2007 Kia Spectra owner complaints

Our vehicle failed inspection due to the air bag light being on. When diagnosed, code b1448 was found, indicating that the occupancy sensor, part of the seat sensor mat (on the bottom of the seat), was faulty. We are concerned both about the safety of driving our car, and the high cost of repair. It seems that this is a widespread problem, and we believe that Kia should recall the part. *js

The 2007 Kia spectra was in motion on the highway and was in an accident with major impact. The airbag did not deploy. The Kia hit another car and had major damages.

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia spectra. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag light illuminated continuously. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the diagnostic test results were unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Update (july 9, 2015): it doesn't matter whether there is a passenger in the seat or not, the light stays illuminated. Whether the passenger is 80lbs or 200lbs it doesn't go off. The problem has been noted by several repair shops but has not been repaired. The light has been on since about 2 months after I bought the car so that is where I got the october 1, 2010 date. Sc the consumer stated it did not matter whe

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia spectra. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ocs mat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 152,283.

Started car driver side air illuminated and stayed an still on and doesn't go off. And back driver side seat belt is lock and wont come out so no one can ride on that side of car because seat belt does not work. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia spectra. The contact stated that the passenger seat pressure sensor for the air bag remained illuminated, even when the passenger seat was unoccupied. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Airbag light is on indicating a fault in the airbag system. The passenger seat ocs mat sensor may be defective. Airbag system will not work in accident.

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia spectra. When the vehicle was started, the front passenger side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,063.

Defective o.c.s. Mat in passenger seat. Car pros is charging $1500.00 to repair their defective sensor. Safety concern....they recalled rio...won't recall spectra5 because it is "not an issue". *tr

I own a 2007 Kia spectra. The the air bag warning light illuminated while driving. The vehicle was diagnosed with code 1448 and was told the ocs mat would need to be replaced costed over $1400. This can cause the airbag to deploy if theres a child sitting in the front passenger seat. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 187,000

Front passenger seat air bag sensor is defective. Weight sensor on dash will not work and the air bag symbol is turned on the dash. Dealership said it would have to replace entire seat at least $1500. *tr

I was approx. 6 car lengths from car in front of me, when I hit the brakes to slow down, nothing happened. I continued to hit the brakes , forcing them to the floor and still nothing. First instinct was to veer to the right to avoid hitting the car but my steering had a mind of its own, it would not let me turn or stop. My steering wheel air bag did deploy causing damage to my wrist and arm. But the scary feeling of trying to stop with no response was scary. Roads were a little wet but even then with the ABS I should not have been able to put the brake pedal to the floor with no response. I am getting the repair facility to check the brakes. *tr

Drove car aprox.15 miles, pull the car up to a store, turned off the car and went inside. Next thing someone came up to me and said the car was on fire. The fire was under the hood of the car near the battery. Tried to open the hood, cable was melted and the hood would not open. Tried to put the fire out with help with 4 fire extinguishers, could not contain the fire. Fire department finally got to the scene and put the fire out. Fire department had to cut part of the hood off to contain the fire. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia spectra. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the blower fan malfunctioned causing the heating unit to fail. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was advised that the blower fan needed to be replaced. The contact did not have the blower fan replaced. The contact called the manufacturer but did not receive any assistance. The failure mileage was 27,106.

Gas line/tank/canister issues. My spectra has been to the dealership approx. 11 times. I have had the gas canister replaced 4 times and on my last visit they replaced the entire tank. The car will stall out while driving or idling. When it stalls you lose the ability to steer or brake, because they lose power. I have stalled mid-intersection, on the expressway, at stop signs/stop lights, no reason when it happens, it just starts shaking,sometimes violently and then stalls. Kia dealership says we are overfilling and that they recommend not using citgo gas. We do neither. They have said that the canister valve does not stop overfilling, which allows that gas to contaminate other areas of the vehicle, which causes the stall. I have filed a complaint with Kia headquarters and spoke wi

In mid-sept10 I experienced 2 brake failures on my 2007 Kia spectra ex. Each time after driving approx 800 miles to & from northern ca. Brakes failed to engage when exiting off of ca99 to ca4 (angels camp). Was able to steer car to far right shoulder where emergency brake was deployed. Thereby not hitting car in front of me. After 5 minutes was able to continue remainder of trip (40miles). Next morning took car to local Kia dealership, they kept the car 2days/insisted that I call a report into Kia consumer affairs; which did. According to them car was "operating according to specs"..in otherwords, we take no responsibility...upon returning back home to az. The same thing happened, except this time my garage door was what stopped my car. Both times the brake pedal was depressed all the way

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia spectra. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited an abnormally loud revving noise. While driving 5 MPH and attempting to park with the brakes applied, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a post. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was able to be driven from the scene. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and the current mileages were approximately 30,000. The VIN was unavailable.

The doors keep locking even after repeatedly opening either with remote or from inside the car. This could be very dangerous in a emergency situation where occupants need to get out of the car.

While driving my 2007 Kia spectra- automatic transmission on 1/1/2008, down the road at 45mph, the car suddenly went from high gear to low gear and it stayed on low gear. I took it to the dealership to have it fix. They told me it was some type of relay that needed to be reset. They reset the relay that day. Since then it has happened two more times at higher speed, which the dealership fixed the problem each time. So that's a total of three times it has happened. Now, for a fourth time, it has happened again on 11/01/2014. *tr

The car caught fire due to the tubing that carries the fluid burst and the oil splattered all over the engine and caused a fire. The vehicle was being driven down a major route road leading to the highway