2008 Kia Spectra problems

“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.”

“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.”

“THE CAR RANDOMLY STARTS. WHEN THE CAR IS FINALLY STARTED SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT, THE WINDOWS RANDOMLY ROLL DOWN, THE LOCKS RANDOMLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THEMSELVES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANIC SHOPS INCLUDING ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST AND THE DEALERSHIP. NONE OF THEM ARE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.”

“I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON 7 MARCH 2020. AS SOON AS I TURN TO PARK IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY JOB, THE CAR TURNED OFF. I TRY TO CRANK IT ON 3 TIMES IT WOULDN'T LET ME. SO I WENT IN TO WORK, THANK GOD I MADE IT TO THE PARKING LOT AT LEAST. AFTER RUNNING TO AUXINE TO SEE WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT (THEY WERE NO HELP) I MADE FEW CALLS BETWEEN FRIENDS AND CAR COMPANIES. TURNED OUT IT WAS THE TIMING BELT THAT SNAPPED AND IT'S BECAUSE IT WASN'T CHANGE FOR A LONG TIME AND I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS. SO WITH THE TIMING BELT MESSING UP, IT MESS UP THE ENGINE ALSO. I AM NOW WITH NO CAR JUGGLING BETWEEN RIDES AND TAXIS TO TAKE TO WORK. I REALLY LOVE MY KIA AND I AM SO SAD THIS HAPPENED. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO DO. THIS HAPPENED AT ZAXBYS PARKING LOT (WHERE I WORK AT) IN WILSON, NC.”

“The contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that all three brake lights failed to illuminate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the brake light switch assembly multi-connector wiring harness needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The contact found information on other Kia recalls for other years, makes, and models that described the same parts failure. The contact found information on SC077 (Brake Switch), SC298 (Light Assembly), and SC299 (Light Assembly). The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 209,000.”

“DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND NOTHING I TRIED--SCANNER, CALLING THE DEALER, AND INSPECTING IT MYSELF--SEEMS TO BE ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. I SEE MULTIPLE PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING SIMPLER SYMPTOMS. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES AS USUAL UPON IGNITION AND SHUTS OFF AS NORMAL. IT THEN COMES BACK ON AROUND 10 TO 20 SECONDS AFTER THE CAR STARTS, AND IT DOES NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL I TURN OFF THE CAR. THE IT SOUNDS LIKE A WARRANTY ISSUE.”