2005 Kia Spectra Complaint Log

2005 KIA SPECTRA. CONSUMER STATES AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT *TGW THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. *JB UPDATED 12/08/10*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 07/20/10.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILED. AS A CONSEQUENCE IN A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS THE AIR BAG MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE ENTIRE AIR BAG CLUSTER UNDER THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR IS NOT SPECIFIED IN THE WARRANTY SO HE WOULD LIABLE TO PAY THE EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. SHE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TIE ROD SNAPPED. TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND EVERY TIME SHE MADE A TURN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,200.

I OWN A 2005 KIA SPECTRA AND WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IS SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE. MY PASSENGER AND I WERE BOTH WEARING OUR SEATBELTS AND ONLY HAD MINOR INJURIES BUT I'M VERY SURPRISED THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS DRIVING SOUTH AND A CAR IN THE NORTHBOUND LEFT TURN LANE TURNED IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT HER. THE MAJORITY OF THE DAMAGE IS ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE> THE HOOD CRUMPLED, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RADIATOR ARE CRACKED, THERE IS WHEEL AND AXLE DAMAGE AND THE ENGINE WON'T START. *TR

KIA AUTOMOBILES PLACES THE AIRBAG WIRING AND CIRCUITS INSIDE THEIR SEAT CUSHIONS WITHOUT PROPER INSULATION TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST ELECTRICAL "SHORTS" AND/OR FIRES. FOR A WHILE NOW, KIA OWNERS LIKE MYSELF HAVE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL SHORTS FOR THE AIRBAG(S), THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT IMPROPERLY INSULATES THE WIRING AND CIRCUITRY FOR THE AIRBAGS THAT IS STORED WITHIN THE SEAT CUSHION. EVEN SHOULD A MINOR BEVERAGE SPILL OCCUR ON THE CUSHION, OR THE OCCASIONAL SPILL THAT HAPPENS TO ALL DRIVERS/PASSENGERS FROM TIME TO TIME, KIA TELLS US THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CAUSING THE AIRBAG FAILURE BY VIRTUE OF THE SPILL. SHOULD WE GET INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT....IT'S OUR OWN FAULT...NOT KIA'S. I SAY THAT KIA.....NOT THE CONSUMER,,,IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPROPERLY INSULATING THEIR WIRING AND CIRCUITS AND PLACING THOSE WIRES AND CIRCUITS IN THE MOST ILLOGICAL PLACE WITHOUT PROPER INSULATION. HAD KIA TAKEN THE TIME, EFFORT AND EXPENSE TO ENGINEER A BETTER VEHICLE, AIRBAG FUNCTIONS WOULD CERTAINLY NOT BE SUSPECT. I SAY...RECALL THE KIAS TO BETTER INSULATE THE AIRBAG WIRING THAT IS INSIDE THE SEAT CUSHION...WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHOULD A SODA OR WATER SPILL ON A SEAT CUSHION JEOPARDIZE LIVES? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE EXITING A DRIVEWAY AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED WIRES HANGING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONNECTOR FROM THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO FAIL. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,145.

THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER GETS AIR IN IT IN COLD WEATHER BELOW -10 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT . IT HAPPENS ANYTIME IT GETS BELOW THIS TEMPERATURE. IT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO BE UNABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR. USUALLY THE DEALER BLEEDS THE CYLINDER AND IT IS FINE. COULD LEAVE THE DRIVER STRANDED OR UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT HAS HAPPENED EVERY WINTER SINCE 2005 AND USUALLY MORE THAN ONCE A WINTER. *TR

