2007 Kia Spectra Complaint Log

I HAVE A 2007 KIA SPECTRA AND THE KEYLESS DOOR OPENER AND LOCK SYSTEM HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. THE LOCKS DON'T OPEN WHEN THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO AND LOCK WHEN THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO. I BROUGHT TO KIA DEALER BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE MY PROBLEM AND HINTED THAT I WAS NOT USING THE BUTTONS CORRECTLY. WELL AT AROUND 60,450 MILES I STARTED MY CAR TO GET THE HEAT ON, I TOOK OFF THE KEYLESS ENTRY DEVICE AND CLOSED THE DOOR TO LET MY CAR WARM UP. I DID NOT LOCK THE DOOR USING THE BUTTON ON THE KEYLESS DEVICE, BUT THE DOOR LOCKS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY WITH MY CAR ON. NO WAY WOULD THAT KEYLESS ENTRY DEVICE ALLOW ME TO GET BACK IN THE CAR. IT WAS 11:00 PM, COLD, LUCKILY SOME FRIENDS REMAINED WITH ME AND TRIED TO GET IN THE CAR WITH COAT HANGARS AND OTHER DEVICES TO NO AVAIL. EVENTUALLY I HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH, TO GET IN WHICH COST $50, HOWEVER ALL THE TRYING TO GET IN DAMAGED BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER DOOR MECHANISMS SO NOW I HAVE THE EXPENSE OF GETTING THIS FIXED, WHICH KIA SHOULD HAVE FIXED BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. I TRIED FOR AN HOUR PRESSING THE BUTTONS ON THE KEYLESS ENTRY, THE DOORS WOULDN'T OPEN, THE TRUNK WOULDN'T OPEN, THE BATTERY WAS FINE IN THE KEYLESS ENTRY DEVICE, THE LIGHT WORKED LIKE IT NORMALLY WORKS BUT IT WOULDN'T OPEN THE CAR! WHAT IF GOD FORBID I HAD JUST BUCKLED A CHILD IN THE BACKSEAT AND CLOSED THE BACK DOOR AND THEN TRIED TO OPEN MY DOOR TO GET IN AND THE CAR LOCKED ITSELF. OR IF THERE WERE SOME OTHER EMERGENCY AND I COULDN'T GET IN. IN ADDITION TO THIS BEING A CONVENIENCE ISSUE I DEFINITELY THINK IT COULD ALSO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I FEEL KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING MY DAMAGED DOOR MECHANISMS, IN ADDITION TO REIMBURSING ME FOR THE LOCKSMITH. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO BRING TO THIS MATTER. I ALSO FEEL THAT THE DEALER DIDN'T WANT TO BE BOTHERED REALLY CHECKING OUT THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS GOING TO BE UP AT 60,000 MILES. *TR

RIGHT FRONT SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR, DEALER STATES NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WILL DEPLOY IN A COLLISION BECAUSE OF THIS SENSOR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATE (JULY 9, 2015): IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT OR NOT, THE LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED. WHETHER THE PASSENGER IS 80LBS OR 200LBS IT DOESN'T GO OFF. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED BY SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR SO THAT IS WHERE I GOT THE OCTOBER 1, 2010 DATE. SC THE CONSUMER STATED IT DID NOT MATTER WHETHER A PASSENGER WAS IN THE SEAT OR NOT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ON. UPDATED 07/30/15

