2002 KIA Spectra

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/23/2004· VISIBILITY

  I BOUGHT A CAR 8 MONTHS AGO, A KIA SPECTRA, RIGHT AFTER I GOT IT THE REARVIEW MIRROR FELL DOWN WITH A PIECE OF THE WINDSHIELD. I WENT TO THE KIA DEALER AND THEY FIXED IT. THEY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. BUT LAST WEEK EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN THEY RESCHEDULED MY APPOINTMENT 3 TIMES, AND FINALLY TODAY AFTER 7 HOURS OF WAITING I GOT MY CAR BACK. BUT THIS TIME THEY DIDN'T REPLACE IT, THEY ONLY GLUED IT, WHICH BY THE WAY I DON'T THINK IS GOING TO WORK. BUT THEY SAID THAT KIA DOESN'T WANT TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE THE CAR DOESN'T HAVE A KIA WINDSHIELD ANYMORE. BUT WHEN THEY REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME THEY DECIDED TO USED A NON-KIA PART, NOT ME PROBABLY BECAUSE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE PRICE IS OVER $200. ANYWAY, I'M REALLY UPSET AND DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS. I GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO SHOW ME HOW GOOD KIA IS. YOU CAN ORDER A KIA WINDSHIELD FOR $350 OR YOU CAN REPLACE IT WITH A LOCAL COMPANY FOR ABOUT $100. SO YOU DO THE MATH, AND TELL ME IF THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. *AK

• 12/23/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, VEHICLE WAS T-BONE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FENDER, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THIS RESULTED IN DRIVER BEING INJURED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

• 12/17/2002· AIR BAGSCrashFire

  WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH ON THE HIGHWAY HIT A CURB. AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND THEN HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. TS....*AK

• 12/11/2007· VISIBILITY

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW FELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS POOR QUALITY AND THEY REPLACED THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND RE-ATTACHED THE WINDOW CABLE. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOWS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW FELL SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WEATHER CAUSED A PLASTIC PART ON THE WINDOW REGULATOR TO FAIL. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL THREE WINDOW REGULATORS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,140.

• 12/11/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  HIT GUARD RAIL HEAD ON AT 50 MPH AND AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DT

• 12/09/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AT 17MPH. UPON IMPACT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH *JG

• 11/29/2005· AIR BAGSCrash

  CONSUMER 2002 KIA SPECTRA AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON FRONTAL COLLISION. *TS *JB

• 11/29/2002· VISIBILITY

  NO SUMMARY. DT

• 11/28/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGSCrash

  ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2008 AT 4:45PM, I WAS DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY 58 BY JENKINS AND ROSEDALE HIGHWAY IN BAKERSFIELD, CA. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND WAS APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES DUE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF MY BRAKING AUTOMATICALLY, MY BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I WAS IN A FRONT END CRASH. NOT ONLY DID MY BRAKES LOCK UP, BUT MY DUEL SIDED AIR BAGS IN MY 2002 KIA SPECTRA WHICH I HAVE ONLY OWNED FOR FOUR MONTHS DID NOT DEPLOY. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BADLY INJURED BUT DUE TO THIS INCIDENT MY MUSCLES ARE BADLY SORE AND BRUISED. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE IS DESTROYED AND MOST IMPORTANTLY MY HEADLIGHTS WHICH ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO HAVE, ARE SHATTERED. *TR

• 11/26/2003· VISIBILITY

  DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW LOCKED UP WILL NOT ROLL DOWN. USED ON THE WAY TO WORK, 4 HOURS LATER WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN. NO NOISE, OR SOUNDS JUST QUIT WORKING. *LA

• 11/20/2002· SEAT BELTS

  WHILE DRIVING VEHCILE WAS IN HIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND WENT INTO A DITCH. THE DRIVER NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTED UPON IMPACT CAUSING INJURIES TO BOTH OCCUPANTS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

• 11/20/2002· AIR BAGS

  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND GO INTO A DITCH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON VEHICLE IMPACT WHICH RESULTED IN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS.TS

• 11/20/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR AND THE FRONT AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THIS RESULTED IN DRIVER BEING INJURIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

