NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 Kia Spectra. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
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 are no codes present I cannot replicate the issue without possibly damaging components further and I already replaced the battery, plugs, IAC valve, MAF sensor, and oil to try to remedy this problem. From reading other’s comments about this same problem I do not want to keep pouring money into a problem that KIA itself seems unable, and unwilling, to fix. This is extremely frustrating and dangerous as occasionally the vehicle loses all power on the highway at speeds exceeding 55mph and I feel an accident is inevitable. I’m not financially well off enough to just eat the cost of this vehicle and get a new (used) vehicle though so KIA has really put me (AND OTHER DRIVERS) in a difficult and dangerous position. As others have stated from mechanics who have tried to diagnose this issue, there may be a serious issue with the EVAP system including, but not limited to, the charcoal canister and purge valve. I will try replacing the fuel filter in the gas tank but I do not have high hopes that this will fix this problem. Once again, there are no codes present before or after these stalling/power loss problems and live data from and OBD2 scanner is within parameters for this vehicle and it’s age. I need to report this now so everyone, ESPECIALLY KIA, is aware of this issue and information.
Passenger Air bag sensor light has come on and stayed on. Took to AutoZone and have them put it on the code reader and said it was something faulty in the sensor mat under the seat.
I was drive my 2007 Kia Spectra EX in Bakersfield, CA. All of a sudden I parked my car at the gas station, I filled the car up, and I tried putting the transmission into drive but the car would not go forward. I went and searched why the car would not go forward, and I found out other Kia Spectra owners had the same problem. Is there any way to make Kia recall those cars and replace or repair the transmissions under a national recall.
I first noticed my air bag light (the one by the clock) coming on and off when my granddaughters weight went from under weight to appropriate weight to ride in the front seat. It would come on and off as she would adjust herself or move around in the seat. Sometimes it would stay on or sometimes it would stay off. When that light stopped coming on and off the one in the dash console where the speedometer is, that light has been coming on and staying on warning there's a problem with the airbag according to the manual. I entered my VIN number because I know Kia has had problems with some of there airbags but my VIN number was not listed. I did go by an auto parts house to make sure that was indeed the airbag warning light and I was told that the airbag may or maynot go off in a cash or it could go off at anytime. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS if I was told correctly and felt that this needed to be looked into further. Thank You
I WAS SHOPPING AT THE GROCERY STORE AND AS I AM BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY VERY STIFF AS I CUT THE WHEEL TO POSITION MY CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FORWARD, BUT WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY RESISTANT TO THE POINT THAT I ACTUALLY HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO RIGHT OR LEFT TO MAKE MY TURN.ON 3/10/2020, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND AT FIRST I WAS TOLD I NEED THE BELTS FOR A/C, ALT AND PS, REPLACED WHICH I AUTHORIZE AND PAID $171.60 TAX INCLUDED. ON 3/26/2020 I HAD TO RETURN MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC DUE TO SAME HARD TO STEER PROBLEM. I WAS THEN TOLD I NEEDED TO HAVE MY POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED WHICH I AUTHORIZED AND PAID $353.93 TAX INCL. NEXT ON 4/7/20 THE SAME PROBLEM OF STEERING HAPPENED. I TOOK IT BACK TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A RACK AND PINION (P/S RACK), AT A COST OF $848.63 TOTAL, WHICH I PAID. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON 7/14/202 AND 8/17/2020 AND 9/16/2020. I WAS NOT CHARGED THE LAST THREE DATES OF REPAIR. I RECENTLY GOOGLE SEARCHED FOR RECALLS AND SAW THAT THE 2007 KIA SPECTRE HAD INDEED BEEN RECALLED. I CALLED 800-333-4542 AND WAS TOLD MY VIN NUM SHOWS NO SERVICE CAMPAIGN. I CONTEST THEIR FINDINGS I WOULD LIKE MY COMPLAINT TO BE INVESTIGATED. I AM ALSO REQUESTING A TOTAL REIMBURSEMENT OF $1374.16. THANK YOU, [XXX]. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *CC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA5. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS LOOKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A RUSTED METAL PIECE DRAGGING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V256000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000. *AS *TR
THE 2007 KIA SPECTRA WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MAJOR IMPACT. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE KIA HIT ANOTHER CAR AND HAD MAJOR DAMAGES.
THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE TUBING THAT CARRIES THE FLUID BURST AND THE OIL SPLATTERED ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND CAUSED A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN A MAJOR ROUTE ROAD LEADING TO THE HIGHWAY
PASSENGER SIDE OCS SENSOR FAILING.
