FaultScore

2006 KIA Spectra fuel system problems

15 of the 129 complaints about the 2006 KIA Spectra are about the fuel system — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,055 miles.

D

15

Complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Fuel/Propulsion System 7 46.7%
Fuel System, Gasoline 6 40.0%
Tank Assembly 1 6.7%
Mounting 1 6.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 96,000 miles Rogersville, MO Crash Fire 1 injured

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AFTER A MINOR ACCIDENT WHERE THE CAR WENT IN THE DITCH OFF THE ROAD THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND BECAME RAPIDLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MINOR ACCIDENT TURNED INTO A NEAR FATALITY BECAUSE OF AN AGGRESSIVE FIRE. THE DRIVER HAD A MEDICAL EMERGENCY WHEN PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE CAR CROSSED THE ROAD AND ENTERED THE DITCH DIRECTLY ACROSS THE DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WALK AWAY ACCIDENT WITH MINOR OR NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR, BUT IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR BEFORE BURNING TO DEATH AND THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO OTHER PASSENGERS. WE HAD THE CAR ONLY A FEW WEEKS AND DO NOT HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF RECALLS BEING REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #11364760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 19,600 miles Manassas, VA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS STALLING AND JOLTING THE CAR, WE CANNOT RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND IT ONLY RUNS WHEN IN 3RD GEAR. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND WE DON'T EVEN FEEL SAFE PUTTING OUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR, BECAUSE IT'S NOT SAFE, AND WE CANNOT RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER WITHOUT IT STALLING OR JOLTING AND NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY. WE HAD THE TIMING BELT REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER 2018, WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE OIL CHANGES AND KEPT UP WITH MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER THE PROBLEMS HAVE ONLY GOTTEN WORSE, OUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 02/2019 AT LEAST AND WE'VE PUT STEERING FLUID IN, BUT THE PROBLEMS KEEP GETTING WORSE. WE CAN'T RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER, OUR FUSES KEEP BLOWING AND I WOULD LIKE OUR CAR CHECKED OUT AND FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #11229779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 215,000 miles Rocky Ridge MD, MD

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND BEGAN TO HEAR A SCRAPING NOISE. WHEN I GOT TO WORK I LOOKED UNDER MY CAR AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND SNAPPED. I LOOKED ONLINE TO ORDER A NEW ONE AND FOUND A WEBSITE SAYING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11183923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Conshohocken, PA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL, THE GAS TANK ON MY 2006 SPECTRA IS LEAKING FUEL, THE CAR IS STATIONARY.

NHTSA complaint #11171724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Southfield, MI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT CALLED A FAMILY MEMBER WHO RECOMMENDED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11065038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lancaster, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FROM THE 2ND DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE 6/27/2015 WHEN I TURNED ON A/C THE CAR HAS BEEN HESITATING AND STALLING. EVERY TIME I STARTED AND STOPPED AT LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. AND EVEN IN TRAFFIC . MAKING THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE UNSAFE.AND SO IVE BEEN COMPLAINING EVER SINCE. THEY SAID IF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN I WONT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXPENSE. HOWEVER THE CHECK ENG. NEVER CAME ON.

NHTSA complaint #10790347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1 miles Philadelphia, PA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WAS APPROACHING GERMANTOWN AVENUE FROM MT. AIRY AVENUE WITH THE EXPECTATION OF MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN ON TO GERMANTOWN AVENUE WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. I GRIPPED THE WHEEL AND TRIED TO RECOVER CONTROL OF THE CAR AND WAS SUCCESSFUL WITHIN INCHES OF A VEHICLE TURNING ONTO MT. AIRY AVENUE. THE ACCELERATOR TOOK CONTROL OF MY CAR (AND ME).I RECOVERED CONTROL OF MY CAR. LATER IN THE DAY WHILE DRIVING THE SAME EVENT HAPPENED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FACT THAT I WAS NOT IN A "TURN MODE"

NHTSA complaint #10704406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,055 miles Winchester, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE EXCESSIVELY CORRODED CAUSING THE RIGHT SIDE STRAPS TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V256000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DECLINED TO ANSWER WHY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,055.