• 11/18/2014· STRUCTURE

  THE PAINT JUST FADED AWAY. ALOT ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR. LOOKS BAD WITH PART OF THE PAINT FADING AWAY. WAS THERE A RECALL FOR THE FACTORY PAINT JOB ON THE CAR/ *TR

• 11/17/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD AT A HIGH SPEED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK *SC

• 10/30/2002· POWER TRAIN

  WE HAD THE CAR ONLY 7 WEEKS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DIED. IT HAPPENED VERY SUDDENLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN ABOUT 30 MILES LATER IT WOULD BARELY DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. DT

• 10/21/2002· VISIBILITY

  CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HER WINDOWS. TS

• 10/18/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  HAD KIA SINCE 11-2002, HAD TO TAKE BACK TO THE DEALER OVER 10 TIMES WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH. HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS, ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STICK SHIFT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR EASILY. DASH BOARD HAS STARTED WARPING BECAUSE IT IS NOT GLUED TOGETHER. THE STEERING COLUMN ALSO COMES APART. DEALER SAYS IT IS SUPPOSE TO DO THAT. HAD TAKEN IT TO MECHANIC WHO INFORMS ME THAT EVENTUALLY MY DASHBOARD WILL WARP ALL THE TO THE AIRBAGS. NOW I AM AFRAID THAT AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THEN I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BACK BRAKES BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING, AND I WAS NEVER INFORMED AND HAD TO PAY TO HAVE MY BRAKES FIXED MYSELF. I HAVE TALKED TO THE HOME OFFICE OF KIA AND EVERYBODY REFUSES TO HELP ME. PLEASE GIVE ME ANY FEED BACK TO HELP ME. *NM

• 10/09/2007· SUSPENSION,TIRES

  THE REAR DRIVER TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE WINDOW WAS DOWN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN A TAPPING NOISE STARTED TO SOUND, WHEN THE CAR STOPPED BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FEELING SHAKY, THE TIRE HAD A RIP IN THE SIDE OF IT, THE WIRES WERE SHOWING, IT LOOKED LIKE A CUT BUT IT HAD JUST HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS SCARY TO SAY THE LEAST. THE TIRE HAS ALOT OF TREAD LEFT ON IT AND I THINK THE OTHER MATCHING SET OF TIRES MAY EXPLODE ANY DAY. AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW WITH THE TIRES BEING THIS WAY. *TR

• 10/06/2002· TIRESCrash

  I RENTED A 2002 KIA SPECTRA IN COLORADO AND EXPERIENCED 3 "SKIDS" WHEN IT WAS RAINING, EVEN THOUGH I WAS GOING ONLY 30-50 MPH. MR

• 10/05/2009· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 02 KIA SPECTRA AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT ON THIS VEHICLE. I ONLY HAVE 60,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

• 10/02/2003· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. ENGINE THEN DIED, WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE, BUT RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING.*AK

• 09/26/2013· SERVICE BRAKES

  DRIVING AT 35 MPH, SLOWING DOWN APPROACHING TRAFFIC LIGHT, PRESSED ON BRAKES AND HAD ALMOST NO TENSION. NEARLY SMASHED DIRECTLY INTO THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. USED BOTH FEET WITH ALL THE PRESSURE I COULD GIVE TO STOP THE CAR. FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID LEAVING ME WITH NO BRAKE FLUID WHATSOEVER. VERY DANGEROUS. THE PROPORTIONING VALVE NEEDS REPLACING. I HAVE BEEN FILLING UP THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM, WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ASSESSED? *JS

• 09/22/2009· AIR BAGSCrash

  ON MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2006, A 1984 GMC PICKUP, CROSSED THE CENTER LINE OF TX 317, CAUSING A SEVERE FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. ALTHOUGH THE SPECTRA DRIVER WAS PROPERLY WEARING HER SEAT BELT, SHE SUSTAINED FATAL BLUNT FORCE INJURIES WHEN THE FRONTAL DRIVER?S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN THE SEVERE FRONTAL COLLISION DUE TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG, HOWEVER, DID DEPLOY AND PROVIDED SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT TO THE BELTED PASSENGER, THUS SHE WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE CRASH. WARRANTY CLAIMS TO KIA FOR OPEN CIRCUITS IN THIS AND SIMILAR MODELS' AIRBAG SYSTEMS NUMBER IN EXCESS OF 400 AND MAYBE MANY TIMES THAT NUMBER. *TR

