ON 1/19/06 THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *JB

Look up ODI 10148216 at NHTSA ↗

44.0%
ODI 10468049 · 96,000 mi

VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. SUDDENLY WENT TO ZERO. INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. UNABLE TO DETERMINE SPEED OF VEHICLE AT RANDOM TIMES. *TR

Look up ODI 10468049 at NHTSA ↗

159.9%
ODI 10229588

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

Look up ODI 10229588 at NHTSA ↗

1411.6%
ODI 10260020 · 3,000 mi

2008 KIA SPECTRA, THE PARKING LIGHTS COME ON BY THEIR SELF WHEN ITS AROUND 20* OUTSIDE AND WHEN ITS AROUND 80* OUTSIDE THE ALARM WANT SET THE LIGHTS JUST BLANK ON AND OFF. ALSO I HAVE A REALLY BAD RATTLE COMES FROM THE AIR BAGS SO IT SOUND IN THE DASH AND DRIVERS SIDE POST AIR BAG. HAVE TOOK THE CAR IN 3 TIMES AND A WEEK PER TIME, AND SO FAR NOTHING AS BEEN FIXED. *TR

Look up ODI 10260020 at NHTSA ↗

108.8%
ODI 10269983 · 13,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR-ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT LEAST FIVE TIMES SINCE THE TIME IT WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WANTS A REFUND OR ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM KIA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 06/03/09 *BF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, THE RE…

Look up ODI 10269983 at NHTSA ↗

Vehicle Speed Control
14.3%
ODI 756194

BRAKES GRINDING/SQUEALING/REDUCED STOPPING POWER (18 MONTHS BEFORE REPLACED BY DEALER) VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN FOOT REMOVED FROM PEDAL AND I WAS FORCED TO RIDE AND COME CLOSE TO LOCKING THE BRAKES BEFORE I HIT A BASE SECURITY GUARD AFTER ARRIVING HOME VEHICLE CONTINUED SURGING WHILE AT IDLE(STILL WAITING ON PARTS/APPOINTMENT FROM DEALER, STILL DRIVING THE CAR WITH THESE BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD ONE OF THEIR RENTAL CARS) ELECTRICAL SHORTS STARTING FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH TO THE SPARK PLUGS(DUE TO FAULTY DEALER INSTALLATION OF AUTO START, I HAVE …

Look up ODI 756194 at NHTSA ↗

12.5%
ODI 759164

MY WIFE WAS ON HER WAY TO PICK UP OUR SON FROM SCHOOL,WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AS SHE STEP ON THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP,IT SEEM TO BE ACCELARATING. SHE ALMOST REAR-ENDED A TRUCK, SHE HAD TO RUN A RED LIGHT,THANK GOD THE ROAD BEGAN TO GO UP HILL AND SHE FORCED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AT WHICH TIME VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. SHE IS 8 1/2 MONTH PREGNANT, DEALER CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. WE DO NOT TRUST VEHICLE ANY LONGER. *AK

Look up ODI 759164 at NHTSA ↗

55.4%
ODI 10009468

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION.*JB

Look up ODI 10009468 at NHTSA ↗

22.2%
ODI 10144843 · 48,000 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN OR WHILE BRAKING OR PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT VEHICLE REVVED AND LURCHED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 1/11/2006 - THE TRANSMISSION LINE HAD COME OFF AND CAUSE COOLANT TO LEAK. THE LINE WAS REPAIR AND TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED BUT TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THREE TIMES AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR THREE TIMES. TH…

Look up ODI 10144843 at NHTSA ↗

79.9%
ODI 10092639 · 900 mi

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER EIGHT TIMES. ALSO, THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHICH MADE A BANGING NOISE. *AK *JB

Look up ODI 10092639 at NHTSA ↗

1211.7%
ODI 10161817 · 11,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10161817 at NHTSA ↗

44.0%
ODI 10170961 · 6,000 mi

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.

Look up ODI 10170961 at NHTSA ↗

106.6%
ODI 10279912 · 4,500 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A REVVING NOISE COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFTER. SHORTLY AFTER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ACROSS THE STREET. SHE ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO AVOID DRIVING INTO A DITCH. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THROUGH BUSHES AND UP A HILL. THE SPEED FINALLY BEGAN TO DECREASE AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES, ONLY HEADA…

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1411.6%
ODI 10424490 · 48,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNG FORWARD AND ACCELERATE, ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED VIA EMAIL, BUT THE CONTACT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

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65.3%
ODI 10430181 · 31,000 mi

WHILE STOPPED, VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD AND ACCELERATES, ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE RPMS RACED WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR IN PARK, BUT THE RPMS CONTINUED TO RACE EVEN HIGHER. I HAD TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION TO STOP THE RPMS FROM RACING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. *TR

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Air Bags:Frontal
313.0%
ODI 8015759

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

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512.5%
ODI 10058451 · 66,000 mi

ON A FRONT SLIGHTLY LEFT INPACT TO MY VEHICLE, MY AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT.I WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH, I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING A RATHER LARGE BUMP AND BRUISE. I HAVE PAIN TURNING MY NECK AND IN MY SHOULDERS AND WILL SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR THIS.

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1213.0%
ODI 10001079

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH ON THE HIGHWAY HIT A CURB. AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND THEN HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. TS....*AK

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66.7%
ODI 10009567

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB

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68.5%
ODI 10093411 · 1,312 mi

ON AN IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT END OF THIS NEW CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES AND HOUR, THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FAILED TO DEPLOY.*AK

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54.9%
ODI 10126542 · 1,700 mi

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 …

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44.0%
ODI 10178949 · 2,800 mi

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN HER 2006 KIA SPECTRA THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A FACTOR, NEITHER WAS THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO RAN THE VEHICLE THROUGH DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND CONCLUDED THAT THE AIRBAG WORKED. THE DEALER HAS TOLD THE CONTACT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2800. *JB UPDATED 03/02/07. *JB

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21.3%
ODI 10247654 · 7,000 mi

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 RESPONSIBI…

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43.3%
ODI 10277305

ON OUR 2008 KIA SPECTRA THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MEANS THE BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2008. *TR

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43.5%
ODI 10300382

FRIDAY EVENING BEFORE LAST, MY DAUGHTER (17 YRS OLD AND A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL) WAS RIDING WITH HER FRIEND AND WAS HIT BY A CAR IN THE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER AREA. THE CAR MY DAUGHTER WAS RIDING IN, A 2009 KIA SPECTRA, WAS TOTALED. YET, DESPITE THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEAT BELT LOCK. HENCE, MY DAUGHTER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES, HER NOSE WAS BROKE, SHE RECEIVED BLOOD IN THE VENTRICLES OF THE BRAIN AND SHE IS EXTREMELY SORE, TO SAY THE LEAST. FUNNY THING IS THAT…

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Power Train:Automatic Transmission
28.7%
ODI 10138590 · 52,670 mi

TRANSMISSION HOUSING EXPLODED,COMPANY REFUSES TO BACK WARRANTY. *NM

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37.5%
ODI 10025275 · 13,500 mi

TRANSMISSION MODULE ON ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING TRANSMISSION DAMAGE, LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPLACED. SECOND TRANSMISSION BLEW A FRONT PUMP SEAL WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES WHILE ON OUR VACATION/HONEYMOON. THIRD TRANSMISSION REPLACED WHILE ON VACATION OUT OF STATE. CURRENT (THIRD) TRANSMISSION IS STILL SLIPPING. HAVE NOT SOUGHT OUT SERVICE FOR THIS FAILURE YET AS WE DO NOT TRUST THE DEALERSHIPS IN OUR AREA. WE HAVE WRITTEN KIA CERTIFIED MAIL OVER A MONTH AGO TO BE REIMBURSED FOR EXCESS EXPENSES INCURRED DUE TO THESE MECHANICAL FA…

