2005 Kia Spectra Problems & Complaints

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ACTIVATED. CAR HAS NOT SUSTAINED DAMAGE. SEAT OR SENSOR MALFUNCTION MAY CAUSE AIRBAG NOT TO DEPLOY IN CRASH.

VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY QUITS. ALSO DASH LIGHTS ON BINACLE. THEN WILL COME BACK ON AFTER A DAY OR SO, HAVE REPLACE WITH GENUINE KIA OEM PARTS BUT STILL HAPPENS. ALSO LOOKED ON FORUMS ONLINE AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE.

BAD SHAKING IN STEERING WHEEL AND SOUNDS COMING FROM FRONT END. ONLY WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY

UPON PURCHASE, BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT IN 2005, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD WAS ALWAYS COMING ON AND OFF WHEN DRIVING EVEN IF A PERSON WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. I NEVER REALLY UNDERSTOOD EXACTLY WHY OR HAD MONEY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT PROBLEM. WHEN I WOULD TAKE IT TO THE MECHANIC, THEY WOULD ALWAYS SAY IT LOOKED NORMAL. WHEN I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS ISSUE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH NEEDING A NEW SEAT. I HAVE HAD MY KIA SPECTRA EX FOR SOME TIME NOW, SO I HAD TO HAVE THEM SALVAGE THE SEAT FROM A SALVAGE YARD. LUCKILY, THEY WERE ABLE TO LOCATE AN OLD SEAT IN A WRECKED KIA AND IT LOOKS NICE IN MY CAR, AND THIS LIGHT SO FAR HAS NOT COME BACK ON. THE TOTAL COST WAS AROUND $2,000 AND IT WAS SAD TO PUT OUT THE CASH BECAUSE I'M A STUDENT. AFTER SEARCHING, I NOTICED ON OTHER SITES THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE.

SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER NOT WORKING WELL IT WORKS THE FIRST TIME IN THE MORNING WHEN I DRIVE AFTER I TURN CAR OFF AND GO TO DRIVE AGAIN IT WILL NOT WORK THE ENTIRE DAY. RECENTLY I HAVE MEET SOMEONE WITH EXACT MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE LITERALLY AS I DESCRIBED THE OTHER PERSON WHO I DID NOT TELL ABOUT THE PROBLEM WORD FOR WORD DESCRIBE THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO WHEN SPEEDOMETER ISN'T WORKING THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO WILL NITWORK. I HAVE REPLACED INPUT AND OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR , WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THE SPEED SENSOR WHICH WIRES BACK UP TO INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND NOTHING HAS FIXED THE ISSUE.

MY PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAS GONE BAD AND KIA IS REFUSING TO REPLACE THE SENSOR MAT FOR 2005 KIA SPECTRAS, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE AGREED TO REPLACE THE MAT FOR THE SAME MODEL CAR FROM 2007 TO 2009 SEE THE NHTSA PDF ABOUT THE 2007 MODEL YEAR RECALL: HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/INV/2015/INOT-PE15031-63613.PDF PLEASE SPEAK WITH KIA. THIS RECALL AGREEMENT SHOULD ALSO APPLY TO 2005 MODEL SPECTRAS. THEY ARE REFUSING TO REPLACE THE SENSOR MAT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE'S DIRECTION AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED ONE STEERING RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V183000 (STEERING) AND ONE TSB FOR THE AIR BAGS, BUT THERE WERE NO BRAKE OR AIR BAG RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TAKATA RECALL CONTACTED LOCAL KIA AND REFERRED TO NATIONAL PHONE 1-800-333-4542 WHERE A REPRESENTATIVE (JESSICA) STATED THAT KIA DOES NOT USE TAKATA AIRBAGS ON ANY OF THEIR VEHICLES; THEREFORE, NO NEED TO REPLACE. END OF CONVERSATION.

THIS VEHICLE HAD AN AIR BAG RECALL AND WAS PERFORMED. OUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT SENT THIS VEHICLE (WITH A AIR BAG LAMP ON) TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DIAGNOSIS FROM FERGUSON KIA AT TULSA OK TOLD ME THAT THE SAME COMPONENTS THAT WAS USED FOR THE RECALL ARE NOW DEFECTIVE AND CAUSING THE AIR BAG LAMP TO COME ON. I CONTACTED KIA HOTLINE 1-800-333-4542 AND FILED A CASE (CASE NO. [XXX]).A KIA REPRESENTATIVE CALLED BACK AND TOLD ME THEY WERE NOT GOING TO REPAIR OR PROVIDE THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE AIR BAG. I REQUESTED FOR KIA TO RE-EVALUATE THIS CASE. KIA NEVER CALLED BACK. NOW THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS THREATEN TO HAUL THE VEHICLE AWAY OR FOR OUR DEPARTMENT TO COME AND GET THIS VEHICLE. KIA SPECTRA 5 VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON IN MY 2005 KIA SPECTRA EX. THE ERROR CODE SAVED INDICATES THE OCS SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED. THERE IS AN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER (PE15031) FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND MODEL CAR BUT FOR LATER PRODUCTION YEARS. IT INDICATES THAT THE ISSUE WILL BE REPAIRED FOR UP TO 15 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE. WHY DOES THIS NOT COVER THE 2005 YEAR AS WELL?...UPDATED 04/20/17 *BF

WHILE DRIVING MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. THEN IT WENT TO 25 MPH JUMPED TO 45 MPH. AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED AND THEN STARTED AGAIN, I WENT TO TURN LEFT AND IT LIST POWER FOR A SECOND ALMOST CAUSING ME TO BE HIT ON PASSENGER SIDE BUT REGAINED POWER AND MOVED ON. I WOULD PARK IN GARAGE AND NEXT DAY WORKING AGAIN. I WOULD PARK IN SUN AT WORK AFTER WORK SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT WORK. NOW SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK AT ALL I'M AFRAID OF GETTING A TICKET. I AM WORKING WITH A LOCAL MECHANIC THEY SCANNED IT NO CODES RELATING.

