2006 KIA SPECTRA

1 recalls, 129 complaints - 30 TSBs

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

Defect Description

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 SPECTRA LD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 7, 2003, THROUGH MARCH 6, 2007, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW J... Read more

Consequence

THE FUEL TANK CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND STRIKE THE GROUND WHICH COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK. LEAKING FUEL CAN CREATE A FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND ATTACHING HARDWARE WITH NEW ZINC COATED PARTS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

58,322 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION

Complaint Statistics

129 total complaints 34 crashes 3 fires 37 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
AIR BAGS	38
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE	6
POWER TRAIN	5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE	5
STRUCTURE:BODY	5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	4

Incident date: Sep 28, 2023

I have a 2017 toyota camry with only 30k miles and the servo motor has gone bad. that's what the dealership told me. i was told by dealership this is a common problem, yet Toyota doesn't have a bulletin for this issue. i am looking on [XXX] and see it's listed and several other websites. i was told... Read more

Incident date: Mar 1, 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 d... Read more

Incident date: May 4, 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... Read more

Incident date: May 4, 2022

Incident date: Jun 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2006 Kia Spectra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V256000 (Fuel System, Other). The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The check engine and brake warning lights were illuminated. The de... Read more

Incident date: Jun 30, 2021

Incident date: Aug 2, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR HANDLES WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CERTIFIE... Read more

Incident date: Aug 2, 2018

Incident date: Oct 14, 2020

AFTER A MINOR ACCIDENT WHERE THE CAR WENT IN THE DITCH OFF THE ROAD THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND BECAME RAPIDLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MINOR ACCIDENT TURNED INTO A NEAR FATALITY BECAUSE OF AN AGGRESSIVE FIRE. THE DRIVER HAD A MEDICAL EMERGENCY WHEN PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE CA... Read more

Crash Fire 1 injured

Incident date: Dec 12, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE INTO THE LEFT LANE; HOWEVER, ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS IN THE LANE. THE DRIVER QUICKLY STEERED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND TURNED OVE... Read more

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Feb 21, 2019

THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS STALLING AND JOLTING THE CAR, WE CANNOT RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND IT ONLY RUNS WHEN IN 3RD GEAR. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND WE DON'T EVEN FEEL SAFE PUTTING OUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR, BECAUSE IT'S NOT SAFE, AND WE CANNOT RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER WITHOUT... Read more

Incident date: Feb 21, 2019

Incident date: Mar 20, 2019

WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER, BOTH (LEFT AND RIGHT) REAR DOOR HANDLES BROKE UPON ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR USING NORMAL FORCE. THE DOOR HANDLES CAME OFF THE CAR AND THE REAR DOORS CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE

Incident date: Mar 1, 2019

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND BEGAN TO HEAR A SCRAPING NOISE. WHEN I GOT TO WORK I LOOKED UNDER MY CAR AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND SNAPPED. I LOOKED ONLINE TO ORDER A NEW ONE AND FOUND A WEBSITE SAYING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE.

Incident date: Jan 19, 2019

TAKATA RECALL, THE GAS TANK ON MY 2006 SPECTRA IS LEAKING FUEL, THE CAR IS STATIONARY.

Incident date: Sep 24, 2018

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN MY DAUGHTERS 2006 KIA SPECTRA AT 112,000 MILES. WE ARE THE SECOND OWNER AND HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED. . I PAID $163.96 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP. . I WAS TOLD THE ERROR CODE WAS B1448 OCS MAT DEFECTIVE. I WAS TOLD... Read more

Incident date: Jan 9, 2017

PROBLEM IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON/OFF AND ON AGAIN. FAULT CODES WERE P0700 AND P0748 AS DONE AT AUTOZONE. SOME TYPE OF FAULT WITH THE TRANSAXLE (P0700) OR FAILED TRANSAXLE CONTROL MODULE/FAILED LINEAR SOLENOID VALVE/OPEN OR SHORT CICUIT CONDITION IN THE LINEAR SOLENOID CONTROL. WHILE DRIV... Read more

