2008 Kia Spectra Complaint Log

After starting car, for first 15-20 mins, all normal. After speedometer go erratic (showing slower than actual speed - or - higher than actual speed) and soon after it just stops working. No check engine light. Dangerous to drive without knowing actual speed. Have to use mobile phone app like Waze or something which shows apx speed. Upon internet search, I found there are many Kia spectra Ex (from 05-09 models) reported similar issues. This situation is dangerous as driver may be following speedometer on highway and ending up driving slower than actual speed. NHTSA should issue a recall. Kia - as usual - never acknowledged issue to save money. Dealership recommending me buy a new car rather than fixing the issue or at least attempting to fix it. When declined for trade-in (or buy a new car) they demanded upfront diagnostic charges without telling me what is actual issue.

I have tires sized 195/60r15. I was having problems with shaking at a certain speed. my mechanic checked all the options that could have been mechanical and directed me to a tire shop. I brought the car in for them to check for balance. rims, etc. During the inspection, they discovered that both rear tires, driver and passenger side were separating. I had never had problems with tires until I purchased these. The third attached photo was after I first purchased the tires. The piece was shaved off and I don't know why. I had to replace it. I contacted this office on November 19, 2023, with the initial complaint about the tires. Tracking number 11555870.

195/60/15 I purchased four new tires From Prospect Tire and Wheels on September 23, 2022, with an alignment. In August of this year, 2023, I returned because of an issue with one of the tires, and the alignment. They told me after replacing the most serious issue that all four tires had "bubbles". They weren't willing to do anything except to rotate the "bad" tires to the rear of the car and sell me one other that absolutely had to be replaced. They offered me the contact information for their distributors as they had no idea which one it was they got the tires from. I contacted Cooper about the issue and the representative I spoke to, Julie, said they had no record of them because these particular tires were destined for Mexico? In my response below, I indicate when the tires were first purchased up until now, because I've had nothing but issues with them since.

The passenger air bag has failed. The dash light stays on due to issue and the air bag itself stays off per the light on the airbag on/off alert. I contacted the dealership who quoted me over $100 just to take a look at it, but was told this seems to be an issue with Spectras that they see pretty commonly.

Duplicate transactions that we're compromising but verified through multiple accounts that were unauthorized and purchased by another provider or driver that was added to orginal policy along with several price gouges in Individual policies that had ties to driving history altered n edited it would seem to cause infamation to the cost of the driver would be expected to pay we meaning the eight orginal known targets at first glance all were verified as fatca act needing to be filed and then problems with verification of identity and us citizenship even from. 15 states that had alternate unauthorized banking information on file to match so.e bussiness n private insurance policies bought n then deliberately bolos begin called on the victims for reprocessed purposes of a new getaway car for the villain in this scenario. We also found that multiple devices that were begin paid for were attached through pre paid account to the orginal account that was authorized user ot driver has no prior knowledge of the added account or debit card that made the transactions or the fact that the mail was begindeffered and altered to manipulate the issues further from finding the assailants that are using victims as scapegoats by the end of the fun I. Ruin my life with the damage to keep on touching and effecting everything else.

YES SO MY AIR BAG LIGHT WHEN I GOT THE CAR WAS OFF AN IT JUST POPPED UP COUPLE WEEKS AGO! I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO TRY TO FIX IT AN STILL IS ON. I EVEN BROUGHT A NEW DRIVER SEAT AN IT STILL DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. MY BE HOPE HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON.

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR STARTED FAILING WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2017 AND HAS SINCE COMPLETELY FAILED, WHICH HAS CAUSED THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO TURN ON. THE KIA DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE $140 TO RUN AN AIRBAG DIAGNOSTIC AND FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED, I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT, WHICH MAY COST MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR. MY CONCERN AT THIS POINT IS WHETHER OR NOT ANY OF THE AIRBAGS WILL BE DEPLOYED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION.

