NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia Spectra

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Kia Spectra.

Complaints

912

Active records

Recalls

3

Active records

TSBs

56

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

6

Injuries

158

Crashes

186

Fires

19

Top reported issues — Kia Spectra

Click a category to expand its values.

Safety restraint issue

482

Reporting mechanism

250

Operating state

224

Condition issue

182

Safety restraint behavior

178

Engine behavior

104

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

79

Access/entry issue

61

Braking behavior

57

Performance issue

53

Noise

51

Fluid issue

46

Lighting behavior

37

Thermal issue

36

Recent change

30

Electrical issue

26

Vibration/harshness

26

Steering behavior

25

Driver assistance issue

20

HVAC behavior

20

Ride/handling behavior

17

Starting behavior

17

Smell

13

Powering on/off behavior

6

Infotainment behavior

4

Wiper/washer behavior

4

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2008 KIA SPECTRA

Filed Jul 15, 2024


After starting car, for first 15-20 mins, all normal. After speedometer go erratic (showing slower than actual speed - or - higher than actual speed) and soon after it just stops working. No check engine light. Dangerous to drive without knowing actual speed. Have to use mobile phone app like Waze or something which shows apx speed. Upon internet search, I found there are many Kia spectra Ex (from 05-09 models) reported similar issues. This situation is dangerous as driver may be…

2008 KIA SPECTRA

Filed Jan 30, 2024


I have tires sized 195/60r15. I was having problems with shaking at a certain speed. my mechanic checked all the options that could have been mechanical and directed me to a tire shop. I brought the car in for them to check for balance. rims, etc. During the inspection, they discovered that both rear tires, driver and passenger side were separating. I had never had problems with tires until I purchased these. The third attached photo was after I first purchased the tires. The piece was shaved…

2007 KIA SPECTRA

Filed Jan 22, 2024


Passenger Air bag sensor light has come on and stayed on. Took to AutoZone and have them put it on the code reader and said it was something faulty in the sensor mat under the seat.

2009 KIA SPECTRA

Filed Nov 20, 2023


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

2008 KIA SPECTRA

Filed Nov 19, 2023


195/60/15 I purchased four new tires From Prospect Tire and Wheels on September 23, 2022, with an alignment. In August of this year, 2023, I returned because of an issue with one of the tires, and the alignment. They told me after replacing the most serious issue that all four tires had bubbles. They weren't willing to do anything except to rotate the bad tires to the rear of the car and sell me one other that absolutely had to be replaced. They offered me the contact information…

2006 KIA SPECTRA

Filed Sep 29, 2023


My car just stop on me. I think my engine is not working 😕 had to called a tow truck to take me home and car.

2007 KIA SPECTRA

Filed May 11, 2023


I purchased my 2007 Spectra5 used with 155,000 miles on it. The engine had no codes or any stored codes. It ran fine until I filled it up with gas. I DO NOT overfill the tank because I understand EVAP issues. After filling up the vehicle would stall at idle and occasionally lose power (momentarily) at highway speeds (55 mph and up). Obviously this is an extremely dangerous situation! Once the gas level got below 1/2 tank the issues went away…but now I ONLY fill the tank to halfway and…

2006 KIA SPECTRA

Filed Oct 26, 2022


The contact owns a 2006 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that three of her interior door handles had become defective and the doors could not be opened from inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side door and the front driver’s and passenger’s side door handles were defective. The contact called the local dealer and scheduled an appointment to have the door handles repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure…

2007 KIA SPECTRA

Filed Sep 22, 2022


I first noticed my air bag light (the one by the clock) coming on and off when my granddaughters weight went from under weight to appropriate weight to ride in the front seat. It would come on and off as she would adjust herself or move around in the seat. Sometimes it would stay on or sometimes it would stay off. When that light stopped coming on and off the one in the dash console where the speedometer is, that light has been coming on and staying on warning there's a problem with the airbag…

2006 KIA SPECTRA

Filed Aug 1, 2022


While driving at freeway speeds vehicle suddenly slams down a gear or two causing moderate whiplash,and scaring the living crap out of myself and any passengers, upon having vehicle inspected by an ase certified repair technician he confirmed my complaint and stated that car seemed to be going into either second or third gear causing the vehicle to jerk and slow rapidly accompanied by loud bang or clunk noise and making me loose control of vehicle problem only occurs once vehicle is warmed up…

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.