IllustrationWHEN 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.)
2007 Kia Spectra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Kia Spectra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 96.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Spectra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
270–25K
2125–50K
2550–75K
2275–100K
22100–150K
5150K+
122 reports with mileage · 30 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
22 crash reports6 fire reports15 injury reports
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
12 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS REVVED VIOLENTLY. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS REVVED VIOLENTLY. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST ALL POWER IN THE GAS PEDAL,( YOU CAN FLOOR THE PEDDLE AND IT DON'T GO OVER 2000 RPM ) ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION. IT ONLY COMES ON WHEN IT WANT TO, I HAD THE CODES CHECKED AT AUTO ZONE AND THEY SAID ITS SAYING ALL THE SOLENOIDS ARE B…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST ALL POWER IN THE GAS PEDAL,( YOU CAN FLOOR THE PEDDLE AND IT DON'T GO OVER 2000 RPM ) ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION. IT ONLY COMES ON WHEN IT WANT TO, I HAD THE CODES CHECKED AT AUTO ZONE AND THEY SAID ITS SAYING ALL THE SOLENOIDS ARE BAD. I LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND THERE ARE ALOT OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE IN THE SAME YEAR, +1 AND-1, AND WITH THE SAME APPROXIMATE MILEAGE, IT SAYS THAT KIA HAS COME OUT WITH AN UPDATE TO THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER TO REMEDY THE ISSUE, THE KIA DEALER WANTS AN OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT TO UPDATE THE COMPUTER, WHEN DISCUSSING THIS WITH KIA CORPORATE THEY SAID WELL IF A RECALL IS ISSUED THEN WE CAN GET REFUND, BUT I DON'T HAVE THE CASH TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, AN UPDATE SHOULD BE FREE, THEY ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THE DEFECT, THERE FOR BECAUSE OF THE DANGER IT CAN CAUSE A RECALL IS IN ORDER... *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,921.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD REVVING NOISE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POST. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD REVVING NOISE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POST. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE ENGINE IDLED WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. HE WAS APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WAS BEING PUSHED FROM THE BACK AND THEN MOVED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE ENGINE IDLED WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. HE WAS APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WAS BEING PUSHED FROM THE BACK AND THEN MOVED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WILL SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
IN 2008 I PURCHASED A NEW 2007 KIA SPECTRA 5 SX , IN NOVEMBER OF THAT YEAR I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT AND HAD STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN MY AUTOS ENGINE STARTED TO REVVING AND MOVING FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, I PRESSED AS HARD AS I COULD WITH MY FOOT , BUT THAT DID NOT STOP THE CAR FROM…
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IN 2008 I PURCHASED A NEW 2007 KIA SPECTRA 5 SX , IN NOVEMBER OF THAT YEAR I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT AND HAD STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN MY AUTOS ENGINE STARTED TO REVVING AND MOVING FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, I PRESSED AS HARD AS I COULD WITH MY FOOT , BUT THAT DID NOT STOP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD, THE TIRES WERE SPINNING, I THEN PUT MY OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PRESSED AS HARD AS I COULD WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND THAT STOPPED MOVING FORWARD, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED REVVING, I THEN WAS ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF. I LET THE CAR REMAIN OFF FOR ABOUT L5 SECONDS AND TURNED THE IGNITION ON AGAIN THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV AGAIN, I HAD TO TURN ENGINE OFF AGAIN, AFTER ABOUT 15 SECONDS I TURNED THE ENGINE ON AND IT WAS NORMAL SO I WENT HOME AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY SERVICE PROVIDER TO HAVE THE AUTO CHECKED OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND SPOKE TO CASE MANAGER (ALBERT) WHO SUGGESTED I GO TO ANOTHER KIA DEALER. I WENT TO KIA OF BAYSIDE IN GREAT NECK, N.Y. (THEY ARE OUT OF BUSINESS NOW). THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE BE DISCONNECTED, WHICH HE DID , AND TOLD ME TO DRIVE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND COME BACK TO THE SHOP. I RETURNED TO THE SHOP ON 1/20/09 ( I ORIGINALLY TOOK CAR TO BAYSIDE KIA ON 12/22/08) I TOLD THE TECH THAT NOTHING HAPPENED DURING THE 2 WEEK PERIOD. HE THEN CALLED KIA HEADQUARTERS AND REQUESTED THAT A NEW CRUISE CONTROL MODULE BE INSTALLED. THE TECH ORDERED THE NEW MODULE FOR THE CAR AND RECONNECTED THE OLD MODULE. ON 01/20/09, I HAD ANOTHER EPISODE WITH THE CAR REVVING AND MOVING FORWARD AND IT ALSO DID THE SAME THING IN REVERSE, THIS WAS IN PELHAM MANOR, N.Y. JUST ACROSS THE BRIDGE FROM WHERE I LIVE, 2 HOURS LATER I WAS AT THE BARTOW MALL , IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IT HAPPENED AGAIN, IT DONE THIS 4 MORE TIMES KIA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING . *TR
