2004 Kia Spectra Complaint Log

The contact owns a 2004 Kia Spectra. The contact stated the cruise control feature was not operating properly. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving and approaching a traffic light, when depressing on the brake pedal the vehicle failed to stop and accelerated independently to 80 mph. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to stop the vehicle by using the emergency brakes and parked on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to her residence. The contact stated while inspecting the vehicle, they noticed the cruise cable was not in place was separate from the box. The contact also stated she saw the area was black/burned. The contact called local dealer and them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

TAMARA RECALL; THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ABOUT TEN CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I SEEN EVERYONE START HITTING THERE BRAKES SO I STARTED APPLYING MINE. THEN I REALIZED EVERYONE HAD COME TO A STOP SO I APPLIED ON MY BRAKES EVEN HARDER AND THEY LOCKED UP AND I SLID ABOUT 15 FT. AND HIT A TRUCK IN THE REAR END STILL GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. IT SHOVED THE FRONT END OF MY CAR BACK QUITE A BIT BUT YET MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.

ELECTRICAL - SPEEDOMETER / ODOMETER - FUNCTIONS INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO POSSIBLE SHORT IN WIRING

FRONT END COLLISION GOING AROUND 30MPH AND NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. CAR IS TOTALED. *TR

AFTER PARKING MY CAR I COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE (LEFT FRONT) DOOR. THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE NO LONGER OPENS THE DOOR. I NOW HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IN AN EMERGENCY I COULD BECOME TRAPPED INSIDE. THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS WON'T WORK UNLESS THE CAR IS RUNNING OR THE KEY IS IN THE "ON" POSITION. ALSO IT HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH A STICK SHIFT SO TRYING TO EXIT THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE REALLY IS NOT AN OPTION. *TR

METAL AROUND WHEEL WELLS ROTTING OUT.

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.

I WENT INTO KROGER'S AND PICKED UP A FEW ITEMS. WHEN I WAS DONE, I LEFT THE STORE AND GOT BACK INTO MY CAR TO FINISH RUNNING SOME ERRANDS. I STARTED MY KIA- SPECTRA AND SHE PURRED LIKE A KITTEN- AS USUAL. I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE BUT MY KIA WOULD MOVE. I WAS PRESSING THE PEDDLE AND MY CAR DID NOT MOVE. I COULD HEAR THE CAR REVVING UP BUT I WASN'T MOVING. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT- I HAD MY KIA TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD COST ME BETWEEN $2200-3600. I WAS DEVASTATED AND SHOCKED. MY KIA WAS WORKING JUST FINE. I NEVER HAD ANY INDICATORS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS. NONE OF MY DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASH OR LIGHT UP. MY CAR HAS BEEN PARKED FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD TO COVER THE REPAIRS. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE 4 YEARS AGO AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER FOR ALL THE REGULAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE TO MAINTAIN A WELL-FUNCTIONING VEHICLE. I WAS LAID OFF FROM MY JOB OVER 5 YEARS AGO. I PAID $8,700 FOR MY KIA USING MONIES FROM MY PROPHET SHARING TO CUT DOWN ON LIVING EXPENSES SO THAT I COULD STAY ON TOP OF THINGS BETWEEN JOBS. I WAS ASSURED BY THE DEALER THAT MY VEHICLE WAS CERTIFIED AND WOULD REMAIN IN GREAT CONDITION IF I KEPT UP WITH THE NECESSARY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE. I DID EVERYTHING I WAS SUPPOSE TO AND MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP I TAKE MY VEHICLE TO FOR SERVICE, ADVISED ME TO CONTACT YOUR ORGANIZATION AND REPORT MY ISSUES CONCERNING MY VEHICLE. MY CAR SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE IS PRONE TO DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. I AM ON A FIXED INCOME AND I NEED MY CAR REPAIR. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN GET MY CAR REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

