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2007 Kia Spectra

The Verdict

62 Solid Pick

The 2007 Kia Spectra has 162 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (70 complaints) and engine (44 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 62/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Kia Spectra, consider the 2000 model year which has 86% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2000 has 86% fewer complaints

View the 2000 Kia Spectra dashboard →

62

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200024862
2001851386
2002311430911
20032617202010
200418227915
200525105387
2006211059226
200734770447
200825584184
200919481100

By Category

Electrical
70
Engine
44
Body
34
Brakes
7
Transmission
7

By Severity

1
77
2
54
3
1
4
29
5
1

Worst Problems

Complaints

Electrical 1

Passenger Air bag sensor light has come on and stayed on. Took to AutoZone and have them put it on the code reader and said it was something faulty in the sensor mat under the seat.

30mo ago
Engine 2

I purchased my 2007 Spectra5 used with 155,000 miles on it. The engine had no codes or any stored codes. It ran fine until I filled it up with gas. I DO NOT overfill the tank because I understand EVAP issues. After filling up the vehicle would stall at idle and occasionally lose power (momentarily) at highway speeds (55 mph and up). Obviously this is an extremely dangerous situation! Once the gas level got below 1/2 tank the issues went away…but now I ONLY fill the tank to halfway and the problems arise again every so often. Since there are no codes present I cannot replicate the issue without possibly damaging components further and I already replaced the battery, plugs, IAC valve, MAF sensor, and oil to try to remedy this problem. From reading other’s comments about this same problem I do not want to keep pouring money into a problem that KIA itself seems unable, and unwilling, to fix. This is extremely frustrating and dangerous as occasionally the vehicle loses all power on the highway at speeds exceeding 55mph and I feel an accident is inevitable. I’m not financially well off enough to just eat the cost of this vehicle and get a new (used) vehicle though so KIA has really put me (AND OTHER DRIVERS) in a difficult and dangerous position. As others have stated from mechanics who have tried to diagnose this issue, there may be a serious issue with the EVAP system including, but not limited to, the charcoal canister and purge valve. I will try replacing the fuel filter in the gas tank but I do not have high hopes that this will fix this problem. Once again, there are no codes present before or after these stalling/power loss problems and live data from and OBD2 scanner is within parameters for this vehicle and it’s age. I need to report this now so everyone, ESPECIALLY KIA, is aware of this issue and information.

38mo ago
Electrical 1

I first noticed my air bag light (the one by the clock) coming on and off when my granddaughters weight went from under weight to appropriate weight to ride in the front seat. It would come on and off as she would adjust herself or move around in the seat. Sometimes it would stay on or sometimes it would stay off. When that light stopped coming on and off the one in the dash console where the speedometer is, that light has been coming on and staying on warning there's a problem with the airbag according to the manual. I entered my VIN number because I know Kia has had problems with some of there airbags but my VIN number was not listed. I did go by an auto parts house to make sure that was indeed the airbag warning light and I was told that the airbag may or maynot go off in a cash or it could go off at anytime. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS if I was told correctly and felt that this needed to be looked into further. Thank You

46mo ago
Body 1

I was drive my 2007 Kia Spectra EX in Bakersfield, CA. All of a sudden I parked my car at the gas station, I filled the car up, and I tried putting the transmission into drive but the car would not go forward. I went and searched why the car would not go forward, and I found out other Kia Spectra owners had the same problem. Is there any way to make Kia recall those cars and replace or repair the transmissions under a national recall.

50mo ago
Electrical 2

Doors LOCK and UNLOCK on their own. I have been locked out numerous times, some with the engine still running.I brought car to Kia numerous times, and was told there was nothing that could be done, it was a manufacturing defect. I feel this could prevent a very serious problem , both in a collision, or if a child were to be locked in the car. At times the car locks by itself so quickly, I cannot even turn the key fast enough to open the door. I have owned this car since 2009, and it has happened at least 50 or more times.

