2009 Kia Spectra

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 114 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. No safety recall has been issued.

Not among the Kia Spectra years to avoid. Which Kia Spectra years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
71,000 milesMedian miles at failure

93 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 2009 Kia Spectra problems

71 of the 114 complaints (62%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags · airbags66
1017
Electrical System7
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration5
000
Service Brakes · brakes4
100
Seat Belts4
000
Structure › Body · body and frame3
101
Steering3
000
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags3
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · brakes2
000
Seats2
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Nov 20, 2023CA

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

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 31, 2021GA

My car seems like someone entered something in my gas tank while i may been in the store

Air Bags
Filed Feb 25, 2020CA

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND WE THINK THE OCS SENSOR MAT IS BAD. KIA HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR VEHICLES BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 2006-2009 TO HAVE A OCS SENSOR MAT REPLACED FOR FREE FOR A PERIOD OF 15 YEARS REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 9, 2019120,000 milesVA

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON EVEN IF SEAT IS OCCUPIED. IN ADDITION THE AIRBAG "OFF" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED NEXT TO THE CLOCK AND IS ALWAYS IN THE 'OFF', POSITION. BOTH LIGHTS REMAIN IN THAT CONDITION WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY MODE (IN PARK) OR DRIVING IN MOTION. A SAFETY INSPECTION SHOWED A B1448 CODE.

Wheels
Filed Aug 22, 2019139,000 milesFL

ON DECEMBER 18, 2018, I HAD A TIRE SEPARATE. THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM LONG TIRE COMPANY IN TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA ON JUNE 15, 1916 (SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION OF THE PURCHASE). THE TIRE WAS FULLY COVERED BY WARRANTY AT THAT TIME, AND I ONLY PAID TO HAVE A NEW ONE INSTALLED (SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION OF MY PAYING LONG TIRE COMPANY FOR THE THE INSTALLATION ON DECEMBER 12, 2018). THIS PAST WEEK, AUGUST 15-22, 2019, TWO MORE TIRES SEPARATED (SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION). THIS WAS OBSERVED BY SCHLENKER AUTO (SEE ATTACHED). THE TIRES ARE HERCULES TOUR 4.0 PLUS 195/60 R15 (ALSO CONTAINS NUMBERS 88H MTS) AND THE BATCH NUMBER ON THE TIRES (BOTH ARE THE SAME) IS DOT KAAD B20H 2815. THE BATCH NUMBER ON THE TIRE THAT SEPARATED LAST DECEMBER WAS LIKELY THE SAME. THE TIRE THAT SEPARATED LAST DECEMBER WAS REPLACED BY A TIRE WITH DOT KAAD B20H 2915, WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE A LATER BATCH NUMBER. I HAVE HAD THREE OF THESE TIRES SEPARATE IN LESS THAN A YEAR, IN NORMAL CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS IN FLORIDA. SOMETHING IS BADLY WRONG WITH THESE TIRES. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR KINDNESS AND ATTENTION TO THIS.

Seat Belts
Filed May 31, 2019TN

DRIVER'S SEATBELT OFTEN FAILS TO LOCK IN AND POPS OPEN MID-DRIVE. IT IS OFTEN NOT APPARENT THAT THE BELT HASN'T LOCKED UNTIL IT POPS OPEN. THIS WOULD BE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IN AN ACCIDENT.

Service Brakes
Filed May 17, 201988,000 milesNY

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2011. SINCE THEN ONCE IN AWHILE WHEN I STOP MY CAR AT A LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN, THE CAR MOVES FORWARD EVEN AFTER I STEP ON THE BRAKE. I THEN HAVE TO QUICKLY PUT THE BRAKE ON AND TURN THE CAR OFF OR ELSE I'M A HIT SOMEONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND I'M TOLD THAT I HAVE TO BRING IT THERE WHEN IT'S HAPPENING. THIS IS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES SINCE 2011. IT ALWAYS HAPPENED WHEN I WOULD STEP ON THE BRAKE AT A STOP LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN WHEN MY CAR SHOULD BE MOTIONLESS HOWEVER IT WOULD KEEP GOING EVEN THOUGH I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. I HAVE NOT KEPT TRACK OF WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. BELOW I HAD TO PUT A DATE THAT IT HAPPENED. I DO NOT KNOW THE DATES THAT THIS IS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IT IS PROBABLY HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2011. I DID NOT KEEP TRACK OF THE DATES

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Mar 6, 201995,000 milesNY

WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD HITTING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME WHICH WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT; I HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT, HE SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND REPLACED THE CALIPERS, AND ROTORS, AND THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR..HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND HE SAYS HE CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM

Air BagsCrash1 killed
Filed Dec 4, 2018KS

LETTER FROM SENATOR ROBERTS RE: INQUIRY ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUTE IN REGARDS TO HER MOTHER'S 2009 KIA SPECTRA AIRBAGS DEPLOYED TOO MUCH FORCE AND INJURED HER MOTHER. *AS SEE ALSO ODI 11109673. *DSY THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER DIED AS A RESULT OF INJURIES FROM THE AIRBAG DURING THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *JS

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 17, 201823,000 milesAZ

MY 2009 KIA SPECTRA HAD APPROXIMATELY 23,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT FROM A KIA DEALER IN OCTOBER 2017. TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASING MY KIA, I RETURNED TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND REPORTED THAT I NOTICED THE CAR WAS IDLING TO HIGH AFTER USING THE AIR CONDITIONER OR AFTER DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOTHING AND DID NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. FAST FORWARD TO TODAY, THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE AND MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO LAUNCH FORWARD AFTER I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN REMOVING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR INCREASES IN SPEED INSTEAD OF DECREASING WHILE IN MOTION. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE ISSUE WAS THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WHICH COST $105.00 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND $256.30 FOR PARTS AND LABOR.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 16, 201895,600 milesCA

TAKATA RECALL, HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON AND NOW I HAVE A LIGHT ON ON MY DASH ALL THE TIME, I GUESS THE TIRE PLACE THREW AWAY OR KEPT SPECIAL VALVE STEMS, HOW DO I TURN OFF LIGHT. THE FRONT SEAT, SEAT CUSHION CAME LOOSE FROM THE SEAT FRAME WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CANYON ROAD ,NOW I CAN LIFT THE SEAT CUSHION AND SEE THE FRAME AND FLOOR BELOW AND DINT KNOW IF CUSHION WILL COME COMPLEATLY OFF NEXT TIME I DRIVE DOWN THE CANYON ROAD

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 16, 201870,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB AND CRASHED INTO TWO FENCES, FOUR TOMBSTONES, AND A STONE PILLAR IN A CEMETERY. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD SEND A FIELD INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air BagsCrash1 killed
Filed Jul 5, 201886,000 milesKS

MY MOTHER REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR ON 3-6-18. MY MOM, [XXX], DIED 3-13-18 FROM INJURIES INFLICTED BY AN AIRBAG DEPLOYING. IT BROKE ALL HER FACIAL BONES INCLUDING HER JAW. IT TORE AN ARTERY ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HER BRAIN AND BRUISED THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER BRAIN. BRAIN SURGERY WAS DONE BUT SHE COULD NOT RECOVER FROM HER INJURIES. SHE WAS DRIVING A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. I HAVE READ ARTICLES THAT KIA BAGS WILL DEPLOY WITH GREATER FORCE IN SOME ACCIDENTS. THE WRECK WAS HER FAULT. THAT DOES NOT MAKE IT OK FOR HER TO BE KILLED BY THE AIRBAG. I AM WONDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. THIS IS WRONG AND SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX]. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR *TT *TR SEE ALSO ODI 11155008. *DSY

Seats
Filed Jun 10, 2018100,000 milesDE

AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES, THE "AIRBAG IS OFF" LIGHT STAYED ON UNTIL THE CAR WAS RESTARTED. THIS IS CITY DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER OF 150 LBS. TOOK THE KIA TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE LIGHT ON AND THEY VERIFIED THE OCS SENSOR MAT MALFUNCTION. THE OCS SENSOR MAT WAS REPLACED MARCH 16, 2017. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND WITH SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, DID ITS CHECK, BUT THEN CAME ON AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED VARIOUS TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE KIA FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, CUSTOMER SERVICE THEN TOLD US TO TAKE THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THAT NEXT DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE AIRBAG WILL WORK WHETHER THE LIGHT IS ON OR OFF. NOBODY FROM KIA HAS CONFIRMED THAT STATEMENT.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 23, 2017112,000 milesVA

I HAD MY CRUISE CONTROL ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE 64 WEST. I PRESSED MY BRAKES TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND IT DIDN'T WORK. I TRIED AGAIN, AND I STILL COULDN'T GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO STOP. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES VERY HARD AND THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND I FINALLY STOPPED.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 23, 2017MD

