10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,459 miles

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problem #5

Mar 012013

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Air bag light warning light on the instrument panel came on, and mechanic diagnosed it as a faulty sensor in the front passenger seat (error code B1448 - OCS mat defective), and said that the bottom portion of the front passenger seat needed to be replaced (at a cost of $1,600). This is the same defect for which 06-08 Kia rio's were recalled (NHTSA campaign number: 12V244000). The recall should be extended to include similar model year Kia Spectras - there are a similar number of NHTSA complaints regarding airbags for the 06 Kia Spectra as 06 Kia rio. Problem was resolved by replacing the front passenger seat with one from an 04 Kia Spectra from an auto salvage yard.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #4

Dec 032007

Spectra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminates when his 125 pound spouse is seated in the front passenger seat. This indicates that the air bag would not operate properly in a crash. The dealer stated that the failure was a Kia issue and is being corrected. The current mileage was 3,100 and failure mileage was 3,000. Updated 03/14/08.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #3

Mar 132007

Spectra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,447 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra. On several occasions when an adult was sitting in the front passenger seat the air bag light illuminated. Also, the contact stated that when there was no adult in the front passenger seat and the air bag light was off. The light should be working the opposite of *akthe current failure. The failure mileage was 2447. The dealer stated that the vehicle was operating normally; however, the mechanic duplicate dthe failure. The current mileage was 2584.

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

problem #2

Nov 302006

Spectra 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 14 miles
- the contact called regarding the 2006 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag light illuminated when there was a passenger in the front seat. The failure mileage was 14. This happened intermittently. The dealer had reprogrammed the computer, and changed the passenger's front seat, which had not resolved the problem. The manufacturer sent a representative to examine the vehicle, and the air bag light illuminated while a passenger was in the front seat. The current mileage was 1600. The air bag sensor didn't reconize the consumers wife as an adult. Updated 03/22/07.

- Northport, MI, USA

problem #1

Feb 042006

Spectra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,832 miles
- the contact stated that on 02-04-06 he while driving 70 mph a 2006 Kia Spectra it was involved in a crash when the C onsumer's V ehicle was cut off by another vehicle. At which time the contact's vehicle then swerved to avoid the other vehicle and vehicle went off the road into the bushes. The vehicle sustained front end damage, the air bags did not deploy. As a result, the contact was injured. The contact stated that therewas a police report. The contact was driving a rental car.

- Los Angles, CA, USA