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON 7 MARCH 2020. AS SOON AS I TURN TO PARK IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY JOB, THE CAR TURNED OFF. I TRY TO CRANK IT ON 3 TIMES IT WOULDN'T LET ME. SO I WENT IN TO WORK, THANK GOD I MADE IT TO THE PARKING LOT AT LEAST. AFTER RUNNING TO AUXINE TO SEE WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT (THEY WERE NO HELP) I MADE FEW CALLS BETWEEN FRIENDS AND CAR COMPANIES. TURNED OUT IT WAS THE TIMING BELT THAT SNAPPED AND IT'S BECAUSE IT WASN'T CHANGE FOR A LONG TIME AND I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS. SO WITH THE TIMING BELT MESSING UP, IT MESS UP THE ENGINE ALSO. I AM NOW WITH NO CAR JUGGLING BETWEEN RIDES AND TAXIS TO TAKE TO WORK. I REALLY LOVE MY KIA AND I AM SO SAD THIS HAPPENED. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO DO. THIS HAPPENED AT ZAXBYS PARKING LOT (WHERE I WORK AT) IN WILSON, NC.

THE METAL COVERING ON THE INTERIOR DOOR PULLS IS PEELING OFF. THIS JAGGED METAL CUT MY FINGER. THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS OF INJURY FROM THIS ON LINE ALSO. FURTHER, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE INTERIOR DOOR PULL IF THE DOOR IS LOCKED.

WILL RANDOMLY STALL. BEEN TO THE MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES AND WE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. DOESN'T MATTER IF YOUR GOING DOWN THE ROAD OR JUST IDLING IN THE YARD STALLS OUT.

CRUISE CONTROL WON'T SET.

DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE TRAVELLING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AS A RESULT THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER AND THE DRIVER OF HER VEHICLE SUSTAINED BACK, HEAD AND ARM INJURES WHILE THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OCCUPANTS OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE AS THE AIR BAGS FAILED DEPLOY HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 185,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB*DT*DT*JB

AIR BAG LIGHT (RED WARNING LIGHT) STARTED TO STAY ON CONSTANTLY. THIS MEANS THAT AIR BAG WILL PROBABLY NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF CRASH (TO BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE WHEN SEARCHING ON GOOGLE ABOUT THIS ISSUE). BEFORE THIS LIGHT TURNED ON (RED LIGHT ON AIR-BAG), I EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH "PASSENGER AIR-BAG OFF" LIGHT STAYING ON - DESPITE SOMEONE IS PRESENT ON PASSENGER SEAT (MEANING THAT AIR-BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AS COMPUTER IS NOT SENSING ANYBODY SEATING THERE). I WOULD NEED TO STOP-BY ON ROAD SIDE, THEN TURN VEHICLE OFF COMPLETELY, ASKED A PERSON ON PASSENGER SEAT TO GO OUT - WAIT FOR A WHILE - AND THEN RESTART THE VEHICLE AND REQUEST A PERSON TO GET BACK ON SEAT. LATER ON, THIS WAY NO LONGER WORKING. COMPUTER RESET NO LONGER WORKING. FRIENDS WARNED ME THAT - IT IS SIGN OF AIR-BAG SYSTEM FAILURE AND KIA SHOULD GET IT FIXED (IT COMES UNDER SAFETY). THIS ISSUE IS CONSTANT IRRESPECTIVE IF VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.

SPEEDOMETER KEEPS GOING OUT. IT WILL WORK FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, BUT MID DAY IT DROPS TO ZERO

MY CAR IS REVVING, EVEN IN PARK. IF IT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES ARE HARD TO PUSH AS WELL.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO ANTI SLIP RESISTANCE ON THE PEDALS AT ALL. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS OF TIMES, WHERE MY MOTHER OR MY FOOT WOULD SLIP OFF THE BRAKE ONTO THE GAS CAUSING US TO MOVE FORWARD TOWARDS THE OBJECT IN FRONT OF US. IT FINALLY GOT ME AND I HIT THE SIDE OF MY HIGHSCHOOL WHICH DAMAGED MY HOOD AND BUMPER. I WOULD REALLY HAVE HATED IF ONE OF MY FRIENDS OR ANYONE AT ALL WERE IN FRONT OF MY CAR OR IF THE AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I GOT LUCKY THIS TIME BUT WHAT ABOUT NEXT TIME?

SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (SUA): CRUISE CONTROL (CC) SET TO ~85 MPH, SUDDEN LURCHING RED-LINE ACCELERATION OCCURRED, CC WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. HAD TO FIGHT MY VEHICLE (PULL E-BRAKE) TO GET SAFELY TO FREEWAY SHOULDER THEN TURN IGNITION OFF. CAR CONTINUED TO TRY TO RED LINE AFTER IGNITION KILLED, SHIFTING THRU ALL GEARS, BATTERY TERMINALS DISCONNECTED OR CC MODULE DISCONNECTED. VERIFIED BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED FINE AFTER PULLING OVER. 1ST INCIDENT - BEHIND AN 18-WHEELER, ALMOST REAR ENDED SAID 18-WHEELER! AFTER ~2HRS THE CAR "RESOLVED" ITSELF & STOPPED TRYING TO ACCELERATE. 2ND INCIDENT - HAD TO NAVIGATE MULTIPLE CARS AROUND & PULLED OVER IN A CURVE! DID NOT RESOLVE ITSELF THIS TIME - ROOT CAUSE PER PITRE KIA: CC CABLE "BROKEN" (WOULD NOT ENGAGE/DISENGAGE ACCELERATION COIL AS NEEDED). EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS EVEN WITH AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER!! 1. OUT-OF-CONTROL ACCELERATION RUN-AWAY MAN-SLAUGHTER DEATH-TRAP CAR = NOT SAFE FOR ANYONE TO DRIVE INCL 16 Y.O. SON WHO I INTENDED TO GIVE THIS VEHICLE TO NOR CAN MY DISABLED SISTER (WHO IS LEARNING TO DRIVE) DRIVE IT SAFELY!! 2. EXCESSIVE WEAR & TEAR TO ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, BRAKES ETC FOR RED LINED ACCELERATION! 3. AFTER RESEARCH, FOUND OUT THE SAFETY MECHANISM THAT WOULD MORE SAFELY SHUT DOWN THE CARS IN THESE TYPE OF INSTANCES WAS CHOSEN BY MFG TO NOT INSTALL (KIA BUYS CAR IF RUNAWAY VEHICLE MAKES HEADLINE NEWS OR IF DEATHS THERE ARE MAJOR LAWSUITS). ABSOLUTELY HORRIFYING TO THINK IT WOULD HAVE KILLED MY 16 Y.O. SON LIKE THIS ARTICLE: HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2017/KIA-SUED-FOR-95-MILLION-IN-DEATHS-OF-TWIN-BOYS.SHTML

WHEN GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, IT FEELS LIKE I HIT SOMETHING (I DID NOT). MY SPEED DECREASE SO MUCH THAT IT TURNED OFF MY CRUISE CONTROL. GLAD NO-ONE WAS BEHIND ME. IT STARTED FEELING VERY SLUGISH WITH HIGH RPMS. I STOPPED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. RESTARTED MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND IT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 3RD GEAR. I STOPPED AGAIN THIS TIME FOR OVER AN HOUR. STARTED MY CAR AND DROVE ANOTHER 15 MILES. IT SHIFT FINE. CHWCK EMFINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. NEXT, MORNING STARTED MY CAR AND DROVE. I HAD NO PROBLEMS. 4 DAYS LATE, DRIVING MY CAR 38 MILES AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME WITH THE SAME ISSUE, TAKE OFF IS VERY VERY SLOW. THIS IS NOT A CONSTANT PROBLEM. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE PROBLEM WILL START.

