2002 Kia Spectra Problems

A FRONT TIE ROD BROKE, SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE, AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIT UP BUT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE NOT POINTING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ISSUE LIKELY CAUSED A DISCONNECT IN A CIRCUIT, WHICH CAN PREVENT ALL AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING.

ON MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2006, A 1984 GMC PICKUP, CROSSED THE CENTER LINE OF TX 317, CAUSING A SEVERE FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. ALTHOUGH THE SPECTRA DRIVER WAS PROPERLY WEARING HER SEAT BELT, SHE SUSTAINED FATAL BLUNT FORCE INJURIES WHEN THE FRONTAL DRIVER?S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN THE SEVERE FRONTAL COLLISION DUE TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG, HOWEVER, DID DEPLOY AND PROVIDED SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT TO THE BELTED PASSENGER, THUS SHE WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE CRASH. WARRANTY CLAIMS TO KIA FOR OPEN CIRCUITS IN THIS AND SIMILAR MODELS' AIRBAG SYSTEMS NUMBER IN EXCESS OF 400 AND MAYBE MANY TIMES THAT NUMBER. *TR

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.

DRIVING AT 35 MPH, SLOWING DOWN APPROACHING TRAFFIC LIGHT, PRESSED ON BRAKES AND HAD ALMOST NO TENSION. NEARLY SMASHED DIRECTLY INTO THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. USED BOTH FEET WITH ALL THE PRESSURE I COULD GIVE TO STOP THE CAR. FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID LEAVING ME WITH NO BRAKE FLUID WHATSOEVER. VERY DANGEROUS. THE PROPORTIONING VALVE NEEDS REPLACING. I HAVE BEEN FILLING UP THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM, WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ASSESSED? *JS

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT FEMALE FASTENER AND ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND TO BE NO LONGER SECURED TO SEAT OR CAR ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE 1 BOLT THAT HOLDS THE BRACKET TO THE VEHICLE HAD COME FULLY OUT ALLOWING THE BRACKET TO BE PULLED OUT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA (NA). THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 COSCO CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 222-33PET. THE CHILD WAS PROPERLY SECURED FACING FORWARD IN THE " CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT WHICH UNEXPECTEDLY TILTED IN A FORWARD POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT WAS IN USE WHICH WAS INSTALLED USING THE LATCH SYSTEM. THE CONTACT HAD NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS. THERE WERE CONCERNS OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNABLE.

I HAVE A 02 KIA SPECTRA AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT ON THIS VEHICLE. I ONLY HAVE 60,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE DEALERS 4 TIMES; WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. ON THE FIRST VISIT, PART OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT SERVICE DEALER FOR THE SECOND VISIT WHERE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. ON THE THIRD AND FOURTH VISITS, THE SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

CAR JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. NO CAUTION LIGHTS CAME ON. FIRE STARTED AROUND THE BACK TIRE OF CAR, PASSENGER REAR. POSSIBLY TRUNK. HAVE PHOTOS. SMOKE QUICKLY ENTERED BACK SEAT AREA WITH ONLY MOMENTS TO STOP AND JUMP OUT BEFORE IT WENT UP IN SMOKE. *TR

HAD KIA SINCE 11-2002, HAD TO TAKE BACK TO THE DEALER OVER 10 TIMES WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH. HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS, ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STICK SHIFT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR EASILY. DASH BOARD HAS STARTED WARPING BECAUSE IT IS NOT GLUED TOGETHER. THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO COMES APART. DEALER SAYS IT IS SUPPOSE TO DO THAT. HAD TAKEN IT TO MECHANIC WHO INFORMS ME THAT EVENTUALLY MY DASHBOARD WILL WARP ALL THE TO THE AIRBAGS. NOW I AM AFRAID THAT AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THEN I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BACK BRAKES BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING, AND I WAS NEVER INFORMED AND HAD TO PAY TO HAVE MY BRAKES FIXED MYSELF. I HAVE TALKED TO THE HOME OFFICE OF KIA AND EVERYBODY REFUSES TO HELP ME. PLEASE GIVE ME ANY FEED BACK TO HELP ME. *NM

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.

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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED, CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,637.

