2003 Kia Spectra Problems & Complaints

MY CAR IS LEAKING GAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDERNEATH THE CAR I ALSO HAVE GAS FUMES IN MY CAR TOO, I AM LOSING A LOT OF GAS IN MY CAR.I HAVE STRANGERS POINTING OUT THAT MY CAR IS LEAKING GAS AND THE SMELL OF GAS WHEN I PARK MY CAR IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT WHEN I DO SHOPPING, I FEAR THAT MY CAR WILL GO UP IN FLAMES AND I HAVE MY CHILDREN RIDE IN THE CAR AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FUMES OF GAS I SEE THAT THERE WAS THE SAME RECALLS ON 2004 KIA SPECTRA. MINE IS IS A 2003 WHICH I HAVING THE EXACT PROBLEMS WITH A GAS LEAK . I NEED THIS TO BE ON A RECALL LIST TO GET REPAIR ASAP , FOR THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY KIDS.

DIRT CHEAP CARS SOLD ME A CAR THAT WONT PASS INSPECTION

I BOUGHT A CAR FROM A USED DEALER AND I WAS INFORMED THAT IT HAD NO FRAME DAMAGE BUT I TOOK IT TO TWO GARAGES AND BOTH GARAGES INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS FRAME DAMAGE FRONT AND BACK AND THE ONE GARAGE I TOOK IT TO SAID THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FRAME DAMAGE

I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID UNDERNEATH MY CAR ONE DAY AND CHECKED MY LEVEL TO FIND THAT THERE WAS BASICALLY NO BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR. TURNS OUT IT'S THE BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A TREND AND HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS PREVIOUSLY. THE MECHANIC WAS SURPRISED THAT THIS WAS INDEED THE PROBLEM AFTER CALLING AND THEN GETTING THE CAR REPAIRED. THE LEAK CAME ON SUDDENLY AND WAS FAIRLY SEVER REQUIRING THAT I ADD BRAKE FLUID AFTER EVERY SHORT DRIVE. IF I HADN'T NOTICED THIS PROBLEM I LIKELY WOULD HAVE ENDED UP REAR-ENDING SOMEONE OR WORSE. IT ALSO SEEMS TO BE PREVALENT AMONGST THE 2000-2005 MODELS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,234. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

AT MY COST I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE WHICH WAS CAUSING A BRAKE FLUID LEAK. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON DANGEROUS SITUATION. PLEASE CREATE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE'S BRAKES COMPLETELY FAIL IN TRAFFIC. *TR

THE DASH, WHERE IT MEETS THE WINDSHIELD, HAS CURLED UP AND DETACHED FROM THE DEFROSTER VENT ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE PLASTIC DEFROSTER VENT IS ALSO CRUMBLING FROM BEING EXPOSED TO THE SUN. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW CHEAP OF MATERIALS WAS USED FOR THIS. *TR

THE COVERING AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN HAS CRUMBLED AND IS COMING APART. I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE IF THIS WILL AFFECT THE AIR BAG IF NEEDED. VERY POOR QUALITY OF MATERIAL WAS USED FOR THIS. *TR

WENT TO TURN ON MY HEATER TODAY AND THE SMELL OF GASOLINE FILLED MY CAR, 4-DOOR SEDAN. THE CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MANY OF THE OTHER OWNERS MENTIONED BEFORE E.G. A BRAKE FLUID LEAK, SQUEALING BRAKES AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ALWAYS SLOW TO KICK IN WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STOP. NEVER EXPERIENCED A GAS LEAK PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER CAR I OWNED. *TR

THE BRAKE FLUID PROPORTIONING VALVE IS LEAKING FOR NO REASON. NOT A SERVICEABLE PART. MUST BE REPLACED. NOT A WEAR AND TEAR PART EITHER. VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH 2002 AND 2003 RESEARCH STATED. THANKS. *TR

THE CAR ALL OF THE SUDDEN STARTED LOOSING BRAKE FLUID RAPIDLY. MY PERFECTLY GOOD BRAKES WERE GOING OUT AND I ALMOST WRECKED MY CAR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN DICKINSON, TX IS CHARGING ME 300 DOLLARS + TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I SEE THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH A DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURE PART. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST PROPORTIONING VALVE HE HAS SEEN COMPLETELY DESTROYED LIKE THIS IN 10+ YEARS. THIS IS HAPPENING TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. I HAVE WROTE ALL NEWS STATIONS ABOUT THIS AND I AM PURSUING THIS AGGRESSIVELY. YOU ALL RECALLED THE 2004-2007 PROPORTIONING VALVES THEN IT SHOULD BE FOR THE EARLIER MODELS AS WELL. *TR

MY BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON ( THOUGHT IT WAS PARKING BRAKE STUCK OR BRAKE MAINTENANCE TIME ) , AFTER SPENDING OVER $400 TO GET EVERYTHING REPLACED .... IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MY PROPORTIONING VALVE WENT BAD ! LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ( HAD TO REPLACE EVERY OTHER DAY ) . WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ? *TR

MY MOTHER BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW COUPLE YEARS BACK. HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS TILL NOW. ON MY WAY TO WORK IM GOING AROUND A CURVE AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THOUGHT FOR A SECOND I ACCIDENTALLY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. MY TRANSMISSION NEVER SLIPPED, SHIFTED HARD OR ANY OTHER SIGNS OF PROBLEMS. THIS IS CRAZY, NOT SURE YET IF KIA IS COVERING THEY PROMISED WARRANTY.. I REALLY HOPE SO.. *TR