MY SON WAS IN A COLLISION, HE REAR ENDED SOMEONE, THE WHOLE DRIVERS SIDE IN TOTALLY CAVED IN AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

IN JANUARY 2016 THIS CAR WENT INTO A SUDDEN INVOLUNTARY ACCELERATION. FIRST TIME IN EXTREMELY COLD AND ICY WEATHER. TOOK TWO FEET ON BRAKE AND IT STILL MOVED INTO THE INTERSECTION BEFORE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN. SECOND AND THIRD TIMES, IN PARKING LOTS IN WARMER CONDITIONS, IT DID THE SAME SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL CAUSED EXTREMELY LOUD ROAR BEFORE IT SUDDENLY STOPPED. THESE ALL OCCURRED WHEN GOING FROM GAS PEDAL TO THE BRAKE. THESE WERE TERRIFYING. AND KIA DEALERSHIP MECHANICS SAY THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. SAID IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN EXTRA HEAVY BOOTS ON MY FEET OR MAYBE THE FLOOR MAT WEDGED UNDER PEDAL. THIS IS KIA LACK-OF-RESPONSIBILITY BULLSHIT!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STIFF WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND A CRASH OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

ANOTHER CAR CUT IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING, MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. AT THE TIME OF IMPACT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AS IT SHOULD WITH NO PROBLEM BUT MINE DIDN'T. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3-5 SECONDS LATE, THEN EXPLODED SENDING HOT SHRAPNEL THAT INJURED ME IN SEVERAL PLACES ON MY FACE, CHEST, SHOULDERS, STOMACH AND ARMS CAUSING CUTS, BURNS, SCRAPES AND BRUISES THAT MY HUSBAND TOOK PICTURES OF AFTER THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS EXTREMELY TRAMATIC & PAINFUL. I AM STILL NOT COMPLETELY HEALED.

MY AIR BAG IS OFF, I WENT TO KIA AND HAD IT REPLACE THEY SAID THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE MY CAR SEAT. MY CAR SEAT IS OKAY, WHAT I WAS COMPLAINING WHY MY AIR BAG IS OFF?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,900.

VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AS THEY SHOULD HAVE. MY SON RECEIVED A CONCUSSION AS A RESULT (HE WAS WEARING HIS SEATBELT). KIA HAS INDICATED THAT AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE HELP. *TR

DROVE TO WORK THE OTHER MORNING AND NOTICE BY LUNCH TIME THAT WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE OUT OF DRIVEWAY IT WAS NOT SHOWING MILES I WAS TRAVELING. THIS HAD DONE IT TO ME BEFORE IN SC AND THE GOODYEAR SERVICE MAN COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. BUT IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN WHILE THEY HAD IT. HE STATED THAT HE'D HEARD THAT MY CAR WAS KNOWN TO DO THIS. BUT NOW FOR 3 DAYS I'M DRIVING BLIND ON THE FEEL. UNTIL I CAN GET SOME ONE TO LOOK AT IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V256000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,909.

WHILE STOPPED ON A SMALL HILL IN TRAFFIC, I WAS REARENDED BY A FORD TRUCK WHO WAS GOING ABOUT 35MPH. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR INJURIES TO MY KNEES AND MY NECK. I SEE THERE ARE MANY MANY MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS. THERE DEFINITELY IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ORDERED. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHICH COULD RESULT IN DEATH. ALSO MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING MY SPEEDOMETER WILL GO TO ZERO WHILE DRIVING OR JUMP TO 100+, IN ADDITION THE RPM GAUGE WILL DO THE SAME. THIS TOO IS ALSO MENTIONED MANY TIMES CLEARLY THERE IS SOME MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND IMMEDIATELY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR TOTAL RING HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,702.

PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY TO CENTER LANE AND THEN MERGING WITH TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. RPMS WOULD FLARE, BUT CAR HAD NO POWER AS IF ENGINE WAS NOT GETTING FUEL. THIS WOULD HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO STATED GAS HAD GOTTEN INTO AN EMISSIONS PART IN THE FUEL TAKE, STATING IT WAS CAUSED FROM OVER FILLING THE TANK. VEHICLE OWNER TOLD DEALER THAT THE TANK HAD NEVER BEEN OVER FILLED OR CAPPED OFF WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE, SO THE PART MUST BE DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE OWNER STILL HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE CANISTER CLOSE VALVE. DEALER CLAIMED THAT RPM FLARE UP AND LOSS OF POWER WAS CAUSED FROM THE CLUTCH SLIPPING, ALTHOUGH RPM FLARE UP NEVER OCCURRED WHILE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE. AT 100,000 ESTIMATED MILES, THE SAME FUEL VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, AND TO DATE, THE FUEL TANK HAS NEVER BEEN OVER FILLED. *TR

ONE BLINKER LIGHT WOULD FLASH FASTER THEN THE OTHER. THE RADIO WOULD RANDOMLY SCAN STATIONS CONTINUOUSLY. BATTERY WOULD DIE. 9/28/2013 WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED, ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE VEHICLE BEGAN FLASHING/BLINKING AND THE CAR MADE A BUZZING SOUND. WHEN KEY WAS REMOVED THE FLASHING AND BUZZING CONTINUED FOR A MINUTE LONGER. AFTER A JUMP START THE CAR STARTED, BUT THE BLINKER LEVER WOULD NO LONGER GO DOWN TO TURN ON LEFT BLINKER. LATER THAT DAY AAA TESTED THE BATTERY WHICH WAS NO LONGER HOLDING A CHARGE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP: FRONT SPOILER FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND REPLACED BY PURCHASING DEALER AT NO CHARGE. ELECTRICAL ON WINDOWS WAS INTERMITTENT, KIA DEALER IN ONTARIO (THAT IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE) REFUSED TO DO REPAIRS, WHICH WERE UNDER WARRANTY, STATING THEY COULD ONLY DO OIL CHANGES ON THE WEEKENDS AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR FOR THE REPAIR TO BE DONE DURING THE WEEK. 5/5/2014: REQUESTED A WARRANTY REPORT FOR VEHICLE FROM KIA CORPORATE AND THEY STATED THEY DO NO HAVE RECORD OF THAT INFORMATION. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS USED BY KIA FOR TESTING PURPOSES ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. *TR