Incident date: Jan 9, 2017

Incident date: Jan 25, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT CALLED A FAMILY MEMBER WHO RECOMMENDED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT M... Read more

Incident date: Apr 11, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AREA AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LACERATION TO THE HEAD, A BRUISED LEFT SHOULDER, BRUISED RIB... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Nov 8, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OCS MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMA... Read more

Incident date: Oct 3, 2014

DEFECTIVE LOCKING SYSTEM ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR. HAD IT REPLACED/REPAIRED IN NOV OF 2014 AND AGAIN NOV OF 2015 AND THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WANTED ME TO PAY AGAIN TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM. I SAID NO. ALREADY PAID FOR THIS REPAIR AND IT HAS BEEN A PRO... Read more

Incident date: Jan 12, 2016

TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE EVEN WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

Incident date: Jul 26, 2016

AIRBAG LIGHT ON, CAR FAILED STATE INSPECTION. CAUSED BY FAULTY SENSOR.

Incident date: Jul 15, 2014

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN MY DAUGHTER'S 2006 KIA SPECTRA STAYS ON. THE PASSENGER/OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT IS DEFECTIVE. THIS PROBLEM FIRST APPEARED AT 61,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE REPAIR WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $2,000, SO I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THIS FIXED. ALSO, THE BRAKE SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE AND ONL... Read more

Incident date: Jul 15, 2014

Incident date: Jun 6, 2016

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON IN MY CAR AND DIDN'T PASS INSPECTION WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC PROBABLY UNDER RECALL...ALSO MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVE IN A CRASH IN 2010 OR 2011 AND FRONT END WAS SMASHED IN AND NONE OF. THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF!

Crash

Incident date: May 4, 2016

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND HAS BEEN ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS (12+). PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD COST OVER $1600 TO REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCHING SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND EVEN SOME REPORTED THAT ALL AIR BAGS HAVE NOT GONE OFF DURING AN ACCIDENT. MUST BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY... Read more

Incident date: Jan 25, 2016

UPON ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO LAG. I COULD NOT GO OVER 50 MPH. AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC INCLUDING AN 18 WHEELER SEEMED TO ALMOST STOP OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! THIS PROBLEM HAS DEVELOPED OVER THE LAST YEAR WHERE THE CAR GETS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR AND ACCELERATION IS POOR OR THE TR... Read more

Incident date: Jun 30, 2015

FROM THE 2ND DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE 6/27/2015 WHEN I TURNED ON A/C THE CAR HAS BEEN HESITATING AND STALLING. EVERY TIME I STARTED AND STOPPED AT LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. AND EVEN IN TRAFFIC . MAKING THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE UNSAFE.AND SO IVE BEEN COMPLAINING EVER SINCE. THEY SAID IF CHECK ENGI... Read more

Incident date: Jun 30, 2015

Incident date: Aug 3, 2015

FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ON ALL THE TIME. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS CODE B1448 - OCS MAT FAILED. SOME TYPE OF SENSOR UNDER PASSENGER SEAT. WOULD COST $1,500 TO REPLACE. KIA CORPORATE OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF OF REPAIR BUT TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THERE MIGHT STILL BE PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAG ... Read more

Incident date: Aug 17, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT SPUN 360 DEGREES TWICE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS F... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jul 2, 2012

WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT MY CAR USED EVERTHING WORKED LIKE IT SHOULD!!!! 1. FIRST THING WENT OUT WAS MY CLOCK ON DASHBOARD 2. BACK DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT REPLACING A NEW BULB EVERY WEEK 3.WINDOW ON REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT ROLL UP ON PASSENGER SIDE THE DRIVER HAS TO ROLL ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 2, 2012

Incident date: Aug 5, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED ON A DIRT ROAD, THE ROAD COLLAPSED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN A CLIFF AND INTO A RIVER. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND HEAD. THE... Read more

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Sep 3, 2014

THE PASSANGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND NEVER WENT OFF. I AM WORRIED THAT IF MY CAR GETS HIT THE PASSENGER WILL GET HURT POSSIBILITY DIE.