IN APRIL OF 2009 MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING RIGHT IN THE CENTER LANE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC AS I WAS LEAVING MY HOME, I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP JUST TO FIND OUT THAT KIA WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY AND THE COSTS ($1550) CAME OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. THE REPAIRMAN TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS QUITE OFTEN WITH THE 2003 KIA SPECTRA BUT THERE WAS NO SAFETY RECALL. NOW IT IS SEPTEMBER OF 2011 AND THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AGAIN! WITH THIS VEHICLE AT LESS THAN 70,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT BE GOING OUT TWICE ALREADY! *TR

2003 KIA SPECTRA; BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE STARTED LEAKING AROUND 90K MILES. CONTACTED THREE LOCAL DEALERS, ALL THREE STATED THAT THIS IS COMMON FOR THIS MODEL. *TR

2003 KIA SPECTRA 99,000 MILES. I AM HAVING TO FILL UP WITH BRAKE FLUID ONCE OR TWICE A DAY. BRAKE PROPORTION VALVE IS LEAKING. SEVERAL SITES AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. WHY NO RECALL WHEN THIS IS NOT A PART THAT SHOULD ORDINARILY NEED TO BE REPLACED? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE RIDING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER BLACKED OUT, CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND MULTIPLE BRUISES. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE BRUISES TO THE BODY AND A TOOTH WAS KNOCKED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. A POICE REPORT WAS FILED.

2003 KIA SPECTRA. NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. POWER WINDOWS FAIL TO WORK. A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CAME OFF THE TRACK, AND THE IN-DOOR ASSEMBLY HAD CRUMBLED WITHIN THE DOOR. TOOK GETTING AN ENTIRE ASSEMBLY TO REPAIR THE WINDOW. TODAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT OPEN. MOTOR STILL WORKS. A CLICKING SOUND CAN BE HEARD AS IT RUNS, BUT IT IS NOT GRIPPING THE WINDOW TO LOWER IT. (STILL NOT REPAIRED). *TR

BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS LOW ? ADDED FLUID. LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE. MECHANIC STATED BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE WAS LEAKING ON 2003 KIA SPECTRA; POTENTIAL FOR BRAKE FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN FATAL ACCIDENT. *TR

BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE LEAKING ON 2003 KIA SPECTRA, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WHILE BACKING UP AND RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD THIS HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY. HOW LONG UNTIL SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR

DRIVER'S DOOR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILS CAUSING WINDOW TO SLIDE DOWN TRACK INTO THE DOOR. THE POWER REGULATOR RAISES AND LOWERS THE WINDOW WITH A METAL WIRE RUNNING THROUGH PLASTIC GUIDES ON A METAL TRACK. THE ENDS OF THE WIRE ARE CAPPED INSIDE A PLASTIC BRACKET TO WHICH THE WINDOW IS ATTACHED. THESE PLASTIC PARTS WEAR AND CRACK CAUSING THE WIRE TO COME LOOSE THUS PREVENTING THE WINDOW FROM BEING HELD UP. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 KIA SPECTRA THAT HAS BEEN RUNNING OUT OF BRAKE FLUID ON A WEEKLY BASIS. HAD TO BUY NEW PROPORTIONING VALVE FROM THE DEALER. I'VE READ SEVERAL STORIES ABOUT THESE VALVES LEAKING. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL. *TR

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH OUR KIA SPECTRA 2003, I HAVE ALSO HEARD FROM SEVERAL OTHERS AND A CAR REPAIR STORE TO REPORT THE SAME THING. WHEN WE PUMP GAS INTO THE KIA. IT WILL NOT START UP YOU HAVE TO TRY AND START IT A FEW TIMES BEFORE IT WILL. THAT SEEMS MORE THEN DANGEROUS TO ME. *TR

FRONT SEATBELTS ON 2003 KIA SPECTRA UNLATCH. *TR

BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE LEAKING. *TR

BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE LEAKING ON 2003 KIA SPECTRA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD NOISE. THE RPM, SPEED, AND TEMPERATURE WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE INFORMATION AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS CONFIRMED, BUT APPEARS TO BE INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,100.

I HAVE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 KIA SPECTRA, APPROX. 2 YEARS AGO I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WHILE I CAME TO A STOP AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO KIA AND THEY DID A TUNE UP AND REPLACED A PART THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE PROBLEM FOR THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF OR TO ACCELERATE WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT TAKES ALL YOU CAN DO TO KEEP THE CAR FROM LUNGING FORWARD. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN YOU TURN THE AIR CONDITIONER ON IT CAUSES THE CAR TO ACCELERATE WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CAR COULD RUN GREAT FOR DAYS, BUT THEN IT STARTS TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN. ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS. I HAVE BEEN IN SOME SCARY SITUATIONS ON VERY BUSY HIGHWAYS, WHERE THE CAR SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING , FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD MY CAR TO STS 3 TIMES TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND ON THOSE OCCASIONS THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO SIMULATE. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS APPROX 8 TIMES. I'VE HAD BOTH LOW BEAMS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. *JB