• 09/17/2003· AIR BAGSCrash

  THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 10-15 MPH. THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS IMPACTED BUT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM

• 09/14/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE SPEED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

• 09/10/2002· VISIBILITY

  WHILE DRIVING IN THE SUN WINDSHIELD HAS LITTLE SPECS THAT CAUSE SLIGHT VISIBLITY.*AK

• 09/04/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT ADDED BRAKE FLUID TO THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

• 08/28/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 35-40 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION HITTING A TREE IN WHICH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

• 08/22/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,WHEELSCrash

  CAR IN FRONT STOPPED SHORT SO ALSO IMMEDIATELY APPLIED BRAKES FORCEFULLY IN VEHICLE. WHEELS LOCKED CAUSING CAR TO VEREEN ACROSS HIGHWAY ADN BOUNCE OFF JERSEY BARRIER OUT OF CONTROL AND BACK ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC BEFORE HITTING LEFT SIDE BARRIER AND STOPPING. CAR IS A TOTAL WRECK. KIA BODY PERSON SAYS ACCIDENT CAUSED WHEEL TO LOCK NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. DIDN'T THINK THEY WOULD ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR CAUSING ACCIDENT AND THEY DIDN'T LET ME DOWN ON THAT SCORE. INSURANCE COMPANY SETTLED CLAIM WITH DEDUCTIBLE APPLIED AND MA AUTOMATICALLY PLACES BLAME TO DRIVER ON ONE CAR ACCIDENTS. THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT BUT I CAN'T PROVE IT.

• 08/22/2002· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATSCrash

  WHEN DRIVING ON FLAT SURFACE CONSUMER WAS HIT ON FRONT LEFT DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATES DURING THE ACCIDENT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT AND THE BACK SEAT UNLOCKED AND CAME DOWN. *YH

• 08/20/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  AT THE END OF JULY 2004 MY KIA SPECTRA BEGAN TO ACT AS IF THE CAR WAS CHOKING AND NOT GOING TO START AFTER I TURNED ON THE IGNITION OF THE CAR. I NOTICED THAT THE CAR ONLY DID THIS AFTER IT HAD SAT FOR A WHILE (LIKE OVER NIGHT). I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT A YEAR EARLIER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY THING WRONG WITH THE CAR IT WAS ACTING NORMAL. IF THAT IS THE CASE THEN WHY IS IT JUST NOW STARTING TO ACT LIKE THIS AND IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME. IF YOU ASK ME I THINK THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHILE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I BET IF I WHERE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AFTER MY WARRANTY HAS RAN OUT THEN THEY WOULD FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED. GUESS WHAT FARRELL KIA OF SPARTANBURG I ONLY HAVE 11,500 MILES ON THIS 2002 KIA SPECTRA. BY THE WAY THE CAR IS STILL ACTING LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO TURN OFF OR CHOKING WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR SOMETIMES.*AK

• 08/20/2003· AIR BAGSCrash

  VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN IT WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH A TRUCK. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED,AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

• 08/20/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  FAILURE TO START ON INITIAL STARTUP OF THE DAY, ENGINE STALLS AND GOES DEAD. THIS IS EVERYDAY, KIA DOESN'T KNOW WHAT PROBLEM IS AND HAS NOT CONTACTED ME TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STARTED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASE AND HAS GRADUALLY WORSENED, KIA HAD IN SHOP OVER APPROX 1 MONTH TO FIX PROBLEM AND COULD NOT. WE DO NOT KNOW IF THIS COULD CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS IN A RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC SITUATION. THIS WAS NOT A PREVIOUSLY OWNED CAR AND KIA CAN NOT OR WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 08/13/2014· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPECTRUM. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND IT WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP CONNECTOR AND A BLOWN FUSE . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

• 08/09/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  POWER IS DOWN IF RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY RESTART IF STALLED. DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT DEALERSHIP STATED THAT ENGINE MAY POSSIBLY NOT BE STRONG ENOUGH FOR VEHICLE. *AKWHEN ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL FORWARD EVEN THOUGH THE CLUTCH AND THE GAS HAD BEEN ENGAGED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE TO GIVE WARNING OF A FAILURE. *JG