WHILE DRIVING A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD OUR 2005 KIA SPECTRA STEERING LOCKED UP AS IF THE CAR WAS IN PARK. A KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN VICTORVILLE WAS UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG AND THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO US. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE SAME EVENT HAPPENED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR WAS IN PARK. THE CAR WAS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY HOWEVER, THE SERVICE CENTER CLAIMED AN ADJUSTMENT WAS NEEDED WHICH WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WE PAID $240 TO HAVE THE ADJUSTMENT MADE. YESTERDAY, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AGAIN A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD NEARLY SENDING US OVER THE EDGE OF A CLIFF. PER THE KIA DEALER, VEHICLES THAT WERE MANUFACTURED ONE MONTH AFTER OUR VEHICLE'S PRODUCTION DATE HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME STEERING PROBLEMS BUT THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO OUR VEHICLE ONLY THOSE MANUFACTURED 30 DAYS AFTER THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF THIS PARTICULAR CAR. *TR

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 17000 MILES ON AND THE STRUTS SWAYBAR LINKAGE AND TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 17,500 AND AT 29,000 MILES JUST 12000 MILES THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP PROPERLY AND AFTER INVESTIGATION FOUND THE ROTORS AND PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND HIS SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN ON IMPACT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT FROM THE ANGLE THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48,000.

I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN MY TACHOMETER FOR NO EXPLAINABLE REASON SHOT UP OVER 7000 RPM'S CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE BEYOND THE BREAKING POINT AND CAUSING ME TO BE INVOLVED IN THREE SEPARATE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ALL WITHIN A TWO HOUR TIME PERIOD ON THE SAME DAY. TWO WEEKS EARLIER, MY CAR HAD DONE THE EXACT SAME THING SLOWING DOWN COMING AROUND A BEND CAUSING ME TO HIT A CEMENT BARRIER WHICH LUCKILY ONLY CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO MY DRIVER SIDE MIRROR AND WHEEL WELL. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AFTER THE THREE CONSECUTIVE ACCIDENTS WHERE THEY CLAIMED THE CAUSE OF THIS PHENOMENON WAS CAUSED ?BY MY FLOOR MAT BEING IN A BAD POSITION. AS A RESULT, I REMOVED THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR MAT ONLY TO HAVE THIS SAME UNEXPLAINABLE ACCELERATION HAPPEN TO ME AGAIN AT A RED LIGHT ACROSS FROM A VERY DANGEROUS INTERSECTION APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER. THIS TIME I HAD TO THROW THE CAR INTO PARK TO GET IT TO STOP BEFORE COMPLETELY ENTERING THE INTERSECTION. EVEN AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE TACHOMETER CONTINUED TO RACE ABOVE 7000 RPM?S FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 MORE SECONDS BEFORE LEVELING BACK OFF. THIS TIME NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I HAD MY CAR TOWED BACK TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHO HAS NOW HAD IT IN THEIR POSSESSION FOR OVER FIVE DAYS NOW. IN MY OPINION, THE 2004 - 2005 KIA SPECTRA IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND IS ONE EPISODE AWAY FROM BECOMING A VERY TRAGIC ACCIDENT FOR SOMEONE. LET ME STATE THAT IN OVER 24 YEARS OF DRIVING, I HAVE NEVER BEEN SITED FOR A MAJOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AND HAVE HAD A PERFECTLY CLEAN DRIVING RECORD FOR OVER TEN YEARS BEFORE ALL OF THIS. I URGE ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR KIA SPECTRA'S TO PLEASE POST THEIR EXPERIENCES ON THIS WEBSITE SO OTHERS MAY BE WARNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE VEHICLE PULLING DRASTICALLY TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIE RODS WERE FAULTY AND THE TIRES WOULD NOT WEAR. SHE STATED THAT THE TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED EVERY 3,000 MILES FOR THE LAST 46,000 MILES ON HER VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2005 KIA SPECTRA, WHICH WAS IDENTICAL TO THE FAILURE SHE WAS EXPERIENCING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V183000 (STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT EVERY 20,000 MILES THE TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE TIRE LIFE STATES THAT THIS SHOULD OCCUR EVERY 60,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,250.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. AFTER ACTIVATION, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WOULD DISENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. ON ONE OCCURRENCE, THE LIGHTER DISENGAGED, LANDED INSIDE A TRASH BAG, AND CAUGHT FIRE. AS OF NOVEMBER 27, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