KIA SPECTRA EX 2004.5. CONSTANTLY STALLS AND ENGINE RACES AT ANY TIME AND ANY SPEED. I AM FORCED TO PLACE TRANSMISSION IN "N" WHEN I APROACH A STOP SIGN. I AVOID HIGHWAYS BEING AFRAID TO STALL AT A HIGH SPEED AND CAUSE A FATALITY TO MYSELF OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. PROBLEMS STARTED WHEN VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IN A TYPICAL KIA FASHION I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG.NOW OUT OF WARRANTY SITUATION HAS GOT WORSE.MY MECHANIC SAYS IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM OR THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE INTERNET IS FULL WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT FROM MANY SPECTRA AND ANOTHER KIA MODELS OWNERS. THIS DESERVE AN INVESTIGATION. A FATALITY MAY HAPPEN SOONER OR LATER. PLEASE, FORCE KIA TO COME FORWARD ABOUT THIS ISSUE. CERTAINLY THEY KNOW WHAT'S WRONG, BUT THEY ALWAYS SAY "NOTHING IS WRONG". *TT

FRONTAL IMPACT AT ABOUT 40 MPH. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SUFFERED STRAINED NECK. *TR

THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE SPECTRA 2005 4-DOOR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY 1. THE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, THE LIGHT WENT OFF SO THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. NOW THE LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY 'ON' AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS WORKING OR NOT. IT IS DEFINITELY A CONCERN AND IT IS A DEFINITELY A PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, THE TIMING BELT KEEPS LOOSENING ON A CONTINUAL BASIS. I HAVE REPEATEDLY BOUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC TO GET IT TIGHTENED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. THE TIMING BELT, ONCE FIXED, SHOULD REMAIN IN TACT AT LEAST FOR A LENGTH OF TIME (NOT A MONTH!). THAT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, THE LIGHT REMAINS ON. WHATEVER, I HAVE BEEN VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE CAR. AM DISAPPOINTED. I REALIZE THE COST WAS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR UPON PURCHASE, BUT MY HYUNDAI AT THE SAME COST BREAK (ACTUALLY LOWER) PROVED TO BE A SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER CAR. I GAVE THE HYUNDAI TO A FRIEND OF MINE AND IT IS KEEPS ON TICKING. IT IS STILL IN SERVICE AND RUNS BETTER THAN THE KIA AT OVER TRIPLE THE MILEAGE. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION REPLACED AT 65,000 WHICH IS UNUSUAL AS I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR HARD AND I AVOID BUMPS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT A SIZZLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 05V431000 (AIR BAGS) AND THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND STAYED ON. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WAS NON-FUNCTIONAL. WHEN SOMEONE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS ACTIVATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING IN AN ACCIDENT OR IT DEPLOYING AT ANY TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.

FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTING OUT. MY FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTED OUT CAUSING ONE TO DRAG THE GROUND MAKING SPARKS! I LOOKED OVER THE CAR AND NOTHING IS RUSTED LIKE THE STRAPS, THE EXSUST IS GOOD THE HEAT SHIELD AND THE FUEL LINES ARE GOOD JUST THE FUEL STRAPS ARE SO RUSTED TO THE POINT THEY SNAPPED!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT TRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS LOCATED WHERE THE AIR BAGS WERE. SHE ASSUMED THAT BECAUSE THE WIRES FOR THE AIR BAGS WERE RUN CLOSE TO THE SEAT TRACK, THE AIR BAGS WERE DISCONNECTED WHEN THE SEAT WAS MOVED BACK AND FORTH BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SEAT MECHANISM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

THE CRUISE CONTROL UNIT WHEN ENGAGED IT ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. OR IT TOLALLY DIS-ENGAGES ON ITS OWN. *TR

MY VEHICLE LOOSES POWER, SPUTTERS, AND HESITATES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THIS HAS CAUSES ME TO ALMOST BE IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. THE SERVICE DEPT CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE, BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT EXISTS. I HAVE FILED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH KIA MOTORS AND HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO ASSIST ME WITH ANY OTHER TYPE OF HELP WITH MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE, BUT SINCE KIA MOTORS CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM, THEN THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY WHILE DRIVING WHEN I AM COMING HOME FROM WORK AND EVEN ON SUNDAY'S WHEN I AM COMING HOME FROM CHURCH. THE SERVICE DEPT IS ALWAYS CLOSED WHEN THIS OCCURS SO I CAN'T TAKE IT IN. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING WITH MY VEHICLE FOR APPROX. 2 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS IS GETTING A RESOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM. *TR

