Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
71
Latest Mar 28, 2022
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
17
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jul 15, 2004
What this page shows
Our database holds 71 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Kia Spectra. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 71 · page 1 of 3
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 28, 2022
Fire reported
The contact owns a 2004 Kia Spectra. The contact stated the cruise control feature was not operating properly. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving and approaching a traffic light, when depressing on the brake pedal the vehicle failed to stop and accelerated independently to 80 mph. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to stop the vehicle by using the emergency brakes and parked on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to her residence. The contact stated while inspecting the vehicle, they noticed the cruise cable was not in place was separate from the box. The contact also stated she saw the area was black/burned. The contact called local dealer and them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
NHTSA ID
11458700
Incident
Mar 24, 2022
Mileage
121,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 18, 2017
ELECTRICAL - SPEEDOMETER / ODOMETER - FUNCTIONS INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO POSSIBLE SHORT IN WIRING
NHTSA ID
11016112
Incident
Jun 7, 2016
Mileage
193,946 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Aug 6, 2017
Crash reported
TAMARA RECALL; THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ABOUT TEN CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I SEEN EVERYONE START HITTING THERE BRAKES SO I STARTED APPLYING MINE. THEN I REALIZED EVERYONE HAD COME TO A STOP SO I APPLIED ON MY BRAKES EVEN HARDER AND THEY LOCKED UP AND I SLID ABOUT 15 FT. AND HIT A TRUCK IN THE REAR END STILL GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. IT SHOVED THE FRONT END OF MY CAR BACK QUITE A BIT BUT YET MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ID
11013077
Incident
Aug 5, 2017
Mileage
1,983,297 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 29, 2016
METAL AROUND WHEEL WELLS ROTTING OUT.
NHTSA ID
10822975
Incident
Sep 25, 2014
Mileage
70,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 20, 2015
Crash reported
FRONT END COLLISION GOING AROUND 30MPH AND NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. CAR IS TOTALED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10700777
Incident
Mar 19, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 17, 2014
AFTER PARKING MY CAR I COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE (LEFT FRONT) DOOR. THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE NO LONGER OPENS THE DOOR. I NOW HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IN AN EMERGENCY I COULD BECOME TRAPPED INSIDE. THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS WON'T WORK UNLESS THE CAR IS RUNNING OR THE KEY IS IN THE "ON" POSITION. ALSO IT HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH A STICK SHIFT SO TRYING TO EXIT THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE REALLY IS NOT AN OPTION. *TR
NHTSA ID
10667005
Incident
Dec 3, 2014
Mileage
56,150 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Dec 21, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED MONTHS LATER THE SEAT BELT SPRINGS FROM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT FAILURE MILEAGE 143,000.
NHTSA ID
10489492
Incident
Nov 7, 2012
Mileage
140,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 20, 2012
I WENT INTO KROGER'S AND PICKED UP A FEW ITEMS. WHEN I WAS DONE, I LEFT THE STORE AND GOT BACK INTO MY CAR TO FINISH RUNNING SOME ERRANDS. I STARTED MY KIA- SPECTRA AND SHE PURRED LIKE A KITTEN- AS USUAL. I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE BUT MY KIA WOULD MOVE. I WAS PRESSING THE PEDDLE AND MY CAR DID NOT MOVE. I COULD HEAR THE CAR REVVING UP BUT I WASN'T MOVING. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT- I HAD MY KIA TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD COST ME BETWEEN $2200-3600. I WAS DEVASTATED AND SHOCKED. MY KIA WAS WORKING JUST FINE. I NEVER HAD ANY INDICATORS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS. NONE OF MY DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASH OR LIGHT UP. MY CAR HAS BEEN PARKED FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD TO COVER THE REPAIRS. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE 4 YEARS AGO AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER FOR ALL THE REGULAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE TO MAINTAIN A WELL-FUNCTIONING VEHICLE. I WAS LAID OFF FROM MY JOB OVER 5 YEARS AGO. I PAID $8,700 FOR MY KIA USING MONIES FROM MY PROPHET SHARING TO CUT DOWN ON LIVING EXPENSES SO THAT I COULD STAY ON TOP OF THINGS BETWEEN JOBS. I WAS ASSURED BY THE DEALER THAT MY VEHICLE WAS CERTIFIED AND WOULD REMAIN IN GREAT CONDITION IF I KEPT UP WITH THE NECESSARY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE. I DID EVERYTHING I WAS SUPPOSE TO AND MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP I TAKE MY VEHICLE TO FOR SERVICE, ADVISED ME TO CONTACT YOUR ORGANIZATION AND REPORT MY ISSUES CONCERNING MY VEHICLE. MY CAR SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE IS PRONE TO DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. I AM ON A FIXED INCOME AND I NEED MY CAR REPAIR. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN GET MY CAR REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ID