ON THREE OCCASIONS MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA'S ENGINE HAS RACED MADLY WHEN I WAS STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING WITH THE BRAKE FULLY DEPRESSED. THE MOST RECENT DATE THAT IT HAPPENED WAS 7/27/2010. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE AND WHEN I RESTARTED IT THE ENGINE WAS O…
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ON THREE OCCASIONS MY 2007 KIA SPECTRA'S ENGINE HAS RACED MADLY WHEN I WAS STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING WITH THE BRAKE FULLY DEPRESSED. THE MOST RECENT DATE THAT IT HAPPENED WAS 7/27/2010. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE AND WHEN I RESTARTED IT THE ENGINE WAS OK. AROUND XMAS 2009, THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. I TRIED MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND PARK AND TURNING IT OFF SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I FINALLY PUT IT IN DRIVE AND LET IT INCH FORWARD AND SUDDENLY THE RACING STOPPED. AT THAT TIME I REMOVED THE CAR MAT AND HAVE NOT USED THE MAT SINCE THEN. TODAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT. THEY TELL ME THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY CHECKED THE ERROR CODES IN MEMORY AND GAVE ME A LISTING OF THE CODES. THEY TELL ME NONE OF THE CODES RELATE TO WHAT I EXPERIENCED. THE ONLY OTHER PROBLEM THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR NOT LATCHING. I WOULD SLAM THE DOOR AND IT WOULD POP BACK OPEN AGAIN. I DEPRESSED THE LOCK AND UNLOCK BUTTONS ON THE REMOTE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE DOOR WOULD LATCH. *TR
1. TWO PASSENGERS (FEMALE 64 YR DRIVER AND FEMALE 13 YR OLD PASSENGER) WERE PROCEEDING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD IN A 2007 KIA SPECTRA AT LESS THAN 20 MPH. HALFWAY DOWN THE ROAD, DRIVER BEGAN TO LIGHTLY APPLY THE BRAKE KNOWING THAT THE STOP SIGN WAS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. AT THIS MOMENT THE CAR REVVED AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCE…
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1. TWO PASSENGERS (FEMALE 64 YR DRIVER AND FEMALE 13 YR OLD PASSENGER) WERE PROCEEDING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD IN A 2007 KIA SPECTRA AT LESS THAN 20 MPH. HALFWAY DOWN THE ROAD, DRIVER BEGAN TO LIGHTLY APPLY THE BRAKE KNOWING THAT THE STOP SIGN WAS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. AT THIS MOMENT THE CAR REVVED AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER SHOUTED OUT THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CAR ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. UNABLE TO STOP, THE CAR WENT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN AND PROCEEDED ACROSS THE STREET TOWARDS A GUARD RAIL. DRIVER INSTINCTIVELY TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT SO THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT HIT THE GUARD RAIL HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE GUARD RAIL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THROWING THE DRIVER INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHERE THE OTHER PASSENGER WAS SITTING. THE DRIVER HIT HER HEAD HARD ON THE PASSENGER WINDOW AND EXPERIENCED OTHER INJURIES AS A RESULT OF BEING THROWN FROM THE DRIVER SEAT. THE AIR BAGS IN THE CAR FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CAR BOUNCED OFF THE GUARD RAIL AND PROCEEDED AT FULL SPEED ACROSS THE STREET AGAIN. THE CAR RAN OVER SOME SMALL HEDGES IN A RESIDENT'S YARD AND PROCEEDED UP A STEEP HILL BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE PASSENGER OF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY DIALED 911 AND THE POLICE/AMBULANCE ARRIVED SHORTLY AFTER. 2. THE CAR'S ELECTRONIC THROTTLE IS BELIEVED TO BE DEFECTIVE. THIS DEFECT RESULTS IN RANDOM EPISODES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. BECAUSE THE EPISODES ARE RANDOM, THE PROBLEM IS NOT EASILY DUPLICATED. HOWEVER, THERE ARE NUMEROUS DOCUMENTED CASES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN KIA VEHICLES ON THE INTERNET. 3. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INVESTIGATION. MECHANIC ATTEMPTED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE 2007 KIA SPECTRA IS NOT SOPHISTICATED ENOUGH TO APPLY SUCH A TEST. VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION. KIA CLAIMS THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A REVVING NOISE COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFTER. SHORTLY AFTER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ACROSS THE STREET. SHE ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO AVOID DRIVING INTO A DITCH. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL STRUCK THE G…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A REVVING NOISE COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFTER. SHORTLY AFTER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ACROSS THE STREET. SHE ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO AVOID DRIVING INTO A DITCH. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THROUGH BUSHES AND UP A HILL. THE SPEED FINALLY BEGAN TO DECREASE AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES, ONLY HEADACHES AND BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE BY THE POLICE, BUT WAS LATER TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE WAS TOO UNSOPHISTICATED; THEREFORE, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST COULD NOT BE PERFORMED. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME TYPE OF DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AND SHE BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4,500. UPDATED 6/19/10 *CN THE CONSUME STATED SHE PLACED HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. UPDATED 07/22/10*JB
Official recalls
111V256000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
Apr 25, 2011
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 MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT. AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY SEPARATE ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND AND POSSIBLY DISRUPT THE INTEGRITY OF THE TANK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE15031 · Occupant Classification System
Opened Sep 1, 2015 · Closed Feb 11, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles.Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat.This sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.The OCS may develop a failure due to an open circuit in the sensor mat caused by the mat cracking during use.An open circuit in the OCS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the system by the air bag diagnostic. A trouble code will then be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag warning light will be illuminated.If this fault is detected, the OCS will not suppress the front passenger air bag and in a crash of sufficient severity the front passenger air bag will deploy regardless of the nature or size of the child seat or occupant in the front passenger seat.The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the OCS sensor mat.Reports alleging only that the ?air bag light is on with no cause stated, or where no cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than an OCS malfunction.Kia's assessment was that the cracking was caused by owner abuse.The subject vehicles have been in service for an average of approximately eight (8) years.An analysis of Kia's warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar OCS failure investigations, indicates that the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service.Kia has implemented an extended warranty program for the OCS sensor mat providing for free replacement for 15 years regardless of vehicle mileage and will send owners of the subject vehicles letters notifying them of the potential hazards posed by OCS failure as well as the terms of the extended warranty.Consumers whose air bag warning light is illuminated will have the opportunity to have their vehicle diagnosed and, if a fault is indicated, have the OCS sensor mat repaired at no charge.In view of the comparatively low complaint rate and Kia's implementation of an extended warranty with owner notification, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by Kia mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by OCS sensor mat failures in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Details on Kia's extended warranty program, including a copy of both Kia's letter to the consumer and Kia's letter to their dealers, for the subject vehicle population will be available in the public file for this investigation. The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at http://www?odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/ SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10789130, 10787308, 10785138, 10777856, 10765359, 10745773, 10746133, 10745528, 10721336, 10715846, 10712140, 10712046, 10706009, 10705387, 10681321, 10677080, 10673071, 10654873, 10654522, 10652472, 10651525,10643205, 10639671, 10638251, 10627289, 10621507, 10620724, 10615883, 10609000, 10607838, 10606252,10577842, 10568029, 10564527, 10561224,
Additional source detail variants (4)
Air Bags:frontal
The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles.Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat.This sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.The OCS may develop a failure due to an open circuit in the sensor mat caused by the mat cracking during use.An open circuit in the OCS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the system by the air bag diagnostic. A trouble code will then be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag warning light will be illuminated.If this fault is detected, the OCS will not suppress the front passenger air bag and in a crash of sufficient severity the front passenger air bag will deploy regardless of the nature or size of the child seat or occupant in the front passenger seat.The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the OCS sensor mat.Reports alleging only that the ?air bag light is on with no cause stated, or where no cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than an OCS malfunction.Kia's assessment