BLACK ICE ON ROADS I ENDED UP TURNED UPSIDE DOWN IN A SIX FOOT DITCH. CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. UPSET THAT A CRASH LIKE THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. WHAT IS THE PROTOCOL FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND ACCELERATES. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE FAILURES TO STOP. THE FAILURE BEGAN IN JANUARY OF 2008. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ON NOVEMBER 9, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE BODY SHOP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 12/17/08.*LJ UPDATED 12/18/08. *JB

THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL ALSO LUNGE WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR, FORWARD AND REVERSE. IT DOES NOT OCCUR EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE STARTS. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE 2ND TIME THEY SAID THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR RPM'S TO GO UP WHEN THE ENGINE IS COOL. WHEN THE CAR LUNGES, THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO STOP THE CAR. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM THEY HAD WITH THE KIA AMANTI. *TR

FRONT END COLLISION, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. 2004 KIA SPECTRA. IT WAS HIT BY A TRUCK AT APPROX. 55 MPH IN THE LEFT FRONT CORNER PUSHING EVERYTHING INTO THE MOTOR AREA AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

EVENFLO TRIUMPH ADVANCE' LX CONVERTIBLE FAILS TO PERFORM BASIC CARSEAT FUNCTIONS. ACTUAL CARSEAT DAMAGES ITSELF VIA RAZOR SHARP PLASTIC OPENINGS WHERE THE LATCH SYSTEM STRAP OR VEHICLE RESTRAINT STRAP GOES THROUGH THE SEAT. WE HAVE BEEN PHYSICALLY CUT ON THIS PLASTIC ALONG WITH THE LATCH STRAP BEING FRAYED AND CUT BEYOND SAFE USE. WE HAVE DISCONTINUED USING THE LATCH SYSTEM BUT ARE CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY RESTRAINT STRAP WILL ALSO BE FRAYED AND BECOME UNSAFE ALONG WITH PERMANENT DAMAGE TO OUR VEHICLE. THIS PLASTIC ISSUES HAS RESULTED IN GROSS SAFETY ISSUES ON A CONSTANT BASIS. CHILD CAN EASILY GET OUT OF THE CARSEAT REGARDLESS OF STRAP TENSION EVERY SINGLE USE. THE CHEST CLIP SLIPS UP AND DOWN TOO EASILY AND CHILD CAN SIMPLY, WITH 1 FINGER, SLIDE THE CHEST CLIP THE TO 5 POINT HARNESS, WIGGLE ARMS AND LEGS OUT AND GET INTO A STANDING POSITION WITHOUT MUCH DIFFICULTY. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

KIA AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT CRASH IMPACT OF ABOUT 40 MPH. *TR

MY VEHICLE SPUTTERS WHILE DRIVING. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS WHERE MY VEHICLE HAS ALMOST STALLED ON THE FREEWAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN FAST LANE. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 5 TIME IN A 2 MONTH WINDOW, AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE, SO THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX MY VEHICLE OR TAKE ALL OF THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT SINCE THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE, THEN THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO AND I AM JUST STUCK WITH A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE, WHICH HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD. *TR