• 08/06/2002· POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, BUT WAS NOT FLASHING. FELT LIKE GEARS WERE SLIPPING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED IT WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 08/04/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THREE YEARS AGO WHILE TRAVELING DOWN I-40 THE CRUISE CONTROL STUCK ON THE CAR, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE CAR HAD CLIMB TO 90 MPH IN A 65 BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR WAS TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND CUT THE ENGINE. THANK THE DEAR LORD IN HEAVEN ME AND 2 OTHER CO-WORKERS WERE NOT IN HEAVEN TRAFFIC THAT DAY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO KIA IN WINSTON SALEM, NC WHERE THE MECHANICS ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT HAD EVER WORKED ON THAT CAR AT THAT TIME. THEY TRIED TO SAY THAT IT WAS AN ANIMAL OR SOMEONE MUST HAVE TOUCHED THE CABLE CAUSING IT TO SLIP OUT OF THE GROOVE WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL TO STICK. THEY FLIPPED IT BACK ON AND IT WORKED FINE UNTIL FRIDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 1, 2008 AROUND 9:00 AT NIGHT WHEN ME AND MY 10 YR OLD DAUGHTER WAS COMING HOME FROM HAVING DINNER OUT. AGAIN THE CRUISE CONTROL STUCK STARTED ACCELERATING WITH NO WAY OF STOPPING IT AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE CAR HAD CLIMBED TO 70 MPH IN A 55 BEFORE I FINALLY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND CUT THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAS SCARED ME TWICE NOW. I AM SCARED THAT IT WILL HAPPENED IT AGAIN AND NEXT TIME WE WANT BE LUCKY. I AM AFRAID THIS CAR MAY END UP HURTING US OR SOMEONE ELSE REALLY BAD. I COMPLAINED TO KIA 3YRS AGO THEY DIDN'T CARE WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND I SURE DON'T SEE THEM CARING NOW. DO YOU? *TR

• 08/03/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ELECTRICAL-MY KIA DOESN'T LIKE TO CRANK UP ON THE FIRST TIME, STALLS IN TRAFFIC OR WITH A/C ON I TOOK TO A AUTO SHOP AFTER BREAKING DOWN AT A LIGHT IN JACKSONVILLE FL THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRES AND CHARGED ME $468.00 STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP IN GA AND THEY SPENT 8 HOURS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY IT STALLS AT AN IDLE. NO ONE CAN FIX IT. I THINK THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN THE CITY AND I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR LONG DISTANCE. *JB

• 07/26/2004· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE OWNED MY 2002 SPECTRA SINCE NOV. 2001. WHEN I GO TO START THE CAR UP IN THE MORNINGS THE CAR WILL STALL OUT AND THEN WHEN I GO TO RE-START THE CAR IT WILL FINALLY START THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE PROBLEM BUT TO NO AVAIL THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THEY HAVE STATED TO ME THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY CAR IN THE SHOP OVER 7 TIMES FOR NUMEROUS PROBLEMS; THE STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE RECALL ON THE GAS LINE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS HAD BLOWN OUT OF IT.*AK

• 07/25/2003· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION: CAR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD, ONLY REVERSE. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IT HAS BEEN IN FOR THIS COMPLAINT.*AK

• 07/24/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE SHUTDOWN FORCING CONSUMER TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD. DEALER REPLACED TWICE THE BATTERY,BUT PROBLEM STILL RECURRING. *AK