10466757
Incident
May 10, 2012
Mileage
100,932 mi
AirbagsEngineSuspension
Filed Jan 23, 2012
THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE SPECTRA 2005 4-DOOR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY 1. THE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, THE LIGHT WENT OFF SO THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. NOW THE LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY 'ON' AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS WORKING OR NOT. IT IS DEFINITELY A CONCERN AND IT IS A DEFINITELY A PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, THE TIMING BELT KEEPS LOOSENING ON A CONTINUAL BASIS. I HAVE REPEATEDLY BOUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC TO GET IT TIGHTENED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. THE TIMING BELT, ONCE FIXED, SHOULD REMAIN IN TACT AT LEAST FOR A LENGTH OF TIME (NOT A MONTH!). THAT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, THE LIGHT REMAINS ON. WHATEVER, I HAVE BEEN VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE CAR. AM DISAPPOINTED. I REALIZE THE COST WAS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR UPON PURCHASE, BUT MY HYUNDAI AT THE SAME COST BREAK (ACTUALLY LOWER) PROVED TO BE A SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER CAR. I GAVE THE HYUNDAI TO A FRIEND OF MINE AND IT IS KEEPS ON TICKING. IT IS STILL IN SERVICE AND RUNS BETTER THAN THE KIA AT OVER TRIPLE THE MILEAGE. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION REPLACED AT 65,000 WHICH IS UNUSUAL AS I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR HARD AND I AVOID BUMPS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10444981
Incident
Jun 20, 2011
Mileage
60 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 27, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT A SIZZLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
NHTSA ID
10441302
Incident
Dec 27, 2010
Mileage
11,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 26, 2011
KIA SPECTRA EX 2004.5. CONSTANTLY STALLS AND ENGINE RACES AT ANY TIME AND ANY SPEED. I AM FORCED TO PLACE TRANSMISSION IN "N" WHEN I APROACH A STOP SIGN. I AVOID HIGHWAYS BEING AFRAID TO STALL AT A HIGH SPEED AND CAUSE A FATALITY TO MYSELF OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. PROBLEMS STARTED WHEN VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IN A TYPICAL KIA FASHION I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG.NOW OUT OF WARRANTY SITUATION HAS GOT WORSE.MY MECHANIC SAYS IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM OR THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE INTERNET IS FULL WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT FROM MANY SPECTRA AND ANOTHER KIA MODELS OWNERS. THIS DESERVE AN INVESTIGATION. A FATALITY MAY HAPPEN SOONER OR LATER. PLEASE, FORCE KIA TO COME FORWARD ABOUT THIS ISSUE. CERTAINLY THEY KNOW WHAT'S WRONG, BUT THEY ALWAYS SAY "NOTHING IS WRONG". *TT
NHTSA ID
10421665
Incident
Aug 25, 2011
Mileage
55,600 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 12, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported
FRONTAL IMPACT AT ABOUT 40 MPH. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SUFFERED STRAINED NECK. *TR
NHTSA ID
10419232
Incident
Aug 8, 2011
Mileage
90,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Apr 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT TRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS LOCATED WHERE THE AIR BAGS WERE. SHE ASSUMED THAT BECAUSE THE WIRES FOR THE AIR BAGS WERE RUN CLOSE TO THE SEAT TRACK, THE AIR BAGS WERE DISCONNECTED WHEN THE SEAT WAS MOVED BACK AND FORTH BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SEAT MECHANISM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
NHTSA ID
10395851
Incident
Jan 13, 2010
Mileage
110,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 29, 2010
I HAVE A 2004 KIA SPECTRA THAT HAS AN ISSUE STICKING IN THIRD GEAR. IT STARTED A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. I NOTICED IT WHEN I FIRST PULLED OUT OF A SIDE STREET ON TO A MAIN ROAD AND WHEN I PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WAS BARELY MOVING. THANK GOD NO ON COMING TRAFFIC WAS COMING, CAUSE YES I WOULD OF CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO KIA THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES. THEN A MONTH OR SO LATER I WAS ACCELERATING OFF AN EXIT RAMP AND THE TRANSMISSION STUCK IN THIRD GEAR. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE IT RESET AND I WAS OFF AGAIN. I AGAIN TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY KEPT IT ALL DAY, BUT STILL SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND I WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS. THIS HAS HAPPEN 6 MORE TIMES, BUT KIA SAYS THEY HAVE NOT FOUND ANY ISSUES ON THEIR COMPUTER. NOW THE CAR HAS NO WARRANTY SO I JUST LIVE WITH IT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10352572
Incident
Jun 16, 2004
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 9, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 05V431000 (AIR BAGS) AND THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND STAYED ON. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WAS NON-FUNCTIONAL. WHEN SOMEONE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS ACTIVATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING IN AN ACCIDENT OR IT DEPLOYING AT ANY TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.