I HAVE A 2004.5 KIA SPECTRA EX WHICH AROUND 44,000 MILES STARTED TO HAVE A RATTLING SOUND FROM THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION. INITIALLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. 4,000+ MILES LATER, RATTLING WORSE, TOOK BACK TO DEALER, TOLD THAT THE STRUT MOUNT ASSEMBLY WAS BAD AND THAT IF I HAD BROUGHT IT IN SOONER, IT COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED SIMPLY. OF COURSE I TOLD THEM THAT I HAD BROUGHT IT IN SOONER. NOW AROUND 49,000 MILES SAME NOISE FROM THE RIGHT REAR, HAVE TAKEN IT IN 3 TIMES, WAS EVEN TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE STRUT MOUNT / SUSPENSION WAS DOCUMENTED IN THE KIA SORENTO AND THAT HE WOULD REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY. WHATEVER HE DID WORKED FOR APPOX. 1 WEEK AND NOW THE RATTLING IS BACK, AND WORSE THAN BEFORE. OF NOTE, I WAS TOLD BY A PREVIOUS SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE NOISE THAT I WAS HEARING, THAT CAUSED ME TO BRING THE CAR IN 3 SEPARATE TIMES WAS NORMAL FOR THIS MODEL. HE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TEST DRIVEN SOME OF THEIR LOANER SPECTRAS AND HAD FOUND THAT THE SOUND WAS IN ALL OF THEM. NOT SURE WHAT THAT MEANS. EITHER WAY, 5YR / 60,000 MILE WARRANTY STILL IN EFFECT. I AM DOCUMENTING AND GOING TO BRING THIS ISSUE UP TO THE SERVICE MANAGER OR GENERAL MANAGER AGAIN TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR

ON 10/27/06 (@ 30,048 MILES) I PURCHASED 4 TIRES (SUMITOMO HTR H4; P195-60-R15; 87H M+S). ROTATION OF THESE FOUR TIRES OCCURRED @ 34,917 MILES. ON 7/27/07 A DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT AND WAS REPLACED WHERE I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THEM. DRIVING OFF THE FREEWAY DAMAGED THE TIRE INTO TWO PIECES (SIDEWALL STILL ATTACHED TO RIM), SO DETERMINING WHAT CAUSED THE FLAT WAS FRUITLESS. NEXT SERVICE OCCURRED @ 41,640 MILES AND INCLUDED ROTATION AND ALIGNMENT. THEN ON 12/29/07, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WENT FLAT, ALTHOUGH THE TREAD LOOKED FINE WITH NO VISIBLE PUNCTURES. APPX THREE HOURS LATER, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WENT FLAT AND THIS TIME DAMAGE WAS VISIBLY SEEN ON OUTSIDE SIDEWALL OF TIRE. AGAIN, NO VISIBLE PUNCTURE ON TREAD. I STILL HAVE THIS TIRE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AUTOMATICALLY. THE VEHICLE CAN ONLY BE STOPPED BY BEING TURNED COMPLETELY OFF. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,600. UPDATED 03-19-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE DEFECT. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED PROBLEM HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. UPDATED 03/19/08 *TR

THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE HOUSING ON MY 2004.5 KIA SPECTRA EX CRACKED, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT NOT TO LATCH. *TR

2004 AND A HALF KIA SPECTRA HAD THE RECALL OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT DONE, #05V431000. THE LIGHT STILL COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY STILL. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE AIRBAG WILL STILL WORK IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. HAPPENS TOO MUCH. IS IT REALLY SAFE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 5/30/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM A STOP IT FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS IN NEUTRAL. UPDATED 05/30/08

WARNING LIGHT FOR AIRBAG ON THE SPEEDOMETER PANEL STAYS ON. DEALER AND KIA TECH FIRST REPLACED PASSENGER SEAT COVER AND DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BUCKLE BECAUSE THEY WERE SHORTED OUT. THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY THEN SAID THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE OF SOME FLUID SPILLED ON COMPUTER UNDER CUP HOLDERS IN THE CENTER COUNCIL. (WHY WOULD ANYONE PUT A LIQUID SENSITIVE PRODUCT UNDER A CUP HOLDER?) THEY STATED THAT PIN 3 ON THE COMPUTER CONNECTOR WAS SHORTED OUT. I THEN POINTED OUT THAT PIN 3 WAS A GROUND PIN. KIA HAS HAD MASSIVE FAILURES WITH THEIR EARLY AIRBAG SYSTEMS AND HAVE REFUSED TO FIX AN ITEM THAT WAS THE BASES FOR CHOOSING THEIR PRODUCT. KIA HAS SINCE INTRODUCED A NEW AIRBAG PRODUCT THAT SEEMS TO WORK FLAWLESSLY. THIS NEW PRODUCT SHOULD BE OFFERED AT NO EXPENSE TO THOSE OF US THAT WERE PROVIDED A INFERIOR AND UNSAFE PRODUCT. *TR

ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL FAILS TO TURN ON OCCASIONALY.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE AIR BAG CONTROLLER (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) IS LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE CUP HOLDERS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT LIQUID LEAKS OUT OF THE CUPS AND ONTO THE COMPUTER, WHICH CAUSED IT TO SHORT. CONDENSATION ALSO CAUSES THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE AIR BAG SYSTEM TO SHORT. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AT THE COST OF $800 AND NOW IT MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN DUE TO WATER ENTERING INTO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, THE TRANSMISSION LURCHES. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE COMPUTER IS NOT SENDING THE PROPER SIGNALS TO THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT GEARS. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNAWARE OF HOW TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 5/3/2006 - *NM *AK

2004 KIA SPECTRA ON 3/20/06 WAS IMPACTED ON PASSENGER SIDE WITHIN THE AREA OF FRONT AND REAR DOORS. THE IMPACT FORCED THE REAR OF MY CAR TO SLID AWAY FROM IMPACT AND COME IN CONTACT WITH A PICKUP TRUCK DAMAGING MY DRIVERS SIDE REAR QUARTER AND NOT ONE AIR BAG IN MY CAR DEPLOYED AND THERE ARE 8 AIR BAGS IN THIS MODEL CAR. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLING, IT IDLES LOW AND THEN REVS UP ON IT'S OWN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MAIN SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM RETURNED, AND THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. ALSO, TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL SENSOR AND THIS PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT OPERATE, UP OR DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE CABLE WAS UNHOOKED AND REPAIRED IT.

DT: THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND SHE RAN A STOP SIGN. SHE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

PROBLEMS BEGAN OCTOBER 15, 2005 DETAILS OF PROBLEMS: 03/25/05 - A/C VENTS BROKEN - DEALER REPLACED "NOZZLE ASSY - CTR AI" 10/15/05 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON - DEALER STATES 'HEATER CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION' REPLACED "02 SENSOR ASSY" AND RESET CODES 10/28/05 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND BATTERY WENT DEAD (I HAD IT JUMPED BY AAA)- DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM 10/28/05 - EMBLEM CRACKED ON STEERING WHEEL - DEALER STATES 'FLAW IN MATERIAL' REPLACED DRIVER SIDE SRS BAG 11/29/05 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON - DEALER STATES P0442 GAS CAP NOT SEALING & P0455 CANISTER NOT SEALING - DEALER REPLACES GAS CAP AND CANISTER, ALSO ORDERS NEW ECM 11/29/05 - DEALER RECALLED: SC053 REPROGRAM OCS SEAT CONTROL AND SC055 SPECTRA AIR BAG -DEALER REPLACES ITEMS FOR RECALL 01/03/06 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON - DEALER STATES 'LOGIC ERROR IN ECM - DEALER REPLACED ECM 01/11/06 -CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON - DEALER STATES 'POOR GROUND AT ECM' WAS INSTRUCTED BY TECH LINE TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS; DEALER REPAIRED GROUND AND REPLACED SPARK PLUGS 01/23/06 - ENGINE LIGHT IS ON - DEALER STATES PROBLEM AT ECM - KEPT CAR FOR REPAIRS 02/13/06 - DEALER STATES THAT SPECTRA CANNOT BE REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THEY ALSO STATE THAT ANOTHER CAR WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM HAS BEEN SENT BACK TO KOREA SO THAT THEY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. DEALER'S ESTIMATED TIME TO REPAIR MY CAR 2 MONTHS FROM NOW (HAS BEEN AT DEALER SINCE 01/23/06 - 20 DAYS) AS STATED BY KEITH EMMERMAN, KIA PALMDALE SERVICE MANAGER. MR. EMMERMAN ALSO STATED THAT I AM REQUIRED, AS THE SPECTRA OWNER, TO COME PICK UP MY CAR UN-REPAIRED AND DRIVE IT ANYWAY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN PALMDALE, THAT THE PROBLEM THE KIA IS HAVING IS IN THE COMPUTER. THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT AND WANT ME TO DRIVE IT ANY WAY. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR DIFFERENT PROBLEMS AND NOW 3 TIMES FOR THE ECM. NOW THEY WANT ME TO PICK UP THE CAR AND DRIVE IT EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT PESUMES THAT THE SPINDLE BROKE ON THE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE PULLED O THE LEFT. HE PULLED OVER, CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT SPINDLE WAS BROKEN. HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WITH HOPES OF BUYING A NEW SPINDLE. THE CAR CAME WITH DRUM BRAKES, AND WHEN THE DEALER LOOKED UP THE VIN THE COMPUTER SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH DISC BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIND A NEW SPINDLE FOR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE ISSUE.*AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - THE SPINDLE WAS PROVIDED BYTHE DEALER ON NOV 1, 2005. AFTER THAT DAY OTHER PARTS WERE NEEDED. *NM