THE CAR RANDOMLY STARTS. WHEN THE CAR IS FINALLY STARTED SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT, THE WINDOWS RANDOMLY ROLL DOWN, THE LOCKS RANDOMLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THEMSELVES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANIC SHOPS INCLUDING ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST AND THE DEALERSHIP. NONE OF THEM ARE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS STAYING ON WHEN OCCUPIED. I'M AT ALMOST 60,000 MLS. THOUGHT I SAW SOMETHING ABOUT A RECALL SOMETIME AGO SO L WAS SURPRISED THAT I COULDN'T FIND ANY CONSIDERING THE COMPLAINTS L'VE BEEN SEEING. I DON'T HAVE TO MANY PASSENGERS AS MY CHILDREN WERE ALWAYS IN BACK AND JUST STARTED RIDING IN FRONT. SO I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG IT COULD HAVE BEEN GOING ON. JUST WANTED TO LET SOMEONE KNOW ANOTHER 08' S LIGHT IS LIT. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

PURCHASED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA 5 IN 2009. FOR 3 YEARS IT WAS A GOOD COMMUTER CAR. THEN WEIRD THINGS STARTED HAPPENING OUT OF THE BLUE. FIRST, THE CAR WOULDN'T ALLOW US ACCESS BY USE OF THE KEY FOB. IT WOULD UNLOCK THEN LOCK. THE VEHICLE FLIP THE DOOR UNLOCK LEVER BACK AND FORTH LIKE A GHOST WAS MOVING. SECOND, THE CAR WOULD BLOW A FRONT HEAD LAMP ALMOST EVERY 6 MONTHS LIKE CLOCK WORK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE FROM PARK. THIRD, THE FRONT CONSOLE CONTROLLING THE FAN, HEAT ETC. WOULD JUST STOP WORKING ONLY TO START WORKING A FEW HOURS OR DAYS LATER. ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC IN WINTER. FOURTH, THE OCS SENSOR MAT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING OR STATIONARY. IN ADDITION THE CAR HAS A DANGEROUS LAG IN GAINING SPEED WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AT HIGH SPEEDS ON INTERSTATES. I GUESS I'M JUST WAITING FOR THE NEXT GREMLIN TO APPEAR. WILL NEVER OWN A KIA AGAIN.

RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER OPENED PASSENGER-SIDE DOOR WITH INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. DOOR HANDLE/METALLIC COATING SEPARATED AT SEAM AND CUT/PINCHED OCCUPANT'S RIGHT RING FINGER. HANDLE SEAM NOW SEPARATED/SHARP. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN DRIVEWAY.

TAKATA RECALL WAS RUNNING THE PAPER ROUTE FOR THE TELEGRAPH AND A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE INSURANCE SAID LOSS CAUSE BUT AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF AND SOME HOW ENDED UP IN SALVAGE...

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON JUNE 19, 2017. A VEHICLE HIT MY KIA AT A SPEED OF 30 - 40 MPH IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S WHEEL BASE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN OUT OF A SHOPPING CENTER, MOVING LESS THAN 10 MPH.

MY CAR HAS APPROX 145000 MILES. DRIVES GREAT EXCEPT FOR IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS IT HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AFTER SITTING ALL NIGHT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR YOU CAN BE DRIVING 5 MPH OR 60 MPH THE CAR WILL JERK HARD...FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD THE CAR INSPECTED AND FIXED NUMEROUS TIMES. MECHANIC'S SAY THE TRANSMISSION IS IN GOOD CONDITION. THEY HAVE FIXED NUMEROUS ITEMS ON 3 DIFFERENT TIMES WITH THE TRANSMISSION; FLUSHED, WELDED, ETC . MECHANIC SAID THAT AFTER GOOGLING PROBLEM THAT MAY BE A COMPUTER DOWNLOAD THAT IS NEEDED. AS STATED ABOVE NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE SAME PROBLEM WITH 2007 THRU 2011 KIA

