91 of the 1,211 complaints filed about the KIA Spectra are about the electrical system — 8% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2007.
91
Complaints
8%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
7
Fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am having a problem with my hazard turning signal lights it won't turn on.
NHTSA complaint #11556124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving at freeway speeds vehicle suddenly slams down a gear or two causing moderate whiplash,and scaring the living crap out of myself and any passengers, upon having vehicle inspected by an ase certified repair technician he confirmed my complaint and stated that car seemed to be going into either second or third gear causing the vehicle to jerk and slow rapidly accompanied by loud bang or clunk noise and making me loose control of vehicle problem only occurs once vehicle is warmed up and at operating temperature, had transmission and electrical components inspected by professional transmission repair (atra) certified repair facility the owner of this shop told me specifically that he has seen this same problem with numerous kia spectra models ranging from about 2003 through 2009 yr models , kia denies that the vehicle has a problem that is manufacturer error related and stated and I quote that the vehicle possibly has a transmission control module failing however the kia technician who drove the vehicle refused to be identified by name for fear of repercussions at his place of employment from his supervisors, please note this is not an isolated incident as it occurs almost every time the car is driven .
NHTSA complaint #11477060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11436947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY QUITS. ALSO DASH LIGHTS ON BINACLE. THEN WILL COME BACK ON AFTER A DAY OR SO, HAVE REPLACE WITH GENUINE KIA OEM PARTS BUT STILL HAPPENS. ALSO LOOKED ON FORUMS ONLINE AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE.
NHTSA complaint #11319671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER NOT WORKING WELL IT WORKS THE FIRST TIME IN THE MORNING WHEN I DRIVE AFTER I TURN CAR OFF AND GO TO DRIVE AGAIN IT WILL NOT WORK THE ENTIRE DAY. RECENTLY I HAVE MEET SOMEONE WITH EXACT MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE LITERALLY AS I DESCRIBED THE OTHER PERSON WHO I DID NOT TELL ABOUT THE PROBLEM WORD FOR WORD DESCRIBE THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO WHEN SPEEDOMETER ISN'T WORKING THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO WILL NITWORK. I HAVE REPLACED INPUT AND OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR , WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THE SPEED SENSOR WHICH WIRES BACK UP TO INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND NOTHING HAS FIXED THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11151617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL, HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON AND NOW I HAVE A LIGHT ON ON MY DASH ALL THE TIME, I GUESS THE TIRE PLACE THREW AWAY OR KEPT SPECIAL VALVE STEMS, HOW DO I TURN OFF LIGHT. THE FRONT SEAT, SEAT CUSHION CAME LOOSE FROM THE SEAT FRAME WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CANYON ROAD ,NOW I CAN LIFT THE SEAT CUSHION AND SEE THE FRAME AND FLOOR BELOW AND DINT KNOW IF CUSHION WILL COME COMPLEATLY OFF NEXT TIME I DRIVE DOWN THE CANYON ROAD
NHTSA complaint #11140540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11080151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PROBLEM IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON/OFF AND ON AGAIN. FAULT CODES WERE P0700 AND P0748 AS DONE AT AUTOZONE. SOME TYPE OF FAULT WITH THE TRANSAXLE (P0700) OR FAILED TRANSAXLE CONTROL MODULE/FAILED LINEAR SOLENOID VALVE/OPEN OR SHORT CICUIT CONDITION IN THE LINEAR SOLENOID CONTROL. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SHUTTERS HARD CAR SHIFTS FINE WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. WHEN ENGINE WARMS UP (AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 10 MILES) WHILE CRUISING IN 4TH GEAR, A LURCH IS FELT FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN AND THE TRANS DOWN SHIFTS TO 3RD GEAR. SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE DOESN'T HELP. THE TRANS STAYS IN 3RD GEAR. SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND LET IT COOL DOWN AND IT IS BACK TO WORKING NORMAL AGAIN. THINKING ABOUT REPLACING THE SHIFT CONTROL MODULE. FIX LINK.... HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=URUT3T8UUCW HTTP://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/CERATO-2003-2008-SPECTRA5-2004/72381-2006-SPECTRA-P0750-P0765-P0755-P0760-2.HTML THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ON ALL KIA SPECTRAS PLEASE ADVISE
NHTSA complaint #11080071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11022781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL - SPEEDOMETER / ODOMETER - FUNCTIONS INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO POSSIBLE SHORT IN WIRING
NHTSA complaint #11016112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY IN MY VEHICLE RECENTLY,AFTER REMOVING THE OLD BATTERY I TRIED TO GET THE NEW BATTERY OUT OF THE CAR, WHICH WAS IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. THE DOORS HAPPENED TO BE LOCKED BUT THE DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW WAS DOWN. WITH THE BATTERY OUT NONE OF THE DOORS WOULD OPEN, I REACHED IN THROUGH THE WINDOW TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN EITHER. A PERSON COULD EASILY BECOME TRAPPED IN THE CAR IF IT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND THE BATTERY'S ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS WERE DAMAGED, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THIS!