Incident date: May 1, 2015

2006 KIA SPECTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION, STEERING AND VEHICLE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE SHIFTING PANEL NEEDED TO REPLACED. *JB

Incident date: May 1, 2015

2006 KIA SPECTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION, STEERING AND VEHICLE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE SHIFTING PANEL NEEDED TO REPLACED. *JB

Incident date: Apr 7, 2015

I WAS APPROACHING GERMANTOWN AVENUE FROM MT. AIRY AVENUE WITH THE EXPECTATION OF MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN ON TO GERMANTOWN AVENUE WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. I GRIPPED THE WHEEL AND TRIED TO RECOVER CONTROL OF THE CAR AND WAS SUCCESSFUL WITHIN INCHES OF A VEHICLE TURNING ONTO MT. AIRY... Read more

Incident date: Apr 7, 2015

Incident date: Jan 6, 2015

I WAS WAITING AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO SPEED UP AND THE CAR STARTED TO PULL FORWARD EVEN WITH ME STEPPING HARDER ON THE BRAKE. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE REVVING SLOWED DOWN. THIS HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES, INCLUDING WHILE TRYING TO PARK AT A MALL. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO AVOID... Read more

Incident date: Jan 6, 2015

Incident date: Jun 3, 2013

80,000 MILES AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE OCCUPANT SEAT, "AIR BAG WARNING OFF" LIGHT REMAINS (EVEN TO THIS DATE 11/18/14). A KIA SPECIALIST, IN ASHEVILLE, NC, DIAGNOSED AS WEAR AND TEAR. ALSO, STATED THAT IT COULD BE SOMEONE NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT PRO... Read more

Incident date: Mar 12, 2008

PASSAGE SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON,TOOK IT TO KIA DEALER THEY CHECKED CONNECTIONS LIGHT WHEN OFF FOR A FEW MONTHS,CAME BACK ON HAD IT CHECKED AGAIN DEALER TELLS ME THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT,BUT THAT THE KIA SPECTRA WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL. THE RIO AND SEPHIA WERE, THE... Read more

Incident date: Jul 27, 2014

I WAS T BONED BY A 3/4 TRUCK AND THE SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Jun 10, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE EXCESSIVELY CORRODED CAUSING THE RIGHT SIDE STRAPS TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V256000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE MAN... Read more

Showing 50 of 129 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 2006 KIA SPECTRA

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	22.0	31.0	25.0	Regular	$2,500
2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	22.0	30.0	25.0	Regular	$2,500

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Midsize Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 2006 KIA SPECTRA

30 manufacturer communications from 19 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
350000 EQUIPMENT	6
356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY	3
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	2
162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR	2
171100 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH	2
170000 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES	2
142000 AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW	1
160000 STRUCTURE	1

160000 STRUCTURE

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This b

120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.

356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some example

354000 EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL

356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with sta

170000 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. Customers may experience issues with their head units th

350000 EQUIPMENT

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

350000 EQUIPMENT

DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC122) - KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. WILL BE CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN, AS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE, TO ADD ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE UNDERBODY OF ALL 2006-2011 MY RIO, 2004-2009 MY SPECTRA, 2

350000 EQUIPMENT

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC122 ? UNDERBODY ? ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION TREATMENT

350000 EQUIPMENT

OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (SC122) - DEAR KIA SPECTRA OWNER: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADD ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE UNDERBODY OF ALL 2004-2009 KIA SPECTRA VEHICLES THAT WERE ORIGI

350000 EQUIPMENT

DEALER SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC122) - KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN AS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE TO ADD ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE UNDERBODY OF ALL 2006-2011 MY RIO, 2004-2009 MY SPECTRA, 20

350000 EQUIPMENT

"TSB: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN - APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL (SC122) - TO IMPROVE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, KIA IS LAUNCHING THIS BULLETIN TO APPLY ADDITIONAL ANTICORROSION PROTECTION TO VARIOUS VEHICLE UNDERBODY COMP

161100 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

KIA: AN ADDITIONAL APPLICATION OF ANTI-CORROSION PROTECTION WILL BE APPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES UNDERBODY COMPONENTS TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION. MODEL 2004-09 SPECTRA, 2006-10 OPTIMA, 2006-11 RIO 2007-10 RONDO AND 2010-13 SOUL. *PE