TAKATA RECALL I OWN A 2009 KIA SPECTRA I'VE HAD IT SINCE 2014. I MOVED & ABOUT A YEAR AGO MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR WAS STATIONARY I WENT TO GET CAME BACK IN MY CAR & NOTICED IT WAS ON. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT BECAUSE WHERE I LIVED YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO VEHICLE INSPECTIONS. NOT TOO LONG AFTER MY SEATBELT KEPT LOCKING & IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS IT COMPLETELY LOCKED ON ME. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING & I TOOK MY CAR TO GET A VEHICLE INSPECTION BECAUSE THE STATE I WILL BE LIVING IN YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD I WOULDN'T PASS THE INSPECTION DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON & MY SEATBELT BEING LOCKED. I CALLED SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS & THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE ME PAY ALL THESE DIFFERENT PRICES TO FIX IT THE LEAST I'VE BEEN TOLD IS ABOUT $700 JUST TO INSTALL A NEW SEATBELT. I'M A SINGLE MOM & I CAN'T AFFORD THIS..THIS IS UNSAFE !! I WAS LOOKING UP HOW TO FIX MY SEATBELT & CAME ACROSS A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE & I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY CHILD AS WELL AS MYSELF.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 30, 201774,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT SWERVED AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AFTER TRYING TO AVOID A DEER. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM LACERATIONS TO THE TOP OF THE HEAD THAT REQUIRED SIX STAPLES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 16, 201790,000 milesCA

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT ON MY KIA SPECTRA 2009 LOCKS UP ONCE IN A WHILE SO I CANNOT PUT MY SEATBELT ON. IT WILL LOCK NO MATTER IF I'M PULLING SLOWLY OR FAST. I AM NOT STEPPING ON THE BREAK WHEN IT LOCKS. THE CAR CAN BE MOVING OR STATIONARY WHEN IT LOCKS. THIS HAPPENS 5 TIMES OUT OF 10 WHEN I AM IN THE CAR. IT IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD!

Steering
Filed Mar 11, 2017140,000 milesMN

STEERING IS LOCKED AND CANNOT BE ROTATED IN THE MORNING WHEN STARTED. IT HAPPENED TWICE FROM LAST DAYS WHILE I'M REMOVING CAR OUT OF GARAGE IN REVERSE MODE. I APPLIED BRAKES AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND CHECKED THE STEERING AGAIN THEN IT WORKED WELL. I HOPE THIS PROBLEM WON'T COME WHEN I WAS ON FREEWAY. ODO METER IS AROUND 140000.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 29, 2016124,500 milesPA

I INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY IN MY VEHICLE RECENTLY,AFTER REMOVING THE OLD BATTERY I TRIED TO GET THE NEW BATTERY OUT OF THE CAR, WHICH WAS IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. THE DOORS HAPPENED TO BE LOCKED BUT THE DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW WAS DOWN. WITH THE BATTERY OUT NONE OF THE DOORS WOULD OPEN, I REACHED IN THROUGH THE WINDOW TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN EITHER. A PERSON COULD EASILY BECOME TRAPPED IN THE CAR IF IT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND THE BATTERY'S ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS WERE DAMAGED, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THIS! *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 27, 201630,000 milesPA

AIR BAG LIGHT IS MALFUNCTIONING,GOT LETTER FROM KIA SAYING IT IS UNDER WARRENTY AND DEALER WILL NOT FIX

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Oct 27, 2016PA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL LUGS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL LUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/25/17*LJ UPDATED 6/28/18*JB

Air Bags
Filed Oct 18, 2016112 milesIA

PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED WHEN PERSON IS SITTING IN THE SEAT.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 13, 2016106,000 milesCA

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON NOW ON MY DASH NEAR MY SPEEDOMETER. IT ALSO ILLUMINATES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AS 'ON' AND 'OFF' WHILE MY HUSBAND IS SITTING THERE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW FOR THE DRIVER'S DASH LIGHT, AND 2 MONTHS FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR. I'VE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS, NO ACCIDENTS, AND NOW A LEGALLY REQUIRED SAFETY FEATURE APPEARS TO BE MALFUNCTIONING. THAT IS A HORRIBLE INVESTMENT, AND SHOULD NOT BE LEGALLY OK.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 5, 201654,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 24, 201686,000 milesPA

THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE CAR DID NOT STOP BUT CONTINUED ACCELERATING. AT THIS TIME YOU COULD HEAR THE ENGINE MAKING A REVVING SOUND. HAD TO PRESS EXTREMELY HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK IN ORDER TO GET IT TO A STOP. THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL. WE WERE ALMOST IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE PAST ALSO. WHEN WE TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, THEY HOOK IT TO A COMPUTER AND EACH TIME THEY TELL US THAT NO CODES COME UP AND THEY DO NOT SEE A PROBLEM. WE ARE FEARFUL TO PUT OURSELVES IN THIS CAR.