WINDOW CONTROLS WOULD NOT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A KIA DEALER WHO REFUSED TO DO REPAIRS, STATING THEY ONLY DO OIL CHANGES ON WEEKENDS. DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE RENTAL CAR FOR REPAIRS TO BE MADE DURING THE WEEK. AT THIS TIME, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. REPAIRS WERE NEVER MADE. AS OF 5/5/2014 WINDOWS WILL ONLY OPEN OCCASIONALLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSED, WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR AND SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V431000 (AIR BAGS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ONE MONTH AFTER THE AFFECTED VIN RANGE OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COULD NOT PASS THE STATE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CURRENT VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 96,921.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE FUEL TANK STRAPS BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STRAPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V256000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 231,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND EXHIBITED A KNOCKING SOUND PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR THAT CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO RUN DRY AND NOT SEND COOLANT TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR

MY SPEEDOMETER WORKS INTERMITANTLY ON AND OFF, I HAVE CHANGED THE SPEED SENSOR AND DID NOT TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM, I WENT TO KIA BLOGS AND FOUND OUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH KIA CARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR AUTOMATIC LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE INTERMITTENTLY BECAME LOCKED IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 155,000. UPDATED 3/11/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOORS LOCK/UNLOCK BY THMSELVES. THEY WON'T ACTIVATE ON COMMAND. DRIVER'S SIDE INSIDE HANDLE WILL NOT ACTIVATE RELEASE. UPDATED 06/17/2013 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE CONTACT PULLED THE DOOR PANEL OFF AND NOTICED THAT THE LINKAGE AND THE LATCH WERE BOTH FRACTURED. THE CONTACT COULD ONLY OPEN THE WINDOW AND THE DOOR FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE LATCH AND LINKAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE PART AND MADE THE REPAIRS HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

THE CHROME LAYER ON THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES INSIDE THE VEHICLE IS DELAMINATING FROM THE UNDERLYING PLASTIC HANDLES. THE SHARP EDGES POSE A LACERATION HAZARD TO THE OCCUPANT WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. *TR

TURNED THE CAR ON, GOT ON THE HWY LOOKED AT THE SPEED AND IT WAS AT 0 MPH. DROVE FOR A WHILE IT PICKED UP TO 20 MPH. NOT SURE IF ITS WORKING RIGHT. I'VE GOTTEN A TICKET FOR SPEEDING HOW DO I KNOW WHAT SPEED I'M GOING IF ITS NOT WORKING. I ALSO HAVE A NEW BORN. I BELIEVE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *JB

AFTER PRESSING THE CLUTCH MORE THAN TEN TIME IT STARTS GETTING HARDER. AFTER THAT IT WILL GET STUCK AND WILL NOT RELEASE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE OVER 90 DEGREES. IT WILL RELEASE AFTER IT COOLS DOWN. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES. MY VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 100 THOUSAND MILES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND WOULD READ THAT SHE WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WERE PROVIDING INACCURATE LEVEL READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS DID NOT CLICK AND LATCH INTO THEIR BUCKLES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE REAR SEAT BELT WERE NEVER PREVIOUSLY OPERATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF UPDATED 05/14/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR WITHIN THE SEAT FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,593.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE BRAKES WOULD BE DEPRESSED STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR BOARD. IN ORDER FOR HER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, SHE WOULD HAVE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE O2 SENSOR AND MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER HAVING THE REPAIRS DONE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2005 KIA SPECTRA PASSED INSPECTION AS WELL AS ALL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER OWNING IT AT APPROXIMATELY 85,722 MILES, WITHOUT WARNING, TRAVELING THROUGH LOCAL STREETS SLOWLY (AT LESS THAN 5 MPH) THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND ACTUALLY EXPLODED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT LEFT A 12 HOLE IN THE TOP PORTION OF THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING. TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE STREET AND PIECES OF THE TRANSMISSION FELL OUT. LEAVING US STRANDED FIVE HOURS FROM HOME. TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP, AND FOUND OUT LATER VIA PICTURES, E-MAIL, PHONE CALLS AND OPINIONS FROM MECHANICS THAT THERE APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS DEFECT IS UNDETECTABLE WITH THE NAKED EYE (BECAUSE IT WAS INTERNAL), THIS WOULD NOT SHOW UP IN DIAGNOSTICS NOR TRIP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THIS IS HAPPENING UNLESS YOU CAN SEE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION BY THAT TIME IT IS TOO LATE. LOOKING AT THE PICTURES YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THROUGH THE 12 HOLE AND INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEE THE INTERNAL WORKINGS. THERE YOU WILL SEE WHAT IS AN APPROXIMATE 3 GROOVE IN WHICH A BENT PIN (FROM MANUFACTURING) WORE AWAY AT THE METAL TILL THERE WAS NO MORE METAL FOR IT TO HIT. AT WHICH POINT IT EXPLODED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT RIPPED A 12 HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE METAL HOUSING OF THE TRANSMISSION (WITH 4 OF US IN THE CAR AT THAT TIME). WE CONTACTED KIA AND ADVISED THEM OF SITUATION AS WELL AS THE EXPENSES TO REPAIR AND ALL THEY GAVE US WAS THE RUN AROUND! WHEN ASKED THEY WOULD NOT DISCLOSE WHERE THEY SENT THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND KIA SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE! TRANSMISSIONS DO NOT EXPLODE! THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND A SAFETY CONCERN! HAD THIS HAPPEN AT 70 MPH THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE INJURIES! WE HAVE CLEAR DETAILED PICTURES! *TR

I RECENTLY HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AND I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT THEY DIDN'T SO I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON MY AIRBAG SYSTEM. I WAS WONDERING WHY I WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THIS SO I COULD TAKE MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE. *TR