NHTSA ID
10335511
Incident
Jun 6, 2010
Mileage
57,800 mi
Fuel systemInterior & seats
Filed Apr 2, 2010
FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTING OUT. MY FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTED OUT CAUSING ONE TO DRAG THE GROUND MAKING SPARKS! I LOOKED OVER THE CAR AND NOTHING IS RUSTED LIKE THE STRAPS, THE EXSUST IS GOOD THE HEAT SHIELD AND THE FUEL LINES ARE GOOD JUST THE FUEL STRAPS ARE SO RUSTED TO THE POINT THEY SNAPPED!
NHTSA ID
10323558
Incident
Apr 2, 2010
Mileage
116,862 mi
Seat belts
Filed Nov 2, 2009
EVENFLO TRIUMPH ADVANCE' LX CONVERTIBLE FAILS TO PERFORM BASIC CARSEAT FUNCTIONS. ACTUAL CARSEAT DAMAGES ITSELF VIA RAZOR SHARP PLASTIC OPENINGS WHERE THE LATCH SYSTEM STRAP OR VEHICLE RESTRAINT STRAP GOES THROUGH THE SEAT. WE HAVE BEEN PHYSICALLY CUT ON THIS PLASTIC ALONG WITH THE LATCH STRAP BEING FRAYED AND CUT BEYOND SAFE USE. WE HAVE DISCONTINUED USING THE LATCH SYSTEM BUT ARE CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY RESTRAINT STRAP WILL ALSO BE FRAYED AND BECOME UNSAFE ALONG WITH PERMANENT DAMAGE TO OUR VEHICLE. THIS PLASTIC ISSUES HAS RESULTED IN GROSS SAFETY ISSUES ON A CONSTANT BASIS. CHILD CAN EASILY GET OUT OF THE CARSEAT REGARDLESS OF STRAP TENSION EVERY SINGLE USE. THE CHEST CLIP SLIPS UP AND DOWN TOO EASILY AND CHILD CAN SIMPLY, WITH 1 FINGER, SLIDE THE CHEST CLIP THE TO 5 POINT HARNESS, WIGGLE ARMS AND LEGS OUT AND GET INTO A STANDING POSITION WITHOUT MUCH DIFFICULTY. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
NHTSA ID
10290721
Incident
Jun 1, 2008
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 14, 2009
THE CRUISE CONTROL UNIT WHEN ENGAGED IT ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. OR IT TOLALLY DIS-ENGAGES ON ITS OWN. *TR
NHTSA ID
10283916
Incident
Sep 11, 2009
Mileage
115,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 14, 2009
MY VEHICLE LOOSES POWER, SPUTTERS, AND HESITATES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THIS HAS CAUSES ME TO ALMOST BE IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. THE SERVICE DEPT CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE, BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT EXISTS. I HAVE FILED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH KIA MOTORS AND HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO ASSIST ME WITH ANY OTHER TYPE OF HELP WITH MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE, BUT SINCE KIA MOTORS CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM, THEN THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY WHILE DRIVING WHEN I AM COMING HOME FROM WORK AND EVEN ON SUNDAY'S WHEN I AM COMING HOME FROM CHURCH. THE SERVICE DEPT IS ALWAYS CLOSED WHEN THIS OCCURS SO I CAN'T TAKE IT IN. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING WITH MY VEHICLE FOR APPROX. 2 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD NO SUCCESS IS GETTING A RESOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ID
10276813
Incident
Jul 14, 2009
Mileage
40,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jan 14, 2009
MY FIANCE'S BOUGHT A KIA SPECTRA.... I HAVE NOTICED FOR AWHILE THAT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ITS OK... GETTING TO AND COMING DOWN FROM FREEWAY SPEEDS HOWEVER IS A INTERESTING TIME... THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2-3 SECS. REVS AND DOESN'T SLAM BUT SEEMS TO EASE INTO GEAR THEN JERKS FORWARD... PASSING OTHER VEHICLES IS NOT DONE OFTEN DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. AND WHEN GETTING ON THE OFF RAMP THE MOTOR DOWN SHIFTS AND REVS. WAY TO HIGH THEN SAME AS BEFORE EASES INTO GEAR AND JERKS BACKWARDS. THEN WHILE ON CITY STREETS THE TRANSMISSION HAS A MUCH LARGER STALL BEFORE GETTING INTO GEAR 4-5 