STOPPING TO AVOID CARS CUTTING ME OFF OR BRAKING FOR ANY REASON. OCCURS OFTEN. BRAKE & GAS PEDALS TOO CLOSE. THOUGHT IT WAS A SURGE FOR ALONG TIME, BUT REALIZED BOTH PEDALS WERE BEING PRESSED AT THE SAME TIME, EVEN MORE SO FOR PEOPLE WITH A WIDER FOOT THAN MINE. NOTED BY MY MECHANIC AND DAUGHTER ALSO. SEVERAL NEAR MISSES. MECHANIC HAD NO REMEDY FOR PROBLEM. IT'S A KIA SPECTRA, LS, 2002 PROBLEM. *CW

WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE SPEED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

AT THE END OF JULY 2004 MY KIA SPECTRA BEGAN TO ACT AS IF THE CAR WAS CHOKING AND NOT GOING TO START AFTER I TURNED ON THE IGNITION OF THE CAR. I NOTICED THAT THE CAR ONLY DID THIS AFTER IT HAD SAT FOR A WHILE (LIKE OVER NIGHT). I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT A YEAR EARLIER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY THING WRONG WITH THE CAR IT WAS ACTING NORMAL. IF THAT IS THE CASE THEN WHY IS IT JUST NOW STARTING TO ACT LIKE THIS AND IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME. IF YOU ASK ME I THINK THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHILE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I BET IF I WHERE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AFTER MY WARRANTY HAS RAN OUT THEN THEY WOULD FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED. GUESS WHAT FARRELL KIA OF SPARTANBURG I ONLY HAVE 11,500 MILES ON THIS 2002 KIA SPECTRA. BY THE WAY THE CAR IS STILL ACTING LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO TURN OFF OR CHOKING WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR SOMETIMES.*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DOOR HANDLES WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

THE PAINT JUST FADED AWAY. ALOT ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR. LOOKS BAD WITH PART OF THE PAINT FADING AWAY. WAS THERE A RECALL FOR THE FACTORY PAINT JOB ON THE CAR/ *TR

A FRONT TIE ROD BROKE, SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE, AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIT UP BUT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE NOT POINTING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ISSUE LIKELY CAUSED A DISCONNECT IN A CIRCUIT, WHICH CAN PREVENT ALL AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING.

POWER STEERING BELT FAILED AT 15,000 MILES. DEALER REPLACED THE PART. HOWEVER, CONSUME R NOTICED THAT THE PART NUMBER WAS DIFFERENT FROM THE ORIGINAL. CONSUMER WAS WILLING TO SEND FAILURE PART. *AK

A FRONT TIE ROD BROKE, SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE, AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIT UP BUT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE NOT POINTING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ISSUE LIKELY CAUSED A DISCONNECT IN A CIRCUIT, WHICH CAN PREVENT ALL AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING.

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.

ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2008 AT 4:45PM, I WAS DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY 58 BY JENKINS AND ROSEDALE HIGHWAY IN BAKERSFIELD, CA. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND WAS APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES DUE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF MY BRAKING AUTOMATICALLY, MY BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I WAS IN A FRONT END CRASH. NOT ONLY DID MY BRAKES LOCK UP, BUT MY DUEL SIDED AIR BAGS IN MY 2002 KIA SPECTRA WHICH I HAVE ONLY OWNED FOR FOUR MONTHS DID NOT DEPLOY. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BADLY INJURED BUT DUE TO THIS INCIDENT MY MUSCLES ARE BADLY SORE AND BRUISED. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE IS DESTROYED AND MOST IMPORTANTLY MY HEADLIGHTS WHICH ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO HAVE, ARE SHATTERED. *TR

BOTH HEADLIGHTS KEEP BLOWING OUT. AT APPROX. 17,000 MILES THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT. REPLACED WITH STANDARD BULB. AT APPROX. 22,000 MILES, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BLEW OUT. REPLACED BOTH LOWBEAM HEADLIGHTS AT THAT TIME WITH SYLVANIA H7 CB COOL BLUE REPLACEMENTS AS PER LOCAL DEALER RECOMMENDATION. NOW THREE MONTHS LATER AT APPROX. 27,000 MILES, THE DRIVERSIDE HEADLIGHT HAS BURNED OUT AGAIN. THESE WERE ALL PUT IN BY A MECHANIC AND THE BULB WAS NEVER TOUCHED.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. THE VEHICLE HAS STARFIRE FLITE-LINE IV, SIZE P185/65R14 (NA) TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVED BACK AND FORTH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS WORN. THE DEALER EXPLAINED WHAT CAUSED THE TIRES TO CONTINUOUSLY WEAR; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT COULD NOT REMEMBER THE INFORMATION. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED SEVEN TIMES WITH DIFFERENT TIRE BRANDS AND LINES. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

