2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,185 miles

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problem #5

May 042022

Spectra

  • miles
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.

- Arcata, CA, USA

problem #4

Jan 092017

Spectra

  • 100 miles
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 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

- Mary Esther, FL, USA

problem #3

Jan 252016

Spectra

  • 126,000 miles
Upon entering the highway, the transmission seemed to lag. I could not go over 50 mph. And oncoming traffic including an 18 wheeler seemed to almost stop or I would have been killed! this problem has developed over the last year where the car gets stuck in 3rd gear and acceleration is poor or the transmission does not change gears. If it sits for a while it has an engine light on and still acts up for a while then finally goes back to working correctly. The problem today was the first life threatening incident and therefore I believe it is a recall! this problem has been reported for 5 model years affected: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, more! this is life threatening and needs to be a recall as it has been found as a software update but others on line say there is a soldering problem in the transmission. This should not be something the public should be spending money on when it is a failure due to manufacture or a software glitch or both!

- West Richland, WA, USA

problem #2

Jun 302015

Spectra

  • miles
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.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 062015

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 129,825 miles
I was waiting at a red light, when the engine started to speed up and the car started to pull forward even with me stepping harder on the brake. I put the car in neutral and the revving slowed down. This happened a few more times, including while trying to park at a mall. Luckily I was able to avoid and accident by shifting to neutral every time the car surged. This is a rental car, not my car.

- Freehold, NJ, USA