2007 Kia Spectra Owner Complaints

Passenger Air bag sensor light has come on and stayed on. Took to AutoZone and have them put it on the code reader and said it was something faulty in the sensor mat under the seat.

NHTSA ID

11566976

Incident

Sep 1, 2022

I purchased my 2007 Spectra5 used with 155,000 miles on it. The engine had no codes or any stored codes. It ran fine until I filled it up with gas. I DO NOT overfill the tank because I understand EVAP issues. After filling up the vehicle would stall at idle and occasionally lose power (momentarily) at highway speeds (55 mph and up). Obviously this is an extremely dangerous situation! Once the gas level got below 1/2 tank the issues went away…but now I ONLY fill the tank to halfway and the problems arise again every so often. Since there are no codes present I cannot replicate the issue without possibly damaging components further and I already replaced the battery, plugs, IAC valve, MAF sensor, and oil to try to remedy this problem. From reading other’s comments about this same problem I do not want to keep pouring money into a problem that KIA itself seems unable, and unwilling, to fix. This is extremely frustrating and dangerous as occasionally the vehicle loses all power on the highway at speeds exceeding 55mph and I feel an accident is inevitable. I’m not financially well off enough to just eat the cost of this vehicle and get a new (used) vehicle though so KIA has really put me (AND OTHER DRIVERS) in a difficult and dangerous position. As others have stated from mechanics who have tried to diagnose this issue, there may be a serious issue with the EVAP system including, but not limited to, the charcoal canister and purge valve. I will try replacing the fuel filter in the gas tank but I do not have high hopes that this will fix this problem. Once again, there are no codes present before or after these stalling/power loss problems and live data from and OBD2 scanner is within parameters for this vehicle and it’s age. I need to report this now so everyone, ESPECIALLY KIA, is aware of this issue and information.

NHTSA ID

11521552

Incident

May 5, 2023

I first noticed my air bag light (the one by the clock) coming on and off when my granddaughters weight went from under weight to appropriate weight to ride in the front seat. It would come on and off as she would adjust herself or move around in the seat. Sometimes it would stay on or sometimes it would stay off. When that light stopped coming on and off the one in the dash console where the speedometer is, that light has been coming on and staying on warning there's a problem with the airbag according to the manual. I entered my VIN number because I know Kia has had problems with some of there airbags but my VIN number was not listed. I did go by an auto parts house to make sure that was indeed the airbag warning light and I was told that the airbag may or maynot go off in a cash or it could go off at anytime. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS if I was told correctly and felt that this needed to be looked into further. Thank You

NHTSA ID

11485851

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

I was drive my 2007 Kia Spectra EX in Bakersfield, CA. All of a sudden I parked my car at the gas station, I filled the car up, and I tried putting the transmission into drive but the car would not go forward. I went and searched why the car would not go forward, and I found out other Kia Spectra owners had the same problem. Is there any way to make Kia recall those cars and replace or repair the transmissions under a national recall.

NHTSA ID

11464679

Incident

May 12, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11436947

Incident

Oct 15, 2009

I WAS SHOPPING AT THE GROCERY STORE AND AS I AM BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY VERY STIFF AS I CUT THE WHEEL TO POSITION MY CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FORWARD, BUT WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY RESISTANT TO THE POINT THAT I ACTUALLY HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO RIGHT OR LEFT TO MAKE MY TURN.ON 3/10/2020, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND AT FIRST I WAS TOLD I NEED THE BELTS FOR A/C, ALT AND PS, REPLACED WHICH I AUTHORIZE AND PAID $171.60 TAX INCLUDED. ON 3/26/2020 I HAD TO RETURN MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC DUE TO SAME HARD TO STEER PROBLEM. I WAS THEN TOLD I NEEDED TO HAVE MY POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED WHICH I AUTHORIZED AND PAID $353.93 TAX INCL. NEXT ON 4/7/20 THE SAME PROBLEM OF STEERING HAPPENED. I TOOK IT BACK TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A RACK AND PINION (P/S RACK), AT A COST OF $848.63 TOTAL, WHICH I PAID. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON 7/14/202 AND 8/17/2020 AND 9/16/2020. I WAS NOT CHARGED THE LAST THREE DATES OF REPAIR. I RECENTLY GOOGLE SEARCHED FOR RECALLS AND SAW THAT THE 2007 KIA SPECTRE HAD INDEED BEEN RECALLED. I CALLED 800-333-4542 AND WAS TOLD MY VIN NUM SHOWS NO SERVICE CAMPAIGN. I CONTEST THEIR FINDINGS I WOULD LIKE MY COMPLAINT TO BE INVESTIGATED. I AM ALSO REQUESTING A TOTAL REIMBURSEMENT OF $1374.16. THANK YOU, [XXX]. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *CC

NHTSA ID

11390505

Incident

Mar 10, 2020

Mileage

85,106 mi

THE 2007 KIA SPECTRA WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MAJOR IMPACT. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE KIA HIT ANOTHER CAR AND HAD MAJOR DAMAGES.

NHTSA ID

11162490

Incident

Dec 14, 2018

Mileage

140,000 mi

PASSENGER SIDE OCS SENSOR FAILING.

NHTSA ID

11100118

Incident

May 31, 2018

Mileage

79,000 mi

WHEN STOPPED (FOR EXAMPLE AT A STOP SIGN), WITH THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE ENGINE WILL SOMETIMES GO FROM "IDLE" TO A HIGHER SPEED (IT ACCELERATES). MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME AND THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. (I KNOW BECAUSE I LOOKED.)