FUEL TANK STRAPS HAVE RUSTED AND ONE FELL OFF. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2007 KIA SPECTRA 5 BUT I AM TOLD THAT MY 2007 MODEL BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED. KIA WILL NOT REPAIR.
WHEN STOPPED (FOR EXAMPLE AT A STOP SIGN), WITH THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE ENGINE WILL SOMETIMES GO FROM "IDLE" TO A HIGHER SPEED (IT ACCELERATES). MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME AND THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. (I KNOW BECAUSE I LOOKED.)
PASSENGER AIR BAG COMMUNICATION ERROR. B1449 AIRBAG CODE. IT WILL NOT SHUT OFF. I AM UNABLE TO GET STATE INSPECTION. 8/29/17
BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AT APARTMENT COMPLEX AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF AND SHATTERED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD
DOOR LOCKS GO HAYWIRE OPENING AND CLOSING WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING OR WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. HAD TO BREAK THE LOCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. NOW I HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND STICK MY ARM OUT OF IT, OPEN THE LATCH AND ROLL THE WINDOW BACK UP IN ORDER TO ORDER TO EXIT THE CAR. PASSENGER SIDE IS PERMANENTLY LOCKED ALSO. YOU CAN'T EVEN USE A KEY TO OPEN IT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD!
THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE GONE HAYWIRE. THEY CLICK ON AND OFF AUTOMATICALLY WHETHER YOU ARE DRIVING OR IF THE ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. HAD TO BREAK THE LOCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN ORDER TO EXIT THE CAR. PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT OPEN AS WELL EVEN VIA USING A KEY IN THE DOOR LOCK. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD! CONTACTED KIA A MONTH AGO, THEY NEVER GOT BACK TO ME. I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET WHERE OTHER KIA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
VEHICLE WILL STALL AFTER GAS TANK IS FILLED. GAS FUMES CAN BE SMELLED. CAR CAN STALL WHILE IDLING OR AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. WHEN IT STALLS POWER STEERING IS LOST, POSING A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. THE KIA DEALERSHIP TRIED TO TELL ME IT WAS MY FAULT - THAT I OVER FILLED THE GAS TANK. FROM 30 OTHER REPORTS I FOUND ON LINE, THE TANK ORVR IS NOT SEALING COMPLETELY AND IT ALLOWS FUEL TO SEEP INTO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND VACUUMED ALL THE WYA TO THE INTAKE VIA THE PURGE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE. DEALERSHIP'S THIRD ATTEMPT AT A REPAIR INCLUDES: REPLACING FUEL TANK, EVAP CANISTER, VENT SOLENOID, PURGE FLOW SOLENOID, AND CANISTER FILTER, WITH PARTS AND LABOR TOTALING OVER $1000. I HAVE EMAILED AND CALLED KIA HEADQUARTERS BUT THEY WILL DO NOTHING. HOW CAN SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM - A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE - AND KIA JUST IGNORES IT. SAYS ALOT ABOUT A COMPANY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT PRESSURE SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG REMAINED ILLUMINATED, EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRAGGING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
2007 KIA SPECTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT/REPAIRS OF DAMAGED VEHICLE SEAT BELTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD T PAY $500 TO GET THE REAR SEAT BELT REPLACED. *JB
OWNER OF THE 2007 KIA SPECTRA BROUGHT THE CAR TO ME TO HAVE TO LOOKED AT DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON. UPON SCANNING THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR THE SRS SYSTEM CODED B1448 WHICH IS THE PASSENGER SIDE OCS MAT SENSOR FAILING. THIS PART SHOULD BE UNDER A RECALL DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES FOR THE PASSENGER RIDING IN THE CAR
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.
THE CAR DOORS LOCK RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING, WHILE PARKED, EVEN IN PARK WITH THE CAR RUNNING--I GOT LOCKED OUT WITH THE CAR RUNNING FOR OVER 2 HOURS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. I HAVE LEARNED TO HAVE A WINDOW OPEN IF I EXIT THE CAR WHILE IT IS RUNNING OR TO MAKE SURE THE KEYS ARE IN MY HANDS ANY TIME I EXIT THE CAR. THEY ALSO LOCK AND UNLOCK REPEATEDLY WHEN I AM TRYING TO UNLOCK THE DOORS TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. WITH SO MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, WHY IS THIS NOT BEING ADDRESSED?