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88.7%
ODI 10029142 · 19,000 mi

TRANSMISSION: CAR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD, ONLY REVERSE. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IT HAS BEEN IN FOR THIS COMPLAINT.*AK

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1213.3%
ODI 10012167

THE ENGINE MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NLM THE DOOR WAS MISALIGNED, REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, SNOW HAD GOTTEN INTO THE REAR SEAT(S), THE VEHICLE LEAKED, SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE, CLICK NOISE IN THE WIPERS WHEN ON A LOW SPEED, PULLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE PER MECHANIC, AND PULLING WHEN SHIFTED. SCC

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1318.3%
ODI 10082086

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WILL NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY WHEN VEHICLE IS CHANGING GEARS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *NM

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32.9%
ODI 10153313

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 KIA SPECTRA WHICH HAS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION--A FACT NOT DISCLOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. A VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK REVEALED OTHER KIA SPECTRAS HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH HARD SHIFTING AND THAT KIA HAS THE MATTER "UNDER INVESTIGATION". I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO BE DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *NM

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11.0%
ODI 10713798

2006 KIA SPECTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION, STEERING AND VEHICLE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE SHIFTING PANEL NEEDED TO REPLACED. *JB

Look up ODI 10713798 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

10.9%
ODI 10269983 · 13,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR-ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT LEAST FIVE TIMES SINCE THE TIME IT WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WANTS A REFUND OR ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM KIA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 06/03/09 *BF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, THE RE…

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Seat Belts
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

12.5%
ODI 896643

VEHICLE HIT A DEER AND SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN CONSUMER. HIT HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. SUFFERED BACK/ NECK AND KNEE INJURIES. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $ 8000. *AK

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33.3%
ODI 10058058 · 12 mi

WHILE DRIVING 30 TO 40 MPH VEHICLE WAS IN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, AND AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK SEAT BELT OVER THE LEFT SHOULDER RELEASED AND FAILED TO HOLD UP AS WELL. CONSUMER SUFFERED LARGE LACERATION ACROSS LEFT EYE. *LA

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66.7%
ODI 10012167

THE ENGINE MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NLM THE DOOR WAS MISALIGNED, REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, SNOW HAD GOTTEN INTO THE REAR SEAT(S), THE VEHICLE LEAKED, SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE, CLICK NOISE IN THE WIPERS WHEN ON A LOW SPEED, PULLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE PER MECHANIC, AND PULLING WHEN SHIFTED. SCC

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11.4%
ODI 10489492 · 140,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED MONTHS LATER THE SEAT BELT SPRINGS FROM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT FAILURE MILEAGE 143,000.

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21.9%
ODI 10151619 · 10,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT. MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WERE IT WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

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22.0%
ODI 10474247 · 105,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 40 E APPROACHING EXIT 153 IN HEAVY RAINFALL. APPROXIMATELY 0.25 MILES FROM THE EXIT THE TRUCK ALREADY ON THE EXIT AHEAD OF ME BEGAN APPLYING ITS BRAKES. PRE-BRAKING MEASURES WERE TAKEN. THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND I COLLIDED WITH THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME AND FLEW FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD BEEN BRAKING THE ENTIRE TIME, BUT MY SEAT-BELT DID NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I SUFFERED BRUISING, SEVERE HEADACHES, AND MINOR CUTS AS A RESULT. INSURANCE DECLARED CAR AS TOTAL LOSS. *TR

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53.3%
ODI 10284460

THE FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA WILL NOT REMAIN ANCHORED. ALTHOUGH I'M WRITING THIS COMPLAINT IN 2009, THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2007. I RECENTLY BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE DOOR LOCKS (WHICH LOCK ON THEIR OWN IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOU UNLOCK THEM) AND I BROUGHT MAT ISSUE TO THE ATTENTION OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHILE THERE. THEY PROCEEDED TO PUSH THE MAT BACK INTO THE ANCHOR (LIKE I HAVEN'T TRIED THAT HUNDREDS OF TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS?), BUT IT WAS OUT AGAIN WITHIN A …

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86.6%
ODI 10264069 · 10,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINS ILLUMINATED WHEN AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER TESTED THE AIR BAG SENSOR BY PLACING A 200 LBS. MECHANIC IN THE SEAT. THE INDICATOR DIMMED; THEREFORE, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS FINE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER FAILED WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED. KIA REPLACED THE AIR BAG …

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97.9%
ODI 10269983 · 13,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR-ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT LEAST FIVE TIMES SINCE THE TIME IT WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WANTS A REFUND OR ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM KIA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. UPDATED 06/03/09 *BF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, THE RE…

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Fuel/Propulsion System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

12.5%
ODI 10651640

CAR SMELLS HORRIBLY LIKE GAS FUMES WHEN TURNED ON, MORE SO IN THE COLDER TEMPERATURES. SO MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE, I'M SURPRISED KIA HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL. BREATHING GAS FUMES FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE CANCER OR OTHER PROBLEMS...WOULD BE HORRIBLE IF KIA HAD A LAWSUIT ON THEIR HANDS FOR FAULTY EQUIPMENT CAUSING HEALTH PROBLEMS IN THEIR CAR OWNERS... *TR

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

22.2%
ODI 10552421 · 70,000 mi

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

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

32.9%
ODI 10557669 · 231,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE FUEL TANK STRAPS BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STRAPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V256000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 231,000.

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77.0%
ODI 10704406 · 1 mi

I WAS APPROACHING GERMANTOWN AVENUE FROM MT. AIRY AVENUE WITH THE EXPECTATION OF MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN ON TO GERMANTOWN AVENUE WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. I GRIPPED THE WHEEL AND TRIED TO RECOVER CONTROL OF THE CAR AND WAS SUCCESSFUL WITHIN INCHES OF A VEHICLE TURNING ONTO MT. AIRY AVENUE. THE ACCELERATOR TOOK CONTROL OF MY CAR (AND ME).I RECOVERED CONTROL OF MY CAR. LATER IN THE DAY WHILE DRIVING THE SAME EVENT HAPPENED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FACT THAT I WAS NOT IN A "TURN MODE" *TR

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1711.2%
ODI 10493696 · 31,404 mi

THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK ON MY AUNT'S 2007 KIA SPECTRA. AFTER FILLING THE TANK WITH FUEL, THE CAR STALLS AND CUTS OFF. SHE TOOK THE CAR TO KIA AND PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED. HOWEVER, IT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE. SHE WAS TOLD TO BE SURE NOT TO TOP OFF THE FUEL. SHE HAS NEVER TOPPED OFF OR OVER FILLED. YET IT STILL HAPPENS. SHE HAS BEEN FORTUNATE TO THIS POINT BECAUSE IT HASN'T STALLED WHEN SHE'S BEEN ON A FREEWAY OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE CAR COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

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10.8%
ODI 10650333 · 85,000 mi

MY VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG "OFF" ILLUMINATING WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A HALF DOZEN OCCASIONS THAT I HAVE NOTICED AND GOES OFF WHEN THE PASSENGER ADJUSTS THEIR SITTING POSITION. THE VEHICLE SURGES INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STOPPED. ADDITIONALLY BRAKE PEDAL HAS STUCK ON A FEW OCCASIONS WHEN THE ENGINE IS COOL. THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO CUT OUT ON OCCASION WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO RESTART, AND CONTINUE DRIVING. THESE ALL HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY W…