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES HAVE SHARP EDGES. THE THIN METAL COATING ON THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES IS PEELING OFF. THE SHARP EDGES CAUSED A CUT ON MY HAND.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, AND THE STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE CROSSED THE INTERSECTION AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRAKE AND STEERING LIGHTS INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. TWO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND IT DROVE FINE. AFTER I SIGNED PAPERS TO BUY THE VEHICLE, I DROVE IT HOME. ON THE WAY HOME I WAS DOING THE SPEED LIMIT WHICH IS 65MPH BUT I ALWAYS STAY A LITTLE UNDER THAT SPEED LIMIT. I GOT TO ABOUT 65 AND BOOM IT WAS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION HAD COME THROUGH THE FLOOR AND IT FELT AS IF I WAS GOING TO BE EJECTED FROM THE CAR! THAT SCARED ME TO DEATH!!! AFTER THAT IT STARTED DRAGGING SO I HAD TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVE THE CITY STREETS WITH MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON BECAUSE I COULD DO NO MORE THAN 35-40 MPH. I GOT THE CAR NOV 2016 AND THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT. ITS DOING THE SAME THING JUST SITTING IN A DRIVE THROUGH. IT KICKS BACK SO HARD IT HURTS MY NECK. IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HITS ME FROM THE BACK EVERYTIME. I WOULD REALLY Y LIKE TO KNOW WHERE I CAN HAVE THIS REPAIR TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE READ A LOT OF REVIEWS ONLINE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. IT'S BEEN DOING IT SINCE DAY ONE AND I NEED IT FIXED BECAUSE IT HURTS REALLY BAD. I DIDN'T DO THIS TO THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENS NO MATTER WHAT SPEED YOU'RE DOING AND THEN ACTS LIKE IT'S STUCK IN HIGH GEAR AND TAKES OFF SLOWLY AFTER IT JERKS.

ON 9/19/2016 I WAS DRIVING ON THE 91 FREEWAY ABOUT 40 MILES FROM HOME, MY CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE AND SHUT OFF, I WAS IN THE LEFT (FAST LANE) AND LOST ALL POWER, I PUT ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND HONKED THE HORN AS I STEERED THE CAR TOWARD THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FREEWAY CROSSING SEVERAL LANES, LUCKILY I MADE IT WITHOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT, I CALLED FOR THE NEAREST TOW COMPANY TO COME AND TOW MY CAR HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME I OPENED THE HOOD AND SEEN THE CRANKSHAFT CAME THROUGH THE PLASTIC...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA 5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,989.

THE RIGHT-SIDE PASSENGER BRAKES LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. ALL BULBS ARE GOOD. MY CRUISE CONTROL HAS BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. AS I'M UNABLE TO VIEW MY BRAKE LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING, I'M GOING TO ASSUME THAT THESE TWO PROBLEMS ARE OCCURRING AT THE SAME TIME. I BELIEVE IT IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE BRAKE SWITCH. I TESTED THE CRUISE CONTROL BY TRYING TO ENGAGE IT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. IT DID NOT ENGAGE. WHEN CHECKING THE BRAKES WITH THE CAR PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY - THEY WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. ALL WIRES ARE IN GOOD SHAPE AND FREE FROM CORROSION. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR AND REPORTED THIS TO YOUR ORGANIZATION. AT THE TIME I REPORTED IT THERE HAD NOT BEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FOR THE SPECTRA, SPECIFICALLY, TO RECEIVE ANY HELP. THE PROBLEM DID EXIST IN HIGH NUMBERS IN OTHER KIA MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR -2008. RECENTLY, I RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR DEFECT HAS NOW BEEN RECOGNIZED AND I CAN HAVE THIS REPAIR MADE AT THE DEALERSHIP AT KIA'S EXPENSE. I THINK IT IS PRUDENT TO REPORT THIS APPARENT BRAKE SWITCH DEFECT AS I NOTICE RECALLS ON OTHER KIA MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR AS MINE - 2008 FOR BRAKE SWITCH DEFECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,171....UPDATED 07/19/16 *BF UPDATED 06/15/18*JB