DUE TO CORROSION, THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE FAILED AT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER. VEHICLE IS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA 5 WITH 117,000 MILES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE ENGAGED THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO CHANGE FROM NEUTRAL TO FIRST GEAR, THE CLUTCH ARM BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. A MECHANIC CONSULTED WITH THE CONSUMER AND STATED THAT THE CLUTCH ARM FAILURE APPEARED TO BE HEAT RELATED AS THE METAL EXPANDED IN HOT TEMPERATURES AND CAUSED THE ARM TO BIND UP. A CALL TO THE DEALER WAS MADE WHO REFUSED WARRANTY, BUT OTHERWISE SERVICE.. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000. UPDATED 07/18/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE FULLY. THE DOOR ALARM WOULD CHIME SPORADICALLY TO INDICATE THAT THE DOOR WAS NOT FULLY CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY IN 1ST GEAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED. THE BRAKE FAILED AND THE CAR ROLLED DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY AND HIT THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH IN WHICH ONLY THE FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT DID REMAIN SECURE DURING THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND TWO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE TO TREAT SERIOUS INJURIES AND THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE ALSO SUFFERED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

2005 KIA SPECTRA I WAS BRAKING AND THE CAR STARTED SPEEDING UP. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO KEEP THE CAR FROM GOING . *TR

I WAS MAKING A THREE POINT TURN. I MOVED TO THE WALL BRAKING TO STOP TO BACK UP, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CAR WENT FORWARD SPEEDING UP AND INTO THE BLOCK WALL. STILL WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES I TURNED THE CAR OFF. *TR

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONTEND COLLISION! MY WIFE'S HEAD WAS SLAMMED AGAINST THE SIDE WINDOW. HOSPITAL TO BE VISITED SOON. (THIS WAS ABOUT AN HOUR AGO) *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED WHEN SHE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO THE VEHICLE AND THEY WERE GOING TO SEND HER A DIAGRAM INSTRUCTING HER HOW TO PROPERLY SIT IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INSTRUCTED TO GAIN WEIGHT IN ORDER FOR THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUES TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 08/05/10. *LJ

2005 KIA SPECTRA HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. SEVERAL KIA MECHANICS AT VARIOUS KIA DEALERSHIPS (BANNER, PAT PECK, AND KIA OF SLIDELL) SAY PERFORMANCE IS NORMAL, BUT IT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR ON THE HIGHWAY, ALMOST PUTTING OUR FAMILY IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS, BECAUSE IT SCARES US SO MUCH. OUR FAMILY LOVES THE SPECTRA, AND TAKES VERY GOOD CARE OF IT, BUT THIS UNSAFE CONDITION HAS MADE ANYONE WE KNOW FEARFUL TO RIDE IN IT, WHEN THEY FEEL IT BUCKING IN AND OUT OF GEAR, ON THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE CONVINCE KIA TO STAND BEHIND THIS CAR, AND REPAIR IT TO THE CONDITION WE WERE PROMISED - THANK YOU. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS, FROM WHAT WE REMEMBER, AND VARIOUS TIMES KIA SERVICE PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT THIS IS JUST THE WAY THE SPECTRA IS - THE LAST VISIT, THEY CONVINCED US TO FLUSH ALL OF THE FLUIDS, TO TAKE CARE OF ANY ISSUES, ONCE AND FOR ALL, AND NOW IT IS WORSE THAN EVER. WE ARE COMPLAINING TO YOU NOW BECAUSE IT HAS BECOME ALMOST UNUSABLE FOR OTHER THAN GOING AROUND THE SUBDIVISION. SOME CHAT BOARDS SAY THE 2005 HAS A FAULTY TCM (CONTROL MODULE), BUT KIA HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT TO US, AND SAID THE REPROGRAMMING TOOK CARE OF IT (THIS DID NOT). *TR

2005 KIA SPECTRA. CONSUMER STATES AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT *TGW THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. *JB UPDATED 12/08/10*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 07/20/10.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA 5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN OCTOBER 2008, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE TOO CLOSE AND ALMOST CAUSED HIM TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 41,000. UPDATED 08/04/10 *BF THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. HE STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, HE ALSO APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AT 20 MPH. UPDATED 10/14/10*JB

KIS SPEEDOMETER, REPEATED FAILURES. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MY 2005 SPEEDOMETER HAS GIVEN FALSE READINGS OFF BY AS MUCH AS AN ESTIMATED 25 MPH. A REVIEW OF THE INTERNET AND KIA-FORUMS.COM, THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM IN MODELS WELL PAST EH 1999 KIA SPEEDOMETER RECALL. KIA HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING SINCE THEY "CAN'T REPEAT THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM." I DO NOT KNOW HOW OFTEN THE SPEEDOMETER IS INCORRECT OUTSIDE THE IDENTIFIED EVENTS. *CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER REMAINED AT 0 NO MATTER HOW FAST OR SLOW SHE DROVE. SHE HAS SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR 01/14/2010. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. SHE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,480.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILED. AS A CONSEQUENCE IN A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS THE AIR BAG MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE ENTIRE AIR BAG CLUSTER UNDER THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR IS NOT SPECIFIED IN THE WARRANTY SO HE WOULD LIABLE TO PAY THE EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. SHE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TIE ROD SNAPPED. TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND EVERY TIME SHE MADE A TURN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,200.

I OWN A 2005 KIA SPECTRA AND WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IS SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE. MY PASSENGER AND I WERE BOTH WEARING OUR SEATBELTS AND ONLY HAD MINOR INJURIES BUT I'M VERY SURPRISED THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS DRIVING SOUTH AND A CAR IN THE NORTHBOUND LEFT TURN LANE TURNED IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT HER. THE MAJORITY OF THE DAMAGE IS ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE> THE HOOD CRUMPLED, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RADIATOR ARE CRACKED, THERE IS WHEEL AND AXLE DAMAGE AND THE ENGINE WON'T START. *TR