I HAD NO INDICATION THAT MY SEAT BELT OR AIRBAG WERE FAULTY. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH I STRUCK A CAR THAT TURNED LEFT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. MY SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK AND I WAS LIFTED OUT OF THE SEAT AND HIT MY HEAD, SHOULDER, AND HIP ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR. THE AIRBAG DID NOT INFLATE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THE AIRBAG DIDN'T INFLATE CONSIDERING THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT. *JB

THERE WAS NO INDICATION PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT, I WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT AND HE WAS DRIVING. MY SEAT BELT LOCKED AND HIS DIDN'T ALLOWING HIM TO BE THROWN INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, THIS LEFT HIM WITH A SEVERELY BRUISED RIBCAGE. THE SEAT BELTS WERE BOTH REPLACED AS PART OF THE DAMAGES TO THE CAR. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS STANDARD PROCEDURE AFTER AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT OBVIOUSLY DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, AND I FEEL THAT IT SHOULD HAVE SINCE I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR A LITTLE LONGER THAN A YEAR. *NM

MY FIANCE'S BOUGHT A KIA SPECTRA.... I HAVE NOTICED FOR AWHILE THAT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ITS OK... GETTING TO AND COMING DOWN FROM FREEWAY SPEEDS HOWEVER IS A INTERESTING TIME... THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2-3 SECS. REVS AND DOESN'T SLAM BUT SEEMS TO EASE INTO GEAR THEN JERKS FORWARD... PASSING OTHER VEHICLES IS NOT DONE OFTEN DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. AND WHEN GETTING ON THE OFF RAMP THE MOTOR DOWN SHIFTS AND REVS. WAY TO HIGH THEN SAME AS BEFORE EASES INTO GEAR AND JERKS BACKWARDS. THEN WHILE ON CITY STREETS THE TRANSMISSION HAS A MUCH LARGER STALL BEFORE GETTING INTO GEAR 4-5 SECS. AND THIS TIME IS SLAMS INTO GEAR PRODUCING TORQUE STEER. I HAD HER TAKE IT IN AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. SO I NEVER FURTHER PERSUADE IT.. BECAUSE NOTHING WAS GOING TO BE DONE. HAVE WORKED AT A DEALERSHIP BEFORE. THEY DID HOWEVER SEE THAT THE SPEEDO WOULD FLIP OUT AND NOT WORK AT SIT AT 40 MPH AT A DEAD STOP THEN AS YOU GOT TO 20 MPH IT WOULD CLIMB INSANELY THEN SIT THERE THEY HAVE FIXED IT 3 TIMES AND THE THIRD SEEMED TO BE THE CHARM. SO I AM WONDERING IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ABOUT THERE TRANSMISSIONS. I DON'T REMEMBER WHEN EXACTLY WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 15K AND STILL HAPPENS TILL THIS DAY AT 58K. SO I DRIVE IT BECAUSE I WORRY FOR HER SAFETY AND MY SONS. *TR

SPEEDOMETER WILL OCCASIONALLY QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES WILL QUIT ALTOGETHER-OTHER TIMES WILL JERK AROUND-DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE ROCKS BACK AND FOURTH DUE TO THE SUSPENSION. AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE CONDITION WORSENS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED HOWEVER THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED WHO WENT BY WHAT THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED.