LA CAJA DE VELOCIDADES A VECES GOLPEA EN AUTOPISTA CUANDO CAMBIA HACA PRIMERA NO LO HACE SIEMPRE PERO GOLPEA FUERTE

WHILE DRIVING HWY AT 70 MILES, WHEN I INCREASE TO 75/80 THE CAR VIOLENTLY DOWNSHIFTS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY NOW BECAUSE OF IT. I THOUGHT I RAN OVER SOMETHING BUT NO, IT DID IT AGAIN WITH MY 83 YEAR OLD MOTHER IN PASSENGER SEAT. WE WERE BOTH SHOOK UP OVER IT. NOW, I DO GO PAST 50 BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL SAFE AND IT'S ONLY 8 YEARS OLD.

PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR HAS GONE BAD ON MY 2008 KIA SPECTRA 5. CAR HAS 77,522 MILES. WAS TOLD BY KIA DEALER THAT SEAT BOTTOM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1700. SAFETY IS THE CAR MANUFACTURE'S BIG SELLING FEATURE. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BY KIA IN MY OPINION.

I BOUGHT MY 2008 KIA SPECTRA IN JUNE OF 2015. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THE PURCHASE MY DOOR LOCKS STARTED ACTING UP OCCASIONALLY. NOW IT IS AN ALMOST EVERYTIME OCCURANCE. I WILL UNLOCK MY DOOR VIA KEY FOB, AND IT WILL INSTANTLY, AND AUTOMATICALLY, RELOCK ITSELF(ALL DOORS). WHEN IT DOES DECIDE TO UNLOCK, AND STAY THAT WAY UNTIL I ENTER THE VEHICLE, AS SOON AS I OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR ALL DOORS WIL LOCK. I FIND THIS QUITE ANNOYING, AND DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAVE A CHILD, AND A WIFE, AND I WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE MY VEHICLE PREVENT THEM FROM ENTERING, OR EXITING THE VEHICLE SAFETLY. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH KIA DEALERS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT WILL BE A 300-750 DOLLAR FIX, AND KIA MOTORS THEMSELVES STATED THAT SOME SPECTRA'S HAVE THIS ISSUE, BUT MINE DOES NOT BECAUSE THERE IS NO SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR MY VIN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCS SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO PART UNAVAILABILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN TURNING ON CAR AND STAYED ON. WAS INSPECTED BY MECHANIC. WAS TOLD SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS BROKEN AND SEAT MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY KIA FOR $1600. MILEAGE ON CAR AT TIME OF INSPECTION BY MECHANIC WAS 72,544 AND WAS INSPECTED ON 12/19/2015

DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND NOTHING I TRIED--SCANNER, CALLING THE DEALER, AND INSPECTING IT MYSELF--SEEMS TO BE ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. I SEE MULTIPLE PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING SIMPLER SYMPTOMS. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES AS USUAL UPON IGNITION AND SHUTS OFF AS NORMAL. IT THEN COMES BACK ON AROUND 10 TO 20 SECONDS AFTER THE CAR STARTS, AND IT DOES NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL I TURN OFF THE CAR. THE IT SOUNDS LIKE A WARRANTY ISSUE.