100000 POWER TRAIN

TSB: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE CORRECT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUIDS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH KIA MODEL. REFER TO THE SHOP MANUAL ON KGIS FOR THE SPECIFIC KIA MODEL

171100 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

KIA: ON SOME 2004-2009 SPECTRAS THE DOORS ARE LOCKING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT THE DRIVER COMMANDING THEM TO. *RM

162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

KIA: ON SOME 2004-2009 SPECTRAS THE DOORS ARE LOCKING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT THE DRIVER COMMANDING THEM TO. *RM

171100 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

KIA: DOORS LOCKING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT FROM THE RKE TRANSMITTER OR KEY SWITCH MAY BE CAUSED BY WEAR ON SWITCH CONTACTS IN DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE. *PE

170000 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

KIA: DOORS LOCKING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT FROM THE RKE TRANSMITTER OR KEY SWITCH MAY BE CAUSED BY WEAR ON SWITCH CONTACTS IN DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE. *PE

162310 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

KIA: DOORS LOCKING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT FROM THE RKE TRANSMITTER OR KEY SWITCH MAY BE CAUSED BY WEAR ON SWITCH CONTACTS IN DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE. *PE

162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

KIA: DOORS LOCKING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT FROM THE RKE TRANSMITTER OR KEY SWITCH MAY BE CAUSED BY WEAR ON SWITCH CONTACTS IN DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE. *PE

125000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE

123000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE

053000 PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHT

KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ADAPTIVE VALUE RESET/RELEARN. *KB

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

A SECOND TO THIRD GEAR UPSHIFT SHOCK AFTER THE VEHICLE IS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE. ALSO MAY BE FELT AS A SLIP OR FLARE FOLLOWED BY A SHOCK WHILE SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. *TT

142000 AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU) LOGIC REPROGRAMMING. KIA IS CHANGING THE ACU LOGIC TO PERMIT SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AT ALL TIMES. *TT

103100 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

CAN RESISTOR REPLACEMENT FOR 06-07MY SPECTRA VEHICLES. *NJ

NHTSA Safety Investigations, KIA SPECTRA

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2007

Occupant Classification System

The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles.Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat.This sensor mat is embe... dded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.The OCS may develop a failure due to an open circuit in the sensor mat caused by the mat cracking during use.An open circuit in the OCS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the system by the air bag diagnostic. A trouble code will then be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag warning light will be illuminated.If this fault is detected, the OCS will not suppress the front passenger air bag and in a crash of sufficient severity the front passenger air bag will deploy regardless of the nature or size of the child seat or occupant in the front passenger seat.The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the OCS sensor mat.Reports alleging only that the ?air bag light is on with no cause stated, or where no cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than an OCS malfunction.Kia's assessment was that the cracking was caused by owner abuse.The subject vehicles have been in service for an average of approximately eight (8) years.An analysis of Kia's warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar OCS failure investigations, indicates that the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service.Kia has implemented an extended warranty program for the OCS sensor mat providing for free replacement for 15 years regardless of vehicle mileage and will send owners of the subject vehicles letters notifying them of the potential hazards posed by OCS failure as well as the terms of the extended warranty.Consumers whose air bag warning light is illuminated will have the opportunity to have their vehicle diagnosed and, if a fault is indicated, have the OCS sensor mat repaired at no charge.In view of the comparatively low complaint rate and Kia's implementation of an extended warranty with owner notification, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by Kia mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by OCS sensor mat failures in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Details on Kia's extended warranty program, including a copy of both Kia's letter to the consumer and Kia's letter to their dealers, for the subject vehicle population will be available in the public file for this investigation. The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at http://www?odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/ SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10789130, 10787308, 10785138, 10777856, 10765359, 10745773, 10746133, 10745528, 10721336, 10715846, 10712140, 10712046, 10706009, 10705387, 10681321, 10677080, 10673071, 10654873, 10654522, 10652472, 10651525,10643205, 10639671, 10638251, 10627289, 10621507, 10620724, 10615883, 10609000, 10607838, 10606252,10577842, 10568029, 10564527, 10561224,Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2002

