Complaints
162
Crashes
27
Fires
3
Injuries
28
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 2008 Kia Spectra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#154 complaints
AIR BAGS
Avg mileage:70,914 mi
Crash-related:14
#214 complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Avg mileage:70,093 mi
Fires:3
#314 complaints
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Avg mileage:86,228 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Kia Spectra.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 54 | 14 | — | 70,914 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 14 | — | 3 | 70,093 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 14 | 1 | — | 86,228 mi | |
| ENGINE | 10 | 1 | — | 92,312 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 10 | 1 | — | 124,750 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 8 | 2 | — | 73,534 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 6 | — | — | 38,100 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5 | 2 | — | 110,984 mi | |
| STEERING | 5 | 1 | — | 115,043 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 4 | — | — | 11,500 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 4 | — | — | 15,864 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 4 | — | — | 106,258 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 3 | 3 | — | 37,035 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 | 1 | — | 107,000 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 2 | — | — | 50,000 mi | |
| SEATS | 2 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 1 | — | 138,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 | — | — | 232 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 1 | — | — | — | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | 1 | — | — | 102,000 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | — | — | 85,000 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 | — | — | 85,000 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 | — | — | 19,000 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 | — | — | 74,000 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 1 | — | — | 85,000 mi | |
| TIRES | 1 | — | — | — | |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 1 | — | — | — | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 1 | — | — | 102,000 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 1 | — | — | 60,000 mi | |
| WHEELS | 1 | — | — | 130,000 mi |
AIR BAGS
54
complaints
Crashes
14
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,914
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
70,093
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
86,228
ENGINE
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,312
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
124,750
SEAT BELTS
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,534
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
38,100
SERVICE BRAKES
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
110,984
STEERING
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
115,043
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
11,500
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
15,864
POWER TRAIN
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
106,258
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
37,035
STRUCTURE:BODY
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
107,000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
50,000
SEATS
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
138,000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
232
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
102,000
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
19,000
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,000
SUSPENSION
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,000
TIRES
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
102,000
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,000
WHEELS
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
130,000
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Kia Spectra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Kia Spectra Years
Wider context: See the full Kia Spectra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
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