MY CAR KIA LIGHT ON FAILURE AIR BAG

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STAYING ON AND FLICKERS BACK AND FORTH WHEN SOMEONE LIGHT SITS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE AIRBAG IS NOT GOING TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND IM AFRAID MY LOVED ONES WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTIONING SAFETY FEATURE. KIA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REFUNDING ME THE $2100 IN EXPENSES FOR THIS AIRBAG SENSOR AND LABOR TO REPLACE IT. I WILL NEVER BUY A KIA VEHICLE AGAIN. IT IS CORPORATE-SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT KIA LACKS. THEY CHOSE NOT TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PART THAT IS SO IMPORTANT IN PROTECTING THEIR CUSTOMERS. THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE NO CARE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS' WELL-BEING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS SMOKE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,500. ACCORDING TO THE LETTER FROM THE CONSUMER'S LAWYER, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BY AN ELECTRICAL FIRE ARISING UNDER THE DASHBOARD, APPARENTLY FROM THE BLOWER/VENTILATION SYSTEM. UPDATED 09/14/15. *JB MA 10/5 STATUS UPDATED 11/19/15.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY LIABILITY. THEY BLAMED THE FIRE ON A PAST INCIDENT, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH TOO MUCH OIL. UPDATED 04/25/16.*JB *CN

LIGHT FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG GOES OFF WITHOUT AN OCCUPANT IN THE SEAT, THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON..SUSPECT THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT IS BAD. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE..BEFORE IT WAS AN OCCASIONAL THING. NOW ITS EVERYTIME I START THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE

INTERMITTINGLY, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, ENGINE BEGINS REVVING. INTERMITTINGLY, WHILE SLOWING & STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ENGINE BEGINS REVVING AND ATTEMPTS TO LURCH FORWARD. I HAVE TO PRESS THE BREAK VERY HARD TO KEEP VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. FRED ANDERSON KIA, RALEIGH, NC INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM ON 7/10/15 BUT WAS UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THEY RE-CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY. THE ISSUE HAS CONTINUED ON AND OFF SINCE THEN. ON 8/20/15, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING, I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT AT WORK. I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPOT & THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING DRAMATICALLY & THE CAR JERKED NOTICEABLY AS IT WENT INTO GEAR. I BACKED INTO THE SPOT & PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AGAIN JERKING. I LET THE CAR IDLE FOR A FEW MINUTES & MOVED IT IN & OUT OF GEAR. THE REVVING WORSENED, THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO LURCH FORWARD EVEN WITH BOTH THE BREAK & EMERGENCY BREAK & CONTINUED JERKING WITH EVERY GEAR CHANGE. I HAVE AN APPT. ON 8/21/15 WITH FRED ANDERSON KIA TO INVESTIGATE. MY CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, AS I HAVE SEEN AN INDICATION OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER KIA VEHICLES ON THIS SITE & OTHER SITES. IT SEEMS AS IF KIA IS NOT RESOLVING THE ISSUE AND I DON'T WANT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT.

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. TIRE KINGDOM CHECKED IT AND SAID IT IS THE SUSPENSION AIR BAG. COST WOULD BE 2,700 DOLLARS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURES RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TEMPORARILY REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000. UPDATED 05/24/16*LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER SUFFERED FIRST DEGREE BURNS ON BOTH ARMS AND RIGHT HAND FROM CHEMICALS USED IN THE AIR BAGS. THE FRONT PASSENGER ALSO SUFFERED AN INJURED RIGHT HAND AND SHOULDER FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR, MARCH 2013 AND THE CAR DIED WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. I WAS AT A RED LIGHT IN MAY 2014 AND THE CAR DIED AT THE STOP LIGHT. FOR THOSE TWO INCIDENTS THE KIA DEALERSHIP INDICATED AN ISSUE WITH THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. NOW, I HAVE A THIRD INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED APRIL 25, 2015, I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN STREET. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 3 BUSINESS DAYS AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE CAR IS STOPPING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME. THESE INCIDENTS COULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATALITY. THE KIA DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN DILIGENTLY TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE HOWEVER; THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE. I AM SHARING THIS INFORMATION JUST IN CASE OTHER DRIVERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. *TR

THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT APPEARS TO BE FAILING, SIMILAR TO OTHER KIA MODELS. THE LIGHT INDICATING THE AIRBAG IS OFF IS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT. *TR