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43.5%
ODI 10670532 · 86,000 mi

ENGINE KEPT DYING ON ME AFTER I FILLED UP THE TANK. I HAVE HAD VEHICLE OR 3 YEARS NOW AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I DON'T TOP OFF THE TANK SO I DON'T KNOW HOW I COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. I FIND IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THESE CONDITIONS STALLING OUT IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING NOT EVEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH 3 KIDS IN THE CAR AND GAS COMING OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR ONTO THE GROUND. I TOOK IT TO KIA DEALER AND WAS TOLD I OVERFILLED THE TANK AND THAT WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER DAMAGE OF CHARCOAL FILTER AND ALL AIR AND CAB…

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Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

43.9%
ODI 10515719

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND EXHIBITED A KNOCKING SOUND PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR THAT CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO RUN DRY AND NOT SEND COOLANT TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR

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55.0%
ODI 10790347

FROM THE 2ND DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE 6/27/2015 WHEN I TURNED ON A/C THE CAR HAS BEEN HESITATING AND STALLING. EVERY TIME I STARTED AND STOPPED AT LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. AND EVEN IN TRAFFIC . MAKING THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE UNSAFE.AND SO IVE BEEN COMPLAINING EVER SINCE. THEY SAID IF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN I WONT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXPENSE. HOWEVER THE CHECK ENG. NEVER CAME ON.

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74.6%
ODI 10469564 · 112,000 mi

CAR TOOK ME OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRAIGHT INTO A TREE DEAD CENTER ROUGHLY GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY!!!! HIT MY HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL. AND NOW TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF IT WAS THE DEALERSHIP SELLING DEFECTIVE CARS OR IF ITS KIA DEFECT. NOT UNDERSTANDING THIS WHOLE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY THING BECAUSE THE SAFETY GRAPH EXPLAINS 0-8 MPH AIRBAGS WILL NEVER GO OFF 8-14 MPH AIRBAGS ARE POSSIBLE BUT NOT LIKELY 14-ABOVE AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY ALWAYS. *TR

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108.3%
ODI 10481543 · 4,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE OIL CHANGED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE MASS AIR SENSOR FLOW FILTER AND SPARK PLU…

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54.4%
ODI 10503234 · 78,000 mi

I WAS VISITING MY FIANCE IN UTAH WHEN A TAN CAR HIT MY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END. WE BOTH WERE PUT INTO A SPIN AND HE HIT ME A SECONDARY TIME. MY CAR HAS SINCE BEEN TOTALED OUT AND LABELED AS BEYOND SALVAGE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS MISSING AND THERE IS SEVER ENGINE DAMAGE. THE AUTO BODY SHOP AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY SAID I NEEDED TO CONTACT KIA AND LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THE AIRBAG FAILURE TO DEPLOY. KIA SAID MY CAR IS BUILT TO COLLAPSE A CERTAIN AMOUNT BEFORE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY. THEY ALSO SAID SINCE I WAS PUT INTO A SPIN MY CAR DID NOT DECELERATE …

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Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Air Bags59,000–125,000 mi90,000 mi45
ODI 10197338 · 29,000 mi

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.

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ODI 10246179 · 8,000 mi

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 HAV…

Look up ODI 10246179 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10280202 · 14,500 mi

1. TWO PASSENGERS (FEMALE 64 YR DRIVER AND FEMALE 13 YR OLD PASSENGER) WERE PROCEEDING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD IN A 2007 KIA SPECTRA AT LESS THAN 20 MPH. HALFWAY DOWN THE ROAD, DRIVER BEGAN TO LIGHTLY APPLY THE BRAKE KNOWING THAT THE STOP SIGN WAS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. AT THIS MOMENT THE CAR REVVED AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER SHOUTED OUT THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CAR ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. UNABLE TO STOP, THE CAR WENT THROUGH THE…

Look up ODI 10280202 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel/Propulsion System45,125–90,000 mi60,434 mi12
ODI 10493696 · 31,404 mi

THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK ON MY AUNT'S 2007 KIA SPECTRA. AFTER FILLING THE TANK WITH FUEL, THE CAR STALLS AND CUTS OFF. SHE TOOK THE CAR TO KIA AND PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED. HOWEVER, IT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE. SHE WAS TOLD TO BE SURE NOT TO TOP OFF THE FUEL. SHE HAS NEVER TOPPED OFF OR OVER FILLED. YET IT STILL HAPPENS. SHE HAS BEEN FORTUNATE TO THIS POINT BECAUSE IT HASN'T STALLED WHEN SHE'S BEEN ON A FREEWAY OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE CAR COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

Look up ODI 10493696 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10502137 · 60,078 mi

AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK I WENT A FEW MILES AND STALLED WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. I DROVE A FEW BLOCKS AND STALLED AGAIN WHILE STOPPED. AFTER ANOTHER FEW BLOCKS I STALLED ONCE MORE. *TR

Look up ODI 10502137 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10502191 · 60,789 mi

AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK MY CAR STALLED A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD AT A STOP LIGHT. A FEW LIGHTS LATER IT STALLED AGAIN AND A FEW MORE LIGHTS IT STALLED ONCE MORE. I HEARD FROM OTHER KIA SPECTRA OWNERS THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM ISN'T UNCOMMON WITH THAT MODEL. AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS TANK TO A NORMAL LEVEL THE CAR STALLS. I DIDN'T TOP OFF THE CAR AND IT WASN'T THE QUALITY OF THE GAS. I RECENTLY TOOK THE CAR TO KIA AND THEY TOLD ME IT WASN'T A DEFECT. THIS PROBLEM IS A DEFECT, EXPERIENCED BY MANY PEOPLE. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THEY MUST FIX T…

Look up ODI 10502191 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System54,500–122,223 mi69,000 mi11
ODI 10462186 · 69,000 mi

ON MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA THE BLOWER MOTOR HAS A FIELD EFFECTS TRANSISTOR, THE TRANSISTOR HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND GOT SO HOT IT HAS MELTED THE PLUG AND WIRING TO IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO KIA AND THEY INSIST THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Look up ODI 10462186 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10509140 · 134,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING MOTOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000. *TR

Look up ODI 10509140 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10522102 · 130,000 mi

WIRING SYSTEM OVERHEATED AND THE STARTED SPARKING. THE RELAY AND COATING MELTED OFF THE WIRES. *TR

Look up ODI 10522102 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel System, Gasoline18,673–72,856 mi40,000 mi11
ODI 10253907 · 10,000 mi

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 F…

Look up ODI 10253907 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10261319 · 40,000 mi

ON FEB 25, 2009 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE 2007 KIA SPECTRA SMELLED STRONG ODOR OF GAS PULLED CAR OVER ON SIDE OF ROAD OPENED HOOD AND THE MOTOR WAS ON FIRE CALLED 911. CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS*TR

Look up ODI 10261319 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10287401 · 10,000 mi

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 CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL AT THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES ON THE ROAD; STOP LIGHTS, SLOWER MOVING IN TRAFFIC, IT HAS ALSO SEMI STALLED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY OR ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS TWO TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FIRST TIME IT WAS IN AND OUT FOR ABOUT A MONTH, IT WOULD STALL DRIVING IT OUT OF THE DEALER!! IT IS NOW IN FOR THE SECOND TIME, WITH NO END IN SIGHT. TH…