2005 KIA SPECTRA HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. SEVERAL KIA MECHANICS AT VARIOUS KIA DEALERSHIPS (BANNER, PAT PECK, AND KIA OF SLIDELL) SAY PERFORMANCE IS NORMAL, BUT IT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR ON THE HIGHWAY, ALMOST PUTTING OUR FAMILY IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS, BECAUSE IT SCARES US SO MUCH. OUR FAMILY LOVES THE SPECTRA, AND TAKES VERY GOOD CARE OF IT, BUT THIS UNSAFE CONDITION HAS MADE ANYONE WE KNOW FEARFUL TO RIDE IN IT, WHEN THEY FEEL IT BUCKING IN AND OUT OF GEAR, ON THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE CONVINCE KIA TO STAND BEHIND THIS CAR, AND REPAIR IT TO THE CONDITION WE WERE PROMISED - THANK YOU. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS, FROM WHAT WE REMEMBER, AND VARIOUS TIMES KIA SERVICE PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT THIS IS JUST THE WAY THE SPECTRA IS - THE LAST VISIT, THEY CONVINCED US TO FLUSH ALL OF THE FLUIDS, TO TAKE CARE OF ANY ISSUES, ONCE AND FOR ALL, AND NOW IT IS WORSE THAN EVER. WE ARE COMPLAINING TO YOU NOW BECAUSE IT HAS BECOME ALMOST UNUSABLE FOR OTHER THAN GOING AROUND THE SUBDIVISION. SOME CHAT BOARDS SAY THE 2005 HAS A FAULTY TCM (CONTROL MODULE), BUT KIA HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT TO US, AND SAID THE REPROGRAMMING TOOK CARE OF IT (THIS DID NOT). *TR

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, STALLING, AIR BAG LIGHT AND EVEN CAR SHUT OFF ON THE FREEWAY. AFTER ONLY TWO WEEKS THE CAR STARTED WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS; THE RIGHT HEAD LAMP KEPT BURNING, THE CAR WAS AT THE SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS FOR REPAIR. ON 5/24/06 THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR ELECTRIC PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT, THERE WAS ALREADY A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND THE REPAIR WAS DONE TO IT. ON 08/15/06 THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE PROBLEMS, THE CAR HAD PREVIOUSLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY, HAD A STALLING PROBLEM, THE RADIO WOULD SCAN BACK AND FORWARD FOR A STATION BY IT-SELF WHEN THE A/C OR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT CAME TO USE, ALSO THE BATTERY WENT DEAD. THE CAR WAS AT THE SHOP FOR TWO DAYS AND MANY REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, UNFORTUNATELY THIS TIME THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A WRITTEN REPAIR DESCRIPTION, (BUT I HAVE A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT INVOICE). NOW, 03/02/2007 AND WITH 27700 MILES THE CAR STARTED TO PRODUCE ALL THE ABOVE PROBLEMS AND I WILL TAKE THE CAR FOR A 4TH REPAIR ON MONDAY 03/05/2007. I ALREADY CALLED KIA'S CONSUMER SERVICE 800-333-4542 TO REQUEST A LEMON EXCHANGE OR REFUND. *JB

VEHICLE: 2005 KIA SPECTRA 5 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN COMING TO A STOP (WITH FOOT OFF OF GAS PEDAL BUT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL), ENGINE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT I NOTICED THIS HAPPENED. I QUICKLY PUSHED DOWN STRONGLY ON THE BRAKE AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE ENGINE DECELERATED ON IT'S OWN WITHIN ABOUT 5-10 SECS. *NM

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON JAN. 25, 2007 AND MY FRONT END WAS DAMAGED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I NOW HAVE A SLIPPED DISK IN MY NECK DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. KIA REFUSED TO TELL ME WHY IT DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