THE REAR DRIVER TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE WINDOW WAS DOWN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN A TAPPING NOISE STARTED TO SOUND, WHEN THE CAR STOPPED BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FEELING SHAKY, THE TIRE HAD A RIP IN THE SIDE OF IT, THE WIRES WERE SHOWING, IT LOOKED LIKE A CUT BUT IT HAD JUST HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS SCARY TO SAY THE LEAST. THE TIRE HAS ALOT OF TREAD LEFT ON IT AND I THINK THE OTHER MATCHING SET OF TIRES MAY EXPLODE ANY DAY. AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW WITH THE TIRES BEING THIS WAY. *TR

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR AT 65 MPH, CAUSING IT TO STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS BROKE, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *SC *JB

WHEN DRIVING ON FLAT SURFACE CONSUMER WAS HIT ON FRONT LEFT DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATES DURING THE ACCIDENT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT AND THE BACK SEAT UNLOCKED AND CAME DOWN. *YH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRUM. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND IT WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP CONNECTOR AND A BLOWN FUSE . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THIS WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY FUEL TANK SENOR, AND PART WAS REPLACED. PROBLEM RECURRED. *TT

I PURCHASED 2002 KIA SPECTRA IN 11/ 2004 WITH 14,000 MILES ON IT. ( I HAVE ALL MAINTENANCE WORK DOCUMENTED) . IN 2006 I NOTICED MY CAR WOULD GET SLUGGISH AND HESITATE WHENEVER I WOULD ACCELERATE. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. BUT I DID TAKE IT IN FOR A TUNE-UP AND TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND FILL. THIS WAS IN 10/2006 AND I ONLY HAD 26,000 MILES ON IT .BUT THIS PROBLEM PERSISTED AND IT WORSENED TO A POINT THAT IT TOOK A WHILE BEFORE IT WOULD SHIFT GEARS. I WOULD HAVE TO HOLD MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND PUMP IT A FEW TIMES. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER IN JANUARY 2008 AND EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND IT WAS MAKING LOUD NOISES. THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SO I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION COST WAS $1,800.00 THEY ALSO STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED IN THIS CAR ONCE BEFORE. NOW THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION AND MY CAR ONLY HAS 31,442 MILES ON IT. SO MY CAR WAS NOW RUNNING OK AT FIRST BUT IT STILL PAUSES AND JERKS WHEN IM DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL NO MATTER WHAT SPEED IM DRIVING AT. IT ALSO WONT GO IN REVERSE WHEN I SHIFT TO THE REVERSE GEAR. THIS BEGAN TO HAPPEN IN JANUARY 2012 AND WITH ONLY 50159 MILES ON IT. AGAIN I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS INTERNAL FAILURES, THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IS $1520.00 INSTALLED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP AND WOULD EXHIBIT LOUD NOISES WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT REVERSE WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AGAIN ADVISED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,432. UPDATED 09/06/12*LJ UPDATED 09/10/2012 *JS

CAR JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. NO CAUTION LIGHTS CAME ON. FIRE STARTED AROUND THE BACK TIRE OF CAR, PASSENGER REAR. POSSIBLY TRUNK. HAVE PHOTOS. SMOKE QUICKLY ENTERED BACK SEAT AREA WITH ONLY MOMENTS TO STOP AND JUMP OUT BEFORE IT WENT UP IN SMOKE. *TR

CAR IN FRONT STOPPED SHORT SO ALSO IMMEDIATELY APPLIED BRAKES FORCEFULLY IN VEHICLE. WHEELS LOCKED CAUSING CAR TO VEREEN ACROSS HIGHWAY ADN BOUNCE OFF JERSEY BARRIER OUT OF CONTROL AND BACK ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC BEFORE HITTING LEFT SIDE BARRIER AND STOPPING. CAR IS A TOTAL WRECK. KIA BODY PERSON SAYS ACCIDENT CAUSED WHEEL TO LOCK NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. DIDN'T THINK THEY WOULD ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR CAUSING ACCIDENT AND THEY DIDN'T LET ME DOWN ON THAT SCORE. INSURANCE COMPANY SETTLED CLAIM WITH DEDUCTIBLE APPLIED AND MA AUTOMATICALLY PLACES BLAME TO DRIVER ON ONE CAR ACCIDENTS. THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT BUT I CAN'T PROVE IT.