• 07/16/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  CAR WAS 4 WEEKS OLD WHEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME - CALLED DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO GAS TANK CAP. MADE APPT W/DEALER - NEXT DAY ENGINE LIGHT OFF - FOLLOWING WEEK 6/18/02 ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN IT WENT OFF BEFORE DEALER APPT. ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON RANDOMLY. FINALLY ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES. ON JULY 10 TAKE TO DEALER KEEP CAR OVER NIGHT REPLACED TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. NEXT DAY JULY 11 HAVING TRAVELED 125 MILES ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON - AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS GEARS DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AT TIMES UNABLE TO ACCLERATE PAST 50 MPH - ENGINE REVVED LOCKED IN WRONG GEARS FOR SPEED TRAVELED - HAD TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER SEVERAL TIMES TO TRY AND GET GEARS WORKING RIGHT. WITH EXCEPTION OF A FEW HOURS ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON . SO FAR DEALER FINDS NOTHING WRONG AS ENGINE LIGHT WANT OFF MERE MINUTES BEFORE MY SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT. ALSO TRUNK RELEASE ON HATCHBACK ONLY WORKS 1/3 OF THE TIME THE REST OF THE TIME IT OPENS HALF WAY AND YOU MUST USE KEY

• 07/14/2015· STEERING,SUSPENSION,AIR BAGSCrash

  A FRONT TIE ROD BROKE, SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE, AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIT UP BUT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE NOT POINTING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ISSUE LIKELY CAUSED A DISCONNECT IN A CIRCUIT, WHICH CAN PREVENT ALL AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING.

• 07/14/2005· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSON / DRIVETRAIN

• 06/30/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGSCrash

  I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 30-40 MPH, FRONT END DAMAGE RESULTING IN OVER $6400, INCLUDING UNIBODY ALIGNMENT. UPON IMPACT DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BRAKES LOCKED UP AND DID NOT RELEASE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER.*AK

• 06/29/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY DRIVER'S WINDOW AND PASSENGER'S RIGHT FRONT WINDOW HAS A AIR LEAK AND WATER WILL COME IN, AND ENGINE RUNS VERY ROUGH. *AK

• 06/27/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENTCrash

  (1)BRAKES FEEL INSUFFICIENT UNTIL PRESSED VERY HARD (2) 2 ACCIDENTS WHERE I AS THE DRIVER REAR ENDED DRIVERS (3) COMPLAINT WAS MADE TO SHOLZ KIA WHEN I WENT TO HAVE ORVR RECALL TAKEN CARE OF AND THEY STATED THE BRAKES WERE NORMAL FOR THE MODEL. ALSO: (1)OCCASIONALLY WHEN VEHICLE TRANSMISSION IS PUT IN REVERSE (2) THE CAR DRIVES FORWARD (3) I CALLED SHOLZ KIA AND CHRYSLER-PLYMOUTH-KIA OR PARAMUS AND WAS NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY. *JB

• 06/16/2014· STRUCTURE

  HEAT HAS WARPED DASHBOARD SO VENTS NO LONGER STAY SEATED. *TR

• 06/16/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

  2ND REQUEST. I HAVE A 2002 KIA SPECTRA, LS. WHAT I ATTRIBUTED TO AN ENGINE SURGE SINCE OWNING THE CAR HAS TURNED OUT TO BE MORE SERIOUS AND FRIGHTENING. THE GAS AND BRAKES PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE, THIS WAS NOTICED BY A MECHANIC AND MY DAUGHTER. WHEN DEPRESSING EITHER PEDAL, BOTH ARE DEPRESSED AT THE SAME TIME. DEPENDING ON WHICH ONE GETS MORE PRESSURE, THAT'S THE ONE THAT TAKES OVER. WHEN PARKING IN A HANDICAP SPOT LAST WEEK I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE AIMING AT THE SPACE BETWEEN THE CARS FACING ME. I MANAGED TO REMOVE MY FOOT IN TIME TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE BEFORE I WENT ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO THE NEXT LANE BEHIND THE CARS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. SO FAR I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO REMOVE MY FOOT AND STEP ON THE BRAKE BEFORE I WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR, OR I RAN INTO THEM. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ALSO CROOKED BUT THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR POSITIONS. I AM A SMALL PERSON SO I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW A PERSON WITH LARGER FEET CAN DEAL WITH THIS. EVEN MY HIKING SHOES MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE BECAUSE THEY ARE WIDER. AS A 73 YR. OLD WOMAN, I AM STILL AN ABLE DRIVER AND NOT IMAGINING THIS. IT'S TERRIFYING AND I'VE TOLD MY CHILDREN IF I'M EVER KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT, THAT WILL NO DOUBT BE THE CAUSE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR