KnownCarProblems2007 Kia Spectra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 152 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Kia Spectra, most often about the air bags (37% of complaints, typically around 86,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Spectra model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2007 Kia Spectra problems
Air bags
56 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 86,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Front passenger seat failed to register an adult in seat and "passenger air bag off" light remained illuminated. Two days later the air bag warning light illuminated and "passenger air bag off" would not stay on when seat was empty. Kia dealership determined it was a failed occupant sensor mat. Approximate cost of…
The airbag light came on at around 84,000 miles and the "passenger air bag off" no longer illuminates. Diagnostic testing shows a code b1448 indicating that the ocs, passenger seat sensor has malfunctioned. This is an expensive item to replace, and is definitely a safety issue. I have noticed that this same issue has…
Fuel system
34 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
After filling up my gas tank I went a few miles and stalled while at a stop light. I drove a few blocks and stalled again while stopped. After another few blocks I stalled once more.
After filling up my gas tank my car stalled a few miles down the road at a stop light. A few lights later it stalled again and a few more lights it stalled once more. I heard from other Kia Spectra owners that particular problem isn't uncommon with that model. After filling up the gas tank to a normal level the car…
Electrical
16 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
On my 2007 Kia Spectra the blower motor has a field effects transistor, the transistor has malfunctioned and got so hot it has melted the plug and wiring to it. I have taken it in to Kia and they insist there is nothing wrong with it. After looking on the internet I have found that I'm not the only one that has this…
My car was parked, in my driveway, and had ran fine the day before. I went out and started the car but could not get the car out of park and into reverse. I was unable to even roll the car a little by pushing it, which indicates the car was stuck in park with force. I had my neighbor come over and he managed to, with…
Engine
14 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra. In january of 2009, the vehicle overheated. The contact took it to the dealer and they stated that a bypass hose was leaking. The hose was replaced and the engine was cleaned because oil leaked all over the motor. The oil was also changed. In april of 2009, the vehicle failed due to…
I owned a 2007 Kia Spectra 5 sx the car had around 36,000 mile on it. We have never had any problems out of the car then on the 10th of jan 09 my husband drove the car to run some errands. He was sitting at a red light when the engine compartment caught fire for no apparent reason and completely destroyed the car.…
Speed control
12 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control.
On three occasions my 2007 Kia Spectra's engine has raced madly when I was stopped with my foot on the brake. It was all I could do to keep the car from moving with the brake fully depressed. The most recent date that it happened was 7/27/2010. I turned the engine off for about one minute and when I restarted it the…
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…
Doors and locks
12 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 23,000 miles. Parts named most often: doors.
The doors lock again immediately after unlock. This happens almost all of the time. The locks also lock and unlock repeatedly while the car is in motion.
The contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that while park he attempted to open the doors from the exterior of the vehicle with the key fob. The front driver and passenger side doors began to lock and unlock independently simultaneously. The contact mentioned that in some occasions the failure occurred…
Brakes
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles.
I am very shocked that the highway traffic and safety administration noticed a problem with the 2006 sportage stop light brake switch but has not taken Kia to task for producing faulty stop light brake switches in all its models/years. I've had to replace stop-light brake switches in 2005 and 2007 Kia Spectra's…
The contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that the rpms revved violently. When depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle jerked without warning. In addition, while driving at any speed, the vehicle surged forward continuously. The failures recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where…
Transmission
8 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission.
I was driving on the highway when all of a sudden the check engine light came on and I lost all power in the gas pedal,( you can floor the peddle and it don't go over 2000 RPM ) almost resulting in a collision. It only comes on when it want to, I had the codes checked at auto zone and they said its saying all the…
The contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra. While driving various speeds, the transmission would suddenly shift out of gear and the speed reduced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wire harness to the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2007 Kia Spectra recalls
Fuel system: mounting
Risk: The fuel tank can fall from the vehicle and strike the ground which could cause a fuel leak. Leaking fuel can create a fire hazard.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank straps and attaching hardware with new zinc coated parts. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on june 6, 2011. Owners may contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Full defect summary
Kia is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 spectra ld vehicles manufactured from november 7, 2003, through march 6, 2007, originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. There is a possibility that corrosion of the fuel tank straps which hold the tank may occur as a result of prolonged exposure to road salt. As a result of the corrosion, one or both straps may separate allowing the fuel tank to contact the ground and possibly disrupt the integrity of the tank.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Occupant classification system
Summary
The subject vehicle population is my 2007-2009 kia spectra vehicles.consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.the focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger occupant classification system (ocs) sensor mat.this sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.the ocs may develop a failure due to an open circuit in the sensor mat caused by the mat cracking during use.an open circuit in the ocs sensor mat is detected as a fault in the system by the air bag diagnostic. A trouble code
Questions about the 2007 Kia Spectra
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 Kia Spectra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (56 complaints, typically around 86,500 miles); fuel system (34 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); electrical (16 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2007 Kia Spectra have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 25, 2011 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2007 a bad year for the Kia Spectra?
- It is the most complained-about Spectra model year since 2000, with 152 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.