MY WIFE'S KIA AND MANY OF THE OTHER CARS AND TRUCKS I SEE ON THE ROAD HAVE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME THE PLASTIC BECOMES MILKY AND THE LIGHT EMITTED IS NOT ENOUGH TO SEE. I THINK THE MANUFACTURES SHOULD BE FORCED TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMP HOUSINGS FOR SAFETY REASONS. IF THEY WOULD HAVE MADE THEM OUT OF GLASS LIKE THE ONES ON MY JEEP THERE WOULD BE NO PROBLEM. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. UPDATED 1/10/2007 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL FOUR TIMES SMASHING ALL FOUR CORNERS OF THE VEHICLE. ALL SIX AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO ANY OCCUPANTS.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE THE PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER THE AIRBAG WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SEAT AND THE WIRING HARNESS. THE PASSENGER WEIGHED 177 LBS.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL, AND HIT A TREE. THE HATCH WAS CRUSHED AND THE FRONT END WAS TORN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT USED THE BRAKE AS A BACK UP BRAKE WHILE DRIVING, BUT IT DOES NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT TAKEN. UPDATED 12/1/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER THREE TIMES BUT THE SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. ONE YEAR AGO, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. EXACTLY ONE YEAR AFTER REPLACING THE BUCKLE, IT HAS DETACHED AGAIN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 20,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,424.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES INDICATING THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE WAY THE PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND OFFERED NO REPAIRS. UPDATED 06/30/06. *JB

INFREQUENTLY, WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE, THE RPM'S WILL GO UP TO THE 7 OR 8,000 RANGE, AND I CANNOT SUCCESSFULLY STOP THE CAR; I HAVE HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PUT THE CAR IN PARK IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP. ONE TIME I WENT THROUGHT THE INTERSECTION OF A STOP SIGN, FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS PRESENT. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS , THE ENGINE HESITATED BUT DID NOT STALL. ALSO THE ENGINE RPM RAPIDLY INCREASED, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON CITY ROADS OR STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM

2005 SPECTRA FRONT END MAKES A RATTLING NOISE IN THE FRONT END THAT COULD BE HEARD INSIDE THE HOUSE WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. *TS THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN RECTIFIED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT STRUTS, INSULATORS, PADS AND FLANGE SELF-LOCKING UNIT. THE LEFT FRONT STRUT NUT WAS CROSSED-THREADED, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO FIND THE RATTLE. UPDATED 09/13/06. *JB

WE OWN A KIA SPECTRA 05 , WE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT NOT GOING OUT WHEN THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. WE BROUGHT IN THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IT AS "REFLASHED". BUT THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT IN MARCH WHERE OUR CAR WAS BROADSIDED BY AN SUV AT THE SPEED OF AT LEAST 40 MPH. MY WIFE WAS STUCK IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO EXTRACT HER WITH THE JAWS OF LIFE AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE FIRE CHIEF WAS VERY UPSET THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE CONTACTED KIA NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO LOOK INTO WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE SENT PICTURES OF THE CAR AND A POLICE REPORT. THEIR RESPONSE WAS VERY POOR. IT STATED THAT FROM THE EVIDENCE, WE WERE HIT BEHIND THE FRONT WHEEL WELL AND IN FRONT OF THE DOOR HANDLE.( THE FRONT OF A SUV IS LARGER THAN THE AREA THEY CLAIM WAS DAMAGED.) SO THE B PILLAR SENSORS WERE NOT ACTIVATED. THE GARAGE THAT TOWED OUR VEHICLE CLEARLY STATES THAT THE B PILLAR WAS SMASHED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED OUR CAR. DAMAGE WAS IN EXCESS OF $10,000. MY WIFE'S HIP WAS DISLOCATED AND SHE WAS BRUISED ON THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF HER BODY. OUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN DENIED TWICE BY KIA. THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NO PROOF THAT THE SENSOR WORKED OR DID NOT WORK. *NM