KIA AUTOMOBILES PLACES THE AIRBAG WIRING AND CIRCUITS INSIDE THEIR SEAT CUSHIONS WITHOUT PROPER INSULATION TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST ELECTRICAL "SHORTS" AND/OR FIRES. FOR A WHILE NOW, KIA OWNERS LIKE MYSELF HAVE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL SHORTS FOR THE AIRBAG(S), THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT IMPROPERLY INSULATES THE WIRING AND CIRCUITRY FOR THE AIRBAGS THAT IS STORED WITHIN THE SEAT CUSHION. EVEN SHOULD A MINOR BEVERAGE SPILL OCCUR ON THE CUSHION, OR THE OCCASIONAL SPILL THAT HAPPENS TO ALL DRIVERS/PASSENGERS FROM TIME TO TIME, KIA TELLS US THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CAUSING THE AIRBAG FAILURE BY VIRTUE OF THE SPILL. SHOULD WE GET INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT....IT'S OUR OWN FAULT...NOT KIA'S. I SAY THAT KIA.....NOT THE CONSUMER,,,IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPROPERLY INSULATING THEIR WIRING AND CIRCUITS AND PLACING THOSE WIRES AND CIRCUITS IN THE MOST ILLOGICAL PLACE WITHOUT PROPER INSULATION. HAD KIA TAKEN THE TIME, EFFORT AND EXPENSE TO ENGINEER A BETTER VEHICLE, AIRBAG FUNCTIONS WOULD CERTAINLY NOT BE SUSPECT. I SAY...RECALL THE KIAS TO BETTER INSULATE THE AIRBAG WIRING THAT IS INSIDE THE SEAT CUSHION...WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHOULD A SODA OR WATER SPILL ON A SEAT CUSHION JEOPARDIZE LIVES? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE EXITING A DRIVEWAY AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED WIRES HANGING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONNECTOR FROM THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO FAIL. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,145.

THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER GETS AIR IN IT IN COLD WEATHER BELOW -10 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT . IT HAPPENS ANYTIME IT GETS BELOW THIS TEMPERATURE. IT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO BE UNABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR. USUALLY THE DEALER BLEEDS THE CYLINDER AND IT IS FINE. COULD LEAVE THE DRIVER STRANDED OR UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT HAS HAPPENED EVERY WINTER SINCE 2005 AND USUALLY MORE THAN ONCE A WINTER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE VEHICLE PULLING DRASTICALLY TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIE RODS WERE FAULTY AND THE TIRES WOULD NOT WEAR. SHE STATED THAT THE TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED EVERY 3,000 MILES FOR THE LAST 46,000 MILES ON HER VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2005 KIA SPECTRA, WHICH WAS IDENTICAL TO THE FAILURE SHE WAS EXPERIENCING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V183000 (STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT EVERY 20,000 MILES THE TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE TIRE LIFE STATES THAT THIS SHOULD OCCUR EVERY 60,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,250.

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 17000 MILES ON AND THE STRUTS SWAYBAR LINKAGE AND TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 17,500 AND AT 29,000 MILES JUST 12000 MILES THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP PROPERLY AND AFTER INVESTIGATION FOUND THE ROTORS AND PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD OUR 2005 KIA SPECTRA STEERING LOCKED UP AS IF THE CAR WAS IN PARK. A KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN VICTORVILLE WAS UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG AND THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO US. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE SAME EVENT HAPPENED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR WAS IN PARK. THE CAR WAS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY HOWEVER, THE SERVICE CENTER CLAIMED AN ADJUSTMENT WAS NEEDED WHICH WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WE PAID $240 TO HAVE THE ADJUSTMENT MADE. YESTERDAY, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AGAIN A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD NEARLY SENDING US OVER THE EDGE OF A CLIFF. PER THE KIA DEALER, VEHICLES THAT WERE MANUFACTURED ONE MONTH AFTER OUR VEHICLE'S PRODUCTION DATE HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME STEERING PROBLEMS BUT THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO OUR VEHICLE ONLY THOSE MANUFACTURED 30 DAYS AFTER THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF THIS PARTICULAR CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND HIS SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN ON IMPACT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT FROM THE ANGLE THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48,000.

I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN MY TACHOMETER FOR NO EXPLAINABLE REASON SHOT UP OVER 7000 RPM'S CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE BEYOND THE BREAKING POINT AND CAUSING ME TO BE INVOLVED IN THREE SEPARATE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ALL WITHIN A TWO HOUR TIME PERIOD ON THE SAME DAY. TWO WEEKS EARLIER, MY CAR HAD DONE THE EXACT SAME THING SLOWING DOWN COMING AROUND A BEND CAUSING ME TO HIT A CEMENT BARRIER WHICH LUCKILY ONLY CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO MY DRIVER SIDE MIRROR AND WHEEL WELL. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP AFTER THE THREE CONSECUTIVE ACCIDENTS WHERE THEY CLAIMED THE CAUSE OF THIS PHENOMENON WAS CAUSED ?BY MY FLOOR MAT BEING IN A BAD POSITION. AS A RESULT, I REMOVED THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR MAT ONLY TO HAVE THIS SAME UNEXPLAINABLE ACCELERATION HAPPEN TO ME AGAIN AT A RED LIGHT ACROSS FROM A VERY DANGEROUS INTERSECTION APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER. THIS TIME I HAD TO THROW THE CAR INTO PARK TO GET IT TO STOP BEFORE COMPLETELY ENTERING THE INTERSECTION. EVEN AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE TACHOMETER CONTINUED TO RACE ABOVE 7000 RPM?S FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 MORE SECONDS BEFORE LEVELING BACK OFF. THIS TIME NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I HAD MY CAR TOWED BACK TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHO HAS NOW HAD IT IN THEIR POSSESSION FOR OVER FIVE DAYS NOW. IN MY OPINION, THE 2004 - 2005 KIA SPECTRA IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND IS ONE EPISODE AWAY FROM BECOMING A VERY TRAGIC ACCIDENT FOR SOMEONE. LET ME STATE THAT IN OVER 24 YEARS OF DRIVING, I HAVE NEVER BEEN SITED FOR A MAJOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AND HAVE HAD A PERFECTLY CLEAN DRIVING RECORD FOR OVER TEN YEARS BEFORE ALL OF THIS. I URGE ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR KIA SPECTRA'S TO PLEASE POST THEIR EXPERIENCES ON THIS WEBSITE SO OTHERS MAY BE WARNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. AFTER ACTIVATION, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WOULD DISENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. ON ONE OCCURRENCE, THE LIGHTER DISENGAGED, LANDED INSIDE A TRASH BAG, AND CAUGHT FIRE. AS OF NOVEMBER 27, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. ONE YEAR AGO, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. EXACTLY ONE YEAR AFTER REPLACING THE BUCKLE, IT HAS DETACHED AGAIN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 20,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,424.

