KnownCarProblems2008 Kia Spectra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 121 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Kia Spectra, most often about the air bags (50% of complaints, typically around 63,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Spectra model year since 2000.
Most common 2008 Kia Spectra problems
Air bags
61 complaints · 50%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that the front passenger side air bag light illuminated when the seat was occupied. The contact mentioned that the passenger side air bag light illuminated intermittently depending on the position the passenger was sitting. The vehicle was taken to a private…
Airbag sensor in passenger seat has malfunctioned for the second time and passenger side airbag not on light has come on again. According to my mechanic, Kia does not sell just the sensor and the entire passenger seat assembly must be replaced again. Kia has no recall for the defective passenger seat/sensor…
Speed control
15 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 93,500 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. The contact stated the vehicle failed to stop after the brake pedal was applied and instead the vehicle suddendly accelerated crashing into a building. The air bags failed to deploy and the air bag light illuminated on the instrument panel. A police report was not filed. The driver…
Intermittingly, after starting the vehicle, engine begins revving. Intermittingly, while slowing & stopping at a traffic light, engine begins revving and attempts to lurch forward. I have to press the break very hard to keep vehicle from moving forward. Fred anderson Kia, raleigh, nc investigated this problem on…
Electrical
14 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a knocking noise emitted from the front driver side of the vehicle. Also, the contact mentioned that the front driver side window failed to roll down. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure…
I drive a 2008 Kia Spectra. I've owned the car for roughly 4 yrs. Within the last month my car continues to stall. This occurs generally when I'm coming to a stop and turning. The dash lights will all come on and my wheel locks up in the direction I was turning. When I turn my car off and turn it back on, the lights…
Engine
11 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles.
Intermittingly, after starting the vehicle, engine begins revving. Intermittingly, while slowing & stopping at a traffic light, engine begins revving and attempts to lurch forward. I have to press the break very hard to keep vehicle from moving forward. Fred anderson Kia, raleigh, nc investigated this problem on…
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel locked and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The…
Other or unspecified
10 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 117,500 miles.
I test drove the vehicle and it drove fine. After I signed papers to buy the vehicle, I drove it home. On the way home I was doing the speed limit which is 65mph but I always stay a little under that speed limit. I got to about 65 and boom it was like the transmission had come through the floor and it felt as if I was…
Right front passenger opened passenger-side door with interior door handle. Door handle/metallic coating separated at seam and cut/pinched occupant's right ring finger. Handle seam now separated/sharp. Vehicle was stationary in driveway.
Lights
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 84,500 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. While driving at various speeds, the cruise control failed to engage and the brake lights failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The failures recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the stop lamp switch…
The right-side passenger brakes lights are not working. All bulbs are good. My cruise control has been working intermittently. As I'm unable to view my brake lights while driving, I'm going to assume that these two problems are occurring at the same time. I believe it is due to a defective brake switch. I tested the…
Seat belts
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 96,500 miles.
Ever since buying the car in 2010, the rear seat belts would intermittently lock-up for no reason. Now, neither rear outboard retractor will unwind. The center seatbelt still works fine.
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…
Brakes
6 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 93,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. The contact stated the vehicle failed to stop after the brake pedal was applied and instead the vehicle suddendly accelerated crashing into a building. The air bags failed to deploy and the air bag light illuminated on the instrument panel. A police report was not filed. The driver…
Intermittingly, after starting the vehicle, engine begins revving. Intermittingly, while slowing & stopping at a traffic light, engine begins revving and attempts to lurch forward. I have to press the break very hard to keep vehicle from moving forward. Fred anderson Kia, raleigh, nc investigated this problem on…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Kia Spectra recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
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 2008 Kia Spectra
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Spectra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (61 complaints, typically around 63,500 miles); speed control (15 complaints, typically around 93,500 miles); electrical (14 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Kia Spectra have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2008 Kia Spectra. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Kia Spectra?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Spectra model year since 2000, with 121 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.