https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the KIA Spectra5. en-us Sun, 18 Oct 2026 06:36:05 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1577823 Mon, 24 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA5. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS LOOKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A RUSTED METAL PIECE DRAGGING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT ST https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1525354 Thu, 20 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO ANTI SLIP RESISTANCE ON THE PEDALS AT ALL. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS OF TIMES, WHERE MY MOTHER OR MY FOOT WOULD SLIP OFF THE BRAKE ONTO THE GAS CAUSING US TO MOVE FORWARD TOWARDS THE OBJECT IN FRONT OF US. IT FINALLY GOT ME AND I HIT THE SIDE OF MY HIGHSCHOOL WHICH DAMAGED MY HOOD AND BUMPER. I WOULD REALLY HAVE HATED IF ONE OF MY FRIENDS OR ANYONE AT ALL WERE IN FRONT OF MY https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1512916 Mon, 05 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE TUBING THAT CARRIES THE FLUID BURST AND THE OIL SPLATTERED ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND CAUSED A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN A MAJOR ROUTE ROAD LEADING TO THE HIGHWAY https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1512917 Mon, 05 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE TUBING THAT CARRIES THE FLUID BURST AND THE OIL SPLATTERED ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND CAUSED A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN A MAJOR ROUTE ROAD LEADING TO THE HIGHWAY https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1502929 Mon, 01 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (SUA): CRUISE CONTROL (CC) SET TO ~85 MPH, SUDDEN LURCHING RED-LINE ACCELERATION OCCURRED, CC WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. HAD TO FIGHT MY VEHICLE (PULL E-BRAKE) TO GET SAFELY TO FREEWAY SHOULDER THEN TURN IGNITION OFF. CAR CONTINUED TO TRY TO RED LINE AFTER IGNITION KILLED, SHIFTING THRU ALL GEARS, BATTERY TERMINALS DISCONNECTED OR CC MODULE DISCONNECTED. VERIFIED BRAKE LI https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1502930 Mon, 01 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (SUA): CRUISE CONTROL (CC) SET TO ~85 MPH, SUDDEN LURCHING RED-LINE ACCELERATION OCCURRED, CC WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. HAD TO FIGHT MY VEHICLE (PULL E-BRAKE) TO GET SAFELY TO FREEWAY SHOULDER THEN TURN IGNITION OFF. CAR CONTINUED TO TRY TO RED LINE AFTER IGNITION KILLED, SHIFTING THRU ALL GEARS, BATTERY TERMINALS DISCONNECTED OR CC MODULE DISCONNECTED. VERIFIED BRAKE LI https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1502931 Mon, 01 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (SUA): CRUISE CONTROL (CC) SET TO ~85 MPH, SUDDEN LURCHING RED-LINE ACCELERATION OCCURRED, CC WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. HAD TO FIGHT MY VEHICLE (PULL E-BRAKE) TO GET SAFELY TO FREEWAY SHOULDER THEN TURN IGNITION OFF. CAR CONTINUED TO TRY TO RED LINE AFTER IGNITION KILLED, SHIFTING THRU ALL GEARS, BATTERY TERMINALS DISCONNECTED OR CC MODULE DISCONNECTED. VERIFIED BRAKE LI https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1455495 Mon, 19 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT FUEL TANK STRAPS HAVE RUSTED AND ONE FELL OFF. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2007 KIA SPECTRA 5 BUT I AM TOLD THAT MY 2007 MODEL BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED. KIA WILL NOT REPAIR. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1449005 Tue, 20 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMT LIGHT STAYS ON IN THE KIA SPECTRA AIRBAG SYSTEM PASSENGER SEAT MAT IS BAD https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1432338 Tue, 12 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT PURCHASED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA 5 IN 2009. FOR 3 YEARS IT WAS A GOOD COMMUTER CAR. THEN WEIRD THINGS STARTED HAPPENING OUT OF THE BLUE. FIRST, THE CAR WOULDN'T ALLOW US ACCESS BY USE OF THE KEY FOB. IT WOULD UNLOCK THEN LOCK. THE VEHICLE FLIP THE DOOR UNLOCK LEVER BACK AND FORTH LIKE A GHOST WAS MOVING. SECOND, THE CAR WOULD BLOW A FRONT HEAD LAMP ALMOST EVERY 6 MONTHS LIKE CLOCK WORK WHEN THE VEHICL https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1432339 Tue, 12 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT PURCHASED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA 5 IN 2009. FOR 3 YEARS IT WAS A GOOD COMMUTER CAR. THEN WEIRD THINGS STARTED HAPPENING OUT OF THE BLUE. FIRST, THE CAR WOULDN'T ALLOW US ACCESS BY USE OF THE KEY FOB. IT WOULD UNLOCK THEN LOCK. THE VEHICLE FLIP THE DOOR UNLOCK LEVER BACK AND FORTH LIKE A GHOST WAS MOVING. SECOND, THE CAR WOULD BLOW A FRONT HEAD LAMP ALMOST EVERY 6 MONTHS LIKE CLOCK WORK WHEN THE VEHICL https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1432340 Tue, 12 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT PURCHASED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA 5 IN 2009. FOR 3 YEARS IT WAS A GOOD COMMUTER CAR. THEN WEIRD THINGS STARTED HAPPENING OUT OF THE BLUE. FIRST, THE CAR WOULDN'T ALLOW US ACCESS BY USE OF THE KEY FOB. IT WOULD UNLOCK THEN LOCK. THE VEHICLE FLIP THE DOOR UNLOCK LEVER BACK AND FORTH LIKE A GHOST WAS MOVING. SECOND, THE CAR WOULD BLOW A FRONT HEAD LAMP ALMOST EVERY 6 MONTHS LIKE CLOCK WORK WHEN THE VEHICL https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1424344 Sun, 12 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMT THE DOORS KEEP LOCKING EVEN AFTER REPEATEDLY OPENING EITHER WITH REMOTE OR FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN A EMERGENCY SITUATION WHERE OCCUPANTS NEED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1411520 Sun, 01 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT DOOR LOCKS GO HAYWIRE OPENING AND CLOSING WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING OR WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. HAD TO BREAK THE LOCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. NOW I HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND STICK MY ARM OUT OF IT, OPEN THE LATCH AND ROLL THE WINDOW BACK UP IN ORDER TO ORDER TO EXIT THE CAR. PASSENGER SIDE IS PERMANENTLY LOCKED ALSO. YOU CAN'T EVEN USE A KEY TO OPEN IT. THIS IS A S https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1404361 Tue, 29 Aug 2017 00:00:00 GMT PASSENGER AIR BAG COMMUNICATION ERROR. B1449 AIRBAG CODE. IT WILL NOT SHUT OFF. I AM UNABLE TO GET STATE INSPECTION. 8/29/17 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1393475 Wed, 19 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT WE HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS, BUT THE MAT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SENSOR HAS GONE BAD CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH TO STAY ON. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THIS BY GETTING A B1448 CODE WHEN DIAGNOSING THE ISSUE. MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS AND OTHER KIA VEHICLES. THE PART IS PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE AT APPROXIMATELY $1600 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1390975 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT AIRBAG LIGHT ON DUE TO FAULTY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR. EXORBITANT COST TO REPLACE. CAN'T AFFORD. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1390976 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT AIRBAG LIGHT ON DUE TO FAULTY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR. EXORBITANT COST TO REPLACE. CAN'T AFFORD. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1388248 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMT INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES HAVE SHARP EDGES. THE THIN METAL COATING ON THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES IS PEELING OFF. THE SHARP EDGES CAUSED A CUT ON MY HAND. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1387204 Sun, 25 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMT I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON JUNE 19, 2017. A VEHICLE HIT MY KIA AT A SPEED OF 30 - 40 MPH IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S WHEEL BASE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN OUT OF A SHOPPING CENTER, MOVING LESS THAN 10 MPH. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1382200 Sat, 03 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMT AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THE SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND IT'S AROUND 2000$ TO FIX. WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT REPAIR. STARTED AROUND 60,000 MILES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, OTHER KIA MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED. WHAT CAN ANYONE DO? https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1334331 Wed, 16 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMT STEERING CONTINUALLY KNOCKED AFTER MULTIPLE REPAIRS I STILL HAD A KNOCK IN MY STEERING WHEEL DURING TURNS AND GOING AND AN AUDIBLE ONE OUTSIDE ALL AXLES AND SUSPENSION WAS DEEMED FINE. I ENDED UP SELLING THE CAR SINCE IT WAS AN ANNOYANCE. THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR DID NOT WORK PROPERLY IT WOULD FLASH A LIGHT ON THE HUD FOR HOURS ONLY WHEN SOMEONE SAT IN IT. THE CAR ALSO HAD VERY LOOSE STEE https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1311328 Wed, 24 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA 5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,989. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1263565 Thu, 25 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR HAS GONE BAD ON MY 2008 KIA SPECTRA 5. CAR HAS 77,522 MILES. WAS TOLD BY KIA DEALER THAT SEAT BOTTOM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1700. SAFETY IS THE CAR MANUFACTURE'S BIG SELLING FEATURE. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BY KIA IN MY OPINION. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1263566 Thu, 25 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR HAS GONE BAD ON MY 2008 KIA SPECTRA 5. CAR HAS 77,522 MILES. WAS TOLD BY KIA DEALER THAT SEAT BOTTOM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1700. SAFETY IS THE CAR MANUFACTURE'S BIG SELLING FEATURE. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BY KIA IN MY OPINION. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1234148 Sat, 31 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT LIGHT FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG GOES OFF WITHOUT AN OCCUPANT IN THE SEAT, THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON..SUSPECT THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT IS BAD. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE..BEFORE IT WAS AN OCCASIONAL THING. NOW ITS EVERYTIME I START THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1220663 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMT THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STAYING ON AND FLICKERS BACK AND FORTH WHEN SOMEONE LIGHT SITS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE AIRBAG IS NOT GOING TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND IM AFRAID MY LOVED ONES WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTIONING SAFETY FEATURE. KIA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REFUNDING ME THE $2100 IN EXPENSES FOR THIS AIRBAG SENSOR AND LABOR TO REPLACE IT. I WILL NEVER BUY A KIA VEHICLE AG https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1220664 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMT THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STAYING ON AND FLICKERS BACK AND FORTH WHEN SOMEONE LIGHT SITS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE AIRBAG IS NOT GOING TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND IM AFRAID MY LOVED ONES WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTIONING SAFETY FEATURE. KIA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REFUNDING ME THE $2100 IN EXPENSES FOR THIS AIRBAG SENSOR AND LABOR TO REPLACE IT. I WILL NEVER BUY A KIA VEHICLE AG https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1220665 Sun, 20 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMT THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STAYING ON AND FLICKERS BACK AND FORTH WHEN SOMEONE LIGHT SITS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE AIRBAG IS NOT GOING TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND IM AFRAID MY LOVED ONES WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTIONING SAFETY FEATURE. KIA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REFUNDING ME THE $2100 IN EXPENSES FOR THIS AIRBAG SENSOR AND LABOR TO REPLACE IT. I WILL NEVER BUY A KIA VEHICLE AG https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5 https://plaincars.com/make/kia-spectra5#complaint-1220011 Thu, 17 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD TURN ON AND OFF WHEN THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS, THE LIGHT BEGAN TURNING ON AND OFF EVEN IF THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS EMPTY. NOW THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON, BUT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND HAS BEEN FOR ABOUT 1 WEEK. THIS IS A 1 OWNER VEHICLE AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY TYPE OF COLLISION.