THE 2003 KIA SPECTRA CAUGHT ON FIRE. THEREWAS NOTHING LEFT OF THE CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRIAL FIRE. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTROL WIRES WERE BURNED. THE VEHICLE NEEDS A WIRE HARNESS AND A CONTROL HEAD PART. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,206.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT REPORTED WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED TO REMOVE SNOW AND ICE FROM THE WINDSHIELD, BUT THEN BECAME INOPERABLE. AS THE TEMPERATURE CONTINUED TO DROP THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS REMAINED MOTIONLESS. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ICE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 6,500.*AK UPDATE 4/25/07 *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DURING MY TRIP TO WORK (ABOUT AN HOUR TRIP EACH WAY FROM MY HOME), AND MY SEAT SUDDENLY FLUNG BACK INTO THE BACK SEAT. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FOR A MOMENT AND LUCKILY SNAPPED BACK UP AND GOT THE VEHICLE BACK UNDER CONTROL. AFTER LOOKING AT WHAT HAD HAPPENED, THE METAL RAILING UNDER THE SEAT THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE FLOORBOARD HAD SNAPPED...THE FRONT PART OF THE RAILING STILL BOLTED DOWN, AND THEN AN INCH OR TWO BACK THE METAL IS JUST SIMPLY SNAPPED IN TWO. I CALLED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND WAS GIVEN A WEEK OUT APPOINTMENT AND WANRED I MAY HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS MYSELF. *JB

DRIVERS SEAT BRACKET ATTACHING SEAT TO CAR BROKE THREE TIMES, ONCE UNDER WARRANTY WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO ENTIRE SEAT, AND ONCE UNDER REPLACEMENT PARTS WARRANTY . THIRD TIME OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY PERIOD. *NM

I BOUGHT MY 2003 KIA SPECTRA BRAND NEW,KEPT UP WITH OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE,MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 71,OOO MILES. I HAD THE SO CALLED 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON IT. THEY DID NOT COVER ANY OF IT THEY SAID BECAUSE I LIVE IN GA IT GETS HOT,SO THE WARRANTY WONT COVER IT. ALSO,I WAS RECENTLY IN A FENDER BENDER AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY,AND WE HAVE ALSO HAD SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE KIA PLACE BECAUSE OF MINOR STUFF SUCH AS THE AIR NOT WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUALLY STAYING ON. THE 2003 KIA SPECTRA'S ARE A JOKE AND IF YOU LIVE WERE IT GETS HOT OR TOO COLD YOUR WARRANTY IS OF NON EFFECT.

PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY OF 2003, JUNE 30TH OF 2003 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD TO HAVE THE TPS REPLACED AND 3 MORE TIMES TO PRESENT. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED, HEATING PROBLEM, EXHAUST REPLACED. CAR IS NOW ON 46,000 HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED (THROUGH AN ATT. FROM LEMON LAW) AT 16,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED. AND, NOW TO DATE TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR THE 5TH TIME, BRAKES WERE DONE 4 TIMES, NOW TO FIND OUT THE REASON TIRES AND BRAKES WERE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SO MANY TIMES IS BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION IS WAY OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHICH SEEING I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG I NOW BELIEVE IT WAS A DEFECT ALL ALONG. *JB

I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH KIA USA HONORING MY WARRANTY FOR DAMAGE DONE TO MY CAR IN WHICH I AM NOT AT FAULT. THEY HAVE MADE ALLEGATIONS AS TO THE PROBLEMS WHICH ARE UNTRUE FROM MY STAND POINT AND I AM 23 YEAR OLD SINGLE MOTHER WITH NO VEHICLE NOW. I HAVE MADE MANY ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AND IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 2 WEEKS AND STILL HAD NO RESOLUTION. *NM

I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME I HAVE DROPPED OFF MY VEHICLE TO THE TALLAHASSEE KIA REPAIR SHOP. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE FIRST REPAIR, 5-19-05 I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM AT THE BEGINNING OF JUNE I WAS TOLD TO HAVE THE FUEL FILTER REPLACED, I HAVE DONE SO BUT THIS HAS NOT RECTIFIED THE PROBLEM. AS OF LATE, PERHAPS DUE TO THE HEAT, THE PROBLEM IS WORSE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL SURGING FORWARD WHILE I HAVE MY FOOT PRESSED ON THE BRAKE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AROUND TOWN OR ON ROAD TRIP AND WILL SOMETIMES WHEN I FIRST START IT UP. IT OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING. MY FATHER BELIEVES THAT THE COMPUTER IS BAD OR THAT THE SERVICE HAS NOT BEEN DONE ACCORDING TO THE BULLETINS. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS NOT ONLY A DANGEROUS SITUATION BUT IT IS CAUSING ADDITIONAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES. AT THIS JUNCTURE, THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN I SPOKE WITH A SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT MY LOCAL TALLAHASSEE DEALERSHIP AT THE BEGINNING OF JUNE I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD DROP THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEY WOULD TRY TO SIMULATE THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN I WAS WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR A NUMBER OR DAYS AND HAD TO RELY ON FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR TRANSPORTATION TO WORK AND SCHOOL. I AM SCHEDULED TO BRING IN MY VEHICLE 8 -10-06 AND THEY ARE STILL REFUSING TO PROVIDE A VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTATION. WITH NO OTHER CHOICE I AM FORCED TO BRING IT IN FOR SAFETY REASONS. *JB