Look up ODI 10287401 at NHTSA ↗

Latches/Locks/Linkages15,942–44,406 mi21,500 mi8
ODI 10231497 · 12,769 mi

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

Look up ODI 10231497 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10238694 · 17,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10238694 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10259891 · 100 mi

THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK INDEPENDENTLY OF THE FOB OR DOOR BUTTON. WHEN USING THE FOB THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK AND THEN LOCK BACK INSTANTLY. I HAVE TO PLAY A 'CATCH ME IF YOU CAN' GAME, JUST TO GET INTO MY CAR. I CAN NOT EXIT THE CAR TO GET GAS WITHOUT IT LOCKING ON IT'S OWN. FIRST TIME I TURNED IT IN FOR SERVICE THE PROBLEM 'COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED'. TURNED IN SECOND TIME AND THEY ARE REPLACING THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM. WAITING ON PARTS. *TR

Look up ODI 10259891 at NHTSA ↗

Vehicle Speed Control8,875–64,750 mi41,876 mi10
ODI 10279912 · 4,500 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A REVVING NOISE COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFTER. SHORTLY AFTER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ACROSS THE STREET. SHE ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO AVOID DRIVING INTO A DITCH. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THROUGH BUSHES AND UP A HILL. THE SPEED FINALLY BEGAN TO DECREASE AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES, ONLY HEADA…

Look up ODI 10279912 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10280202 · 14,500 mi

1. TWO PASSENGERS (FEMALE 64 YR DRIVER AND FEMALE 13 YR OLD PASSENGER) WERE PROCEEDING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD IN A 2007 KIA SPECTRA AT LESS THAN 20 MPH. HALFWAY DOWN THE ROAD, DRIVER BEGAN TO LIGHTLY APPLY THE BRAKE KNOWING THAT THE STOP SIGN WAS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. AT THIS MOMENT THE CAR REVVED AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER SHOUTED OUT THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CAR ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. UNABLE TO STOP, THE CAR WENT THROUGH THE…

Look up ODI 10280202 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10346401 · 53,752 mi

ON THREE OCCASIONS MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA'S ENGINE HAS RACED MADLY WHEN I WAS STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING WITH THE BRAKE FULLY DEPRESSED. THE MOST RECENT DATE THAT IT HAPPENED WAS 7/27/2010. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE AND WHEN I RESTARTED IT THE ENGINE WAS OK. AROUND XMAS 2009, THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. I TRIED MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND PARK AND TURNING IT OFF SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I FINALLY PUT IT IN DRIVE AND LET IT INCH FORW…

Look up ODI 10346401 at NHTSA ↗

EngineToo few reports for a range104,982 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10469564 · 112,000 mi

CAR TOOK ME OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRAIGHT INTO A TREE DEAD CENTER ROUGHLY GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY!!!! HIT MY HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL. AND NOW TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF IT WAS THE DEALERSHIP SELLING DEFECTIVE CARS OR IF ITS KIA DEFECT. NOT UNDERSTANDING THIS WHOLE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY THING BECAUSE THE SAFETY GRAPH EXPLAINS 0-8 MPH AIRBAGS WILL NEVER GO OFF 8-14 MPH AIRBAGS ARE POSSIBLE BUT NOT LIKELY 14-ABOVE AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY ALWAYS. *TR

Look up ODI 10469564 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10650399 · 97,963 mi

ON MY WAY TO WORK I TOOK THE SAME ROUTE THAT I ALWAYS TAKE. I WAS GOING ABOUT 25MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON ( CHECK OIL, BATTERY, EMERGENCY BRAKE, TIRE PRESSURE, AIRBAG, AND CHECK ENGINE) THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP CAUSING MY CAR TO SWERVE RIGHT INTO A COMMUNITY MAIL BOX. MY WINDSHIELD IS BROKEN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IS OFF AND THE TWO PASSENGER SIDE TIRES ARE BOTH FLAT. WHEN I GOT MY CAR IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR THREE DAYS AFTER I GOT IT IT HAD STARTED DOING THIS I TOOK IT BACK AND IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR MOR…

Look up ODI 10650399 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train51,000–100,000 mi65,000 mi5
ODI 10464473 · 100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMELL SIMILAR TO BURNING RUBBER. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND ASSISTED IN MOVING THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED OR INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Look up ODI 10464473 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10593224 · 65,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST ALL POWER IN THE GAS PEDAL,( YOU CAN FLOOR THE PEDDLE AND IT DON'T GO OVER 2000 RPM ) ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION. IT ONLY COMES ON WHEN IT WANT TO, I HAD THE CODES CHECKED AT AUTO ZONE AND THEY SAID ITS SAYING ALL THE SOLENOIDS ARE BAD. I LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND THERE ARE ALOT OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE IN THE SAME YEAR, +1 AND-1, AND WITH THE SAME APPROXIMATE MILEAGE, IT SAYS THAT KIA HAS COME OUT WITH AN UPDATE TO THE TRANS…

Look up ODI 10593224 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10653501 · 1,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA- AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON 1/1/2008, DOWN THE ROAD AT 45MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT FROM HIGH GEAR TO LOW GEAR AND IT STAYED ON LOW GEAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIX. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SOME TYPE OF RELAY THAT NEEDED TO BE RESET. THEY RESET THE RELAY THAT DAY. SINCE THEN IT HAS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES AT HIGHER SPEED, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEM EACH TIME. SO THAT'S A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED. NOW, FOR A FOURTH TIME, IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN ON 11/01/2014. *TR

Look up ODI 10653501 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 231 reports

2008: 31 complaints · 2009: 21 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2008111831
200961421
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
200812100
200911301

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentAir BagsFuel/Propulsion SystemElectrical SystemFuel System, GasolineLatches/Locks/LinkagesVehicle Speed ControlEnginePower Train
Air Bags—
2
ODI 10592082 · 46,000 mi

REPORTING 3 ISSUES: ***FUEL SYSTEM: IN JULY 2009, ONE MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED MY USED 2007 KIA SPECTRA (46K MILES), THE VEHICLE STALLED AT IDLE/LOW RPM WHILE IN TRAFFIC ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. ONCE RESTARTED, IT CONTINUED TO STALL AT EVERY IDLE UNTIL A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS CONSUMED. ALMOST 5 YEARS LATER, THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING. STALLING OCCURS IF THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED (TO THE POINT OF AUTOMATIC PUMP SHUT-OFF). THE TANK HAS NEVER BEEN "TOPPED OFF". IN AUGUST 2011, THE STALLING WAS SO FREQUENT AND HAZARDOUS DUE TO TRAFFIC CO…

Look up ODI 10592082 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10692572

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA OUT OF NOWHERE ALL MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY CAR LOCKED UP AND TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT TURN IT TO GET MY CAR OFF THE ROAD. I THEN HAD TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK TURN THE IGNITION OFF THEN RESTART IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. ALSO AS I AM DRIVING, MY CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN LIKE IT STARVES FOR GAS AND I HAVE TO STEP ON THE GAS AND PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN ALL THE WAY BEFORE IT WILL EVENTUALLY PICK UP AND GO. *TR

Look up ODI 10692572 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10873036