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AT AROUND 84,000 MILES AND THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" NO LONGER ILLUMINATES. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING SHOWS A CODE B1448 INDICATING THAT THE OCS, PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE ITEM TO REPLACE, AND IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED REPEATEDLY. BECAUSE IT HAS TO DO WITH PASSENGER SAFETY, I FEEL THIS ITEM SHOULD BE RECALLED AND COVERED BY KIA.
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON INDICATING A FAULT IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE PASSENGER SEAT OCS MAT SENSOR MAY BE DEFECTIVE. AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK IN ACCIDENT.
ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO OR MORE, THE VEHICLE STARTED LOCKING WHENEVER IT WANTED TO, SO I HAVE TO WEAR THE KEYS AROUND MY NECK ON A LANYARD. NOW, ABOUT 4 WEEKS AGO, THE VEHICLE STARTED NOT LETTING ME OUT OF THE CAR. THE DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON DOES NOT RELEASE THE MECHANISM. THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THE DRIVER SEAT IS TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW, OPEN THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE BY REACHING MY ARM THROUGH THE OPEN WINDOW, OPENING THE DOOR, ROLLING UP THE WINDOW AND TURNING THE CAR OFF. WERE I TO GO OFF THE ROAD INTO A BODY OF WATER, I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. IN READING ON THE INTERNET, I SEE THIS AS A PROBLEM WITH KIA OPTIMA MODELS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DETAILS OF THE DIAGNOSIS COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.
THE KIA SPECTRA 2007 ENGINE STALLS AFTER REFILLING. I DID NOT 'TOP IT OFF' AT THE GAS STATION, IT WAS SIMPLY FILLED UP BY THE CLICKING OF THE FUEL PUMP. THE CAR STALLED THREE TIMES (ALL ENGINE LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS SUDDENLY TURNED ON), WHEEL HAD WEAK CONTROL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, DRIVING HOME (ROUGHLY 3 MILE RANGE). FORTUNATELY, I WAS AT THE LIGHT EVERY TIME (WITH PEOPLE BEHIND ME). IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING 60 MILES PER HOUR, I PROBABLY WOULD'VE DIED, UNAWARE OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. I TURNED ON MY VEHICLE WARNING LIGHT IMMEDIATELY, AND THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO GET AROUND ME. I JUST TOOK SOME TIME TO RESEARCH THIS, AND APPARENTLY IT'S HAPPENING TO A BUNCH OF OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL. HERE'S A YOUTUBE VIDEO DOCUMENTING WHAT HAPPENS, YOU BASICALLY LOSE CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=KDMJJ_KQGDU HERE'S A LIST OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2007/KIA/SPECTRA/FUEL+SYSTEM THE CAR IS NOW A DEATH TRAP FOR ME, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START SINCE DRIVING ANYWHERE COULD POTENTIALLY GET ME KILLED.
BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN THE SEATS THE AIRBAGS DO NOT OPERATE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE SEATS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1400 PER SEAT.
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH ALONG WITH THE "PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF" LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON DURING A 1 HOUR TRIP AS WE WERE MOVING TO OUR NEW APARTMENT. LUCKILY WE DID NOT HAVE VERY FAR TO MOVE WHEN THIS SUDDEN SAFETY HAZARD AROSE AS WE COULD NOT MOVE A PASSENGER TO THE BACK SEAT. THE SENSOR DID NOT RECOGNIZE MY WIFE AT A LITTLE OVER 110 LBS. NOR MYSELF AT OVER 175 LBS. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP, WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE OCS MAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH A COST OF AROUND $1100 FOR PARTS AND $230 FOR THE LABOR. IT TOOK ABOUT A WEEK TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
EACH TIME AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK, THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY DIE. AFTER A COMPLETE FILL UP, IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES FOR THE PROBLEM TO ABATE. THROUGH SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, I FIND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE. IT'S A DEFINITE SAFETY CONCERN. THE CAR CAN DIE AT ANY SPEED, ANY TIME AND ANY DRIVING CONDITION. THIS CAR WAS GIVEN TO ME. I KNOW THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD IT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I WANT TO KNOW IF IT CAN BE FIXED. I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE MY CAR DIE WHILE IN TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY.
WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISON ON PASSENGER SIDE BROKE WINDSSHIED RIPPED THE. WINDSHIELD FRAME ON PASSANER SIDE UP WHICH DAMAGED FRAME ON PASSANGER DOOR SIDE MIRROR ON OUTSIDE DESTROYED AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE CONTANTMENT DAMAGED WHAT I AM REALLY UPSET ABOUT IS THAT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ALL THAT HAPPENED WAS THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CONDAINMENT JUST BROKE SLIGHTLY OPENED MY GRANDSON WAS IN THAT SEAT HE WAS LUCKY HIS HEAD DID NOT GO THROUGH WINDSHIELD WHAT SAVED HIM WAS SAFTEY BELT HOWEVER THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR IS 4000 AND THE BIGGEST EXPENSE IS HAVING TO REPLACE AIR BAGS WHICH ARE DEFECTIVE AND THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT THIS IS TOTALLY A MAJOR PROBLEM.
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 INFORMATION: ERROR CODE P0750 SHIFT SOLENOID; ERROR CODE P0755 SHIFT SOLENOID B; ERROR CODE P0760 SHIFT SOLENOID C; ERROR CODE P0765 SHIFT SOLENOID D. WAS GIVEN PRICE QUOTE TO FIX, BUT ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT KIA DEALERSHIP ABOUT PROBLEM AS THEY HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE ON OTHER SIMILAR KIA SPECTRAS. CALLED DEALERSHIP TO INFORM THEM OF PROBLEM. LEFT MESSAGE, BUT NEVER GOT A RETURN CALL; AND THE ONE TIME I GOT A PERSON, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD HAVE SOMEONE FROM SERVICE CALL ME BACK. NEVER HEARD FROM ANYONE. ON MAY 16, 2015, THE SAME THING HAPPENED, ONLY THIS TIME TURNING THE CAR OFF DID NOT WORK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND RECONNECT, THEN THE CAR SHIFTED AGAIN. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? IS THERE A RECALL? BEFORE I SPEND $2000, I WANT TO KNOW IF KIA IS AVOIDING MY CALLS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THERE IS PROBLEM? DID INTERNET SEARCH AND HAVE FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.
DEAR SIR/MADAM, THIS VEHICLE HAS THE PROBLEM OF LOCKING ITS DOOR AUTOMATICALLY. ON THE REPORTED INCIDENT DATE, INSIDE THE GARAGE THE DOOR LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY (ALSO HAPPENS WHEN I TRY TO OPEN BOTH DOORS) SECONDS AFTER BUCKLING UP MY 5 YEAR OLD SON. THE KEYS WERE INSIDE THE CAR AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER HAD I NOT LEFT THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN TO GET THE SPARE KEY FROM HOME. WHEN I REPORTED THIS ISSUE BACK IN 2008 AND 2011, KIA DIDN'T HAVE TECHNICIANS AND ASKED ME TO COME BACK LATER. I REPORTED THE SAME WHEN I WENT FOR SERVICE IN APRIL 2013 THEY TOLD THAT THEY WILL DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND PARTS WILL NEED TO BE PAID FOR IN ADDITION TO DIAGNOSTIC FEES. I REVIEWED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS KIA HAS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN CASE A CHILD GETS TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR IN WHICH CASE THE WINDOWS MAY NEED TO BE SHATTERED TO GET ACCESS TO THE CHILD (AND CAN CAUSE INJURY TO THE CHILD AS WELL). I WOULD APPRECIATE RECOMMENDING KIA TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR ALL AFFECTED PEOPLE THANKS AND BEST REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
MY INDICATOR ON MY DASH BOARD FOR AN AIRBAG PROBLEM CAME ON, UPON TAKING IT TO A MAINTENANCE SHOP THEY FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS DUE TO A SENSOR GOING BAD IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. AFTER THEY CALLED MULTIPLE PLACES, INCLUDING THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A RECURRENT ISSUE IN MY KIA MODEL, SO MUCH TO THE POINT THAT A SEAT MAY ONLY BE ATTAINED FROM THE MANUFACTURER WITH A PROLONG WAITING TIME BECAUSE OF THE HIGH DEMAND FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THEM DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, MANY DIFFERENT SOURCES HAVE CONFIRMED THIS TO BE TRUE, WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL? THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR MODULE CLEARLY HAS A FAULT, RENDERING IT TO HAVE A SHORT LIFE SPAN, THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IF IT HAD GONE BAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND HAPPENED TO ENCOUNTER AN ACCIDENT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. NOT TO MENTION THAT THE SEAT MODULE ITSELF IS BY NO MEANS AN INEXPENSIVE PART, CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO PAY FOR A PROBLEM THAT WAS GUARANTEED TO GO BAD AFTER A SHORT TIME, IF THAT WAS THE CASE IT SHOULD BE STATED UPON THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,600.