WE WERE BROADSIDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE CONTACTED KIA AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS NOT ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. MY WIFE HAD TO BE EXTRACTED BY THE JAWS OF LIFE. WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSOR LIGHT NO GOING OFF WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT. WE HAD IT BROUGHT IN AND THEY DID THE RECALL. BUT THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROOF THAT THEY DID OR DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. KIA COVERS THEMSELVES BY STATING THAT NOT ALL ACCIDENTS WILL DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. *NM

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

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AT VARIOUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING WITH AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES IN THE 5 MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED IT. THEY HAVE CHECKED CONNECTIONS ETC. AND SAID THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I MET WITH THE KIA REP LAST WEEK AND HE SAID HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM IN A SPECTRA. THEY ARE REPLACING THE SEAT BOTTOM NOW TO SEE IF THIS HELPS. THEY IMPLIED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY BECAUSE THE PASSENGER WAS LARGE AND THEIR WEIGHT WAS RESTING ON THE OUTER EDGE OF THE SEAT AND NOT PLACING ENOUGH WEIGHT ON THE GEL PAD IN THE CENTER OF THE SEAT. *NM

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.

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

THE POWER TRAIN IN MY CAR SHIFTS VERY HARD AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OUT OF THE CAR. HAVE HAD THE CAR IN TO BE FIXED BY THE DEALER TWICE AND TOMORROW WILL BE THE THIRD TIME. *NM

VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 70 MILES BEFORE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILED, 1400 MILES BEFORE I DETERMINED THE STALLING PROBLEM WAS NOT OPERATOR ERROR, AND ABOUT 90 DAYS BEFORE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND FINDING A SHAKE IN THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE SELLING DEALER 20 TIMES WITH THE AIRBAG PROBLEM AND STEERING SHAKE UN-REPAIRED. SC0055 ON THE AIRBAG ISSUE, REPROGRAMMING THE SENSOR(S) AND REPLACING THE SEAT BOTTOM HAS NOT ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM OR FAILURES. 7 NEW TIRES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AND BALANCED, TO INCLUDE ROAD-FORCE BALANCING 3 TIMES WITHOUT CORRECTING THE SHAKE IN THE STEERING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TEST DRIVEN HUNDREDS OF MILES AT THE DEALERS REQUEST. *JB

WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON AT ANY GIVEN TIME . EVEN AFTER THE AIR BAG RECALLS WERE PERFORMED ON IT. REGARDLESS OF WEIGHT. IT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON. WE HAVE COMPLAINED AND SAID THERE CAN BE NOTHING DONE UNLESS YOU BRING IT IN WHILE PASSENGER IS SITTING IN SIT AN AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. *NM

I PURCHASED MY KIA SPECTRA ON 8/26/05 AND BY THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER THERE WAS A GRINDING, RUBBING NOISE THAT COULD BE HEARD IN THE STEERING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. SHORTLY AFTER THIS NOISE STARTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. I HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT, JEFFREY KIA IN ROSEVILLE, MICHIGAN. INITIALLY FOR THE FIRST WEEK TO WEEK AND A HALF THEY WOULD NOT RESPOND TO EMAILS OR PHONE MESSAGES. WHEN I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE IN THE SERVICE DESK PERSON CLAIMED THE SERVICE TECHS HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DETERMINING WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS HEARD SEVERAL OTHERS VERY CLEARLY. FINALLY AFTER KEEPING MY CAR FOR AN ENTIRE DAY THEY DECIDED IT NEEDED A NEW STEERING ASSEMBLY - SUPPOSEDLY JUST BECAUSE A BUSHING WAS BAD. THEY NEVER GAVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER AS TO WHY THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED IF ONLY A BUSHING WAS BAD. THEY ALSO DETERMINED THE 02 SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THERE IS A RECALL ON MY MAKE VEHICLE BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE AS IT WAS ASSEMBLED AFTER THE RECALL PERIOD. I STRONGLY SUSPECT THEY KNOW MY VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT IS WHY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER, 2 DAYS AFTER PICKING UP MY VEHICLE I AM AGAIN HEARING THE SAME GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND ESPECIALLY DURING TIGHT TURNS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT OF JEFFREY KIA AND THEY REFUSE TO RETURN MY CALLS. I AM ATTEMPTING TO GO TO ANOTHER DEALER. *NM