NHTSA ID

11074597

Incident

Feb 17, 2018

Mileage

132,000 mi

ENGINE 💡 CAME ON IMIDIATELY AFTER PULLING OUT OF DEALERSHIP. SO I CA"ED THEM AND THEY STATED IT WASNT ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. SEVERAL CUSTOMERS WERE CALLING IN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. THEY SAID IT WAS JUST THE CHANGE IN WEATHER AND THE GAS CAP. THEY RESET ENGINE 💡 SEVERAL TIMES. NO SOONER THAN I WOULD PULL OFF THE LOT, IT WOULD COME BACK ON. THEN I ASK THEM FOR AN AUTO CHECK HISTORY REPORT SHOWING ODOMETER DESCIIPANCIES. ROLL BACK CALCULATIONS. THE RADIATOR IS CRACKED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOESN'T WORK, AND THE BRAKES AND STUFF ARE BAD.

NHTSA ID

11040492

Incident

Jul 15, 2014

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.

NHTSA ID

11022781

Incident

Jul 10, 2017

Mileage

58,000 mi

BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AT APARTMENT COMPLEX AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF AND SHATTERED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD

NHTSA ID

11015616

Incident

Aug 15, 2017

Mileage

130,000 mi

VEHICLE WILL STALL AFTER GAS TANK IS FILLED. GAS FUMES CAN BE SMELLED. CAR CAN STALL WHILE IDLING OR AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. WHEN IT STALLS POWER STEERING IS LOST, POSING A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. THE KIA DEALERSHIP TRIED TO TELL ME IT WAS MY FAULT - THAT I OVER FILLED THE GAS TANK. FROM 30 OTHER REPORTS I FOUND ON LINE, THE TANK ORVR IS NOT SEALING COMPLETELY AND IT ALLOWS FUEL TO SEEP INTO THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND VACUUMED ALL THE WYA TO THE INTAKE VIA THE PURGE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE. DEALERSHIP'S THIRD ATTEMPT AT A REPAIR INCLUDES: REPLACING FUEL TANK, EVAP CANISTER, VENT SOLENOID, PURGE FLOW SOLENOID, AND CANISTER FILTER, WITH PARTS AND LABOR TOTALING OVER $1000. I HAVE EMAILED AND CALLED KIA HEADQUARTERS BUT THEY WILL DO NOTHING. HOW CAN SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM - A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE - AND KIA JUST IGNORES IT. SAYS ALOT ABOUT A COMPANY.

NHTSA ID

10950009

Incident

Feb 7, 2017

Mileage

42,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT PRESSURE SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG REMAINED ILLUMINATED, EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID

10927161

Incident

Nov 7, 2016

Mileage

125,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRAGGING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10905998

Incident

Sep 12, 2016

Mileage

90,000 mi

2007 KIA SPECTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT/REPAIRS OF DAMAGED VEHICLE SEAT BELTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD T PAY $500 TO GET THE REAR SEAT BELT REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10888359

Incident

Jul 1, 2016

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID

10874318

Incident

May 1, 2016

Mileage

51,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10873036

Incident

Apr 4, 2012

THE CAR DOORS LOCK RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING, WHILE PARKED, EVEN IN PARK WITH THE CAR RUNNING--I GOT LOCKED OUT WITH THE CAR RUNNING FOR OVER 2 HOURS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. I HAVE LEARNED TO HAVE A WINDOW OPEN IF I EXIT THE CAR WHILE IT IS RUNNING OR TO MAKE SURE THE KEYS ARE IN MY HANDS ANY TIME I EXIT THE CAR. THEY ALSO LOCK AND UNLOCK REPEATEDLY WHEN I AM TRYING TO UNLOCK THE DOORS TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. WITH SO MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, WHY IS THIS NOT BEING ADDRESSED?

NHTSA ID

10871840

Incident

Jan 1, 2016

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND REMAINS ON--APPARENTLY THIS INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DEFECTIVE. WHY IS THIS NOT RECALLED WHEN SO MANY COMPLAIN OF THE SAME PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR AND MODEL CAR?

NHTSA ID

10871835

Incident

Feb 2, 2015

Mileage

90,000 mi

OWNER OF THE 2007 KIA SPECTRA BROUGHT THE CAR TO ME TO HAVE TO LOOKED AT DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON. UPON SCANNING THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR THE SRS SYSTEM CODED B1448 WHICH IS THE PASSENGER SIDE OCS MAT SENSOR FAILING. THIS PART SHOULD BE UNDER A RECALL DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES FOR THE PASSENGER RIDING IN THE CAR

NHTSA ID

10870903

Incident

May 25, 2016

Mileage

124,606 mi

THE CAR LOCKS AND UNLOCKS REPEATEDLY ON ITS OWN WHEN I'M TRYING TO UNLOCKTHE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER DOOR. THE CAR IS ALWAYS STATIONARY WHEN I TRY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR(S), IT WILL SOMETIMES LOCK ON ITS OWN WHEN I'M DRIVING. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO.

NHTSA ID

10853924

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS REVVED VIOLENTLY. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ID

10851009

Incident

Aug 12, 2014

Mileage

64,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10839765

Incident

Apr 17, 2015

Mileage

100,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10824763

Incident

Aug 1, 2014