Electrical System
Filed May 9, 201689,000 milesNV

THIS CAR IS TRYING TO KILL ME. I TURN ON MY CAR, FEET AREN'T ON THE PEDALS, MY RPMS REV AND SPUTTER UP TO 4,000+ WITHOUT ME DOING ANYTHING. SOMETIMES IT WILL LAUNCH ME A BIT WHEN I'M TRYING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. SOMETIMES I'LL BE AT A STOP SIGN OR A RED LIGHT, COMPLETELY STOPPED, FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HARD. CROSS-TRAFFIC FLOWING. SUDDENLY MY ENGINE REVVS AND MY CAR LUNGES FORWARD. WTF KIA? I'VE TAKEN IT TO KIA ONCE AND THEY TOLD ME ITS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT'S GOING TO COST MORE THAN THE CAR IS EVEN WORTH AND MORE MONEY THAN I HAVE TO SPEND. SO NOW WHAT? I'M GOING TO PAY FOR A LIFE ENDANGERING MECHANICAL PROBLEM THAT LIKELY COSTS DOLLARS AND MINUTES TO FIX BECAUSE THE MECHANIC THINKS ITS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM? HOPEFULLY SOMETHING IS RESOLVED BEFORE THIS CAR WRECKS ITSELF.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 7, 2016100,000 milesWA

WHEN COMMUTING ON A FREEWAY GOING THE SPEED LIMIT (65) APPROACHING A BEND, A CAR SUDDENLY APPEARED AROUND THE BEND THAT WAS BROKEN DOWN IN THE LEFT LANE. UNABLE TO SWERVE BECAUSE OF A LARGE TRUCK NEXT TO ME, I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES, ONLY TO HIT ICE AND BEGIN SPINNING UNCONTROLLABLY ON THE FREEWAY. FINALLY, THE CAR HIT COMPLETELY HEAD ON INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER AND THE SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP, CAUSING A GIANT BRUISE FROM THE IMPACT, BUT EVEN AT THE SPEED OF HITTING THIS CONCRETE BARRIER, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. THE CAR HAS SINCE BEEN TOTALLED AND TAKEN AWAY, BUT I FEAR FOR OTHERS SAFETY THAT THIS MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH OTHER KIA SPECTRAS.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 4, 2016NC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE15031 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 7, 2016VA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 1, 2016100,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 25, 201696,755 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE OCS MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE OCS MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,755. UPDATED 04/04/16*LJ

Air Bags
Filed Feb 23, 201660,000 milesMD

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY, 60000 MILES ON CAR. AFTER READING ALL COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE IT SEEMS TO ME IT IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED TO REPAIR PROBLEM.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 22, 2016127,957 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SENSOR MAT AND SEAT BELT CIRCUIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,957.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 14, 2016108,000 milesVA

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. I WENT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE COST OF +2000 USD. AFTER DOING MY SEARCH I FOUND THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STARTED AS WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, THE ARIBAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING FOR A WHILE AND THEN REMAINED ON. IT IS A MANUFACTURING MALFUNCTION THAT IS CAUSING THE WHOLE ARIBAG SYSTEM TO NOT DO ITS WORK. THE COST IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME TO HANDLE AND I BELIEVE THE COMPANY SHOULD FIX IT.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 14, 2016108,000 milesVA

THE LIGHT WENT ON AS THE VEHICLE PASSED 100K MILES. THE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AS THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. NOT FOR LONG, THE LIGHT REMAINED ON SINCE THEN. WENT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY ESTIMATED MORE THAN 2K USD TO REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE SENSOR MAT IS ATTACHED TO THE SEAT AND TO REPLACE IT THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SEAT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE NO DOUBTS THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING MALFUNCTION THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THIS KIA DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING REPORTING ON THE SAME ISSUE AND THE POOR DESIGN THAT CAUSED THE MAINTENANCE PRICE TO BE SO HIGH (ALMOST HALF THE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE).

Air Bags
Filed Jan 12, 201657,000 milesVA

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REMAINS "OFF" EVEN WHEN OCCUPIED. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $1900 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT WHICH IS WHERE THE SENSOR IS KEPT. BLUE BOOK VALUE OF THE CAR IS NOT EVEN $5000, SEEMS RIDICULOUS TO SPEND THAT MUCH FOR AN ENTIRE SEAT WHEN THE WHOLE CAR IS BARELY WORTH THAT MUCH! AS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN I FEEL LIKE KIA SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS

Electrical System
Filed Jan 9, 2016IL

THE BACK SEAL BELTS STOP WORKING. THEY WILL NOT COME OUT NO MATTER WHAT I TRY. THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I GOT THE CAT IN 2012. BUT NOW THEY WON'T COME OUT AT ALL. ALSO THE BLOWER FOR THE A/C OR HEAT STOPPED WORKING. I HAD TO SLAM MY HOOD FOR IT TO COME ON BUT NOW IT COMPLETELY STOPPED COMING ON.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 8, 201690,000 milesLA

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE (BOUGHT IT USED), AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR BEGAN WORKING ERRATICALLY. WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE OVER $1500 TO FIX, THOUGHT I WAS A VICTIM OF BAD LUCK BUT READ THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON HERE THAT SEEM TO INDICATE IT'S A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF KIA. WAS TOLD AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK UNTIL THIS IS FIXED.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 7, 2016MI

THE PASS. AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WITH A LITTLE WEIGHT ON THE SEAT. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WILL COST $1800 TO FIX AND THERE IS NO RE-CALL ON THIS. ALSO THEY SAID NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WILL WORK UNTIL FIXED. A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE OR HAD THIS PROBLEM.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 28, 201553,000 milesWV

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. TOOK THE CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP, HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER, IT WAS THE OCS SENSOR MAT. IS GOING TO COST $1000-$2000 FOR A NEW SEAT WITH A NEW OSC! THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 53,000 MILES AND THE PASSENGER SEAT ISN'T/ HASN'T BEEN USED OFTEN, AS THIS IS PRIMARILY A CAR THAT I DRIVE TO WORK AND BACK BY MYSELF, ALONE. OF COURSE IT ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY! THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL KIA! SAFETY NEEDS TO MATTER!

Air Bags
Filed Dec 22, 2015WA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY AND CAUSED THE PASSNEGER SEAT TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 11, 2015WA

MY AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A KIA DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT TO THE TUNE OF OVER 2 GRAND! I THEN CONTACTED THE KIA COMPANY DIRECTLY TO ASK FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE. AFTER WAITING A WEEK FOR THE PROMISED 48 HOUR CALL BACK I WAS TOLD THERE WOULD BE NO ASSISTANCE AND THEY TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE EVEN THOUGH I RARELY HAVE ANYONE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THEY ALSO COULD NOT TELL ME WHETHER THE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY OR NOT IF SOMEONE WAS RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 10, 201585,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Steering
Filed Dec 3, 201596,600 milesOK

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 16, 201525,000 milesNY

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON. CAR HAS ONLY 25,000 MILES BUT OUT OF WARRANTEE. DEALER WANTS $109. JUST TO SCAN IT. MULTI COMPLAINTS ONLINE.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 30, 201552,000 milesSC

I NOTICED INVESTIGATION: PE 15-031 WHERE THE OCS SEAT SENSOR MAT IS FAILING ON A NUMBER OF KIA SPECTRA MODELS. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON A FEW WEEKS AGO SO I TOO THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHARGED ME $100 TO DETERMINE THE OCS SEAT SENSOR MAT WAS BAD. DIAGNOSTIC CODE B1448. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE ABOUT $1500 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE PROBLEM FIXED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT AND UNTIL ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO WHEN MY WIFE STARTED RIDING TO WORK WITH ME I RARELY EVER HAD ANYONE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SO THE MAT SHOULDN'T HAVE SEEN MUCH USE. AS OF TODAY YOUR ODI RESUME SAYS THERE WERE 43 COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE BUT YOU CAN CHANGE THAT TO 44 IF YOU WOULD LIKE. SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS A PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO INFERIOR PARTS LIKE THIS.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 1, 2015115,000 milesNY

VEHICLE HAS 115000 MILES AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. THIS IS A $2000 REPAIR ACCORDING TO INFO ON LINE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS . WHY HASN'T NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL? DOES IT TAKE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY FIRST?

Air Bags
Filed Sep 28, 2015150,000 milesMO

AIRBAG LIGHT POPPED ON MONTHS AGO WITHOUT FORCE OR ANY ACCIDENTS

Air Bags
Filed Sep 25, 201548,000 milesIN

2009 KIA SPECTRA AIR BAG WON'T TURN OFF. CAR HAS 48000 MILES. AFRAID TO TAKE IN FOR REPAIR AFTER READING OF COST TO REPAIR.I JUST DON'T THE FUNDS TO GET IT REPAIRED.

Complaints 1-50 of 114, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2009 — this page114012Fatalities reported
2008121031Fatalities reported
2007152161Fatalities reported
2006100130Routine
2005103210Routine
200471111Fatalities reported
200390010Routine
200292021Fatalities reported
200140010Routine
200023000Routine

Compare every Spectra year →

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.