I BOUGHT THE CAR AT 50K MILES AND STARTED HAVING ISSUES. SEAL FOR WINDSHIELD POPPING OUT,AIRBAG LIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE STAYS ON CONSTANTLY TRANSMISSION JERKING,AND DOORS AUTO LOCKING IN PARK POSITION. BALL JOINTS NO GOOD AND HAD TO PAY PUT OF POCKET. REFUSED TO COVER WARRANTY BECAUSE I DIDN'T BUY THE CAR NEW. HAVE TO CALL LOCKSMITH TO GET KEYS OUT,CAUSE I REFUSE TO BRAKE WINDOWS,THAT ALSO ARE MISALIGNED ON DRIVERS SD CAUSING IT TO NOT CLOSE FULLY. SHAME THEY CAN'T WARRANTY THEIR CAR YET ONLY CONVENIENT COVER ONLY BUYER...SMH REFUSED

Look up ODI 10873036 at NHTSA ↗

00
1
ODI 10280202 · 14,500 mi

1. TWO PASSENGERS (FEMALE 64 YR DRIVER AND FEMALE 13 YR OLD PASSENGER) WERE PROCEEDING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD IN A 2007 KIA SPECTRA AT LESS THAN 20 MPH. HALFWAY DOWN THE ROAD, DRIVER BEGAN TO LIGHTLY APPLY THE BRAKE KNOWING THAT THE STOP SIGN WAS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. AT THIS MOMENT THE CAR REVVED AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER SHOUTED OUT THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CAR ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. UNABLE TO STOP, THE CAR WENT THROUGH THE…

Look up ODI 10280202 at NHTSA ↗

3
ODI 10469564 · 112,000 mi

CAR TOOK ME OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRAIGHT INTO A TREE DEAD CENTER ROUGHLY GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY!!!! HIT MY HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL. AND NOW TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF IT WAS THE DEALERSHIP SELLING DEFECTIVE CARS OR IF ITS KIA DEFECT. NOT UNDERSTANDING THIS WHOLE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY THING BECAUSE THE SAFETY GRAPH EXPLAINS 0-8 MPH AIRBAGS WILL NEVER GO OFF 8-14 MPH AIRBAGS ARE POSSIBLE BUT NOT LIKELY 14-ABOVE AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY ALWAYS. *TR

Look up ODI 10469564 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10650399 · 97,963 mi

ON MY WAY TO WORK I TOOK THE SAME ROUTE THAT I ALWAYS TAKE. I WAS GOING ABOUT 25MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON ( CHECK OIL, BATTERY, EMERGENCY BRAKE, TIRE PRESSURE, AIRBAG, AND CHECK ENGINE) THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP CAUSING MY CAR TO SWERVE RIGHT INTO A COMMUNITY MAIL BOX. MY WINDSHIELD IS BROKEN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IS OFF AND THE TWO PASSENGER SIDE TIRES ARE BOTH FLAT. WHEN I GOT MY CAR IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR THREE DAYS AFTER I GOT IT IT HAD STARTED DOING THIS I TOOK IT BACK AND IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR MOR…

Look up ODI 10650399 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10692572

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA OUT OF NOWHERE ALL MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY CAR LOCKED UP AND TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT TURN IT TO GET MY CAR OFF THE ROAD. I THEN HAD TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK TURN THE IGNITION OFF THEN RESTART IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. ALSO AS I AM DRIVING, MY CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN LIKE IT STARVES FOR GAS AND I HAVE TO STEP ON THE GAS AND PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN ALL THE WAY BEFORE IT WILL EVENTUALLY PICK UP AND GO. *TR

Look up ODI 10692572 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10873036

I BOUGHT THE CAR AT 50K MILES AND STARTED HAVING ISSUES. SEAL FOR WINDSHIELD POPPING OUT,AIRBAG LIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE STAYS ON CONSTANTLY TRANSMISSION JERKING,AND DOORS AUTO LOCKING IN PARK POSITION. BALL JOINTS NO GOOD AND HAD TO PAY PUT OF POCKET. REFUSED TO COVER WARRANTY BECAUSE I DIDN'T BUY THE CAR NEW. HAVE TO CALL LOCKSMITH TO GET KEYS OUT,CAUSE I REFUSE TO BRAKE WINDOWS,THAT ALSO ARE MISALIGNED ON DRIVERS SD CAUSING IT TO NOT CLOSE FULLY. SHAME THEY CAN'T WARRANTY THEIR CAR YET ONLY CONVENIENT COVER ONLY BUYER...SMH REFUSED

Look up ODI 10873036 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel/Propulsion System
2
ODI 10592082 · 46,000 mi

REPORTING 3 ISSUES: ***FUEL SYSTEM: IN JULY 2009, ONE MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED MY USED 2007 KIA SPECTRA (46K MILES), THE VEHICLE STALLED AT IDLE/LOW RPM WHILE IN TRAFFIC ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. ONCE RESTARTED, IT CONTINUED TO STALL AT EVERY IDLE UNTIL A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS CONSUMED. ALMOST 5 YEARS LATER, THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING. STALLING OCCURS IF THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED (TO THE POINT OF AUTOMATIC PUMP SHUT-OFF). THE TANK HAS NEVER BEEN "TOPPED OFF". IN AUGUST 2011, THE STALLING WAS SO FREQUENT AND HAZARDOUS DUE TO TRAFFIC CO…

Look up ODI 10592082 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10692572

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA OUT OF NOWHERE ALL MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY CAR LOCKED UP AND TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT TURN IT TO GET MY CAR OFF THE ROAD. I THEN HAD TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK TURN THE IGNITION OFF THEN RESTART IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. ALSO AS I AM DRIVING, MY CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN LIKE IT STARVES FOR GAS AND I HAVE TO STEP ON THE GAS AND PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN ALL THE WAY BEFORE IT WILL EVENTUALLY PICK UP AND GO. *TR

Look up ODI 10692572 at NHTSA ↗

—0000
4
ODI 10648265

I REPORTED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON FUEL TANK OVER FILLING, TANK WAS REPLACED BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. LOST OF POWER WHEN DRIVING AND EXHILARATION WHEN TRYING TO STOP. ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE,ENGINE WAS REPLACED BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR

Look up ODI 10648265 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10692572

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA OUT OF NOWHERE ALL MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY CAR LOCKED UP AND TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT TURN IT TO GET MY CAR OFF THE ROAD. I THEN HAD TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK TURN THE IGNITION OFF THEN RESTART IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. ALSO AS I AM DRIVING, MY CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN LIKE IT STARVES FOR GAS AND I HAVE TO STEP ON THE GAS AND PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN ALL THE WAY BEFORE IT WILL EVENTUALLY PICK UP AND GO. *TR

Look up ODI 10692572 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11040492

ENGINE 💡 CAME ON IMIDIATELY AFTER PULLING OUT OF DEALERSHIP. SO I CA"ED THEM AND THEY STATED IT WASNT ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. SEVERAL CUSTOMERS WERE CALLING IN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. THEY SAID IT WAS JUST THE CHANGE IN WEATHER AND THE GAS CAP. THEY RESET ENGINE 💡 SEVERAL TIMES. NO SOONER THAN I WOULD PULL OFF THE LOT, IT WOULD COME BACK ON. THEN I ASK THEM FOR AN AUTO CHECK HISTORY REPORT SHOWING ODOMETER DESCIIPANCIES. ROLL BACK CALCULATIONS. THE RADIATOR IS CRACKED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOESN'T WORK, AND THE BRAKES …

Look up ODI 11040492 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 11521552

I purchased my 2007 Spectra5 used with 155,000 miles on it. The engine had no codes or any stored codes. It ran fine until I filled it up with gas. I DO NOT overfill the tank because I understand EVAP issues. After filling up the vehicle would stall at idle and occasionally lose power (momentarily) at highway speeds (55 mph and up). Obviously this is an extremely dangerous situation! Once the gas level got below 1/2 tank the issues went away…but now I ONLY fill the tank to halfway and the problems arise again every so often. Since there…