IN MID-SEPT10 I EXPERIENCED 2 BRAKE FAILURES ON MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA EX. EACH TIME AFTER DRIVING APPROX 800 MILES TO & FROM NORTHERN CA. BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN EXITING OFF OF CA99 TO CA4 (ANGELS CAMP). WAS ABLE TO STEER CAR TO FAR RIGHT SHOULDER WHERE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS DEPLOYED. THEREBY NOT HITTING CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER 5 MINUTES WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE REMAINDER OF TRIP (40MILES). NEXT MORNING TOOK CAR TO LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP, THEY KEPT THE CAR 2DAYS/INSISTED THAT I CALL A REPORT INTO KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS; WHICH DID. ACCORDING TO THEM CAR WAS "OPERATING ACCORDING TO SPECS"..IN OTHERWORDS, WE TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY...UPON RETURNING BACK HOME TO AZ. THE SAME THING HAPPENED, EXCEPT THIS TIME MY GARAGE DOOR WAS WHAT STOPPED MY CAR. BOTH TIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED....AGAIN I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE...BUT I DAMAGED MY GD/MY BROTHERS NEW CAR THAT WAS PARKED ION THE OTHER SIDE AND THE FRONT OF MY CAR...THE CAR WAS TOWED TO KIA WERE IT WAS KEPT FOR 2WKS, WHILE CORPORATE DECIDED HOW TO PROCEED....AFTER THAT TIME MY CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME..AGAIN WITH (THIS TIME VERBALLY ONLY) THE EXPRESSION OF "WORKING ACCORDING TO SPECS" USED...I DEALT WITH KIA CA..I THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE SITUATION....OVERALL I WAS TREATED LIKE A I HAD DONE IT DELIBERATELY..I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 32YRS AND NEVER HAVE HAD AS MUCH AS A TICKET, MUCH LESS AN ACCIDENT....WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR A "WRITTEN" STATEMENT ABOUT THE DRIVEABLITY OF MY CAR, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COME FROM THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION.......AFTER 2 ADDITIONAL CALLS TO THEM I GAVE UP.T...I SUBSEQUENTLY WROTE TO OUR STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE/THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER/AARP/JD POWERS & ASSOC.(THEY GIVE KIA SAFETY AWARDS). IN RESEARCHING I FOUND OVER 1200 COMPLAINTS ON KIA BRAKE PROBLEMS ALONE. & NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE NOONE I KNOW EVER BUYS A KIA! !THE SM AT KIA HAD THE GALL TO SAY- DRIVE CAREFUL WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR!! *TR

I DRIVE A 2007 KIA SPECTRA EX, WITH 37,000 MILES STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I BELIEVE IT SUFFERS FROM A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN THE FUEL & EXHAUST SYSTEM MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. EVERY TIME I FILL THE GAS TANK COMPLETELY, THE CAR STALLS. THIS STALL USUALLY OCCURS WHILE IDLING AND WITHIN 10 MILES FROM MY FUELING. IT CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF A 6 LANE 50MPH COMMUTER ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR AND I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AS A RESULT. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN REAR ENDED AND RUN OVER WHEN THIS OCCURS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, 2 OF THE TIMES THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND 1 TIME THEY CHANGED A PURGE VALVE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT RESOLVED EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

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 MY CAR TO THE SHOP APPROXIMATELY TWO TIMES TO HAVE THEM FIX THIS PROBLEM WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NEVER DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP WHEN IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THE SERVICE WORKER SAID THAT IT WAS A DEFECT WITH THE CHARCOAL TANK. *TR

MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA STALLS OUT EVERY TIME I FILL THE TANK. IT STALLS DURING HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND DURING NORMAL LOW SPEED DRIVING. MY KIA IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON OTHER SITES IT WOULD BE A WASTE OF TIME TO HAVE IT FIXED. ALSO I HAD TO REPLACED THE STOP LIGHT SWITCH UNDER THE DASH. THE RECALL WAS WITH 5 KIA MODELS BUT NOT THE SPECTRA. *TR

2007 KIA SPECTRA. CONSUMER STATES AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING COLLISION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS DRIVING 15 MPH AND WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHO WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS AND NONE OF THEM DEPLOYED.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD BEGIN TO STALL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FAILURE ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY. *TR

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 FORWARD AND SUDDENLY THE RACING STOPPED. AT THAT TIME I REMOVED THE CAR MAT AND HAVE NOT USED THE MAT SINCE THEN. TODAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT. THEY TELL ME THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY CHECKED THE ERROR CODES IN MEMORY AND GAVE ME A LISTING OF THE CODES. THEY TELL ME NONE OF THE CODES RELATE TO WHAT I EXPERIENCED. THE ONLY OTHER PROBLEM THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR NOT LATCHING. I WOULD SLAM THE DOOR AND IT WOULD POP BACK OPEN AGAIN. I DEPRESSED THE LOCK AND UNLOCK BUTTONS ON THE REMOTE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE DOOR WOULD LATCH. *TR