I HAVE A 2005 KIA SPECTRA, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAS A FEATURE THAT MEASURES THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER AND TURNS ON OR OFF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. TWICE NOW WITH A FULL SIZED ADULT SITTING CORRECTLY IN THE SEAT THE AIR BAG WOULD TURN OFF FOR NO REASON. BOTH TIMES IT HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OR IN CITY TRAFFIC...THE AIR BAG REMAINED OFF FOR AROUND 5-10 MIN WHEN IT JUST WOULD TURN BACK ON. THERE WAS NO CAUSE THAT WE COULD SEE FOR IT TO JUST TURN OFF AND ON. DURING THAT TIME, IF WE WOULD HAVE CRASHED THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. *JB

WINDOW CONTROLS WOULD NOT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A KIA DEALER WHO REFUSED TO DO REPAIRS, STATING THEY ONLY DO OIL CHANGES ON WEEKENDS. DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE RENTAL CAR FOR REPAIRS TO BE MADE DURING THE WEEK. AT THIS TIME, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. REPAIRS WERE NEVER MADE. AS OF 5/5/2014 WINDOWS WILL ONLY OPEN OCCASIONALLY. *TR

I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 KIA SPECTRA 5 (LESS THAN A MONTH AGO) WITH AIRBAG SENSORS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYED ON WITH AN ADULT SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR REPAIRS. THE FIRST TIME, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG (AND THAT THE PERSON MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SITTING PROPERLY IN THE FRONT SEAT). THE SECOND TIME, AFTER STATING THAT I WAS NOT LEAVING UNTIL SOMETHING WAS DONE, THE SEAT WAS REMOVED AND SENT OUT FOR REPAIRS. WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK THREE DAYS LATER, NOTHING HAD BEEN FIXED. WHILE MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP, I WAS GIVEN A KIA SPECTRA AS A RENTAL CAR. THE RENTAL CAR EXHIBITED THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD RED TURNED OFF REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. WHEN AT THE DEALER THE AIR BAG LIGHT RED CORRECTLY, THEREFORE NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK

I PURCHASED A 2005 KIA SPECTRA EX ON JULY 11, 2005 AND HAVE ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY "ADVANCED" PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM. AS OTHER POSTERS HAVE STATED, THE LIGHT HAS COME ON WHILE DRIVING WHEN A PERSON OF PROPER STATURE IS IN THE SEAT AND STAYS OFF FOR VARYING AMOUNTS OF TIME. I LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS THANKFULLY WE HAVE THE LEMON LAW HERE THAT ALLOWS YOU SOME PROTECTION FOR DEFECTS OF THIS NATURE. TOMORROW MY CAR GOES IN FOR THE FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT AND IF IT IS NOT FIXED, IT WILL BE CLASSIFIED AS LEMON, ALLOWING ME A REFUND OR REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR THIS PROBLEM 4 TIMES AND STILL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN, THE SYSTEM WAS RE-PROGRAMMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED. THIS REPROGRAMMING DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A LARGER ISSUE AT HAND. IF ANYONE ELSE HAS GOTTEN TO THIS POINT, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT SWEETCLR@YAHOO.COM. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS A SEAT SENSOR AND IT SHOULD TURN THE AIR BAG ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE PASSENGER IS AN ADULT MALE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEREFORE, THERE HAVE BEEN NO CORRECTIONS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. *NM UPDATED 11/29/2005 - THE FAILURE OCCURS EACH TIME THE MALE PASSENGER SAT IN THE SEAT. *NM