Look up ODI 11521552 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System
1
ODI 10873036

I BOUGHT THE CAR AT 50K MILES AND STARTED HAVING ISSUES. SEAL FOR WINDSHIELD POPPING OUT,AIRBAG LIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE STAYS ON CONSTANTLY TRANSMISSION JERKING,AND DOORS AUTO LOCKING IN PARK POSITION. BALL JOINTS NO GOOD AND HAD TO PAY PUT OF POCKET. REFUSED TO COVER WARRANTY BECAUSE I DIDN'T BUY THE CAR NEW. HAVE TO CALL LOCKSMITH TO GET KEYS OUT,CAUSE I REFUSE TO BRAKE WINDOWS,THAT ALSO ARE MISALIGNED ON DRIVERS SD CAUSING IT TO NOT CLOSE FULLY. SHAME THEY CAN'T WARRANTY THEIR CAR YET ONLY CONVENIENT COVER ONLY BUYER...SMH REFUSED

Look up ODI 10873036 at NHTSA ↗

0—0
1
ODI 10559013 · 23,000 mi

THE DOORS LOCK AGAIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER UNLOCK. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME. THE LOCKS ALSO LOCK AND UNLOCK REPEATEDLY WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. *TR

Look up ODI 10559013 at NHTSA ↗

00
3
ODI 10716941 · 124,678 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ABOUT 65 MPH. ALL OF SUDDEN, THE CAR LOST ALL FORWARD MOTION POWER. WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS, THE RPMS INCREASED, BUT THE CAR DID NOT GET ANY POWER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN WITHOUT PROBLEM. AFTER STOPPING ON THE SHOULDER, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER STARTING AGAIN, I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, THE FORWARD POWER WAS WORKING AGAIN AND THE CAR SHIFTED FINE. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGED AT 110,000 MILES. SUSPECTING TRANSMISSION, I TOOK TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. I WAS GIVEN THE FOLLOWING …

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ODI 10873036

I BOUGHT THE CAR AT 50K MILES AND STARTED HAVING ISSUES. SEAL FOR WINDSHIELD POPPING OUT,AIRBAG LIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE STAYS ON CONSTANTLY TRANSMISSION JERKING,AND DOORS AUTO LOCKING IN PARK POSITION. BALL JOINTS NO GOOD AND HAD TO PAY PUT OF POCKET. REFUSED TO COVER WARRANTY BECAUSE I DIDN'T BUY THE CAR NEW. HAVE TO CALL LOCKSMITH TO GET KEYS OUT,CAUSE I REFUSE TO BRAKE WINDOWS,THAT ALSO ARE MISALIGNED ON DRIVERS SD CAUSING IT TO NOT CLOSE FULLY. SHAME THEY CAN'T WARRANTY THEIR CAR YET ONLY CONVENIENT COVER ONLY BUYER...SMH REFUSED

Look up ODI 10873036 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10874318 · 51,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SUDDENLY SHIFT OUT OF GEAR AND THE SPEED REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS TO THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

Look up ODI 10874318 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel System, Gasoline000—0000
Latches/Locks/Linkages00
1
ODI 10559013 · 23,000 mi

THE DOORS LOCK AGAIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER UNLOCK. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME. THE LOCKS ALSO LOCK AND UNLOCK REPEATEDLY WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. *TR

Look up ODI 10559013 at NHTSA ↗

0—000
Vehicle Speed Control
1
ODI 10280202 · 14,500 mi

1. TWO PASSENGERS (FEMALE 64 YR DRIVER AND FEMALE 13 YR OLD PASSENGER) WERE PROCEEDING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD IN A 2007 KIA SPECTRA AT LESS THAN 20 MPH. HALFWAY DOWN THE ROAD, DRIVER BEGAN TO LIGHTLY APPLY THE BRAKE KNOWING THAT THE STOP SIGN WAS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. AT THIS MOMENT THE CAR REVVED AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER SHOUTED OUT THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CAR ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. UNABLE TO STOP, THE CAR WENT THROUGH THE…

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0000—0
1
ODI 10593224 · 65,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST ALL POWER IN THE GAS PEDAL,( YOU CAN FLOOR THE PEDDLE AND IT DON'T GO OVER 2000 RPM ) ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION. IT ONLY COMES ON WHEN IT WANT TO, I HAD THE CODES CHECKED AT AUTO ZONE AND THEY SAID ITS SAYING ALL THE SOLENOIDS ARE BAD. I LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND THERE ARE ALOT OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE IN THE SAME YEAR, +1 AND-1, AND WITH THE SAME APPROXIMATE MILEAGE, IT SAYS THAT KIA HAS COME OUT WITH AN UPDATE TO THE TRANS…

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Engine
3
ODI 10469564 · 112,000 mi

CAR TOOK ME OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRAIGHT INTO A TREE DEAD CENTER ROUGHLY GOING 35 MILES AN HOUR. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY!!!! HIT MY HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL. AND NOW TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF IT WAS THE DEALERSHIP SELLING DEFECTIVE CARS OR IF ITS KIA DEFECT. NOT UNDERSTANDING THIS WHOLE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY THING BECAUSE THE SAFETY GRAPH EXPLAINS 0-8 MPH AIRBAGS WILL NEVER GO OFF 8-14 MPH AIRBAGS ARE POSSIBLE BUT NOT LIKELY 14-ABOVE AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY ALWAYS. *TR

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ODI 10650399 · 97,963 mi

ON MY WAY TO WORK I TOOK THE SAME ROUTE THAT I ALWAYS TAKE. I WAS GOING ABOUT 25MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON ( CHECK OIL, BATTERY, EMERGENCY BRAKE, TIRE PRESSURE, AIRBAG, AND CHECK ENGINE) THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP CAUSING MY CAR TO SWERVE RIGHT INTO A COMMUNITY MAIL BOX. MY WINDSHIELD IS BROKEN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IS OFF AND THE TWO PASSENGER SIDE TIRES ARE BOTH FLAT. WHEN I GOT MY CAR IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR THREE DAYS AFTER I GOT IT IT HAD STARTED DOING THIS I TOOK IT BACK AND IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR MOR…

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ODI 10692572

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA OUT OF NOWHERE ALL MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY CAR LOCKED UP AND TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT TURN IT TO GET MY CAR OFF THE ROAD. I THEN HAD TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK TURN THE IGNITION OFF THEN RESTART IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. ALSO AS I AM DRIVING, MY CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN LIKE IT STARVES FOR GAS AND I HAVE TO STEP ON THE GAS AND PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN ALL THE WAY BEFORE IT WILL EVENTUALLY PICK UP AND GO. *TR

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4
ODI 10648265

I REPORTED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON FUEL TANK OVER FILLING, TANK WAS REPLACED BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. LOST OF POWER WHEN DRIVING AND EXHILARATION WHEN TRYING TO STOP. ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE,ENGINE WAS REPLACED BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR

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ODI 10692572

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA OUT OF NOWHERE ALL MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY CAR LOCKED UP AND TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT TURN IT TO GET MY CAR OFF THE ROAD. I THEN HAD TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK TURN THE IGNITION OFF THEN RESTART IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. ALSO AS I AM DRIVING, MY CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN LIKE IT STARVES FOR GAS AND I HAVE TO STEP ON THE GAS AND PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN ALL THE WAY BEFORE IT WILL EVENTUALLY PICK UP AND GO. *TR

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ODI 11040492

ENGINE 💡 CAME ON IMIDIATELY AFTER PULLING OUT OF DEALERSHIP. SO I CA"ED THEM AND THEY STATED IT WASNT ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. SEVERAL CUSTOMERS WERE CALLING IN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. THEY SAID IT WAS JUST THE CHANGE IN WEATHER AND THE GAS CAP. THEY RESET ENGINE 💡 SEVERAL TIMES. NO SOONER THAN I WOULD PULL OFF THE LOT, IT WOULD COME BACK ON. THEN I ASK THEM FOR AN AUTO CHECK HISTORY REPORT SHOWING ODOMETER DESCIIPANCIES. ROLL BACK CALCULATIONS. THE RADIATOR IS CRACKED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOESN'T WORK, AND THE BRAKES …

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0000—
1
ODI 11521552

I purchased my 2007 Spectra5 used with 155,000 miles on it. The engine had no codes or any stored codes. It ran fine until I filled it up with gas. I DO NOT overfill the tank because I understand EVAP issues. After filling up the vehicle would stall at idle and occasionally lose power (momentarily) at highway speeds (55 mph and up). Obviously this is an extremely dangerous situation! Once the gas level got below 1/2 tank the issues went away…but now I ONLY fill the tank to halfway and the problems arise again every so often. Since there…

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Power Train
1
ODI 10873036

I BOUGHT THE CAR AT 50K MILES AND STARTED HAVING ISSUES. SEAL FOR WINDSHIELD POPPING OUT,AIRBAG LIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE STAYS ON CONSTANTLY TRANSMISSION JERKING,AND DOORS AUTO LOCKING IN PARK POSITION. BALL JOINTS NO GOOD AND HAD TO PAY PUT OF POCKET. REFUSED TO COVER WARRANTY BECAUSE I DIDN'T BUY THE CAR NEW. HAVE TO CALL LOCKSMITH TO GET KEYS OUT,CAUSE I REFUSE TO BRAKE WINDOWS,THAT ALSO ARE MISALIGNED ON DRIVERS SD CAUSING IT TO NOT CLOSE FULLY. SHAME THEY CAN'T WARRANTY THEIR CAR YET ONLY CONVENIENT COVER ONLY BUYER...SMH REFUSED

Look up ODI 10873036 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 11521552

I purchased my 2007 Spectra5 used with 155,000 miles on it. The engine had no codes or any stored codes. It ran fine until I filled it up with gas. I DO NOT overfill the tank because I understand EVAP issues. After filling up the vehicle would stall at idle and occasionally lose power (momentarily) at highway speeds (55 mph and up). Obviously this is an extremely dangerous situation! Once the gas level got below 1/2 tank the issues went away…but now I ONLY fill the tank to halfway and the problems arise again every so often. Since there…

Look up ODI 11521552 at NHTSA ↗

3
ODI 10716941 · 124,678 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ABOUT 65 MPH. ALL OF SUDDEN, THE CAR LOST ALL FORWARD MOTION POWER. WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS, THE RPMS INCREASED, BUT THE CAR DID NOT GET ANY POWER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN WITHOUT PROBLEM. AFTER STOPPING ON THE SHOULDER, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTER STARTING AGAIN, I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, THE FORWARD POWER WAS WORKING AGAIN AND THE CAR SHIFTED FINE. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGED AT 110,000 MILES. SUSPECTING TRANSMISSION, I TOOK TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. I WAS GIVEN THE FOLLOWING …

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ODI 10873036

I BOUGHT THE CAR AT 50K MILES AND STARTED HAVING ISSUES. SEAL FOR WINDSHIELD POPPING OUT,AIRBAG LIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE STAYS ON CONSTANTLY TRANSMISSION JERKING,AND DOORS AUTO LOCKING IN PARK POSITION. BALL JOINTS NO GOOD AND HAD TO PAY PUT OF POCKET. REFUSED TO COVER WARRANTY BECAUSE I DIDN'T BUY THE CAR NEW. HAVE TO CALL LOCKSMITH TO GET KEYS OUT,CAUSE I REFUSE TO BRAKE WINDOWS,THAT ALSO ARE MISALIGNED ON DRIVERS SD CAUSING IT TO NOT CLOSE FULLY. SHAME THEY CAN'T WARRANTY THEIR CAR YET ONLY CONVENIENT COVER ONLY BUYER...SMH REFUSED

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ODI 10874318 · 51,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SUDDENLY SHIFT OUT OF GEAR AND THE SPEED REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS TO THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

Look up ODI 10874318 at NHTSA ↗

00
1
ODI 10593224 · 65,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST ALL POWER IN THE GAS PEDAL,( YOU CAN FLOOR THE PEDDLE AND IT DON'T GO OVER 2000 RPM ) ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION. IT ONLY COMES ON WHEN IT WANT TO, I HAD THE CODES CHECKED AT AUTO ZONE AND THEY SAID ITS SAYING ALL THE SOLENOIDS ARE BAD. I LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND THERE ARE ALOT OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE IN THE SAME YEAR, +1 AND-1, AND WITH THE SAME APPROXIMATE MILEAGE, IT SAYS THAT KIA HAS COME OUT WITH AN UPDATE TO THE TRANS…

Look up ODI 10593224 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 11521552

I purchased my 2007 Spectra5 used with 155,000 miles on it. The engine had no codes or any stored codes. It ran fine until I filled it up with gas. I DO NOT overfill the tank because I understand EVAP issues. After filling up the vehicle would stall at idle and occasionally lose power (momentarily) at highway speeds (55 mph and up). Obviously this is an extremely dangerous situation! Once the gas level got below 1/2 tank the issues went away…but now I ONLY fill the tank to halfway and the problems arise again every so often. Since there…

Look up ODI 11521552 at NHTSA ↗

—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

7 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

26 mentions · 17.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 49,600 mi (21 usable records).

ODI 10253907 · 10,000 mi

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 F…

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ODI 10287401 · 10,000 mi

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 CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL AT THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES ON THE ROAD; STOP LIGHTS, SLOWER MOVING IN TRAFFIC, IT HAS ALSO SEMI STALLED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY OR ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS TWO TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FIRST TIME IT WAS IN AND OUT FOR ABOUT A MONTH, IT WOULD STALL DRIVING IT OUT OF THE DEALER!! IT IS NOW IN FOR THE SECOND TIME, WITH NO END IN SIGHT. TH…

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ODI 10293320 · 9,000 mi

GAS LINE/TANK/CANISTER ISSUES. MY SPECTRA HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP APPROX. 11 TIMES. I HAVE HAD THE GAS CANISTER REPLACED 4 TIMES AND ON MY LAST VISIT THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE TANK. THE CAR WILL STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING. WHEN IT STALLS YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER OR BRAKE, BECAUSE THEY LOSE POWER. I HAVE STALLED MID-INTERSECTION, ON THE EXPRESSWAY, AT STOP SIGNS/STOP LIGHTS, NO REASON WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT JUST STARTS SHAKING,SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY AND THEN STALLS. KIA DEALERSHIP SAYS WE ARE OVERFILLING AND THAT THEY RECOMMEND NOT…

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Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

13 mentions · 8.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 92,182 mi (12 usable records).