NHTSA complaint #10938408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10874318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BOUGHT THE CAR AT 50K MILES AND STARTED HAVING ISSUES. SEAL FOR WINDSHIELD POPPING OUT,AIRBAG LIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE STAYS ON CONSTANTLY TRANSMISSION JERKING,AND DOORS AUTO LOCKING IN PARK POSITION. BALL JOINTS NO GOOD AND HAD TO PAY PUT OF POCKET. REFUSED TO COVER WARRANTY BECAUSE I DIDN'T BUY THE CAR NEW. HAVE TO CALL LOCKSMITH TO GET KEYS OUT,CAUSE I REFUSE TO BRAKE WINDOWS,THAT ALSO ARE MISALIGNED ON DRIVERS SD CAUSING IT TO NOT CLOSE FULLY. SHAME THEY CAN'T WARRANTY THEIR CAR YET ONLY CONVENIENT COVER ONLY BUYER...SMH REFUSED
NHTSA complaint #10873036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS CAR IS TRYING TO KILL ME. I TURN ON MY CAR, FEET AREN'T ON THE PEDALS, MY RPMS REV AND SPUTTER UP TO 4,000+ WITHOUT ME DOING ANYTHING. SOMETIMES IT WILL LAUNCH ME A BIT WHEN I'M TRYING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. SOMETIMES I'LL BE AT A STOP SIGN OR A RED LIGHT, COMPLETELY STOPPED, FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HARD. CROSS-TRAFFIC FLOWING. SUDDENLY MY ENGINE REVVS AND MY CAR LUNGES FORWARD. WTF KIA? I'VE TAKEN IT TO KIA ONCE AND THEY TOLD ME ITS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT'S GOING TO COST MORE THAN THE CAR IS EVEN WORTH AND MORE MONEY THAN I HAVE TO SPEND. SO NOW WHAT? I'M GOING TO PAY FOR A LIFE ENDANGERING MECHANICAL PROBLEM THAT LIKELY COSTS DOLLARS AND MINUTES TO FIX BECAUSE THE MECHANIC THINKS ITS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM? HOPEFULLY SOMETHING IS RESOLVED BEFORE THIS CAR WRECKS ITSELF.
NHTSA complaint #10863846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #10853353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10824763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10819655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BACK SEAL BELTS STOP WORKING. THEY WILL NOT COME OUT NO MATTER WHAT I TRY. THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I GOT THE CAT IN 2012. BUT NOW THEY WON'T COME OUT AT ALL. ALSO THE BLOWER FOR THE A/C OR HEAT STOPPED WORKING. I HAD TO SLAM MY HOOD FOR IT TO COME ON BUT NOW IT COMPLETELY STOPPED COMING ON.
NHTSA complaint #10819109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10787951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10783133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.