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON JAN. 25, 2007 AND MY FRONT END WAS DAMAGED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I NOW HAVE A SLIPPED DISK IN MY NECK DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. KIA REFUSED TO TELL ME WHY IT DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, STALLING, AIR BAG LIGHT AND EVEN CAR SHUT OFF ON THE FREEWAY. AFTER ONLY TWO WEEKS THE CAR STARTED WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS; THE RIGHT HEAD LAMP KEPT BURNING, THE CAR WAS AT THE SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS FOR REPAIR. ON 5/24/06 THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR ELECTRIC PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT, THERE WAS ALREADY A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND THE REPAIR WAS DONE TO IT. ON 08/15/06 THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE PROBLEMS, THE CAR HAD PREVIOUSLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY, HAD A STALLING PROBLEM, THE RADIO WOULD SCAN BACK AND FORWARD FOR A STATION BY IT-SELF WHEN THE A/C OR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT CAME TO USE, ALSO THE BATTERY WENT DEAD. THE CAR WAS AT THE SHOP FOR TWO DAYS AND MANY REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, UNFORTUNATELY THIS TIME THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A WRITTEN REPAIR DESCRIPTION, (BUT I HAVE A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT INVOICE). NOW, 03/02/2007 AND WITH 27700 MILES THE CAR STARTED TO PRODUCE ALL THE ABOVE PROBLEMS AND I WILL TAKE THE CAR FOR A 4TH REPAIR ON MONDAY 03/05/2007. I ALREADY CALLED KIA'S CONSUMER SERVICE 800-333-4542 TO REQUEST A LEMON EXCHANGE OR REFUND. *JB

VEHICLE: 2005 KIA SPECTRA 5 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN COMING TO A STOP (WITH FOOT OFF OF GAS PEDAL BUT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL), ENGINE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT I NOTICED THIS HAPPENED. I QUICKLY PUSHED DOWN STRONGLY ON THE BRAKE AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE ENGINE DECELERATED ON IT'S OWN WITHIN ABOUT 5-10 SECS. *NM

MY WIFE'S KIA AND MANY OF THE OTHER CARS AND TRUCKS I SEE ON THE ROAD HAVE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME THE PLASTIC BECOMES MILKY AND THE LIGHT EMITTED IS NOT ENOUGH TO SEE. I THINK THE MANUFACTURES SHOULD BE FORCED TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMP HOUSINGS FOR SAFETY REASONS. IF THEY WOULD HAVE MADE THEM OUT OF GLASS LIKE THE ONES ON MY JEEP THERE WOULD BE NO PROBLEM. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL FOUR TIMES SMASHING ALL FOUR CORNERS OF THE VEHICLE. ALL SIX AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO ANY OCCUPANTS.

THE POWER TRAIN IN MY CAR SHIFTS VERY HARD AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OUT OF THE CAR. HAVE HAD THE CAR IN TO BE FIXED BY THE DEALER TWICE AND TOMORROW WILL BE THE THIRD TIME. *NM

VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 70 MILES BEFORE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILED, 1400 MILES BEFORE I DETERMINED THE STALLING PROBLEM WAS NOT OPERATOR ERROR, AND ABOUT 90 DAYS BEFORE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND FINDING A SHAKE IN THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE SELLING DEALER 20 TIMES WITH THE AIRBAG PROBLEM AND STEERING SHAKE UN-REPAIRED. SC0055 ON THE AIRBAG ISSUE, REPROGRAMMING THE SENSOR(S) AND REPLACING THE SEAT BOTTOM HAS NOT ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM OR FAILURES. 7 NEW TIRES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AND BALANCED, TO INCLUDE ROAD-FORCE BALANCING 3 TIMES WITHOUT CORRECTING THE SHAKE IN THE STEERING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TEST DRIVEN HUNDREDS OF MILES AT THE DEALERS REQUEST. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. UPDATED 1/10/2007 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER THREE TIMES BUT THE SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL, AND HIT A TREE. THE HATCH WAS CRUSHED AND THE FRONT END WAS TORN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT USED THE BRAKE AS A BACK UP BRAKE WHILE DRIVING, BUT IT DOES NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT TAKEN. UPDATED 12/1/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE THE PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER THE AIRBAG WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SEAT AND THE WIRING HARNESS. THE PASSENGER WEIGHED 177 LBS.

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS , THE ENGINE HESITATED BUT DID NOT STALL. ALSO THE ENGINE RPM RAPIDLY INCREASED, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON CITY ROADS OR STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE ODOMETER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. AND IN SOME CASES, THE SPEEDOMETER INCREASED TO 110 MPH WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES WHO HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES INDICATING THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE WAY THE PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND OFFERED NO REPAIRS. UPDATED 06/30/06. *JB

INFREQUENTLY, WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE, THE RPM'S WILL GO UP TO THE 7 OR 8,000 RANGE, AND I CANNOT SUCCESSFULLY STOP THE CAR; I HAVE HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PUT THE CAR IN PARK IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP. ONE TIME I WENT THROUGHT THE INTERSECTION OF A STOP SIGN, FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS PRESENT. *NM

WE WERE BROADSIDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE CONTACTED KIA AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS NOT ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. MY WIFE HAD TO BE EXTRACTED BY THE JAWS OF LIFE. WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSOR LIGHT NO GOING OFF WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT. WE HAD IT BROUGHT IN AND THEY DID THE RECALL. BUT THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROOF THAT THEY DID OR DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. KIA COVERS THEMSELVES BY STATING THAT NOT ALL ACCIDENTS WILL DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. *NM