I HAVE A 2007 KIA SPECTRA 5. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND A WOMAN PULLED IN TO TELL ME I HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS. I HAD JUST GONE ON A TRIP WITH MY PARENTS FOLLOWING BEHIND ME SO IT HAD TO HAVE JUST GONE OUT. THE NEXT DAY MY HUSBAND CALLED THE KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID BECAUSE THE SPECTRA WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. IT SEEMS THAT SINCE THE DEFECT IS OCCURRING EXACTLY LIKE OTHER MODELS. THERE ARE ALSO INSTANCES I HAVE FOUND ONLINE OF OTHER SPECTRAS DOING THE SAME THING. *TR

2007 KIA SPECTRA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BRAKES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER AND PAD. THE CONSUMER THEN ASKED IF THE LEFT FRONT PAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THEY STATED IT DID NOT. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE NEXT 1,000 MILES THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY; THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT AND SEVERAL TIMES THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO A NOSE DIVE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT THAT BOTH PADS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER IT WAS FILLED WITH GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK CANNISTER FLOODED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.

ON 04/12/2010 AT 09:00 A.M. A 2007 KIA SPECTRA OCCUPIED BY 4 ADULTS AND 3 CHILDREN WAS REAR ENDED BY A PICK UP TRUCK AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. CORPUS CHRISTI POLICE INVESTIGATED THE CRASH AND CREATED CRASH REPORT [XXX] . IT APPEARS THAT THE REAR IMPACT FROM THE COLLISION CAUSED BOTH SUN VISOR COVERS TO BE SLUNG OFF THE RODS THAT ATTACH TO THE CEILING OF THE CAR. BOTH RODS WERE THEN EXPOSED AND HAD THE APPEARANCE OF SHARP TIPPED BAYONETTS. THE DRIVER OF THE KIA WAS GORED BY THE EXPOSED ROD ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND SUFFERED A LIFE THREATENING HEAD WOUND. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

2007 KIA SPECTRA WINDSHIELD STRESS FRACTURE, 45,000 MILES. NO IMPACT. DEALER STATES NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, MUST GO TO INSURANCE COMPANY. CRACK IS FROM TOP DEAD CENTER AND EXTENDS ACROSS VISION FIELD OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER. FAILURE AT LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. "KOREA SAFETY GLASS". *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PATCH OF ICE ON THE ROAD CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO THE GUARD RAIL WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. SHE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER HEAD WHEN SHE HIT IT ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND BECAME UNCONSCIOUS. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA 5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPDATED 07/10/12*LJ WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO SIT MORE CENTERED IN THE SEAT. UPDATED 07/11/12

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 USING CITGO GAS. WE DO NEITHER. THEY HAVE SAID THAT THE CANISTER VALVE DOES NOT STOP OVERFILLING, WHICH ALLOWS THAT GAS TO CONTAMINATE OTHER AREAS OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSES THE STALL. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH KIA HEADQUARTERS AND SPOKE WITH TOM MORALLES, THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS MGR. I ASKED HOW MANY TIMES DOES THE CAR NEED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THEY DEEM IT UNSAFE AND UNABLE TO BE FIXED. HE SAYS THEY NEVER DO, THEY WILL KEEP REPAIRING AND THAT HE DOES NOT HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL TO TELL ME THAT THEY CAN FIX IT ONCE AND FOR ALL. HE TOLD ME THAT IF I AM NOT HAPPY I SHOULD CONTACT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. I DRIVE WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND WHEN THE CAR STALLS AND I HAVE OTHER VEHICLES ABOUT TO SMASH INTO US, IT SCARES THEM AND IT SCARES ME. WHAT IS TO SAY WITH THIS GAS LEAK/CONTAMINATION THAT A COMMON FENDER BENDER AT ONE OF THESE STALL OUT TIMES WOULD NOT RESULT IN MY CAR EXPLODING SHOULD A SPARK IGNITE MY GAS LEAK? KIA KNOWS THAT THIS HAPPENING AND THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE FACT THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO HELP IN ANY OTHER WAY IS UNACCEPTABLE. THESE CARS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD NOT ONLY TO MY FAMILY, BUT OTHER FAMILIES THAT I COULD CRASH INTO WHEN I LOSE POWER AND CANNOT BRAKE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE TO DIE FOR ANYONE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS. I FOUND MANY CASES THE SAME AS MINE JUST BY SEARCHING THE WEB. WHEN IS ENOUGH, ENOUGH ? NOW. BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

2007 KIA SPECTRA 5 BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TODAY (10/19/2009). SWITCH IS THE EXACT SAME ONE THAT WAS RECALLED ON SIMILAR HYUNDAI ELANTRA CARS. SINCE THAT RECALL DOES NOT COVER KIA'S, I WAS CHARGED $139 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. *TR

Doors LOCK and UNLOCK on their own. I have been locked out numerous times, some with the engine still running.I brought car to Kia numerous times, and was told there was nothing that could be done, it was a manufacturing defect. I feel this could prevent a very serious problem , both in a collision, or if a child were to be locked in the car. At times the car locks by itself so quickly, I cannot even turn the key fast enough to open the door. I have owned this car since 2009, and it has happened at least 50 or more times.

