10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,963 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #15

Oct 152009

Spectra

  • miles
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.

- Stuart, FL, USA

problem #14

Jul 102017

Spectra

  • 58,000 miles
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.

- Kaneohe, HI, USA

problem #13

May 012016

Spectra

  • 51,000 miles
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.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #12

Apr 042012

Spectra

  • miles
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

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #11

Aug 012014

Spectra

  • miles
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.

- Cocoa, FL, USA

problem #10

Sep 202015

Spectra

  • 108,000 miles
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.

- North Port, FL, USA

problem #9

May 112015

Spectra

  • 124,678 miles
I was driving on the interstate about 65 mph. All of sudden, the car lost all forward motion power. When I pressed the gas, the rpms increased, but the car did not get any power. The engine continued to run without problem. After stopping on the shoulder, I put the car in park and turned off the engine. After starting again, I put the car in drive, the forward power was working again and the car shifted fine. Transmission fluid was changed at 110,000 miles. Suspecting transmission, I took to a transmission specialist. I was given the following information: Error code P0750 shift solenoid; error code P0755 shift solenoid B; error code P0760 shift solenoid C; error code P0765 shift solenoid D. was given price quote to fix, but encouraged to contact Kia dealership about problem as they had seen this before on other similar Kia Spectras. Called dealership to inform them of problem. Left message, but never got a return call; and the one time I got a person, I was told that they would have someone from service call me back. Never heard from anyone. On May 16, 2015, the same thing happened, only this time turning the car off did not work and the check engine light came on. I was able to disconnect the battery and reconnect, then the car shifted again. Has anyone else had this problem" is there a recall? before I spend $2000, I want to know if Kia is avoiding my calls because they know there is problem" did internet search and have found similar complaints.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #8

Apr 222015

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 28,000 miles
Dear sir/madam, this vehicle has the problem of locking its door automatically. On the reported incident date, inside the garage the door locked automatically (also happens when I try to open both doors) seconds after buckling up my 5 year old son. The keys were inside the car and it would have been a disaster had I not left the garage door open to get the spare key from home. When I reported this issue back in 2008 and 2011, Kia didn't have technicians and asked me to come back later. I reported the same when I went for service in April 2013 they told that they will diagnose the problem and parts will need to be paid for in addition to diagnostic fees. I reviewed online and it seems Kia has a significant number of vehicles with this issue this is a safety issue in case a child gets trapped inside the car in which case the windows may need to be shattered to get access to the child (and can cause injury to the child as well). I would appreciate recommending Kia to fix the problem for all affected people thanks and best regards, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

problem #7

May 142014

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 69,000 miles
My car was parked, in my driveway, and had ran fine the day before. I went out and started the car but could not get the car out of park and into reverse. I was unable to even roll the car a little by pushing it, which indicates the car was stuck in park with force. I had my neighbor come over and he managed to, with a ton of pressure, put the car in reverse. Seems to not be as hard on a flat surface but my driveway has a slant to it. Put car back in driveway and tried to leave a couple hours later and same issue. I had to purchase aaa and have somebody come out to pull out of park. Looked on line and there's a ton of recalls big mine the 2007 Kia Spectra. Which is the only year not being recalled. I was told, by Kia dealership it was safe to drive but pet my research, no it's not. They want to change for repair yet every other Kia make is recalled.

- Camarillo, CA, USA

problem #6

Jul 012009

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 23,000 miles
The doors lock again immediately after unlock. This happens almost all of the time. The locks also lock and unlock repeatedly while the car is in motion.

- Utica, NY, USA

problem #5

Jul 152013

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 119,767 miles
Owner noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood while driving, vehicle quit moving and would not restart. Upon inspection, the ign 2 30 amp fusible link located in the engine compartment fuse box was blown and the starter solenoid, located on the starter, was melted. It was discovered that there was no factory circuit protection between the battery and the starter solenoid. It is speculated that the ignition switch became stuck in the start position and melted the starter solenoid due to continuous starter operation after the initial start until melting and smoke occurred. While there was no fire this time, the absence of circuit protection on this circuit poses a serious risk because this wire runs from the battery, over the transmission, and up behind the engine, ultimately to the starter solenoid. There are many places where this wire could rub and wear off the insulation over time, causing a short to ground directly to the battery with no circuit protection.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #4

Jun 272013

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
Wiring system overheated and the started sparking. The relay and coating melted off the wires.

- Braselton, GA, USA

problem #3

Apr 092013

Spectra

  • 134,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that the air conditioning motor failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was determined that the wiring harness was melted and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 134,000.

- Weatherford, TX, USA

problem #2

Jul 012011

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 69,000 miles
On my 2007 Kia Spectra the blower motor has a field effects transistor, the transistor has malfunctioned and got so hot it has melted the plug and wiring to it. I have taken it in to Kia and they insist there is nothing wrong with it. After looking on the internet I have found that I'm not the only one that has this problem.

- Hesperia, CA, USA

problem #1

Dec 202007

Spectra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2007 Kia Spectra with defective auto-off headlamps. Consumer states that this problem has caused the battery to die and him to need a jumpstart. He also states that the lights will come on periodically and will sometimes stay on. The dealer has been unable to diagnose the problem. The dealer replaced several components, including the ignition switch which failed, as well as the multi-function switch.

- Clinton, NY, USA