REAR DRUM BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKAGE

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR DRUM BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKAGE IN 2002 KIA SPECTRA VEHICLES.THIS INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY KIA?S EARLY WARNING REPORT TO THE AGENCY FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2004, WHICH CONTAINED A ... SINGLE FIELD REPORT THAT IDENTIFIED 13 INCIDENTS OF WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKAGE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE AVAILABLE IN BOTH 4-DOOR SEDAN AND 5-DOOR HATCHBACK BODY STYLES.THE SAME PARTS SUPPLIER PROVIDES WHEEL CYLINDERS FOR BOTH VEHICLE TYPES, ALTHOUGH THEIR PART NUMBERS DIFFER.THESE PARTS ARE USED ON ALL MY2002-2004 SPECTRA ?TYPE-I? VEHICLES MANUFACTURED THROUGH 12/30/2003.ADDITIONALLY, MY2001-2005 KIA RIO VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/17/2004 USE THE SAME WHEEL CYLINDERS AS THE SUBJECT SPECTRA ?TYPE-I? 4-DOOR SEDAN.MY2004 SPECTRA ?TYPE-II? VEHICLES, WHICH STARTED PRODUCTION ON 12/8/2003, DO NOT USE THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS AS THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH REAR DISC BRAKES.THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED ODI OF ONE COMPLAINANT WHOM ALLEGED A CRASH CAUSED BY, ?INADEQUATE BRAKE SYSTEM RESPONSE,? RESULTING IN ONE PERSON INJURED.HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THAT MULTIPLE CAUSAL FACTORS MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CRASH INCIDENT AND NO SINGLE FACTOR HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE PRIMARY CAUSE.IN TOTAL, ODI IS AWARE OF 5 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, 1 FIELD REPORT, AND 813 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN 2002 KIA SPECTRA VEHICLES.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED DEGRADED STOPPING PERFORMANCE OR LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY CAUSED BY WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKAGE.TO DATE, THE COMPLAINT RATE IS 7.0 PER 100,000 VEHICLES AND THE WARRANTY RATE IS 1.13%.KIA?S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY RETURN PARTS INDICATES A SLOW RATE OF FLUID LOSS; TESTS SHOWED A MAXIMUM FLUID LOSS RATE OF 1 CC PER 4000 BRAKE APPLICATIONS (THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR HAS A 134CC FLUID CAPACITY BETWEEN THE ?FULL? AND THE LEVEL AT WHICH THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP IS ILLUMINATED).KIA TESTING OF A VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A LEAKING WHEEL CYLINDER SHOWED THAT AFTER 100 STOPS FROM 100 KM/H THE PEDAL STROKE INCREASED 5%, PEDAL FORCE INCREASED 13%, AND THE BRAKING DISTANCE INCREASED 7% (51.7M VS. 48.1M) WHEN COMPARED TO THE SAME VEHICLE WITH A NON-LEAKING WHEEL CYLINDER.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.Read more

KIA SPECTRA - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the KIA SPECTRA across all model years (2004, 2007).

5 Total Recalls

1,218 Total Complaints

2 Investigations

263 Reported Crashes

24 Reported Fires

7 Reported Deaths

KIA SPECTRA - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2009	0	152	View
2008	0	162	View
2007	1	206	View
2006 (current)	1	129
2005	2	130	View
2004	1	92	View
2003	0	132	View
2002	0	121	View
2001	0	56	View
2000	0	30	View

Other KIA Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
SORENTO	188	13,593	View
SPORTAGE	165	6,601	View
SEDONA	118	3,350	View
OPTIMA	100	10,128	View
TELLURIDE	70	2,186	View
SOUL	66	7,233	View
SORENTO HYBRID	62	159	View
SOUL EV	62	50	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

2006 KIA SPECTRA

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

EPA Fuel Economy, 2006 KIA SPECTRA

Technical Service Bulletins, 2006 KIA SPECTRA

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, KIA SPECTRA

KIA SPECTRA - All Years Overview

KIA SPECTRA - Year by Year

Other KIA Models