MY AUTO HAS STOPPED ON ME FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THE FIRST TIME IT JUST WOULDN'T START, THE SECOND TIME I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND IT JUST SHUT OFF AND THE THIRD TIME WHICH WAS THIS MORNING IT STARTED THEN SHUT DOWN AND I HADN'T LEFT MY HOME YET. AFTER THAT IT WOULDN'T START. THE CARE MAKE AND MODEL IS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP ON BOTH OCCASIONS AND THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT THE CONNECTION WAS LOOSE THE SECOND TIME IT STATED THAT THE MASTER PULLING TOO MUCH VACUUM CAUSING HER CAR TO SHUT DOWN. I WAS AWAITING A PART. I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 8 AM TO CALL FOR PARTS TO SEE IF IT CAME IN BUT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING A LEFT HAND TURN AT 15MPH, THE STEERING RACK AND PINION BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT THE STEERING WAS IMMOBILE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING RACK AND PINION ONCE BEFORE. THE PREVIOUS REPLACEMENT OCCURRED AT A REGULAR MAINTENANCE INSPECTION, BUT THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED NO OBVIOUS PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OVER TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CONTACT WISHED TO RELINQUISH OWNERSHIP.

2003 KIA SPECTRA 4 DOOR POWER DOOR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK THEMSELVES BOTH WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE UNATTENDED. LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP SAID THAT SEVERAL OF THEIR VEHICLES HAD SAME PROBLEM RECENTLY AND THAT THEY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM IS IN A FUSE BLOCK RELAY. HOWEVER, AS WITH MOST PROBLEMS WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED, WE ARE JUST PAST THE WARRANTY. WE CONTACTED THE MFG BUT THEY TOO WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. BUT I BELIEVE THIS MAY TURN OUT TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT WHICH THEY ARE LEAVING TO THE CONSUMER TO BEAR, THE COST OF WHICH IS OVER $500 PLUS LABOR. AS AN ASIDE, HAD WE NOT RECENTLY MOVED TO WASHINGTON, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN WITHIN THE WARRANTY. BUT WARRANTY OR NO, IF THESE RELAYS ARE GOING OUT ON OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL, THERE MUST BE A PROBLEM WORTH LOOKING INTO. *NM

TOOK THE CAR TO WALMART FOR FLUID CHECKS. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER LEAVING THERE, I HIT AN ICY PUDDLE AND LOST THE ABILITY TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE CAR RECOVERED, BUT AFTER THAT WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I RETURNED TO WALMART WHO ADVISED ME THEY COULD NOT GET THE PROBLEM TO OCCUR, PROBABLY BECAUSE THE CAR WAS WARM. ALSO, THEY ADVISED ME THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FINE. SINCE THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO SAID THERE WAS INTERNAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER EXPERIENCE TELLS ME IT'S PROBABLY THE FLYWHEEL. NOW THEY DON'T WANT TO HONOR THE WARRANTY CLAIMING FLUIDS WERE NOT CHANGED. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FLUIDS. ALSO THERE IS A SIMILAR PROBLEM, ODI 10112469, WHICH WOULD IMPLY THIS COULD BE A DEFECT. MY CAR HAD 54,000 MILES. *AK

THE BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE IS LEAKING AND THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP HAVING THIS REPLACED. THIS IS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THIS PART APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AS THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED HERE AND ELSEWHERE. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I CANNOT BELIEVE IS LIMITED TO MY VEHICLE. ALSO, THE INTERIOR COMPONENTS STARTED FALLING OFF WITHIN 6 WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP. THE CONSOLE LID BROKE, THE CAPS FOR THE GAS RELEASE LEVER AND THE TRUNK LEVER HAVE ALL COME OFF NUMEROUS TIME. THE CAR JACK SNAPPED THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME IT WAS USED TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE. *JB

HAVE REPLACED BOTH HIGH & LOW HEADLIGHTS 3 TIMES EACH. HEATER IS NOT WORKING. JUNCTION BOX NEEDS REPLACED 12/15/05. CAR IS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA WITH 97,500 MILES ON IT. IT WAS BOUGHT NEW. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN OR WHILE BRAKING OR PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT VEHICLE REVVED AND LURCHED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 1/11/2006 - THE TRANSMISSION LINE HAD COME OFF AND CAUSE COOLANT TO LEAK. THE LINE WAS REPAIR AND TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED BUT TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THREE TIMES AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR THREE TIMES. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THIS TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE GENE PULSE ASSEMBLY. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IDLE SPEED ACTUATOR. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR.*AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB

MY DAUGHTER OWNS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA [XXX] WITH A BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE THAT STARTED LEAKING ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED. ARE THESE VALVES DEFECTIVE BECAUSE MY OTHER DAUGHTER WITH A 2002 KIA RIO [XXX] HAD THE SAME VALVE REPLACED LAST YEAR ON HER RIO. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. *JB UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

FUEL LEAKAGE. I TOOK MY CAR TO KIA DEALER FOR ENGINE AN LIGHT. THEY REPLACED THE GAS CAP AND THE ORVR VALVE IN WHICH THEY REPLACED THE OTHER NIGHT WHILE DRIVING HOME I SMELLED GAS WENT TO ACCELERATE AND CAR STARTED TO STALL I GAVE IT MORE GAS AND STARTED TO SPUTTER THE CAR BEHIND ME STARTED BEEPING AND FLASHING THE LIGHT. THEY PULLED NEXT TO ME AND SAID GET OUT OF THE CAR GAS WAS POURING OUT. I PULLED OVER SHUT ENGINE OFF THE GAS STOPPED POURING OUT THE NEXT MORNING MY HUSBAND GOT UNDER THE CAR AND THE FUEL LINE TO THE BACK OF THE FILTER HAD JUST CAME OFF. *JB