was that the cracking was caused by owner abuse.The subject vehicles have been in service for an average of approximately eight (8) years.An analysis of Kia's warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar OCS failure investigations, indicates that the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service.Kia has implemented an extended warranty program for the OCS sensor mat providing for free replacement for 15 years regardless of vehicle mileage and will send owners of the subject vehicles letters notifying them of the potential hazards posed by OCS failure as well as the terms of the extended warranty.Consumers whose air bag warning light is illuminated will have the opportunity to have their vehicle diagnosed and, if a fault is indicated, have the OCS sensor mat repaired at no charge.In view of the comparatively low complaint rate and Kia's implementation of an extended warranty with owner notification, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by Kia mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by OCS sensor mat failures in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Details on Kia's extended warranty program, including a copy of both Kia's letter to the consumer and Kia's letter to their dealers, for the subject vehicle population will be available in the public file for this investigation. The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at http://www?odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/ SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10789130, 10787308, 10785138, 10777856, 10765359, 10745773, 10746133, 10745528, 10721336, 10715846, 10712140, 10712046, 10706009, 10705387, 10681321, 10677080, 10673071, 10654873, 10654522, 10652472, 10651525,10643205, 10639671, 10638251, 10627289, 10621507, 10620724, 10615883, 10609000, 10607838, 10606252,10577842, 10568029, 10564527, 10561224,
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles.Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat.This sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.The OCS may develop a failure due to an open circuit in the sensor mat caused by the mat cracking during use.An open circuit in the OCS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the system by the air bag diagnostic. A trouble code will then be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag warning light will be illuminated.If this fault is detected, the OCS will not suppress the front passenger air bag and in a crash of sufficient severity the front passenger air bag will deploy regardless of the nature or size of the child seat or occupant in the front passenger seat.The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the OCS sensor mat.Reports alleging only that the ?air bag light is on with no cause stated, or where no cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than an OCS malfunction.Kia's assessment was that the cracking was caused by owner abuse.The subject vehicles have been in service for an average of approximately eight (8) years.An analysis of Kia's warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar OCS failure investigations, indicates that the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service.Kia has implemented an extended warranty program for the OCS sensor mat providing for free replacement for 15 years regardless of vehicle mileage and will send owners of the subject vehicles letters notifying them of the potential hazards posed by OCS failure as well as the terms of the extended warranty.Consumers whose air bag warning light is illuminated will have the opportunity to have their vehicle diagnosed and, if a fault is indicated, have the OCS sensor mat repaired at no charge.In view of the comparatively low complaint rate and Kia's implementation of an extended warranty with owner notification, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by Kia mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by OCS sensor mat failures in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Details on Kia's extended warranty program, including a copy of both Kia's letter to the consumer and Kia's letter to their dealers, for the subject vehicle population will be available in the public file for this investigation. The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at http://www?odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/ SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10789130, 10787308, 10785138, 10777856, 10765359, 10745773, 10746133, 10745528, 10721336, 10715846, 10712140, 10712046, 10706009, 10705387, 10681321, 10677080, 10673071, 10654873, 10654522, 10652472, 10651525,10643205, 10639671, 10638251, 10627289, 10621507, 10620724, 10615883, 10609000, 10607838, 10606252,10577842, 10568029, 10564527, 10561224,
Air Bags