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 MILEAGE WAS 27,028. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,050.

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

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 CONDITIONS THAT THE DRIVER HAD TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL DOWN WHILE BRAKING IN ORDER TO RAISE RPM AND REDUCE STALLING. THE OWNER HAS HAD SOME SUCCESS IN AVOIDING THE ISSUE BY FUELING TO NO MORE THAN 80% OF TANK CAPACITY. THE REPEATED INTERMITTENT STALLING POSES AN ENORMOUS SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY ON CONGESTED ROADWAYS. ***AIR BAGS: ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED (INDICATING THE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF) WHILE AN ADULT WAS SEATED. ***GEAR SHIFT AND IGNITION KEY: BEGINNING IN MAY 2012, AND IN NUMEROUS INSTANCES FOLLOWING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. MECHANIC DISCOVERED A BROKEN SAFETY LOCK IN THE SHIFTING MECHANISM. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED, BUT OVERRIDDEN BY ACCESSING THE PLASTIC LEVER UNDERNEATH THE CONSOLE AND PULLING WITH THE LEFT HAND WHILE SHIFTING. THE IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK FREQUENTLY (4 OUT 5 USES) EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. *JS

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 HEADACHES AND BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE BY THE POLICE, BUT WAS LATER TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE WAS TOO UNSOPHISTICATED; THEREFORE, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST COULD NOT BE PERFORMED. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME TYPE OF DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AND SHE BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4,500. UPDATED 6/19/10 *CN THE CONSUME STATED SHE PLACED HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. UPDATED 07/22/10*JB

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 STOP SIGN AND PROCEEDED ACROSS THE STREET TOWARDS A GUARD RAIL. DRIVER INSTINCTIVELY TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT SO THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT HIT THE GUARD RAIL HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE GUARD RAIL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THROWING THE DRIVER INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHERE THE OTHER PASSENGER WAS SITTING. THE DRIVER HIT HER HEAD HARD ON THE PASSENGER WINDOW AND EXPERIENCED OTHER INJURIES AS A RESULT OF BEING THROWN FROM THE DRIVER SEAT. THE AIR BAGS IN THE CAR FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CAR BOUNCED OFF THE GUARD RAIL AND PROCEEDED AT FULL SPEED ACROSS THE STREET AGAIN. THE CAR RAN OVER SOME SMALL HEDGES IN A RESIDENT'S YARD AND PROCEEDED UP A STEEP HILL BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE PASSENGER OF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY DIALED 911 AND THE POLICE/AMBULANCE ARRIVED SHORTLY AFTER. 2. THE CAR'S ELECTRONIC THROTTLE IS BELIEVED TO BE DEFECTIVE. THIS DEFECT RESULTS IN RANDOM EPISODES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. BECAUSE THE EPISODES ARE RANDOM, THE PROBLEM IS NOT EASILY DUPLICATED. HOWEVER, THERE ARE NUMEROUS DOCUMENTED CASES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN KIA VEHICLES ON THE INTERNET. 3. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INVESTIGATION. MECHANIC ATTEMPTED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE 2007 KIA SPECTRA IS NOT SOPHISTICATED ENOUGH TO APPLY SUCH A TEST. VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION. KIA CLAIMS THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

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

WE OWN A 2007 SPECTRA WITH 13,000 MILES, BOUGHT NEW IN JULY 2007. WE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER JUNE 2009 AND IT BLEW HOT AIR. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WE WERE TOLD, " THE SCREWS AND BOLTS WHICH HOLDS THE A/C HOSE ON HAD COME LOOSE FROM HITTING BUMPS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DRIVE", SO THE FREON LEAKED OUT. THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE, "EVEN THOUGH IT IS A PROBLEM WITH KIA'S THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE ANY PARTS". I CONTACTED THE KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL FREE NUMBER WHO STOOD BY THE DEALER AND DISMISSED MY CONCERN. THEY TIGHTENED THE HOSE AND REPLACE THE FREON. WE WERE FORCED TO PAY EVEN REFUSING MY GRANDFATHER THE SENIOR DISCOUNT PROMISED TO HIM. *TR