DT: 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BY THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT SO HARD THAT THE BUMPER CAME OFF AND PUSHED THE ENGINE AND HOOD UP. THE FIREMAN SAID THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND TWICE. THIS BROKE THE REAR AXLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE ENDED UP SIX FEET FROM WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER'S BACK WAS SORE FOR A FEW WEEKS. A POLICE REPORT TAKEN. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO SEE WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK *NM

DT: 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DURING THE FIRST ACCIDENTCONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS CUT OFF BY SOMEONE IN FRONT. IN TURN A SUV HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE. DURING THE SECOND ACCIDENT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED A CAR IN FRON. THIS WAS A FRONT TO REAR COLLISION AT 25 T-30 MILES MPH. THERE WAS INJURIES IN THE SECOND ACCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. ALSO, THERE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH OIL CIRCULATION. ITHE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE OIL SENDING UNIT WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *AK

EVERY TIME I TAKE OFF FROM A STOP SIGN ECT. MY TRANSMISSION KICKS WHEN SHIFTING FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IN AN AUTOMATIC,IT IS RARE. IT IS ONLY A 2003 TOO. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE TELL ME THAT TRANSMISSIONS ARE DESIGNED LIKE THAT. BULL!!! *NM

THE LITTLE CENTER HUB CAPS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO ALUMINUM WHEEL FELL OFF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE KIA DEALER TWICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER IT WAS HIS FAULT. *JB

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES HESITATION, LOST OF POWER, AND STALLING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALER ON TEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DEALER REPLACED VARIOUS PART, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

THE FRONT PANEL IN THE CONSUMER'S 2003 KIA SPECTRA MADE NOISE. *NM THE CONSUMER HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT WAS BROKEN, DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WERE INOPERATIVE, FAULTY SPEAKER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE, THERE WOULD BE A CLICKING SOUND IF IT WAS FORCED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH FOR 10 MINUTES. *JB

FRONT BUMPER COVER COMING LOOSE ON 2003 KIA SPECTRA WITH 38,050 MILES. DUE TO THE COVER COMING LOOSE, THE INSIDE PLASTIC WHEEL WELL ALSO CAME LOOSE AND RUBBED AGAINST FRONT TIRE DAMAGING BOTH THE TIRE AND THE THE PLASTIC WHEEL WELL. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND SHOWS NO SIGNS OF STRUCTURAL DAMAGE PER KIA DEALER AND OUTSIDE MECHANIC. KIA REFUSES TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY CLAIMING THAT THE FRONT BUMPER COVER COMING LOOSE AND CAUSING THIS PROBLEM IS AN "ADJUSTMENT ISSUE". THE OUTSIDE MECHANIC AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A NOT AN ADJUSTMENT ISSUE, RATHER A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND A LIKELY SAFETY ISSUE. SHOULD THE PLASTIC WHEEL WELL HAVE CAME LOOSE ON THE HIGHWAY IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE FRICTION CREATED FROM IT RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE COULD HAVE INCREASED THE TIRE TEMPERATURE IN SUCH A WAY THAT COULD HAVE LED TO CATASTROPHIC FRONT TIRE FAILURE. I WOULD LIKE THIS MATTER CORRECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP AS PART OF THEIR (IRONICALLY) BUMPER TO BUMBER WARRANTY.*AK

WE HAVE A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THIS CAR CAME WITH A 100K MILE WARRANTY. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2003 IT HAD ONLY 79 MILES ON IT. IN DECEMBER OF 2004 WITH ONLY 23,000 MILES ON IT, IT GOT STUCK IN THE SNOW IN THE ROAD BLOCKING TRAFFIC. WE HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE STREET. AFTER PUSHING FOR A SHORT TIME TRANSMISSION BURNED UP AND IS NOW DESTROYED. I LIVE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY SO I GET SNOW OCCASIONALLY. DOES THIS MEAN THAT ANYONE LIVING WHERE IT SNOWS SHOULD NOT BY A KIA? I AM AWARE OF THE STIPULATION IN THE WARRANTY THAT THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER DAMAGE DONE BY SNOW, ICE, ROAD DEBRIS ETC. MY ARGUMENT IS THAT I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS, A SATURN FOR INSTANCE WITH CLOSE TO 100K MILES ON IT. IT HAD GOTTEN STUCK IN THE SNOW SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I LIVED IN OHIO. I HAD TO PUSH IT OUT OF A SNOW DRIFT, SPUN THE TIRES. NEVER DID I HAVE A TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. NEVER WOULD I THINK THAT A NEW CAR WOULD BE DESTROYED THAT EASILY, NOR DO I THINK THAT IT IS RIGHT FOR THE DEALER TO SAY IT IS ALL MY FAULT. ARE KIA OWNERS NOT SUPPOSED TO TRY TO GET TO WORK IF IT SNOWS. THIS IS KENTUCKY, NOT MICHIGAN. I THINK PURCHASERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE CAR. FOR INSTANCE, A COOLER PART THAT ?MAY? HAVE METAL PARTICLES IN IT, HAS TO BE REPLACED AND WAS PRICED AT $400. WHEN I CONTACTED KIA'S CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS DIRECTLY I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE DISTRICT MANAGER HAD INSPECTED THE CAR AND MADE THE FINAL DECISION. *JB

