What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2008 KIA Spectra

Typical pattern

4.3% of complaints about the 2008 KIA Spectra came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2008 vehicle — around the middle of the 262 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (61 complaints), typically at 6.1 yr or about 65,000 miles.

Complaints
163
Median age at failure
6.8 yr
Median mileage
85,000 n=129
Crash / fire / tow
19.6% of reports
Safety recalls
0

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
61 reports · 65,000 mi
6.1 yr
27.9%
Speed control
15 reports · 97,000 mi
7.8 yr
6.7%

In owners’ own words

Air bags 3,805 mi 10 mo in service crash / fire / tow
ALL FOUR(4) SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AUTO INCIDENT INVOLVING 2008 MODEL KIA SPECTRA. *TR
Air bags 500 mi 1.0 yr in service
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DOES NOT DIM WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE SENDING A RE-CALIPER SWITCH TO REPAIR THE AIR BAG INDICATOR. TWO WEEKS LATER, NO ONE HAS CALLED THE CONTACT REGARDING THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. UPDATED 12/15/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB
Air bags 3,000 mi 1.3 yr in service
2008 KIA SPECTRA, THE PARKING LIGHTS COME ON BY THEIR SELF WHEN ITS AROUND 20* OUTSIDE AND WHEN ITS AROUND 80* OUTSIDE THE ALARM WANT SET THE LIGHTS JUST BLANK ON AND OFF. ALSO I HAVE A REALLY BAD RATTLE COMES FROM THE AIR BAGS SO IT SOUND IN THE DASH AND DRIVERS SIDE POST AIR BAG. HAVE TOOK THE CAR IN 3 TIMES AND A WEEK PER TIME, AND SO FAR NOTHING AS BEEN FIXED. *TR
Speed control 48,000 mi 3.8 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNG FORWARD AND ACCELERATE, ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED VIA EMAIL, BUT THE CONTACT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

Other Spectra model years

20092008200720062005200420032002

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