2008 KIA Spectra problems
Owners have filed 162 complaints about the 2008 KIA Spectra with NHTSA. Air bags account for 37.7% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of vehicle speed control at 9.3%.
Complaints162
Crashes27
Fires3
Injuries28
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Air bags 37.7% · 61
Vehicle speed control 9.3% · 15
Electrical system 8.6% · 14
Unknown or other 6.2% · 10
Engine 6.2% · 10
Seat belts 4.9% · 8
Exterior lighting 4.3% · 7
Service brakes 3.1% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 27 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire, 28 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 7 model years of the KIA Spectra in this data, 2008 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 2007 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 7 in the last three years against 20 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 85,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2008 KIA Spectra. The contact was driving 40 mph and crashed into a deer. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and shoulder injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was not repaired or inspected for the cause of the air bag failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Air bags · reported at 110,000 miles
The contact owned a 2008 KIA Spectra. While at a stop, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the contact's vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained minor bruises that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Air bags
When my son, who is 12 years old sits in the front passenger seat (weighs 103 pounds) the light goes off sometimes or stays on sometimes for the airbag system, but when my fiancee who is in excess of 180 pounds sits in the seat, the airbag light stays on, thus would not deploy in case of an accident. This happens sporadically, not constantly. Air bags · reported at 36,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…