VEHICLE CRASH (FRONT END) AT !@55 MPH AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB

THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISION AT 15 MILES PER HOUR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

I BROUGHT THIS CAR ON THE 29TH OF OCTOBER. TWO DAYS LATER THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE BATTERY WAS NO GOOD. THE BATTERY WAS CHANGED BUT THE THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN...TWO DAYS AFTER BEING SERVICED. THE BATTERY CORD HAD TO BE JIGGLED IN ORDER FOR IT TO START UP. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN WHERE THE MECHANIC SAID THE PROBLEM COULDN'T BE DUPLICATED, THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR EXCEPT THAT THE BATTERY CORD HAD TO BE TIGHTENED. ANOTHER TWO DAYS LATER THE CAR DOESN'T START AGAIN AND WON'T START UNLESS THE BRAKE AND GEARS ARE MANIPULATED. *AK

THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. *NM THE CONSUMER HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES MADE A DEEP DRUM LIKE NOISE THAT LASTED FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL THE BRAKES STARTED TO REACT NORMALLY. *TC *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO COULD NEITHER DUPLICATE NOR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *LA NM

AFTER REAR ENDING A LARGE TRUCK AT 45 MPH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

AT 13,500 MILES TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 2 CAR LENGTHS AHEAD OF ME AND OUR 2 YEAR OLD SON IN HIS CAR SEAT IN BACK. HE WAS DRIVING APROX 50 MPH. HE WAS IN A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THE BACK WINDOW BLEW OUT. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A WARRANTY UP TO 60000 MILES. WE IMMEDIATELY DROPPED THE CAR OFF. THEY SAID WE DID SOMETHING WRONG IE HIT SOMETHING THREW SOMETHING ECT. THEY CLAIMED THE FOUND A PEBBLE ON THE BACK LID (WE SEARCHED THE CAR) THE PEBBLE HAD THE SAME EPOXY FOUND ON THIER SHOP FLOOR. THEY DID NOT REPLACE NOR TAKE BLAME. WE WERE BLOWN OFF. AND SCIENTIFICALLY SPEAKING IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR A PEBBLE TO FLY BACKWARDS INTO A REAR WINDOW AND SHATTER IT. THERE ARE NO OVER PASSES OR ANYTHING IN THAT AREA. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. DEALER STATED ROTORS WERE WARPED AT 15,000 MILES. *AK

MY DAUGHTER, WHOM IS 7, WENT IN THE TRUNK TO RETRIEVE SOME BELONGINGS AND THE TRUNK CLOSED ON HER. SHE DID EXACTLY WHAT SHE WAS TAUGHT AND PULLED THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE. THE EMERGENCY TRUNK RELEASE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY (THE BALL AT THE END OF THE CABLE DISENGAGED FROM THE LATCH) AND MY CHILD WAS LOCKED IN THE TRUNK FOR 20 MIN. SHE STRUGGLED SO HARD TO GET OUT THAT SHE HAD CUTS ON HER HANDS AND FEET. I THEN MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE MY KIA SPECTRA 2003 INSPECTED. THE SERVICE TEC. STATED TO ME THAT IS WAS MOST DEFINITELY A PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS THAT WAY ON ALL 2003 KIA SPECTRAS. HE WOULD THEN TELL ALL THE APPROPRIATE HIGHER UPS ABOUT PROBLEM. I WAS CONTACTED A WEEK OR SO LATER AND A KIA SPOKES PERSON STATED TO ME THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ETR AND THAT CHILDREN SHOULD NOT PLAY IN CARS. HE TOLD ME THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. MY DAUGHTER IS NOW TERRIFIED OF THE CAR AND WANTS TO GET A VAN SO THIS WONT HAPPEN AGAIN. *LA

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET IT SUDDENLY DISENGAGES BY ITSELF. WHEN THIS OCCURS VEHICLE DECELERATES TO A LOW SPEED. THEN, WITHOUT WARNING CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGES AT THE SPEED IT WAS PREVIOUSLY SET. DEALERSHIP REPLACED CRUISE CONTROL MODULE, AND REPAIRED THE WIRING AT THE HARNESS TO THE PIN CONNECTOR BECAUSE OF A SHORTAGE. HOWEVER, FAILURE RECURRED.*AK

