10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
92,312 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #10

Mar 072020

Spectra

  • 130,000 miles
I was driving to work on 7 March 2020. As soon as I turn to park in the parking lot of my job, the car turned off. I try to crank it on 3 times it wouldn't let me. So I went in to work, thank god I made it to the parking lot at least. After running to auxine to see what's wrong with it (they were no help) I made few calls between friends and car companies. Turned out it was the timing belt that snapped and it's because it wasn't change for a long time and I only had the car for 3 years. So with the timing belt messing up, it mess up the engine also. I am now with no car juggling between rides and taxis to take to work. I really love my Kia and I am so sad this happened. I don't even know what to do. This happened at zaxbys parking lot (where I work at) in wilson, nc.

- Wilson, NC, USA

problem #9

Sep 252019

Spectra

  • 235,000 miles
Will randomly stall. Been to the mechanic several times and we can't find the problem. Doesn't matter if your going down the road or just idling in the yard stalls out.

- Adairsville, GA, USA

problem #8

Feb 202019

Spectra

  • 110,000 miles
My car is revving, even in park. If it occurs while driving, the brakes are hard to push as well.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #7

Aug 112017

Spectra

  • 138,000 miles
Takata recall was running the paper route for the telegraph and a deer ran out in front of my vehicle insurance said loss cause but air bags never went off and some how ended up in salvage...

- East Alton, IL, USA

problem #6

Sep 192016

Spectra

  • 50,700 miles
On 9/19/2016 I was driving on the 91 freeway about 40 miles from home, my car made a loud noise and shut off, I was in the left (fast lane) and lost all power, I put on the hazard lights and honked the horn as I steered the car toward the right side of the freeway crossing several lanes, luckily I made it without having an accident, I called for the nearest tow company to come and tow my car home. When I got home I opened the hood and seen the crankshaft came through the plastic...

- Perris, CA, USA

problem #5

Jun 182016

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 122,171 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. While driving approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel locked and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 122,171....updated 07/19/16 updated 06/15/18

- New Carlisle, OH, USA

problem #4

Jul 012015

Spectra

  • 97,000 miles
Intermittingly, after starting the vehicle, engine begins revving. Intermittingly, while slowing & stopping at a traffic light, engine begins revving and attempts to lurch forward. I have to press the break very hard to keep vehicle from moving forward. Fred anderson Kia, raleigh, nc investigated this problem on 7/10/15 but was unable to recreate the problem. They re-cleaned the throttle body. The issue has continued on and off since then. On 8/20/15, after approximately 45 minutes of highway driving, I pulled into the parking lot at work. I put the car into reverse to back into a parking spot & the engine started revving dramatically & the car jerked noticeably as it went into gear. I backed into the spot & put the car in park, again jerking. I let the car idle for a few minutes & moved it in & out of gear. The revving worsened, the car attempted to lurch forward even with both the break & emergency break & continued jerking with every gear change. I have an appt. On 8/21/15 with fred anderson Kia to investigate. My concern is the safety of the vehicle, as I have seen an indication of the same problem with other Kia vehicles on this site & other sites. It seems as if Kia is not resolving the issue and I don't want to have an accident because of it.

- Garner, NC, USA

problem #3

Nov 112011

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 35,844 miles
Vehicle surges while driving and/or while stopped in traffic.

- Wilkes Barre, PA, USA

problem #2

Jan 072009

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 200 miles
I paid cash for a Kia 08/09, the engine light came on when it was drop off by the dealership.I call right back I was told to bring it in. This continue 3 times after, the crank shaft went out, the fuel sensor was the 4 time with me 1 time with the other owner. She put 3500mi. On the car fact. My title said, 200 mi. Then, the gas peddle was so hot I could not keep my foot on it. I was call by Kia, park the car or it will blow up on you. I was on the road next to a cane field no houses close to me. I'm 65 yrs. Old, been going for over 38 mo. Because the dealer was Louisiana new car commissioner(1) he keeping me at bay. This car was on it way back to Kia manfacture. But was sold to me because I paid cash. They they tried to buy back the car from a loan co. Where I took a loan on it. They laugh at me tell me I'm on my own. I still have the warranty on it. Could you help me. This was a new car I was sold even though some one else had it before me for months 3500mi. Yet on my title it said 200mi.

- Houma, LA, USA

problem #1

Aug 232012

Spectra

  • 4,200 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that after having the oil changed, the vehicle stalled without any warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted and was taken back to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. Immediately after leaving the dealership for the second time the failure recurred while driving approximately 35 mph. The driver was able to merge to the side of the highway and restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnose that the mass air sensor flow filter and spark plugs needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact has experienced surging in the vehicle when coming to a complete stop. After the surging, the RPM's would race to high numbers. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 4,200. The current mileage was approximately 7,700.

- Marino, OH, USA