This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Engine 💡 came on imidiately after pulling out of dealership. So I ca"ed them and they stated it wasnt anything to worry about. Several customers were calling in about the same issue. They said it was just the change in weather and the gas cap. They reset engine 💡 several times. No sooner than I would pull off the lot, it would come back on. Then I ask them for an auto check history report showing odometer desciipancies. Roll back calculations. The radiator is cracked, the emergency brake doesn't work, and the brakes and stuff are bad.
Vehicle will stall after gas tank is filled. Gas fumes can be smelled. Car can stall while idling or at high rate of speed. When it stalls power steering is lost, posing a serious safety risk. The Kia dealership tried to tell me it was my fault - that I over filled the gas tank. From 30 other reports I found on line, the tank orvr is not sealing completely and it allows fuel to seep into the charcoal canister and vacuumed all the wya to the intake via the purge control solenoid valve. Dealership's third attempt at a repair includes: Replacing fuel tank, evap canister, vent solenoid, purge flow solenoid, and canister filter, with parts and labor totaling over $1000. I have emailed and called Kia headquarters but they will do nothing. How can so many people have this same problem - a major safety issue - and Kia just ignores it. Says alot about a company.
The contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra. While driving approximately 50 mph, there was an abnormal scraping noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and observed that the fuel tank detached from the vehicle and was dragging. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank straps failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The Kia Spectra 2007 engine stalls after refilling. I did not 'top it off' at the gas station, it was simply filled up by the clicking of the fuel pump. The car stalled three times (all engine lights, brake lights suddenly turned on), wheel had weak control in the middle of the road, driving home (roughly 3 mile range). Fortunately, I was at the light every time (with people behind me). If I had been driving 60 miles per hour, I probably would've died, unaware of loss of vehicle control. I turned on my vehicle warning light immediately, and the cars behind me were able to get around me. I just took some time to research this, and apparently it's happening to a bunch of other people as well. Here's a youtube video documenting what happens, you basically lose control of your vehicle. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=kdmjj_kqgdu here's a list of other people who have seen this problem: www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2007/Kia/Spectra/fuel+system the car is now a death trap for me, I don't even know where to start since driving anywhere could potentially get me killed.
Each time after filling the gas tank, the car will randomly die. After a complete fill up, it takes approximately 100 miles for the problem to abate. Through some online research, I find I'm not the only one having this issue. It's a definite safety concern. The car can die at any speed, any time and any driving condition. This car was given to me. I know the previous owner had it checked several times for the same issue. I want to know if it can be fixed. I can't afford to have my car die while in traffic on the highway.
- Frederick, MD, USA
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The contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra. While driving at 60 mph, the vehicle stalled and fuel was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle restarted and resumed normal operation. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the fuel system needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,600.
As I was driving my 2007 Kia Spectra out of nowhere all my emergency lights came on and my car locked up and turned off while I was exiting the freeway. The steering wheel locked up and I could not turn it to get my car off the road. I then had to put my car in park turn the ignition off then restart it. This has happened more than 3 different times. Also as I am driving, my car starts to slow down like it starves for gas and I have to step on the gas and push the pedal down all the way before it will eventually pick up and go.
The past several years my Kia has stalled multiple times upon refueling. I have stopped topping off while refueling. The car cuts off while driving or whiling idling. It gives off an awful gas smell. It has shut off on highways and in city while driving. I have researched this issue and find many Kia owners with the same problem. I am constantly given different diagnostics from Kia authorized service centers. Replacements for the fuel system assemble have totaled in the thousands.
I reported multiple complaints on fuel tank over filling, tank was replaced but problem still exists. Lost of power when driving and exhilaration when trying to stop. Also have problems with engine, engine was replaced but problem still exists.
Over the past two years, my Kia has stalled multiple times upon refueling. I never topped off while fueling and do not understand what's going on. The car cuts off while driving or sitting at a stop light. It also gives off an awful gas smell. I am terrified of driving the vehicle because it's very dangerous especially on highways where the speed limit is at least 50mph. I am concerned as I have very small children that could be harmed. I have researched this issue to the best of my ability & find many Kia owners with the same problem. I am constantly given different diagnostics from service centers.
This car acts like its running out of gas about every 4 months since I've owned it, its usually after I fill it up, it stalls at lights and sputters going down the road, have actually had it die going around corners. Mention it every time I go to dealership for maintenance and of course there is no code because the check engine light never comes on when it happens. This is a very unsafe car and if I could buy something else I would. Will never buy a Kia again!
Reporting 3 issues: ***fuel system: In July 2009, one month after I purchased my used 2007 Kia Spectra (46K miles), the vehicle stalled at idle/low RPM while in traffic on an interstate highway. Once restarted, it continued to stall at every idle until a significant amount of fuel was consumed. Almost 5 years later, the problem is ongoing. Stalling occurs if the fuel tank is filled (to the point of automatic pump shut-off). The tank has never been "topped off". in August 2011, the stalling was so frequent and hazardous due to traffic conditions that the driver had to press the gas pedal down while braking in order to raise RPM and reduce stalling. The owner has had some success in avoiding the issue by fueling to no more than 80% of tank capacity. The repeated intermittent stalling poses an enormous safety issue, especially on congested roadways. ** bags: On numerous occasions, the passenger air bag indicator light has illuminated (indicating the air bag is turned off) while an adult was seated. ***gear shift and ignition key: Beginning in May 2012, and in numerous instances following, the vehicle would not shift into park. Mechanic discovered a broken safety lock in the shifting mechanism. This problem was not fixed, but overridden by accessing the plastic lever underneath the console and pulling with the left hand while shifting. The ignition key gets stuck frequently (4 out 5 uses) even when the vehicle is in park.
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 stalls. I didn't top off the car and it wasn't the quality of the gas. I recently took the car to Kia and they told me it wasn't a defect. This problem is a defect, experienced by many people. It needs to be recalled. They must fix this safety issue. I stalled while the car was in operation and heavy traffic.
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.
There's a problem with the gas tank on my aunt's 2007 Kia Spectra. After filling the tank with fuel, the car stalls and cuts off. She took the car to Kia and paid to have it fixed. However, it has happened three times since. She was told to be sure not to top off the fuel. She has never topped off or over filled. Yet it still happens. She has been fortunate to this point because it hasn't stalled when she's been on a freeway or in heavy traffic. We understand that the car could have caught on fire. Please look into this matter.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cresco, IA, USA