THIS LETTER IS BEING WRITTEN AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT (CASE # FHPH040FF003275) INVOLVING MY 2003 KIA SPECTRA GSX AND ANOTHER VEHICLE ON MARCH 6, 2004.*AK THE CRUISE CONTROL CONTINUED TO WORK UNTIL ABOUT 1:00PM ON INTERSTATE 10 WHEN I WAS IN THE SLOW LANE AND DRIVING AT 70 MPH (SPEED LIMIT) WITH THE CRUISE ON. I WAS SLOWLY CATCHING UP TO TWO TRUCKS IN MY LANE, WHEN THE REAR TRUCK STARTED TO PASS THE SLOWER TRUCK AHEAD OF ME. TRAFFIC BEHIND ME WAS CATCHING UP TO ME AT THE SAME TIME AS THE PASSING TRUCK PULLED INTO THE PASSING LANE. I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO SLOW DOWN SO I PRESSED DOWN ON THE COAST SET BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL, FOUR OR FIVE TIMES AND MY KIA SLOWED DOWN TO 65 MPH. THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED DOWN TO LET THE PASSING TRUCK IN THE FAST LANE GET BY. I PRESSED THE SAME COAST SET BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL FOUR OR FIVE TIMES TO SLOW THE KIA AND NOTHING HAPPENING. THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED AND THE KIA CONTINUED ITS SPEED OF 65 MPH. I THEN PRESSED THE SAME COAST SET BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE KIA INCREASED SPEED. I PRESSED THE CANCEL BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE KIA INCREASED SPEED. I STEPPED ON THE BREAK AND THE KIA CRUISE CONTROL DIDNT DISCONNECT. I PRESSED DOWN THE CLUTCH AND STEPPED ON THE BREAK THREE TIMES AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDNT OR WOULDNT DISCONNECT. I LOOKED DOWN AT THE COAST SET, CANCEL, AND RES ACCEL BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND PRESSED CANCEL A NUMBER OF TIMES. EVERY TIME I PRESSED THE CANCEL BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR ACCELERATED BUT NOW I WAS OUT OF ROOM AND TIME. I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING LITTLE DAMAGE TO THEIRS, RUBBED THEIR BUMPER BUT A LOT OF DAMAGE TO MINE, $1500 - $2000. WHEN OUR TWO VEHICLES COLLIDED THE CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONITUNES TO POP ON. AS OF 2/19/04, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS LIT UP 3 TIMES. ONCE IT WENT OUT ON ITS OWN, I LET IT GO. THE PAST TWO TIMES IT HAS BEEN RELATED TO THE P0442 EVAP LEAK (FUEL CAP). FUNNY THING IS, MY 2003 SPECTRA HAD A RECALL NOTICE COME IN TO HAVE THE FULE CAP REPLACED DUE TO A KNOWN 'LEAK'. I NEVER HAD ISSUES WITH THIS PRIOR TO THE RECALL FIX. I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 1 YEAR NOW AND NEVER HAD PROBLEMS BEFORE. SCHEDULED APPT FOR 02/23/04 AND DEALER ADVISED THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE AND RE-REPLACE FUEL CAP IF NEEDED. IT IS NOT A MAJOR PROBLEM, BUT AN ANNOYANCE. IT WILL MAKE ONE GET TO A POINT WHERE THEY MIGHT IGNORE THE ENGINE LIGHT DO TO IT CONTINUOUSLY COMING ON FOR NO SERIOUS REASON!

WHILE DRIVING 28 MPH IN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. THE DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES,AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *JB

ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. THE RUBBER WEATHER STRIP CAME OFF AND CONTINUES TO COME OFF AFTER A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I NEEDED TO PUT OIL IN THE CAR 2 MONTHS AFTER I GO IT, IT WAS ALMOST OUT OF OIL. I WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGED A FEW MONTHS LATER AT KIA OF COLUMBUS GA, AND ASKED WOULD THEY TOP OFF ALL FLUIDS AND THEY REPLIED YES. LESS THAN 3 WEEKS LATER I HAD TO GET MY OIL CHANGED AGAIN AND I NEEDED TRANSMISSION FLUID. I HAVE HAD A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES SQUEAKING SINCE ABOUT AFTER THE FIRST WEEK. THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY TOLD ME AT KIA OF COLUMBUS GA THAT MY BRAKES WERE FINE. MY BRAKES CONTINUE TO SQUEAK. THE LIGHT INSIDE THE CAR WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN, COMES ON BY ITSELF WHEN ALL THE DOORS ARE CLOSED. THE LIGHT ON THE CEILING OF THE CAR HAS TO STAY IN A PERMANENT OFF POSITION, OR THE LIGHT WILL COME ON BY ITSELF. MY CAR HAS BEEN KICKING BACK WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE WHILE MAKING THIS GROANING NOISE WHEN IN REVERSE. MY SEAT BELT ALSO SEEMS TO PULL IN A LOCKED POSITION SOMETIMES WHEN I AM AT A RED LIGHT, I AM SITTING STILL, NOT MAKING ANY SHARP TURNS FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS KIA SINCE I BOUGHT IT

AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. KIA RETURNED THE CAR AFTER 2 WEEKS. IT WORKED FOR 1 HOUR. RETURNED IT TO KIA-KIA RETURNED AFTER 5 WEEKS. AIR WORKED FOR 3 WEEKS. RETURNED TO KIA-SAID IT WAS THE FREON. WORKED FOR 30 MINS AND QUIT. I CANNOT TAKE IT BACK TO HAVE IT WORKED ON BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT GIVE ME A CAR TO DRIVE. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING IN THE HEAT WITH NO AIR BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO ACCOMODATE ME. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AND ONLY DRIVEN IT FOR 3.5 MONTHS BECAUSE OF REPAIRS.