The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles.Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat.This sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.The OCS may develop a failure due to an open circuit in the sensor mat caused by the mat cracking during use.An open circuit in the OCS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the system by the air bag diagnostic. A trouble code will then be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag warning light will be illuminated.If this fault is detected, the OCS will not suppress the front passenger air bag and in a crash of sufficient severity the front passenger air bag will deploy regardless of the nature or size of the child seat or occupant in the front passenger seat.The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the OCS sensor mat.Reports alleging only that the ?air bag light is on with no cause stated, or where no cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than an OCS malfunction.Kia's assessment was that the cracking was caused by owner abuse.The subject vehicles have been in service for an average of approximately eight (8) years.An analysis of Kia's warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar OCS failure investigations, indicates that the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service.Kia has implemented an extended warranty program for the OCS sensor mat providing for free replacement for 15 years regardless of vehicle mileage and will send owners of the subject vehicles letters notifying them of the potential hazards posed by OCS failure as well as the terms of the extended warranty.Consumers whose air bag warning light is illuminated will have the opportunity to have their vehicle diagnosed and, if a fault is indicated, have the OCS sensor mat repaired at no charge.In view of the comparatively low complaint rate and Kia's implementation of an extended warranty with owner notification, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by Kia mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by OCS sensor mat failures in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Details on Kia's extended warranty program, including a copy of both Kia's letter to the consumer and Kia's letter to their dealers, for the subject vehicle population will be available in the public file for this investigation. The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at http://www?odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/ SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10789130, 10787308, 10785138, 10777856, 10765359, 10745773, 10746133, 10745528, 10721336, 10715846, 10712140, 10712046, 10706009, 10705387, 10681321, 10677080, 10673071, 10654873, 10654522, 10652472, 10651525,10643205, 10639671, 10638251, 10627289, 10621507, 10620724, 10615883, 10609000, 10607838, 10606252,10577842, 10568029, 10564527, 10561224,
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles.Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat.This sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.The OCS may develop a failure due to an open circuit in the sensor mat caused by the mat cracking during use.An open circuit in the OCS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the system by the air bag diagnostic. A trouble code will then be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag warning light will be illuminated.If this fault is detected, the OCS will not suppress the front passenger air bag and in a crash of sufficient severity the front passenger air bag will deploy regardless of the nature or size of the child seat or occupant in the front passenger seat.The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the OCS sensor mat.Reports alleging only that the ?air bag light is on with no cause stated, or where no cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than an OCS malfunction.Kia's assessment was that the cracking was caused by owner abuse.The subject vehicles have been in service for an average of approximately eight (8) years.An analysis of Kia's warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar OCS failure investigations, indicates that the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service.Kia has implemented an extended warranty program for the OCS sensor mat providing for free replacement for 15 years regardless of vehicle mileage and will send owners of the subject vehicles letters notifying them of the potential hazards posed by OCS failure as well as the terms of the extended warranty.Consumers whose air bag warning light is illuminated will have the opportunity to have their vehicle diagnosed and, if a fault is indicated, have the OCS sensor mat repaired at no charge.In view of the comparatively low complaint rate and Kia's implementation of an extended warranty with owner notification, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by Kia mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by OCS sensor mat failures in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Details on Kia's extended warranty program, including a copy of both Kia's letter to the consumer and Kia's letter to their dealers, for the subject vehicle population will be available in the public file for this investigation. The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at http://www?odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/ SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10789130, 10787308, 10785138, 10777856, 10765359, 10745773, 10746133, 10745528, 10721336, 10715846, 10712140, 10712046, 10706009, 10705387, 10681321, 10677080, 10673071, 10654873, 10654522, 10652472, 10651525,10643205, 10639671, 10638251, 10627289, 10621507, 10620724, 10615883, 10609000, 10607838, 10606252,10577842, 10568029, 10564527, 10561224,