I OWN A SPECTRA 5. I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THE CAR IN MOST EVERY ASPECT, BUT THE FRONT SPOILER IS NOT SECURED TO THE CAR PROPERLY. I TAPPED IT ON A PARKING CURB ONCE, AND NOW IT'S COMPLETELY FALLING OFF. MY KIA DEALER COULDN'T FIX IT AND SAID I NEEDED TO GO TO THE BODY SHOP. I WENT TO A KIA BODY SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE MORE THAN $700 TO FIX AND THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE NEXT TIME IT CAUGHT ON A PARKING CURB OR LOW DIP IN THE ROAD IT WOULDN'T FALL OFF AGAIN. I AM NOT PREPARED TO PAY $700 TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT WAS DESIGNED TO BE THAT LOW TO THE GROUND BUT IS NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE SOME MINOR IMPACT AS IT WAS BOUND TO EXPERIENCE. ALMOST ALL ROADS HAVE SOME DEFECTS THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS SPOILER TO HIT THE GROUND AND MANY CAR PARKS HAVE SPEED BUMPS AND ENTRANCES TO DRIVEWAYS HAVE DIPS THAT THIS WILL MOST CERTAINLY CATCH ON AGAIN. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REMOVE FROM THE CAR UNTIL KIA CAN MAKE STURDY ENOUGH TO HANDLE NORMAL USE. *NM

CAR HAS SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT TO DISABLE PASSENGER AIR BAG. AIR BAG DISABLE LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHEN ADULT SITTING IN SEAT. SEAT CUSHION AND SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY DEALOR BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. CONTACTED KIA DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NO FIX. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL ACCIDENT AND TBHE PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY. FROM MY RESEARCH I FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NOT UNIQUE TO MY VEHICLE. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS DID NOT CLICK AND LATCH INTO THEIR BUCKLES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE REAR SEAT BELT WERE NEVER PREVIOUSLY OPERATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF UPDATED 05/14/12

WE BOUGHT A KIA SPECTRA 5 ON 06/18/2005, A 2005 MODEL. ON 06/19/05 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT (WE WERE THE FIRST OWNERS, LESS THAN 100 MILES) OUR KIA DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CAR AFTER TWO WEEKS OF TRYING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, ON 07/27/05, MY HUSBAND STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND TURNED RIGHT, THE CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE TURN (HUSBAND SAID NOTHING ON THE CAR WOULD WORK, STEERING FROZE AND BRAKES FAILED) HE THEN RAN UP ON A CURVE CAR SUSTAINED OVER 2800.00 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO UNDERCARRIAGE, WHEELS, DRIVE SHAFT ETC. HUSBAND SUFFERED BRUISES AND CONCUSSION ( I AM AN RN HE DID NOT SEE PHYSICIAN) REPORTED TO INSURANCE CO, INSURANCE APPRAISER ALSO AWARE OF CIRCUMSTANCES AND DEALER NOTIFIED, NOTHING WAS DONE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

SLIGHTEST CONTACT WITH MOST DRIVEWAYS LOOSENS FRONT SPOILER TO THE POINT OF DETACHING FROM VEHICLE. FRONT SPOILER IS TOO LOW TO AVOID THIS TYPE OF DAMGE AND THE SPOILER IS HELD ONTO THE VEHICLE WITH DOUBLESIDED TAPE, 8 POP-OUT BRACKETS AND 2 SCREWS. PARTS BECOME LOOSE OVER TIME.

DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO STEER THE CAR TO THE RIGHT IT CONTINUED TO GO TO THE LEFT. APPROXIMATELY FOUR HOURS PRIOR TO THIS THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE WITH VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR WENT IN TO A GUARD RAIL ON SOUTHBOUND 14 FREEWAY IN PALMDALE, CA. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. ONLY THE PASSENGER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE REMAINED. . WHEN THE CAR HIT THE GUARD RAIL, IT WAS THROWN TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FREEWAY, THEN HIT THE OTHER GUARD RAIL. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND BRUISES. THERE WAS ALSO A POLICE REPORT.*AK