WHILE DRIVING , THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE COILS BURNED OUT. *AK ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH O-RING LEAKING GAS INTO THE AIR VENTS. *LA *JB

I BOUGHT A KIA SPECTRA 2003 ON 9/27/03 WITH MANUFACTURER'S DATE OF 11/4/02. IT WAS A USED CAR WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT. ON 10/09/03, THE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING AN EMISSION SYSTEM PROBLEM. THE DEALER CHECKED IT AND REPLACED THE GAS CAP THAT THEY DISCOVERED WAS LEAKING. HOWEVER, ON 10/10/03, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE CHECK LIGHT BLINKED ON MOMENTARILY WHILE THE CAR LOST SPEED, AND WHEN THE LIGHT BLINKED OFF IT RESUMED ITS SPEED. IN REVIEWING TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, IT APPEARS THAT KIA SPECTRAS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 5/4/01 AND 7/12/02 WERE TO BE HAVE THE ORVR VALVE REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CAR MAY HAVE THE SAME DEFECT BUT IS NOT COVERED BY THE TSB. I WOULD APPRECIATE RECEIVING FURTHER UPDATES ON THIS SITUATION FOR MY CAR IN CASE THE TSB IS EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF MY CAR. *LA

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THE SEAT BELT BROKE AS A RESULT OF DRIVER NOT BEING RESTRAINED PROPERLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH

CONSUMER STATES THAT AIR CONDITIONER ON NEW KIA DOES NOT WORK. WHENEVER SHE TURNS DEFROSTER ON THE AIR BLOWS OUT OF THE VENT. AFTER COMPLAINING TO THE MECHANIC ,SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO BE REPAIRING THE PROBLEM, BUT WHEN SHE GOT THE VEHICLE BACK , THE AIR WAS BLOWING ON THE FEET ONLY. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE, AND EACH TIME IT STAYED IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS. LAST TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP IS STAYED IN THERE 2.5 WEEKS WAITING FOR A NEW PARTS, NEW FAN AND BLOWER. SHE WANTED TO KNOW IF THE LEMON LAW WOULD HELP HER GET ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING STEERING WHEEL WOULD PULL IN EITHER DIRECTION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

I HAVE A KIA SPECTRA LS VIN [XXX] WITH OPTIONAL ALLOY WHEELS PACKAGE. THE PROBLEM IS I HAVE LOST 2 CENTER HUB CAPS ON THESE WHEELS. I AM PRETTY CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE NOT BEING STOLEN AND I DO NOT RECALL ROUGH DRIVING ON EITHER OCCASION.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

TETHER ANCHORS: CHILD SEAT REAR TETHER CAN NOT BE INSTALLED/USED PROPERLY ON HATCH BACK MODEL. THE HATCH COVER, ANCHOR LOCATION, AND CARGO PREVENT THE TETHER REMAINING SNUG. THE HATCH COVER PUSHES ON THE TETHER, LOOSENING THE STRAP. THE ANCHORS POSITION MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LOAD, TRANSPORT OR UNLOAD CARGO WITHOUT COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE TETHER AND CAUSING IT TO LOOSEN. THE OWNER'S MANUAL CAUTIONS AGAINST USING A TETHER IN THE MIDDLE SEATING POSITION (RECOMMENDED POSITION FOR CHILD SAFETY SEATS) BECAUSE THE TETHER COULD SLIP BETWEEN THE SPLIT SEATS, AGAIN CAUSING SLACK AND PREVENTING THE TETHER FROM HELPING HOLD THE CHILD SEAT SECURE. *NLM

ONCE VEHICLE REACHES 70 MPH THERE IS VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 15MPH ENGINE LOCKED UP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED WITH WATER INSIDE THE ENGINE. DEALERWON'T COVER THE GUARANTEE. *AK

THE REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO FASTENED. 8JB

POSESS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA GT THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. ONLY ONE PERSON IN THE VEHICLE BUT BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AIRBAG BROKE WINDSHIELD AS WELL AS SIDE CASING THAT HELD THE SEAT BELTS IN PLACE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE IN THIS VEHICLE OR ANY VEHICLE FOR THAT MATTER? PIECES OF THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE SHATTERED AND SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED HARM TO ANYONE THEY CONTACTED. PLEASE ADVISE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. *NLM

THE ENGINE MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NLM THE DOOR WAS MISALIGNED, REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, SNOW HAD GOTTEN INTO THE REAR SEAT(S), THE VEHICLE LEAKED, SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE, CLICK NOISE IN THE WIPERS WHEN ON A LOW SPEED, PULLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE PER MECHANIC, AND PULLING WHEN SHIFTED. SCC

SNOW ENTERED THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE DOOR NOT TO OPEN. *NLM THE DOOR WAS MISALIGNED, REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, SNOW HAD GOTTEN INTO THE REAR SEAT(S), THE VEHICLE LEAKED, SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE, CLICK NOISE IN THE WIPERS WHEN ON A LOW SPEED, PULLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE PER MECHANIC, AND PULLING WHEN SHIFTED. SCC

THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WERE NOT LONG ENOUGH TO HOLD A 135 POUND PASSENGER. *NLM THE DOOR WAS MISALIGNED, REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, SNOW HAD GOTTEN INTO THE REAR SEAT(S), THE VEHICLE LEAKED, SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE, CLICK NOISE IN THE WIPERS WHEN ON A LOW SPEED, PULLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE PER MECHANIC, AND PULLING WHEN SHIFTED. SCC

THE VEHICLES WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. *NLM THE DOOR WAS MISALIGNED, REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, SNOW HAD GOTTEN INTO THE REAR SEAT(S), THE VEHICLE LEAKED, SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE, CLICK NOISE IN THE WIPERS WHEN ON A LOW SPEED, PULLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE PER MECHANIC, AND PULLING WHEN SHIFTED. SCC

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO USE HIGH BEAMS. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE HEATER WENT OFF, DEALER INSPECTED AND FIXED THE PROBLEM ON 12/ 27/02 AGAIN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE HEATHER SYSTEM WENT OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *DT