KIA SPECTRA · model year

2009 KIA SPECTRA

152 NHTSA complaints, 29 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009KIASPECTRA carries 152 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 29 crashes, 1 fire, 18 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 SPECTRA is air bags with 71 filings, followed by seats (11) and electrical system (10). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2009 SPECTRA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

152
Complaints
29
Crashes
1
Fires
18
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

152 filings

Crashes Reported

29 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS71
SEATS11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
SEAT BELTS9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
ENGINE5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL4
SERVICE BRAKES4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
STRUCTURE:BODY3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
STEERING3
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2

Recent Complaints

20231120ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I am having a problem with my hazard turning signal lights it won't turn on.

20211231SERVICE BRAKES

My car seems like someone entered something in my gas tank while i may been in the store

20211231FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My car seems like someone entered something in my gas tank while i may been in the store

20211231ENGINE

My car seems like someone entered something in my gas tank while i may been in the store

20200225AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND WE THINK THE OCS SENSOR MAT IS BAD. KIA HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR VEHICLES BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 2006-2009 TO HAVE A OCS SENSOR MAT REPLACED FOR FREE FOR A PERIOD OF 15 YEARS REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE.

20190909AIR BAGS

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON EVEN IF SEAT IS OCCUPIED. IN ADDITION THE AIRBAG "OFF" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED NEXT TO THE CLOCK AND IS ALWAYS IN THE 'OFF', POSITION. BOTH LIGHTS REMAIN IN THAT CONDITION WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY MODE (IN PARK) OR DRIVING IN MOTION. A SAFETY INSPECTION SHOWED A B1448 CODE.

Mileage: 120,000

20190909SEATS

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON EVEN IF SEAT IS OCCUPIED. IN ADDITION THE AIRBAG "OFF" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED NEXT TO THE CLOCK AND IS ALWAYS IN THE 'OFF', POSITION. BOTH LIGHTS REMAIN IN THAT CONDITION WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY MODE (IN PARK) OR DRIVING IN MOTION. A SAFETY INSPECTION SHOWED A B1448 CODE.

Mileage: 120,000

20190822WHEELS

ON DECEMBER 18, 2018, I HAD A TIRE SEPARATE. THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM LONG TIRE COMPANY IN TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA ON JUNE 15, 1916 (SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION OF THE PURCHASE). THE TIRE WAS FULLY COVERED BY WARRANTY AT THAT TIME, AND I ONLY PAID TO HAVE A NEW ONE INSTALLED (SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION OF MY PAYING LONG TIRE COMPANY FOR THE THE INSTALLATION ON DECEMBER 12, 2018). THIS PAST WEEK, AUGUST 15-22, 2019, TWO MORE TIRES SEPARATED (SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION). THIS WAS OBSERVED BY SCHLENKER AUTO (SEE ATTACHED). THE TIRES ARE HERCULES TOUR 4.0 PLUS 195/60 R15 (ALSO CONTAINS NUMBERS 88H MTS) AND THE BATCH NUMBER ON THE TIRES (BOTH ARE THE SAME) IS DOT KAAD B20H 2815. THE BATCH NUMBER ON THE TIRE THAT SEPARATED LAST DECEMBER WAS LIKELY THE SAME. THE TIRE THAT SEPARATED LAST DECEMBER WAS REPLACED BY A TIRE WITH DOT KAAD B20H 2915, WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE A LATER BATCH NUMBER. I HAVE HAD THREE OF THESE TIRES SEPARATE IN LESS THAN A YEAR, IN NORMAL CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS IN FLORI

Mileage: 139,000

20190531SEAT BELTS

DRIVER'S SEATBELT OFTEN FAILS TO LOCK IN AND POPS OPEN MID-DRIVE. IT IS OFTEN NOT APPARENT THAT THE BELT HASN'T LOCKED UNTIL IT POPS OPEN. THIS WOULD BE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IN AN ACCIDENT.

20190517SERVICE BRAKES

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2011. SINCE THEN ONCE IN AWHILE WHEN I STOP MY CAR AT A LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN, THE CAR MOVES FORWARD EVEN AFTER I STEP ON THE BRAKE. I THEN HAVE TO QUICKLY PUT THE BRAKE ON AND TURN THE CAR OFF OR ELSE I'M A HIT SOMEONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND I'M TOLD THAT I HAVE TO BRING IT THERE WHEN IT'S HAPPENING. THIS IS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES SINCE 2011. IT ALWAYS HAPPENED WHEN I WOULD STEP ON THE BRAKE AT A STOP LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN WHEN MY CAR SHOULD BE MOTIONLESS HOWEVER IT WOULD KEEP GOING EVEN THOUGH I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. I HAVE NOT KEPT TRACK OF WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. BELOW I HAD TO PUT A DATE THAT IT HAPPENED. I DO NOT KNOW THE DATES THAT THIS IS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IT IS PROBABLY HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2011. I DID NOT KEEP TRACK OF THE DATES

Mileage: 88,000

20190306CrashSERVICE BRAKES

WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD HITTING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME WHICH WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT; I HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT, HE SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND REPLACED THE CALIPERS, AND ROTORS, AND THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR..HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND HE SAYS HE CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM

Mileage: 95,000

20190306CrashENGINE

WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD HITTING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME WHICH WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT; I HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT, HE SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND REPLACED THE CALIPERS, AND ROTORS, AND THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR..HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND HE SAYS HE CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM

Mileage: 95,000

20190306CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD HITTING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME WHICH WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT; I HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT, HE SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND REPLACED THE CALIPERS, AND ROTORS, AND THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR..HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND HE SAYS HE CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM

Mileage: 95,000

20181204CrashFatalAIR BAGS

LETTER FROM SENATOR ROBERTS RE: INQUIRY ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUTE IN REGARDS TO HER MOTHER'S 2009 KIA SPECTRA AIRBAGS DEPLOYED TOO MUCH FORCE AND INJURED HER MOTHER. *AS SEE ALSO ODI 11109673. *DSY THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER DIED AS A RESULT OF INJURIES FROM THE AIRBAG DURING THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *JS

20181017FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY 2009 KIA SPECTRA HAD APPROXIMATELY 23,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT FROM A KIA DEALER IN OCTOBER 2017. TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASING MY KIA, I RETURNED TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND REPORTED THAT I NOTICED THE CAR WAS IDLING TO HIGH AFTER USING THE AIR CONDITIONER OR AFTER DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOTHING AND DID NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. FAST FORWARD TO TODAY, THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE AND MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO LAUNCH FORWARD AFTER I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN REMOVING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR INCREASES IN SPEED INSTEAD OF DECREASING WHILE IN MOTION. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE ISSUE WAS THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WHICH COST $105.00 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND $256.30 FOR PARTS AND LABOR.

Mileage: 23,000

20181016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL, HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON AND NOW I HAVE A LIGHT ON ON MY DASH ALL THE TIME, I GUESS THE TIRE PLACE THREW AWAY OR KEPT SPECIAL VALVE STEMS, HOW DO I TURN OFF LIGHT. THE FRONT SEAT, SEAT CUSHION CAME LOOSE FROM THE SEAT FRAME WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CANYON ROAD ,NOW I CAN LIFT THE SEAT CUSHION AND SEE THE FRAME AND FLOOR BELOW AND DINT KNOW IF CUSHION WILL COME COMPLEATLY OFF NEXT TIME I DRIVE DOWN THE CANYON ROAD

Mileage: 95,600

20181016SEATS

TAKATA RECALL, HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON AND NOW I HAVE A LIGHT ON ON MY DASH ALL THE TIME, I GUESS THE TIRE PLACE THREW AWAY OR KEPT SPECIAL VALVE STEMS, HOW DO I TURN OFF LIGHT. THE FRONT SEAT, SEAT CUSHION CAME LOOSE FROM THE SEAT FRAME WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CANYON ROAD ,NOW I CAN LIFT THE SEAT CUSHION AND SEE THE FRAME AND FLOOR BELOW AND DINT KNOW IF CUSHION WILL COME COMPLEATLY OFF NEXT TIME I DRIVE DOWN THE CANYON ROAD

Mileage: 95,600

20180716CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB AND CRASHED INTO TWO FENCES, FOUR TOMBSTONES, AND A STONE PILLAR IN A CEMETERY. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD SEND A FIELD INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 70,000

20180705CrashFatalAIR BAGS

MY MOTHER REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR ON 3-6-18. MY MOM, [XXX], DIED 3-13-18 FROM INJURIES INFLICTED BY AN AIRBAG DEPLOYING. IT BROKE ALL HER FACIAL BONES INCLUDING HER JAW. IT TORE AN ARTERY ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HER BRAIN AND BRUISED THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER BRAIN. BRAIN SURGERY WAS DONE BUT SHE COULD NOT RECOVER FROM HER INJURIES. SHE WAS DRIVING A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. I HAVE READ ARTICLES THAT KIA BAGS WILL DEPLOY WITH GREATER FORCE IN SOME ACCIDENTS. THE WRECK WAS HER FAULT. THAT DOES NOT MAKE IT OK FOR HER TO BE KILLED BY THE AIRBAG. I AM WONDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. THIS IS WRONG AND SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX]. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR *TT *TR SEE ALSO ODI 11155008. *DSY

Mileage: 86,000

20180610SEATS

AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES, THE "AIRBAG IS OFF" LIGHT STAYED ON UNTIL THE CAR WAS RESTARTED. THIS IS CITY DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER OF 150 LBS. TOOK THE KIA TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE LIGHT ON AND THEY VERIFIED THE OCS SENSOR MAT MALFUNCTION. THE OCS SENSOR MAT WAS REPLACED MARCH 16, 2017. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND WITH SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, DID ITS CHECK, BUT THEN CAME ON AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED VARIOUS TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE KIA FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, CUSTOMER SERVICE THEN TOLD US TO TAKE THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THAT NEXT DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE AIRBAG WILL WORK WHETHER THE LIGHT IS ON OR OFF. NOBODY FROM KIA HAS CONFIRMED THAT STATEMENT.

Mileage: 100,000

Compare 2009KIASPECTRA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 KIA SPECTRA have?
The 2009 KIA SPECTRA has 152 NHTSA complaints, 29 crashes, 1 fires, 18 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 KIA SPECTRA?
The most-complained component for the 2009 KIA SPECTRA is AIR BAGS with 71 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEATS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2009 KIA SPECTRA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.