NHTSA complaint #10605617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 92,880 miles Russell Springs, KY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

ONE OF THE VEHICLES FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAPS HAS RUSTED INTO AND DRAGGING THE PAVEMENT. THIS WOULD CAUSE A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT, FIRE AND OR EXPLOSION IF TANK HAD HIT THE PAVEMENT AND RUBBED HOLE IN THE TANK. THE VEHICLE HAS NO OTHER RUST ON UNDERCARRIAGE. SAID VEHICLE HAS 92,893 MILES ON IT AND IS A 2006 MODEL YEAR. I BELIEVE STRAPS ARE MADE OF POOR QUALITY METAL AS THERE ARE NO OTHER RUST ISSUES WITH SAID VEHICLE! I THINK THAT THIS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED A KIA DEALER AND HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME KIA'S IN THE NORTH FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. IF THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM THEY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL OF THEM!

NHTSA complaint #10549264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Soldotna, AK

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

ABOUT THE END OF MARCH I NOTICED MY CAR WAS LEAKING GAS. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED BUT ITS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. I NEVER HIT ANYTHING SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THING COULD'VE HAPPENED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON KIA SPECTRA FUEL SYSTEMS BUT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. IT WOULD BE NICE TO FIGURE OUT WHY IT ISN'T.

NHTSA complaint #10429142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Edgewood, MD

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CALLED THE DEALERSHIP OF WHERE I BOUGHT MY KIA AT, COULDNT GET A HOLD OF THEM TO SET AN APPOINTMENT TO GO INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE SERVICE DONE. I RECEIVED A LETTER ON JUNE 6TH, OF 2011, AND NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS SITUATION, AND OR TO STILL TO TAKE IT IN? OR... IM NOT SURE ON HOW TO HANDLE THIS SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #10426708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,000 miles Friendship, TN

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

I WAS PUMPING GAS INTO MY 2006 KIA SPECTRA AND HEARD A METAL POP AND THOUGHT SOMEONE RAN OVER SOMETHING. AS I WAS DRIVING I WAS HEARING SOMETHING DRAG UNDER MY CAR. WHEN I PULLED OVER IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE GAS TANK STRAP WAS SUPER RUSTED AND HAD BUSTED. THE OTHER IS RUSTED TOO. SO I LOOK ONLINE TO FIND REPLACEMENT STRAPS AND FIND A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO : 11V256000) DETAILING THAT THE GAS TANK STRAPS ARE LIABLE TO RUST AND COME OFF IF THEY WERE IN ANY NORTHERN STATES WHICH USE HEAVY AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALT. SO I CALL KIA AND THEY SAY MY MODEL THOUGH IT IS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I ASK FOR CASE TO BE OPENED. AFTER THEM TELLING ME TO GO GET A DIAGNOSTIC FROM DEALERSHIP AND 6 DAYS LATER THEY DECLINE ME FOR ANY MORE CONSIDERATION. SO I HAVE A CAR WITH ONE BROKEN GAS TANK STRAP AND OTHER IS JUST AS RUSTED AND THE GAS TANK COULD FALL OFF AND CATCH ON FIRE CAUSING ME AND/OR OTHER PEOPLE BEHIND ME TO CATCH FIRE. IF THIS ISN'T A SAFETY HAZARD I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. THE GAS TANK STRAPS SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN SO RUSTY FOR SUCH A NEW CAR. I'M IN TENNESSEE AND THE CAR HAD AN OWNER IN WISCONSIN WHO PUT THE MOST MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10412283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,334 miles Sparta, TN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, HE HEARD A POPPING AND DRAGGING NOISE AND FOUND THAT ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS HAD FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V256000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,334.

NHTSA complaint #10409361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,000 miles Madison, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2006 KIA SPECTRA WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE GAS TANK STRAPS BROKE OFF AND LET THE GAS TANK FALL ON THE ROAD. THE STRAPS RUSTED OFF. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD.THE TANK HIT ON THE ROAD AND BROKE OPEN SPILLING GAS ON ROAD. CONTACTED KIA DEALER I WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10355282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Boonsboro, MD

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I DROVE MY 2006 KIA SPECTRA TO WORK 8:45 AM PARKED. AT 6PM I GOT INTO MY CAR TO COME HOME AND AS I WAS PULLING OUT HEARD SCRAPING NOISE UNDER THE CAR. I PULLED BACK INTO PARKING SPACE & GOT OUT TO LOOK UNDER MY CAR; BOTH METAL STRAPS THAT SECURE THE GAS TANK WERE RUSTED THROUGH AND SCRAPING ON THE GROUND. MY GAS TANK WAS HANGING TO THE SIDE NOTHING WAS HOLDING THE GAS TANK TO THE CAR AT THIS POINT BUT THE FUEL LINE.

NHTSA complaint #10328164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2006 KIA Spectra problems

← Full 2006 KIA Spectra report