OUR VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEING ON. WHEN DIAGNOSED, CODE B1448 WAS FOUND, INDICATING THAT THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR, PART OF THE SEAT SENSOR MAT (ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT), WAS FAULTY. WE ARE CONCERNED BOTH ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING OUR CAR, AND THE HIGH COST OF REPAIR. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, AND WE BELIEVE THAT KIA SHOULD RECALL THE PART. *JS
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND REMAINS ON--APPARENTLY THIS INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DEFECTIVE. WHY IS THIS NOT RECALLED WHEN SO MANY COMPLAIN OF THE SAME PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR AND MODEL CAR?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CUSHION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
DEFECTIVE O.C.S. MAT IN PASSENGER SEAT. CAR PROS IS CHARGING $1500.00 TO REPAIR THEIR DEFECTIVE SENSOR. SAFETY CONCERN....THEY RECALLED RIO...WON'T RECALL SPECTRA5 BECAUSE IT IS "NOT AN ISSUE". *TR
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 MORE THAN 3 MONTHS. WHEN THEY HAD TOLD ME THIS PROBLEM WAS FIXED I TRUSTED THAT THEY WERE RIGHT BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT LED ME TO THIS... THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT RETURNED MY PHONE CALL AND MY INSURANCE DOES NOT COVER FOR A RENTAL CAR. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN AND MY JOB DOES NOT PAY ME ENOUGH TO JUST PAY AND GET A NEW CAR OR PAY AND HAVE THIS CAR FIXED. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE RESPONSES ABOUT THIS CAR. WHY WOULD THESE CARS BE SOLD TO PEOPLE. *TR
THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS MY KIA HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES UPON REFUELING. I HAVE STOPPED TOPPING OFF WHILE REFUELING. THE CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING OR WHILING IDLING. IT GIVES OFF AN AWFUL GAS SMELL. IT HAS SHUT OFF ON HIGHWAYS AND IN CITY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FIND MANY KIA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM CONSTANTLY GIVEN DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTICS FROM KIA AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTERS. REPLACEMENTS FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM ASSEMBLE HAVE TOTALED IN THE THOUSANDS. *TR
I NO LONGER HAVE THE CAR, SO I CANNOT PROVIDE THE VIN NUMBER AT THIS TIME. (I CAN GET IT, WITH SOME WORK INVOLVED). I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR AFTER THE CRASH. I LIVE IN RURAL IOWA. DEER START THEIR RUT IN OCTOBER. I SWERVED TO MISS A DEER, ON A TWO LANE ROAD. WENT DOWN A 40 FOOT DITCH, NOSE FIRST. BECAUSE THE BOTTOM OF THE DITCH WAS A GULLY, THE FRONT OF THE ROOF, THE HOOD, THE FRONT LIGHTS, ETC. WERE ALL DESTROYED. NOT ONE OF THEIR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THEY ARE NOT A PART OF THE NEWS ROUND OF AIRBAGS, BUT I WANT THIS ON RECORD. AGAIN, I CAN SUPPLY PICTURES, AND IT WILL BE OBVIOUS THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE 8 AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. PLEASE, LOOK INTO THE 2007 KIA SPECTRA'S AIR BAGS. LOOK TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH. I AM NOT LOOKING FOR MONEY, I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER (WHEN SHE WAS SIX, WITH THE TEN YEAR WARRANTY, I INTENDED TO PASS IT ON TO HER, WHEN SHE GOT HER LICENSE..... BOY AM I GLAD I WAS INVOLVED IN THE CRASH, AND NOT HER, SEEING IS HOW THAT IS THE EXACT REASON WHY I DECIDED TO BUY THE KIA.
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILED TO REGISTER AN ADULT IN SEAT AND "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. TWO DAYS LATER THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" WOULD NOT STAY ON WHEN SEAT WAS EMPTY. KIA DEALERSHIP DETERMINED IT WAS A FAILED OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT. APPROXIMATE COST OF REPAIR IS $1500. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,063.
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 CONSTANTLY GIVEN DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTICS FROM SERVICE CENTERS. *TR
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.
I OWN A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CODE 1448 AND WAS TOLD THE OCS MAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED COSTED OVER $1400. THIS CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IF THERES A CHILD SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000
I HAVE A 2007 KIA SPECTRA AND THE WIRES TO THE FAN CONTROLLER ARE MELTING. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SOME PROBLEM AND KIA DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. THESE WIRES GET VERY HOT AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A FIRE HAZARD. SO AS IT IS NOW I HAVE NO AC NO HEAT.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026