ODI 10593224 · 65,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST ALL POWER IN THE GAS PEDAL,( YOU CAN FLOOR THE PEDDLE AND IT DON'T GO OVER 2000 RPM ) ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION. IT ONLY COMES ON WHEN IT WANT TO, I HAD THE CODES CHECKED AT AUTO ZONE AND THEY SAID ITS SAYING ALL THE SOLENOIDS ARE BAD. I LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND THERE ARE ALOT OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE IN THE SAME YEAR, +1 AND-1, AND WITH THE SAME APPROXIMATE MILEAGE, IT SAYS THAT KIA HAS COME OUT WITH AN UPDATE TO THE TRANS…

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ODI 10597960 · 68,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL CANISTER AND FUEL VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

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ODI 10626908 · 8,000 mi

THIS CAR ACTS LIKE ITS RUNNING OUT OF GAS ABOUT EVERY 4 MONTHS SINCE I'VE OWNED IT, ITS USUALLY AFTER I FILL IT UP, IT STALLS AT LIGHTS AND SPUTTERS GOING DOWN THE ROAD, HAVE ACTUALLY HAD IT DIE GOING AROUND CORNERS. MENTION IT EVERY TIME I GO TO DEALERSHIP FOR MAINTENANCE AND OF COURSE THERE IS NO CODE BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER COMES ON WHEN IT HAPPENS. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CAR AND IF I COULD BUY SOMETHING ELSE I WOULD. WILL NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN! *TR

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Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Brake response concerns

8 mentions · 5.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 24,173 mi (8 usable records).

ODI 10252538 · 35,000 mi

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 T…

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ODI 10280202 · 14,500 mi

1. TWO PASSENGERS (FEMALE 64 YR DRIVER AND FEMALE 13 YR OLD PASSENGER) WERE PROCEEDING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD IN A 2007 KIA SPECTRA AT LESS THAN 20 MPH. HALFWAY DOWN THE ROAD, DRIVER BEGAN TO LIGHTLY APPLY THE BRAKE KNOWING THAT THE STOP SIGN WAS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. AT THIS MOMENT THE CAR REVVED AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER SHOUTED OUT THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CAR ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. UNABLE TO STOP, THE CAR WENT THROUGH THE…

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ODI 10286371 · 59,000 mi

I AM VERY SHOCKED THAT THE HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 SPORTAGE STOP LIGHT BRAKE SWITCH BUT HAS NOT TAKEN KIA TO TASK FOR PRODUCING FAULTY STOP LIGHT BRAKE SWITCHES IN ALL ITS MODELS/YEARS. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE STOP-LIGHT BRAKE SWITCHES IN 2005 AND 2007 KIA SPECTRA'S MULTIPLE TIMES. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL OR THE LIGHT DOES NOT GO ON AT ALL UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES.. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT CHINA, A COUNTRY IMPORTING KIA MODELS, WAS QUICKER TO REACT TO RECALLS THAN …

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Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Steering assistance concerns

6 mentions · 3.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 42,500 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10326454 · 27,028 mi

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENTIRE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMALLY. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEA…

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ODI 10353776 · 86,800 mi

MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA EX HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE OVERFLOW TANK. WHEN I TAKE MY CAR TO THE GAS STATION I TURN MY CAR AND PUMP THE GAS. IF I FILL THE TANK UP (THE PUMP AUTOMATICALLY SHUTTING OFF) MY CAR WILL DIE WHILE I AM DRIVING, PARKED, OR IDLING. WHEN I 'M DRIVING MY CAR DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY DIE AND LOSE POWER STEERING AND THEN START AGAIN. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES THAT MY CAR HAS DIED WHILE GOING AROUND A CORNER AND IT HAS BEEN VERY HARD TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF MY CAR WITH THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I HAVE TAKEN M…

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ODI 10421831 · 27,345 mi

I HAD THIS CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALER ON TUESDAY AND IT DROVE FINE, I FILLED THE FUEL TANK AT THE SAME STATION I HAVE BEEN USING FOR OVER A YEAR. AND DROVE HOME(1-1/2MI) THE NEXT DAY AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES THE CAR BEGAN TO MISS AND THE ENGINE DIED I RESTARTED IT AND DROVE ABOUT 1/2 MILE AND IT DIED AGAIN I DROVE TO THE DEALER AND LEFT THE CAR TO BE CHECKED. I WAS TOLD THE FUEL TANK HAD BEEN OVER FILLED AND THAT THE SAME THREE SYSTEM COMPONENTS (LESS THAN A YEAR AGO I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM) REQUIRED CHANGE AT OVER $700. I DO NOT TOP OFF THE TANK, A…

Look up ODI 10421831 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

4 mentions · 2.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 10,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10253907 · 10,000 mi

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 F…

Look up ODI 10253907 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10293320 · 9,000 mi

GAS LINE/TANK/CANISTER ISSUES. MY SPECTRA HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP APPROX. 11 TIMES. I HAVE HAD THE GAS CANISTER REPLACED 4 TIMES AND ON MY LAST VISIT THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE TANK. THE CAR WILL STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING. WHEN IT STALLS YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER OR BRAKE, BECAUSE THEY LOSE POWER. I HAVE STALLED MID-INTERSECTION, ON THE EXPRESSWAY, AT STOP SIGNS/STOP LIGHTS, NO REASON WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT JUST STARTS SHAKING,SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY AND THEN STALLS. KIA DEALERSHIP SAYS WE ARE OVERFILLING AND THAT THEY RECOMMEND NOT…

Look up ODI 10293320 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10628292

OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, MY KIA HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES UPON REFUELING. I NEVER TOPPED OFF WHILE FUELING AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON. THE CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. IT ALSO GIVES OFF AN AWFUL GAS SMELL. I AM TERRIFIED OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT'S VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAYS WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS AT LEAST 50MPH. I AM CONCERNED AS I HAVE VERY SMALL CHILDREN THAT COULD BE HARMED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY & FIND MANY KIA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM …

Look up ODI 10628292 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Hard or delayed shifting

2 mentions · 1.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 64,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10851009 · 64,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS REVVED VIOLENTLY. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

Look up ODI 10851009 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10873036

I BOUGHT THE CAR AT 50K MILES AND STARTED HAVING ISSUES. SEAL FOR WINDSHIELD POPPING OUT,AIRBAG LIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE STAYS ON CONSTANTLY TRANSMISSION JERKING,AND DOORS AUTO LOCKING IN PARK POSITION. BALL JOINTS NO GOOD AND HAD TO PAY PUT OF POCKET. REFUSED TO COVER WARRANTY BECAUSE I DIDN'T BUY THE CAR NEW. HAVE TO CALL LOCKSMITH TO GET KEYS OUT,CAUSE I REFUSE TO BRAKE WINDOWS,THAT ALSO ARE MISALIGNED ON DRIVERS SD CAUSING IT TO NOT CLOSE FULLY. SHAME THEY CAN'T WARRANTY THEIR CAR YET ONLY CONVENIENT COVER ONLY BUYER...SMH REFUSED

Look up ODI 10873036 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 0.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 32,165 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10264476 · 32,165 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. IN JANUARY OF 2009, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A BYPASS HOSE WAS LEAKING. THE HOSE WAS REPLACED AND THE ENGINE WAS CLEANED BECAUSE OIL LEAKED ALL OVER THE MOTOR. THE OIL WAS ALSO CHANGED. IN APRIL OF 2009, THE VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO OVERHEATING AND WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER STATED THAT DUE TO THE CONTACT'S LACK OF MAINTENANCE AND FAILURE TO CHANGE THE OIL REGULARLY, SHE WOULD NEED A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS BURNT UP AND WOULD COST $6,000 …

Look up ODI 10264476 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(parasitic drain|battery drain\w*|dead battery|won.t start|would not start|no.start)\b