30 of the
1,211 complaints filed about the KIA Spectra
are about the glass, mirrors and wipers —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
30
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. AFTER OPENING THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS, THEY FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW NEEDED A NEW MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,896.
NHTSA complaint #10693083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE AND THE HEAT BLOWER WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE HEAT BLOWER WAS INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HEAT BLOWER WIRE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
NHTSA complaint #10558034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLOWER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE HEATER TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
NHTSA complaint #10555553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BLOWER FAN MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE HEATING UNIT TO FAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE BLOWER FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE BLOWER FAN REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,106.
NHTSA complaint #10553838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER UNIT WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE UNIT BUT COULD NOT LOCATE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE UNIT WAS OPERABLE WHEN DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT IF THE FAILURE WERE TO RECUR, THEN THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER FILED A CLAIM ON THE CONTACT'S BEHALF . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,934. ...UPDATE 01/20/12
NHTSA complaint #10439856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE RUBBER STRIPPING THAT HOLDS THE WINDSHIELD IN PLACE CAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE RUBBER STRIP BROKE AWAY FROM THE GLASS AND BEGAN SLAPPING HARD AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. WE HAD TO TAPE THE RUBBER IN PLACE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DOWN THE CENTER FROM THE RUBBER SLAPPING AGAINST THE GLASS AND/OR THE RATTLING OF THE GLASS. SINCE THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AS WELL AS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE - WE ARE REQUESTING THAT KIA TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10411809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2003 KIA SPECTRA. NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. POWER WINDOWS FAIL TO WORK. A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CAME OFF THE TRACK, AND THE IN-DOOR ASSEMBLY HAD CRUMBLED WITHIN THE DOOR. TOOK GETTING AN ENTIRE ASSEMBLY TO REPAIR THE WINDOW. TODAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT OPEN. MOTOR STILL WORKS. A CLICKING SOUND CAN BE HEARD AS IT RUNS, BUT IT IS NOT GRIPPING THE WINDOW TO LOWER IT. (STILL NOT REPAIRED).
NHTSA complaint #10377946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVER'S DOOR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILS CAUSING WINDOW TO SLIDE DOWN TRACK INTO THE DOOR. THE POWER REGULATOR RAISES AND LOWERS THE WINDOW WITH A METAL WIRE RUNNING THROUGH PLASTIC GUIDES ON A METAL TRACK. THE ENDS OF THE WIRE ARE CAPPED INSIDE A PLASTIC BRACKET TO WHICH THE WINDOW IS ATTACHED. THESE PLASTIC PARTS WEAR AND CRACK CAUSING THE WIRE TO COME LOOSE THUS PREVENTING THE WINDOW FROM BEING HELD UP.
NHTSA complaint #10353778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ENGAGING THE INTERIOR HEAT, THE DEFROSTER WOULD AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGE AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALER ADVISED THE COMPRESSOR HAD FAILED AN ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10336796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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).
NHTSA complaint #10326120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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".
NHTSA complaint #10323935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW FELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS POOR QUALITY AND THEY REPLACED THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND RE-ATTACHED THE WINDOW CABLE. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOWS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FELL SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WEATHER CAUSED A PLASTIC PART ON THE WINDOW REGULATOR TO FAIL. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL THREE WINDOW REGULATORS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,140.
NHTSA complaint #10211447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT REPORTED WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED TO REMOVE SNOW AND ICE FROM THE WINDSHIELD, BUT THEN BECAME INOPERABLE. AS THE TEMPERATURE CONTINUED TO DROP THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS REMAINED MOTIONLESS. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ICE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 6,500.*AK UPDATE 4/25/07
NHTSA complaint #10186539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY OF 2003, JUNE 30TH OF 2003 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD TO HAVE THE TPS REPLACED AND 3 MORE TIMES TO PRESENT. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED, HEATING PROBLEM, EXHAUST REPLACED. CAR IS NOW ON 46,000 HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED (THROUGH AN ATT. FROM LEMON LAW) AT 16,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED. AND, NOW TO DATE TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR THE 5TH TIME, BRAKES WERE DONE 4 TIMES, NOW TO FIND OUT THE REASON TIRES AND BRAKES WERE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SO MANY TIMES IS BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION IS WAY OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHICH SEEING I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG I NOW BELIEVE IT WAS A DEFECT ALL ALONG.