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 YOU GUYS ARE. EVEN IF YOU TAKE YOUR CAR IN FOR A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH...LOTS OF LUCK...KIA DEALERS DON'T EVEN STOCK THE PARTS. WHEN ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO RECALL THE REST OF THE KIA LINE? THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE YESTERDAY. INACTION RESULTS NOT ONLY IN POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS BUT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FINES AND PENALTIES RAKED IN BY THE STATES IN WHICH KIA DOES BUSINESS. KIA IS ADDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE STATE AND CITY COFFERS THE RESULT OF FINES LEVIED AGAINST ITS USERS FOR FAULTY BRAKES.... *TR

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 TO REPLACE. THE KIA MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BASED ON THE DEALER'S INFORMATION, THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,165.

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

THE POWER DOOR LOCKS HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW. *TR

I OWNED A 2007 KIA SPECTRA 5 SX THE CAR HAD AROUND 36,000 MILE ON IT. WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS OUT OF THE CAR THEN ON THE 10TH OF JAN 09 MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR TO RUN SOME ERRANDS. HE WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE CAR. WHEN WE CALLED KIA FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WE WERE TOLD IT WAS AN INSURANCE MATTER AND WE WOULD HAVE TO CALL THEM. THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE OFFERED TO DO IS BUY THE CAR BACK FOR AROUND 7,000 DOLLARS WHICH IS LESS THAN MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS OFFERING AND NO WHERE NEAR WHAT THE LOAN PAY OFF IS ON THE CAR. THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ELSE. SO MUCH FOR MY 10,000 10 YEAR WARRANTY WHICH COVERED NOTHING. MY HUSBAND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BUT LUCKILY ESCAPED WITHOUT INJURY. I REALLY DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO SOME ONE ELSE WITH A WORSE OUT COME. *TR

PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL TANK AND PURGE CANISTER SYSTEM. THE NORMAL OPERATION OF FUELING THE VEHICLE CAN CAUSE THE PURGE SYSTEM TO BECOME FILLED WITH FUEL. THIS CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION BY ALLOWING FUEL TO BE EXPELLED OR LEAK OUT OF THE TANK OR WHAT THE DEALER CALLED OVERFLOW ONTO THE FLOOR IN MY GARAGE. WE HAVE FOLLOWED THE DEALERS INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING TOPPING OFF AFTER THE INITIAL SHUTOFF OF THE GAS PUMP TO THE EXTENT OF NOT FILLING THE TANK TO CAPACITY YET THIS HAS NOT MADE ANY DIFFERENCE. NOT ONLY DOES IT PRESENT A SAFETY ISSUE WITH FUEL LEAKING IN AN ENCLOSED AREA BUT IT ALSO CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL AT THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS THREE TIMES. THE PURGE VALVE AND CANISTER HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THESE ACTIONS HOWEVER WILL NOT CORRECT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM , WHICH IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL EVAPORATION RECOVERY SYSTEM. I FULLY EXPECT THE PROBLEM TO REOCCUR. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ON THE INTERNET I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE PRESENT IN OTHER KIA MODELS AS WELL. *TR

I WAS APPROX. 6 CAR LENGTHS FROM CAR IN FRONT OF ME, WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, NOTHING HAPPENED. I CONTINUED TO HIT THE BRAKES , FORCING THEM TO THE FLOOR AND STILL NOTHING. FIRST INSTINCT WAS TO VEER TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR BUT MY STEERING HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN, IT WOULD NOT LET ME TURN OR STOP. MY STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID DEPLOY CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY WRIST AND ARM. BUT THE SCARY FEELING OF TRYING TO STOP WITH NO RESPONSE WAS SCARY. ROADS WERE A LITTLE WET BUT EVEN THEN WITH THE ABS I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUT THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESPONSE. I AM GETTING THE REPAIR FACILITY TO CHECK THE BRAKES. *TR