SECS. AND THIS TIME IS SLAMS INTO GEAR PRODUCING TORQUE STEER. I HAD HER TAKE IT IN AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. SO I NEVER FURTHER PERSUADE IT.. BECAUSE NOTHING WAS GOING TO BE DONE. HAVE WORKED AT A DEALERSHIP BEFORE. THEY DID HOWEVER SEE THAT THE SPEEDO WOULD FLIP OUT AND NOT WORK AT SIT AT 40 MPH AT A DEAD STOP THEN AS YOU GOT TO 20 MPH IT WOULD CLIMB INSANELY THEN SIT THERE THEY HAVE FIXED IT 3 TIMES AND THE THIRD SEEMED TO BE THE CHARM. SO I AM WONDERING IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ABOUT THERE TRANSMISSIONS. I DON'T REMEMBER WHEN EXACTLY WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 15K AND STILL HAPPENS TILL THIS DAY AT 58K. SO I DRIVE IT BECAUSE I WORRY FOR HER SAFETY AND MY SONS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10255094
Incident
Aug 7, 2005
Mileage
15,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 1, 2008
Crash reported
BLACK ICE ON ROADS I ENDED UP TURNED UPSIDE DOWN IN A SIX FOOT DITCH. CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. UPSET THAT A CRASH LIKE THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. WHAT IS THE PROTOCOL FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS? *TR
NHTSA ID
10250266
Incident
Nov 25, 2008
Mileage
55,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 28, 2008
Crash reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND ACCELERATES. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE FAILURES TO STOP. THE FAILURE BEGAN IN JANUARY OF 2008. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ON NOVEMBER 9, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE BODY SHOP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 12/17/08.*LJ UPDATED 12/18/08. *JB
NHTSA ID
10250075
Incident
Nov 9, 2008
Mileage
28,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 19, 2008
THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL ALSO LUNGE WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR, FORWARD AND REVERSE. IT DOES NOT OCCUR EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE STARTS. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE 2ND TIME THEY SAID THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR RPM'S TO GO UP WHEN THE ENGINE IS COOL. WHEN THE CAR LUNGES, THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO STOP THE CAR. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM THEY HAD WITH THE KIA AMANTI. *TR
NHTSA ID
10246021
Incident
Oct 15, 2008
Mileage
66,298 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 9, 2008
MY VEHICLE SPUTTERS WHILE DRIVING. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS WHERE MY VEHICLE HAS ALMOST STALLED ON THE FREEWAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN FAST LANE. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 5 TIME IN A 2 MONTH WINDOW, AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE, SO THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX MY VEHICLE OR TAKE ALL OF THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT SINCE THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE, THEN THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO AND I AM JUST STUCK WITH A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE, WHICH HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ID
10233693
Incident
May 1, 2008
Airbags
Filed Jul 3, 2008
Crash reported
FRONT END COLLISION, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. 2004 KIA SPECTRA. IT WAS HIT BY A TRUCK AT APPROX. 55 MPH IN THE LEFT FRONT CORNER PUSHING EVERYTHING INTO THE MOTOR AREA AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA ID
10233145
Incident
Jul 2, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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