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2008 Kia SPECTRA5Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 16 owner complaints about the 2008 Kia SPECTRA5, most often about the air bags. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints166 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage77kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 20, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Kia SPECTRA5 has problems

16 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags112
Electrical system20
Fuel/propulsion system20
Vehicle speed control21
Seats20
Exterior lighting10
Service brakes10
Structure11
Fuel system, gasoline10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2008 Kia SPECTRA5 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other SPECTRA5 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the SPECTRA5 median. How we score

'06'07'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What SPECTRA5 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

PURCHASED A 2008 KIA SPECTRA 5 IN 2009. FOR 3 YEARS IT WAS A GOOD COMMUTER CAR. THEN WEIRD THINGS STARTED HAPPENING OUT OF THE BLUE. FIRST, THE CAR WOULDN'T ALLOW US ACCESS BY USE OF THE KEY FOB. IT WOULD UNLOCK THEN LOCK. THE VEHICLE FLIP THE DOOR UNLOCK LEVER BACK AND FORTH LIKE A GHOST WAS…
Complaint 11054208 · Dec 12, 2017 · 65,000 miles
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON JUNE 19, 2017. A VEHICLE HIT MY KIA AT A SPEED OF 30 - 40 MPH IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S WHEEL BASE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN OUT OF A SHOPPING CENTER, MOVING LESS THAN 10 MPH.
Complaint 11001237 · Jun 25, 2017 · 175,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA 5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,989.
Complaint 10898341 · Aug 24, 2016 · 160,989 miles

Own a 2008 SPECTRA5?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.