2008 KIA SPECTRA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
162
Owner Complaints
0
Recalls
14
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2008 KIA SPECTRA
The 2008 KIA SPECTRA has received a total of 162 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 14 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (54 complaints), Electrical System (14 complaints), and Vehicle Speed Control (14 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 KIA SPECTRA
There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2008 KIA SPECTRA. No Active Recalls
Owner Complaints for the 2008 KIA SPECTRA
162 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 KIA SPECTRA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 54 | 14 | 0 | 16 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssidewindow | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptivemobility | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingbrake Lights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tirestreadbelt | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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 following speedometer on highway and ending up driving slower than actual speed. NHTSA should issue a recall. Kia - as usual - never acknowledged issue to save money. Dealership recommending me buy a new car rather than fixing the issue or at least attempting to fix it. When declined for trade-in (or buy a new car) they demanded upfront diagnostic charges without telling me what is actual issue.
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 off and I don't know why. I had to replace it. I contacted this office on November 19, 2023, with the initial complaint about the tires. Tracking number 11555870.
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 for their distributors as they had no idea which one it was they got the tires from. I contacted Cooper about the issue and the representative I spoke to, Julie, said they had no record of them because these particular tires were destined for Mexico? In my response below, I indicate when the tires were first purchased up until now, because I've had nothing but issues with them since.
Duplicate transactions that we're compromising but verified through multiple accounts that were unauthorized and purchased by another provider or driver that was added to orginal policy along with several price gouges in Individual policies that had ties to driving history altered n edited it would seem to cause infamation to the cost of the driver would be expected to pay we meaning the eight orginal known targets at first glance all were verified as fatca act needing to be filed and then problems with verification of identity and us citizenship even from. 15 states that had alternate unauthorized banking information on file to match so.e bussiness n private insurance policies bought n then deliberately bolos begin called on the victims for reprocessed purposes of a new getaway car for the villain in this scenario. We also found that multiple devices that were begin paid for were attached through pre paid account to the orginal account that was authorized user ot driver has no prior knowledge of the added account or debit card that made the transactions or the fact that the mail was begindeffered and altered to manipulate the issues further from finding the assailants that are using victims as scapegoats by the end of the fun I. Ruin my life with the damage to keep on touching and effecting everything else.
The passenger air bag has failed. The dash light stays on due to issue and the air bag itself stays off per the light on the airbag on/off alert. I contacted the dealership who quoted me over $100 just to take a look at it, but was told this seems to be an issue with Spectras that they see pretty commonly.
Safety Rating for the 2008 KIA SPECTRA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 KIA SPECTRA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 KIA SPECTRA
Kia America, Inc. has issued 14 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 KIA SPECTRA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
WTY001OWNERR1 — EQUIPMENT
"REVISION: OWNER LETTER: WTY001 - 2007-2009 MY SPECTRA VEHICLES FRONT PASSENGER OCS SENSOR MAT KIA NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION - DEAR KIA SPECTRA OWNER: KIA MOTORS AMERICAS HIGHEST COMMITMENT IS TO YOUR SAFETY. TO THAT END, KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM...
WTY001OWNER — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
OWNER LETTER: WTY001 - 2007-2009 MY SPECTRA VEHICLES FRONT PASSENGER OCS SENSOR MAT KIA NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION - DEAR KIA SPECTRA OWNER: KIA MOTORS AMERICAS HIGHEST COMMITMENT IS TO YOUR SAFETY. TO THAT END, KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS)...
WTY001OWNER — EQUIPMENT
OWNER LETTER: WTY001 - 2007-2009 MY SPECTRA VEHICLES FRONT PASSENGER OCS SENSOR MAT KIA NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION - DEAR KIA SPECTRA OWNER: KIA MOTORS AMERICAS HIGHEST COMMITMENT IS TO YOUR SAFETY. TO THAT END, KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS)...
WTY001 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
WARRANTY BULLETIN: WTY001 - 2007-2009 MY SPECTRA (LD) FRONT PASSENGER OCS SENSOR MAT WARRANTY EXTENSION (WTY001) - THIS WARRANTY BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO THE EXTENSION OF WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) SENSOR MAT FOR THE 2007-2009 MY SPECTRA VEHICLES TO 15 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE, STARTING...
WTY001D — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO: WTY001 - 2007-2009 MY SPECTRA (LD) FRONT PASSENGER OCS SENSOR MAT WARRANTY EXTENSION (WTY001) - KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) SENSOR MAT FOR THE 2007-2009 MY SPECTRA VEHICLES TO 15 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE, STARTING FROM THE...
WTY001DEALERPSM — EQUIPMENT
DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO: WTY001 - 2007-2009 MY SPECTRA (LD) FRONT PASSENGER OCS SENSOR MAT WARRANTY EXTENSION (WTY001) - KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) SENSOR MAT FOR THE 2007-2009 MY SPECTRA VEHICLES TO 15 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE,...
WTY001FORM — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM: WTY001 - IF YOU HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE FRONT PASSENGER OCS REPLACED, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR SOME OR ALL OF THAT EXPENSE. MAIL THIS COMPLETED REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM TO KIA, ALONG WITH DOCUMENTATION SPECIFIED BELOW, FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION AT THE...
WTY001FORM — EQUIPMENT
REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM: WTY001 - IF YOU HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE FRONT PASSENGER OCS REPLACED, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR SOME OR ALL OF THAT EXPENSE. MAIL THIS COMPLETED REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM TO KIA, ALONG WITH DOCUMENTATION SPECIFIED BELOW, FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION AT THE...
WTY001QA — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
Q AND A: WTY001 - 2007-2009 MY KIA SPECTRA VEHICLES FRONT PASSENGER OCS SENSOR MAT KIA NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION Q & A
TSB-027 — TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
KIA: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) RECEIVER UPGRADE; CHANGE OF TPMS SOFTWARE (SA049). SOME VEHICLES HAVE LOW LINE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS). SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE ILLUMINATION OF THE TPMS WARNING LAMP INDICATING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TPMS SYSTEM EVEN THOUGH TIRE PRESSURE IS ACCEPTABLE. *PE
Showing 10 of 14 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 KIA SPECTRA
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2008 KIA SPECTRA.
Investigation PE15031 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION Closed
Opened:
Occupant Classification System
Other Model Years of the KIA SPECTRA
- 2003 KIA SPECTRA — 132 complaints
- 2004 KIA SPECTRA — 92 complaints
- 2005 KIA SPECTRA — 130 complaints
- 2006 KIA SPECTRA — 129 complaints
- 2007 KIA SPECTRA — 206 complaints
- 2008 KIA SPECTRA (current)
- 2009 KIA SPECTRA — 152 complaints
Other KIA Models
- KIA SORENTO — 13,451 total complaints
- KIA OPTIMA — 10,045 total complaints
- KIA SOUL — 7,147 total complaints
- KIA SPORTAGE — 6,540 total complaints
- KIA FORTE — 3,450 total complaints
- KIA SEDONA — 3,334 total complaints
- KIA SEPHIA — 3,080 total complaints
- KIA TELLURIDE — 2,109 total complaints