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 CONTINUED REVVING, I THEN WAS ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF. I LET THE CAR REMAIN OFF FOR ABOUT L5 SECONDS AND TURNED THE IGNITION ON AGAIN THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV AGAIN, I HAD TO TURN ENGINE OFF AGAIN, AFTER ABOUT 15 SECONDS I TURNED THE ENGINE ON AND IT WAS NORMAL SO I WENT HOME AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY SERVICE PROVIDER TO HAVE THE AUTO CHECKED OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND SPOKE TO CASE MANAGER (ALBERT) WHO SUGGESTED I GO TO ANOTHER KIA DEALER. I WENT TO KIA OF BAYSIDE IN GREAT NECK, N.Y. (THEY ARE OUT OF BUSINESS NOW). THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE BE DISCONNECTED, WHICH HE DID , AND TOLD ME TO DRIVE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND COME BACK TO THE SHOP. I RETURNED TO THE SHOP ON 1/20/09 ( I ORIGINALLY TOOK CAR TO BAYSIDE KIA ON 12/22/08) I TOLD THE TECH THAT NOTHING HAPPENED DURING THE 2 WEEK PERIOD. HE THEN CALLED KIA HEADQUARTERS AND REQUESTED THAT A NEW CRUISE CONTROL MODULE BE INSTALLED. THE TECH ORDERED THE NEW MODULE FOR THE CAR AND RECONNECTED THE OLD MODULE. ON 01/20/09, I HAD ANOTHER EPISODE WITH THE CAR REVVING AND MOVING FORWARD AND IT ALSO DID THE SAME THING IN REVERSE, THIS WAS IN PELHAM MANOR, N.Y. JUST ACROSS THE BRIDGE FROM WHERE I LIVE, 2 HOURS LATER I WAS AT THE BARTOW MALL , IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IT HAPPENED AGAIN, IT DONE THIS 4 MORE TIMES KIA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING . *TR

I PURCHASED A KIA SPECTRA AND REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP SOUTHWEST KIA THAT MY GAS PEDAL WAS STICKING. I RE-INJURED MY RIGHT HAND. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. BUT THE PEDDLE KEPT STICKING. I ALSO PURCHASED A INSURANCE THAT WILL PAY YOUR CAR PAYMENTS WHEN YOU ARE UNABLE TO WORK DUE TO A MEDICAL CONDITION. I FILED A CLAIM AND IT DID NOT PAY MY CAR PAYMENTS. NEXT THING I WENT OUT AND MY CAR WAS GONE. THE DEALERSHIP ACCUSED ME OF MAKING A FALSE COMPLAINT. THIS ALL HAPPEN IN 2009 NOT LONG BEFORE YOU FOUND GAS PEDDLE STICKING. CAN YOU HELP ME ? *TR

HAD A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH MY VEHICLE, IN WHICH THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE SENSOR IN FRONT OF THE CAR DIDN'T OPEN THE FRONT AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. THANK GOD I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT, IT KEPT ME FROM CRASH HEAD ON THROUGH THE WIND SHIELD. I WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. WHEN I CALLED THE KIA DEALERSHIP ABOUT WHAT HAD HAPPEN TO THE CAR AND THE DEFECT OF THE AIRBAGS NOT OPENING UP, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER GOT VERY NASTY WITH ME, LIKE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE PRODUCTS. THAT'S THE REASON WHY I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT AGAINST KIA. I COULD HAVE RECEIVE MORE SERIOUS INJURIES IN WHAT I HAVE OR WORSE, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *TR