NHTSA complaint #10174576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLING, IT IDLES LOW AND THEN REVS UP ON IT'S OWN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MAIN SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM RETURNED, AND THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. ALSO, TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL SENSOR AND THIS PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT OPERATE, UP OR DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE CABLE WAS UNHOOKED AND REPAIRED IT.
NHTSA complaint #10150117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
I HAVE HAD THE HEATING SYSTEM IN MY CAR REPAIRED 4 TIMES SINCE THE DAY THAT I BOUGHT IT. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. I LIVE IN VERMONT WHERE THE WEATHER GETS EXTREMELY COLD IN THE WINTER, MEANING THAT YOU HAVE TO KEEP WINDOWS CLEARED AT ALL TIMES, IF NOT, IT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH SHOULD THERE BE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER SHIP FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE, THOUGH THEY HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF IT HAPPENING NOW. THIS WILL BE THE 5TH TIME THAT IT HAS GONE IN FOR REPAIRED ON THE SAME ISSUE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE A/C BLOWER AND HEATER ARE WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. THE BLOWER DOES NOT WORK AND THERE IS NO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10148950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2001 KIA SPECTRA TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. FUEL PUMP AND TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, REAR WINDOW FELL OUT OF VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE TECHNICIAN THAT REPLACED THE REAR WINDOW STATED THE GLUE THAT WAS USED TO INSTALL THE WINDOW WAS DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10148660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A CAR 8 MONTHS AGO, A KIA SPECTRA, RIGHT AFTER I GOT IT THE REARVIEW MIRROR FELL DOWN WITH A PIECE OF THE WINDSHIELD. I WENT TO THE KIA DEALER AND THEY FIXED IT. THEY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. BUT LAST WEEK EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN THEY RESCHEDULED MY APPOINTMENT 3 TIMES, AND FINALLY TODAY AFTER 7 HOURS OF WAITING I GOT MY CAR BACK. BUT THIS TIME THEY DIDN'T REPLACE IT, THEY ONLY GLUED IT, WHICH BY THE WAY I DON'T THINK IS GOING TO WORK. BUT THEY SAID THAT KIA DOESN'T WANT TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE THE CAR DOESN'T HAVE A KIA WINDSHIELD ANYMORE. BUT WHEN THEY REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME THEY DECIDED TO USED A NON-KIA PART, NOT ME PROBABLY BECAUSE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE PRICE IS OVER $200. ANYWAY, I'M REALLY UPSET AND DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS. I GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO SHOW ME HOW GOOD KIA IS. YOU CAN ORDER A KIA WINDSHIELD FOR $350 OR YOU CAN REPLACE IT WITH A LOCAL COMPANY FOR ABOUT $100. SO YOU DO THE MATH, AND TELL ME IF THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.
NHTSA complaint #10104434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 2 CAR LENGTHS AHEAD OF ME AND OUR 2 YEAR OLD SON IN HIS CAR SEAT IN BACK. HE WAS DRIVING APROX 50 MPH. HE WAS IN A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE BACK WINDOW BLEW OUT. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A WARRANTY UP TO 60000 MILES. WE IMMEDIATELY DROPPED THE CAR OFF. THEY SAID WE DID SOMETHING WRONG IE HIT SOMETHING THREW SOMETHING ECT. THEY CLAIMED THE FOUND A PEBBLE ON THE BACK LID (WE SEARCHED THE CAR) THE PEBBLE HAD THE SAME EPOXY FOUND ON THIER SHOP FLOOR. THEY DID NOT REPLACE NOR TAKE BLAME. WE WERE BLOWN OFF. AND SCIENTIFICALLY SPEAKING IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR A PEBBLE TO FLY BACKWARDS INTO A REAR WINDOW AND SHATTER IT. THERE ARE NO OVER PASSES OR ANYTHING IN THAT AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10083062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.