THE GEAR SHIFT SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT STRIKING A PARKED CAR. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS, NO INJURIES HOWEVER. IN OCTOBER OF 2004 THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE AS A TRUCK WAS APPROACHING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE CAR DID MOVE BY PUTTING GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRA AS THE DRIVER TRIED ANYTHING TO GET OUT OF THE WAYL. THIS CAR IS ON IT'S THIRD TRANSMISSION, WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON IT. *AK

MY COMPLAINT IS NOT A TRADITIONAL "FAILURE" AS YOU ARE ACCUSTOMED TO RECEIVING ON YOUR WEBSITE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT KIA HAS REDESIGNED THE AIRBAG MODULE IN THEIR NEWLY DESIGNED SPECTRA MODEL, AND DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE ANY PLANS FOR RETRO-FITTING THE NEW DESIGN TO SAME MODEL SPECTRAS MANUFACTURED BEFORE JAN 2005. THE NEW DESIGN WAS AN IMPROVEMENT TO ALLOW THE SPECTRA TO RAISE ITS "POOR" OFFSET IIHS FRONTAL CRASH RATING TO SOMETHING BETTER. THE NEW TESTS OF THE REDESIGNED MODULE UPGRADED OFFSET FRONTAL CRASH RESULTS TO "ACCEPTABLE". SMALLER VENTING HOLES IN THE AIRBAG ARE DESCRIBED AS THE PRIMARY CHANGE. IT IS STATED THAT THE TEST CAR WAS INDEED A 2004.5 MODEL RETROFITTED WITH THE NEW AIRBAG MODULE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IF KIA COULD RETROFIT AN 2004.5 MODEL AT TO OBTAIN A NEW TEST FROM IIHS, THEY SHOULD BE WILLING TO OFFER THAT MODULE UPGRADE FREE-OF-CHARGE TO PURCHASERS OF THE 2004.5 AND 2005 MODELS BUILT BEFORE JAN 2005. SEE THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE OF THE SPECIFIC IIHS DETAILS. === IIHS TEST WITH OLD AIRBAG DESIGN RESULTING IN A "POOR" RATING HTTP://WWW.HWYSAFETY.ORG/VEHICLE%5FRATINGS/CE/HTML/0417.HTM === IIHS TEST WITH NEW AIRBAG DESIGN RESULTING IN A "ACCEPTABLE" RATING: HTTP://WWW.HWYSAFETY.ORG/VEHICLE%5FRATINGS/CE/HTML/0502.HTM . *AK ===

KIA SPECTRA 2004, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEM OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *BF THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AT A LIGHT AND UPON THE LIGHT TURNING GREEN I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR AND MY TACHOMETER NEEDLE WENT UP TO 4 AND HIGHER UNTIL I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. UPON PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN IT DID THE SAME THING (IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC) AND I HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE GOING ABOUT 35 MPH AND BACK INTO DRIVE. MY KIA STILL DIDN'T WANT TO SHIFT SO I PUT IT BACK INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN AND PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL TO REV THE RPMS AND THEN PUT BACK INTO DRIVE AND IT DROVE OK. THIS HAPPENED A FEW MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR AND THE KIA DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN UNPREDICTABLY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE, SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

FRONT AIR BAG LIGHT DOESN'T CONSISTENTLY TURN ON WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM ACTIVATES AT APPROXIMATELY 125 POUNDS. THE CONSUMER AND PASSENGER ARE BOTH UNDERWEIGHT TO ACTIVATE THE SYSTEM. *TC *JB