ON MAY 26, 2008, I PURCHASED A 2007 KIA SPECTRA AT CARMAX, WHICH IS LOCATED AT 11335 ATLANTIC BOULEVARD, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32225. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER I DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OF SATISFACTORY QUALITY, BECAUSE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT ADVANCE NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF AT THE STOP LIGHT, DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR, PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY, OR AFTER MAKING TURNS. THESE OCCURRENCES HAVE PLACED MY LIFE, MY FAMILY MEMBERS; AS WELL AS, THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN DANGER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. I AM DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT IS CLEARLY UN-ROADWORTHY. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ON SEVEN DIFFERENT OCCASIONS BY 'SPECIALIZED KIA TECHNICIANS' TO NO AVAIL. WORK WAS PERFORMED BY TECHNICIANS FROM CAMDEN (GEORGIA), BRUNSWICK (GEORGIA), AND JACKSONVILLE (FLORIDA) KIA DEALERSHIPS THEY HAVE YET TO IDENTIFY OR SUCCESSFULLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. I AM DISSATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE I HAVE RECEIVED THUS FAR. I HAVE ALREADY ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM BY CONTACTING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CORPORATE OFFICE VIA TELEPHONE, CONTACTING THOMAS J. FOLLIARD, CEO OF CARMAX, VIA MAIL, CONTACTING KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN ADDITION TO CONTACTING KIA CORPORATE OFFICE VIA TELEPHONE. I HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL ADMINISTRATIVE AVENUES. I HAVE ENCLOSED COPIES OF MY RECORDS, RECEIPTS, IN ADDITION TO PERTINENT HISTORY AND CONTACT INFORMATION FOR YOUR REVIEW. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEMS REMAIN UNRESOLVED. AS I AM SURE YOU CAN RELATE; I RELY ON MY VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORT. EACH ATTEMPT MADE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAS CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT INCONVENIENCE. *TR

I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT, NO MATTER THE WEIGHT OF THE PERSON IT SOMETIMES SAYS ITS OFF. HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALER AND THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION, THEY CANNOT EVEN DIAGNOSE IT BECAUSE THERE IS NO ERROR CODE STORED. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFE CAR AND IT SCARES ME TO EVEN DRIVE WITH A PASSENGER. NEED TO HAVE A RECALL. *TR

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

MY DAUGHTER WAS CRITICALLY INJURED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT WITH MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE "SAFETY" RATINGS AND FELT SHE WOULD BE WELL PROTECTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS AS WELL AS DASH AIRBAGS. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THIS ACCIDENT. IN READING THE INFORMATION PACKET THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE I UNDERSTAND THE FRONT AIRBAGS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO DEPLOY IN A ROLLOVER, HOWEVER I BELIEVE THE SIDE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION PROVIDED. OTHERS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH (MECHANICS,ATTORNEYS ETC) AGREE. THIS VEHICLE WAS 8 MONTHS OLD AND HAD ONLY 8000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS A "TOTAL LOSS": *TR

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

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

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW. FROM DAY ONE THE FRONT AIR BAG WILL TURN OFF WHEN I SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I AM WELL ABOVE THE WEIGHT MINIMUM AT AROUND 140 LBS. AND AM 5'2". THE ONLY WAY THAT I CAN KEEP THE AIRBAG ON IS TO ROLL UP A TOWEL AND PUT THAT IN CENTER OF SEAT WHEN I SIT. THIS IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE THOUGH. I COMPLAINED AND COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER. I EVEN OFFERED TO HAVE THEM SEE HOW I WAS SITTING AS THEY KEPT SAYING IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I WAS DOING. BUT NEVER WOULD FIX IT. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT IF WE WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. BOUGHT THE CAR FOR THE SAFETY FEATURES AND THIS ONE DOESN'T EVEN WORK. KIA SHOULD BE MADE TO FIX THIS! *TR

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM 5 TIMES SO FAR. THEY CLAIM THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THERE ARE NO CODES STORED IN THE COMPUTER. THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE IS FINE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE FOR MY WIFE TO BE A PASSENGER. THEY HAVE OFFERED TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN AFTER WE HAD THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE GET INVOLVED, BUT WE ARE 45 MILES AWAY FROM THE DEALER. THE LAST TIME THEY LOOKED AT IT THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. WE STILL HAVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *TR

AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK TO THE FULL LINE. THE CAR OCCASIONALLY SPUTTERS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, AND WILL CUT OFF IF IDLING FOR THAN ONE MINUTE. THE PROBLEM STOP HAPPENING AFTER THE FUEL LEVEL HAS GONE BELOW THE FULL LINE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALERS SAY THERE ARE NO TROUBLE CODES IN THE COMPUTER AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *TR

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. THE PURGE VALVE AND CANISTER HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THESE ACTIONS HOWEVER WILL NOT CORRECT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM , WHICH IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL EVAPORATION RECOVERY SYSTEM. I FULLY EXPECT THE PROBLEM TO REOCCUR. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE OR SECURE IN THIS VEHICLE AND I DO NOT TRUST IT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

DRIVER PASSED OUT MAKING LEFT TURN GOING 5 MPH AND HIT THE CONCRETE POLE FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT ON THE EAST SIDE OF U.S. 19. *TR