57mo ago
Body 1

I WAS SHOPPING AT THE GROCERY STORE AND AS I AM BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY VERY STIFF AS I CUT THE WHEEL TO POSITION MY CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FORWARD, BUT WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY RESISTANT TO THE POINT THAT I ACTUALLY HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO RIGHT OR LEFT TO MAKE MY TURN.ON 3/10/2020, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND AT FIRST I WAS TOLD I NEED THE BELTS FOR A/C, ALT AND PS, REPLACED WHICH I AUTHORIZE AND PAID $171.60 TAX INCLUDED. ON 3/26/2020 I HAD TO RETURN MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC DUE TO SAME HARD TO STEER PROBLEM. I WAS THEN TOLD I NEEDED TO HAVE MY POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED WHICH I AUTHORIZED AND PAID $353.93 TAX INCL. NEXT ON 4/7/20 THE SAME PROBLEM OF STEERING HAPPENED. I TOOK IT BACK TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A RACK AND PINION (P/S RACK), AT A COST OF $848.63 TOTAL, WHICH I PAID. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON 7/14/202 AND 8/17/2020 AND 9/16/2020. I WAS NOT CHARGED THE LAST THREE DATES OF REPAIR. I RECENTLY GOOGLE SEARCHED FOR RECALLS AND SAW THAT THE 2007 KIA SPECTRE HAD INDEED BEEN RECALLED. I CALLED 800-333-4542 AND WAS TOLD MY VIN NUM SHOWS NO SERVICE CAMPAIGN. I CONTEST THEIR FINDINGS I WOULD LIKE MY COMPLAINT TO BE INVESTIGATED. I AM ALSO REQUESTING A TOTAL REIMBURSEMENT OF $1374.16. THANK YOU, [XXX]. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *CC

66mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA5. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS LOOKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED A RUSTED METAL PIECE DRAGGING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V256000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000. *AS *TR

86mo ago
Electrical 4

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.

92mo ago
Engine 4

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

93mo ago
Electrical 1

PASSENGER SIDE OCS SENSOR FAILING.

98mo ago
Body 2

FUEL TANK STRAPS HAVE RUSTED AND ONE FELL OFF. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2007 KIA SPECTRA 5 BUT I AM TOLD THAT MY 2007 MODEL BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED. KIA WILL NOT REPAIR.

101mo ago
Body 1

WHEN STOPPED (FOR EXAMPLE AT A STOP SIGN), WITH THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE ENGINE WILL SOMETIMES GO FROM "IDLE" TO A HIGHER SPEED (IT ACCELERATES). MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME AND THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. (I KNOW BECAUSE I LOOKED.)

102mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

105mo ago
Engine 1

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.

106mo ago
Body 1

DOOR LOCKS GO HAYWIRE OPENING AND CLOSING WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING OR WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. HAD TO BREAK THE LOCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. NOW I HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND STICK MY ARM OUT OF IT, OPEN THE LATCH AND ROLL THE WINDOW BACK UP IN ORDER TO ORDER TO EXIT THE CAR. PASSENGER SIDE IS PERMANENTLY LOCKED ALSO. YOU CAN'T EVEN USE A KEY TO OPEN IT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD!

107mo ago
Electrical 2

THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE GONE HAYWIRE. THEY CLICK ON AND OFF AUTOMATICALLY WHETHER YOU ARE DRIVING OR IF THE ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. HAD TO BREAK THE LOCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN ORDER TO EXIT THE CAR. PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT OPEN AS WELL EVEN VIA USING A KEY IN THE DOOR LOCK. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD! CONTACTED KIA A MONTH AGO, THEY NEVER GOT BACK TO ME. I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET WHERE OTHER KIA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

107mo ago
Electrical 2

PASSENGER AIR BAG COMMUNICATION ERROR. B1449 AIRBAG CODE. IT WILL NOT SHUT OFF. I AM UNABLE TO GET STATE INSPECTION. 8/29/17

108mo ago
Electrical 2

BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AT APARTMENT COMPLEX AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF AND SHATTERED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD

108mo ago
Engine 2

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.

114mo ago
Electrical 2

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.

117mo ago

162 total

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