WE OWN A KIA SPECTRA 05 , WE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT NOT GOING OUT WHEN THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. WE BROUGHT IN THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IT AS "REFLASHED". BUT THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT IN MARCH WHERE OUR CAR WAS BROADSIDED BY AN SUV AT THE SPEED OF AT LEAST 40 MPH. MY WIFE WAS STUCK IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO EXTRACT HER WITH THE JAWS OF LIFE AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE FIRE CHIEF WAS VERY UPSET THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE CONTACTED KIA NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO LOOK INTO WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE SENT PICTURES OF THE CAR AND A POLICE REPORT. THEIR RESPONSE WAS VERY POOR. IT STATED THAT FROM THE EVIDENCE, WE WERE HIT BEHIND THE FRONT WHEEL WELL AND IN FRONT OF THE DOOR HANDLE.( THE FRONT OF A SUV IS LARGER THAN THE AREA THEY CLAIM WAS DAMAGED.) SO THE B PILLAR SENSORS WERE NOT ACTIVATED. THE GARAGE THAT TOWED OUR VEHICLE CLEARLY STATES THAT THE B PILLAR WAS SMASHED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED OUR CAR. DAMAGE WAS IN EXCESS OF $10,000. MY WIFE'S HIP WAS DISLOCATED AND SHE WAS BRUISED ON THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF HER BODY. OUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN DENIED TWICE BY KIA. THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NO PROOF THAT THE SENSOR WORKED OR DID NOT WORK. *NM

2005 SPECTRA FRONT END MAKES A RATTLING NOISE IN THE FRONT END THAT COULD BE HEARD INSIDE THE HOUSE WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. *TS THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN RECTIFIED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT STRUTS, INSULATORS, PADS AND FLANGE SELF-LOCKING UNIT. THE LEFT FRONT STRUT NUT WAS CROSSED-THREADED, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO FIND THE RATTLE. UPDATED 09/13/06. *JB

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 KIA SPECTRA WHICH HAS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION--A FACT NOT DISCLOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. A VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK REVEALED OTHER KIA SPECTRAS HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH HARD SHIFTING AND THAT KIA HAS THE MATTER "UNDER INVESTIGATION". I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO BE DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *NM

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AT VARIOUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING WITH AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES IN THE 5 MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED IT. THEY HAVE CHECKED CONNECTIONS ETC. AND SAID THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I MET WITH THE KIA REP LAST WEEK AND HE SAID HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM IN A SPECTRA. THEY ARE REPLACING THE SEAT BOTTOM NOW TO SEE IF THIS HELPS. THEY IMPLIED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY BECAUSE THE PASSENGER WAS LARGE AND THEIR WEIGHT WAS RESTING ON THE OUTER EDGE OF THE SEAT AND NOT PLACING ENOUGH WEIGHT ON THE GEL PAD IN THE CENTER OF THE SEAT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT. MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WERE IT WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON AT ANY GIVEN TIME . EVEN AFTER THE AIR BAG RECALLS WERE PERFORMED ON IT. REGARDLESS OF WEIGHT. IT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON. WE HAVE COMPLAINED AND SAID THERE CAN BE NOTHING DONE UNLESS YOU BRING IT IN WHILE PASSENGER IS SITTING IN SIT AN AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. *NM

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS ALL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR WITHOUT DETERMINING THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 52 MILES. AT 14000 MILES THE FAILURE REPEATED AND THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIR FOR THE SECOND TIME. ON 1/19/06 THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *JB

I PURCHASED MY KIA SPECTRA ON 8/26/05 AND BY THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER THERE WAS A GRINDING, RUBBING NOISE THAT COULD BE HEARD IN THE STEERING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. SHORTLY AFTER THIS NOISE STARTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. I HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT, JEFFREY KIA IN ROSEVILLE, MICHIGAN. INITIALLY FOR THE FIRST WEEK TO WEEK AND A HALF THEY WOULD NOT RESPOND TO EMAILS OR PHONE MESSAGES. WHEN I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE IN THE SERVICE DESK PERSON CLAIMED THE SERVICE TECHS HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DETERMINING WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS HEARD SEVERAL OTHERS VERY CLEARLY. FINALLY AFTER KEEPING MY CAR FOR AN ENTIRE DAY THEY DECIDED IT NEEDED A NEW STEERING ASSEMBLY - SUPPOSEDLY JUST BECAUSE A BUSHING WAS BAD. THEY NEVER GAVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER AS TO WHY THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED IF ONLY A BUSHING WAS BAD. THEY ALSO DETERMINED THE 02 SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THERE IS A RECALL ON MY MAKE VEHICLE BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE AS IT WAS ASSEMBLED AFTER THE RECALL PERIOD. I STRONGLY SUSPECT THEY KNOW MY VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT IS WHY THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER, 2 DAYS AFTER PICKING UP MY VEHICLE I AM AGAIN HEARING THE SAME GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND ESPECIALLY DURING TIGHT TURNS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT OF JEFFREY KIA AND THEY REFUSE TO RETURN MY CALLS. I AM ATTEMPTING TO GO TO ANOTHER DEALER. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD RED TURNED OFF REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. WHEN AT THE DEALER THE AIR BAG LIGHT RED CORRECTLY, THEREFORE NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS A SEAT SENSOR AND IT SHOULD TURN THE AIR BAG ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE PASSENGER IS AN ADULT MALE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEREFORE, THERE HAVE BEEN NO CORRECTIONS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. *NM UPDATED 11/29/2005 - THE FAILURE OCCURS EACH TIME THE MALE PASSENGER SAT IN THE SEAT. *NM

I PURCHASED A 2005 KIA SPECTRA EX ON JULY 11, 2005 AND HAVE ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY "ADVANCED" PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM. AS OTHER POSTERS HAVE STATED, THE LIGHT HAS COME ON WHILE DRIVING WHEN A PERSON OF PROPER STATURE IS IN THE SEAT AND STAYS OFF FOR VARYING AMOUNTS OF TIME. I LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS THANKFULLY WE HAVE THE LEMON LAW HERE THAT ALLOWS YOU SOME PROTECTION FOR DEFECTS OF THIS NATURE. TOMORROW MY CAR GOES IN FOR THE FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT AND IF IT IS NOT FIXED, IT WILL BE CLASSIFIED AS LEMON, ALLOWING ME A REFUND OR REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR THIS PROBLEM 4 TIMES AND STILL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN, THE SYSTEM WAS RE-PROGRAMMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED. THIS REPROGRAMMING DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A LARGER ISSUE AT HAND. IF ANYONE ELSE HAS GOTTEN TO THIS POINT, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT SWEETCLR@YAHOO.COM. *NM

