2007 Kia Spectra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (37) · Fuel System, Gasoline (15) · Fuel/Propulsion System (14)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Spectra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
122 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:mounting 2011-04-25 · campaign 11V256000 · 58,322 vehicles
Defect: 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
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.
Service bulletins (30)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2021-09-13 · TSB_BOD055_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: information for headlamp condensation and moisture - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to some kia models tha
Engine And Engine Cooling 2018-03-02 · PS539 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines - in general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
Equipment:mechanical 2017-01-18 · TSB-GEN085R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware - by design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washe
Latches/Locks/Linkages 2016-11-04 · TSB-GEN085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware - by design, certain fasteners utilized in various kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2016-06-15 · WTY001OWNERR1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"revision: owner letter: wty001 - 2007-2009 my spectra vehicles front passenger ocs sensor mat kia new vehicle limited warranty extension - dear kia spectra owner: kia motors americas highest commitment is to your safety. to that end, kia is extending the warranty coverage for the front passenger
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2016-06-10 · WTY001DEALERPSMR · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
revision: dealer parts and service manager memo: wty001 - 2007-2009 my spectra (ld) front passenger ocs sensor mat warranty extension (wty001) - kia motors is re-notifying the owners of the 2007-2009 my spectra vehicles of the warranty coverage extension on their vehicles and has revised the owner
Showing the 6 most recent of 30 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-01-22 · Air Bags“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.…”
2023-05-11 · Power Train“ 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). obvious…”
2022-09-22 · Air Bags“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 …”
2022-05-15 · Unknown Or Other“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 ma…”
2021-10-15 · Electrical System“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 t…”
2021-01-28 · Steering · 85,106 mi“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 ri…”
2018-12-19 · Structure:body · 140,000 mi · 💥 crash“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.…”
2018-06-06 · Air Bags · 79,000 mi“passenger side ocs sensor failing.…”
2018-02-23 · Vehicle Speed Control · 132,000 mi“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.)…”
2017-10-27 · Service Brakes“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.