I HAVE A 2005 KIA SPECTRA, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAS A FEATURE THAT MEASURES THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER AND TURNS ON OR OFF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. TWICE NOW WITH A FULL SIZED ADULT SITTING CORRECTLY IN THE SEAT THE AIR BAG WOULD TURN OFF FOR NO REASON. BOTH TIMES IT HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OR IN CITY TRAFFIC...THE AIR BAG REMAINED OFF FOR AROUND 5-10 MIN WHEN IT JUST WOULD TURN BACK ON. THERE WAS NO CAUSE THAT WE COULD SEE FOR IT TO JUST TURN OFF AND ON. DURING THAT TIME, IF WE WOULD HAVE CRASHED THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. *JB

I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 KIA SPECTRA 5 (LESS THAN A MONTH AGO) WITH AIRBAG SENSORS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED LIGHT HAS COME ON AND STAYED ON WITH AN ADULT SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR REPAIRS. THE FIRST TIME, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG (AND THAT THE PERSON MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SITTING PROPERLY IN THE FRONT SEAT). THE SECOND TIME, AFTER STATING THAT I WAS NOT LEAVING UNTIL SOMETHING WAS DONE, THE SEAT WAS REMOVED AND SENT OUT FOR REPAIRS. WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK THREE DAYS LATER, NOTHING HAD BEEN FIXED. WHILE MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP, I WAS GIVEN A KIA SPECTRA AS A RENTAL CAR. THE RENTAL CAR EXHIBITED THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. *JB

I OWN A SPECTRA 5. I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THE CAR IN MOST EVERY ASPECT, BUT THE FRONT SPOILER IS NOT SECURED TO THE CAR PROPERLY. I TAPPED IT ON A PARKING CURB ONCE, AND NOW IT'S COMPLETELY FALLING OFF. MY KIA DEALER COULDN'T FIX IT AND SAID I NEEDED TO GO TO THE BODY SHOP. I WENT TO A KIA BODY SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE MORE THAN $700 TO FIX AND THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE NEXT TIME IT CAUGHT ON A PARKING CURB OR LOW DIP IN THE ROAD IT WOULDN'T FALL OFF AGAIN. I AM NOT PREPARED TO PAY $700 TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT WAS DESIGNED TO BE THAT LOW TO THE GROUND BUT IS NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE SOME MINOR IMPACT AS IT WAS BOUND TO EXPERIENCE. ALMOST ALL ROADS HAVE SOME DEFECTS THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS SPOILER TO HIT THE GROUND AND MANY CAR PARKS HAVE SPEED BUMPS AND ENTRANCES TO DRIVEWAYS HAVE DIPS THAT THIS WILL MOST CERTAINLY CATCH ON AGAIN. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REMOVE FROM THE CAR UNTIL KIA CAN MAKE STURDY ENOUGH TO HANDLE NORMAL USE. *NM

DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO STEER THE CAR TO THE RIGHT IT CONTINUED TO GO TO THE LEFT. APPROXIMATELY FOUR HOURS PRIOR TO THIS THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE WITH VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR WENT IN TO A GUARD RAIL ON SOUTHBOUND 14 FREEWAY IN PALMDALE, CA. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. ONLY THE PASSENGER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE REMAINED. . WHEN THE CAR HIT THE GUARD RAIL, IT WAS THROWN TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FREEWAY, THEN HIT THE OTHER GUARD RAIL. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND BRUISES. THERE WAS ALSO A POLICE REPORT.*AK

WE BOUGHT A KIA SPECTRA 5 ON 06/18/2005, A 2005 MODEL. ON 06/19/05 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT (WE WERE THE FIRST OWNERS, LESS THAN 100 MILES) OUR KIA DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CAR AFTER TWO WEEKS OF TRYING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, ON 07/27/05, MY HUSBAND STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND TURNED RIGHT, THE CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE TURN (HUSBAND SAID NOTHING ON THE CAR WOULD WORK, STEERING FROZE AND BRAKES FAILED) HE THEN RAN UP ON A CURVE CAR SUSTAINED OVER 2800.00 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO UNDERCARRIAGE, WHEELS, DRIVE SHAFT ETC. HUSBAND SUFFERED BRUISES AND CONCUSSION ( I AM AN RN HE DID NOT SEE PHYSICIAN) REPORTED TO INSURANCE CO, INSURANCE APPRAISER ALSO AWARE OF CIRCUMSTANCES AND DEALER NOTIFIED, NOTHING WAS DONE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

CAR HAS SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT TO DISABLE PASSENGER AIR BAG. AIR BAG DISABLE LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHEN ADULT SITTING IN SEAT. SEAT CUSHION AND SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY DEALOR BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. CONTACTED KIA DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NO FIX. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL ACCIDENT AND TBHE PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY. FROM MY RESEARCH I FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NOT UNIQUE TO MY VEHICLE. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.

SLIGHTEST CONTACT WITH MOST DRIVEWAYS LOOSENS FRONT SPOILER TO THE POINT OF DETACHING FROM VEHICLE. FRONT SPOILER IS TOO LOW TO AVOID THIS TYPE OF DAMGE AND THE SPOILER IS HELD ONTO THE VEHICLE WITH DOUBLESIDED TAPE, 8 POP-OUT BRACKETS AND 2 SCREWS. PARTS BECOME LOOSE OVER TIME.

I HAVE ADVANCED AIRBAGS IN MY CAR AND A LIGHT "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF " LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT LETS ME KNOW WHEN THE AIRBAG IS OFF. ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS THE LIGHT HAS COME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE LIGHT HAS ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS STAYED ON FOR UP TO 10 MINUTES. IT HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW AND I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT SEVERAL TIMES AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OUT BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO DO IT. I'M WORRIED THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THAT THE AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IF NEEDED.