2007 Kia Spectra: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Nov 17, 2013 · Driver assistance · 92,000 miles · TX · fire

Drove car aprox.15 miles, pull the car up to a store, turned off the car and went inside. Next thing someone came up to me and said the car was on fire. The fire was under the hood of the car near the battery. Tried to open the hood, cable was melted and the hood would not open. Tried to put the fire out with help with 4 fire extinguishers, could not contain the fire. Fire department finally got to the scene and put the fire out. Fire department had to cut part of the hood off to contain the fire.

Filed Jul 16, 2013 · Electrical · 119,767 miles · OH

Owner noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood while driving, vehicle quit moving and would not restart. Upon inspection, the ign 2 30 amp fusible link located in the engine compartment fuse box was blown and the starter solenoid, located on the starter, was melted. It was discovered that there was no factory circuit protection between the battery and the starter solenoid. It is speculated that the ignition switch became stuck in the start position and melted the starter solenoid due to continuous starter operation after the initial start until melting and smoke occurred. While there was no fire this time, the absence of circuit protection on this circuit poses a serious risk because this wire runs from the battery, over the transmission, and up behind the engine, ultimately to the starter solenoid. There are many places where this wire could rub and wear off the insulation over time, causing a short to ground directly to the battery with no circuit protection.

Filed Jan 21, 2013 · Fuel system · 31,404 miles · NC

There's a problem with the gas tank on my aunt's 2007 kia spectra. After filling the tank with fuel, the car stalls and cuts off. She took the car to kia and paid to have it fixed. However, it has happened three times since. She was told to be sure not to top off the fuel. She has never topped off or over filled. Yet it still happens. She has been fortunate to this point because it hasn't stalled when she's been on a freeway or in heavy traffic. We understand that the car could have caught on fire. Please look into this matter.

Filed Mar 9, 2009 · Fuel system · 40,000 miles · VA · fire

On feb 25, 2009 my husband was driving the 2007 kia spectra smelled strong odor of gas pulled car over on side of road opened hood and the motor was on fire called 911. Car was a total loss

Filed Jan 20, 2009 · Engine · 36,000 miles · SC · fire

I owned a 2007 kia spectra 5 sx the car had around 36,000 mile on it. We have never had any problems out of the car then on the 10th of jan 09 my husband drove the car to run some errands. He was sitting at a red light when the engine compartment caught fire for no apparent reason and completely destroyed the car. When we called kia for roadside assistance we were told it was an insurance matter and we would have to call them. The only thing they have offered to do is buy the car back for around 7,000 dollars which is less than my insurance company is offering and no where near what the loan pay off is on the car. They refuse to do anything else. So much for my 10,000 10 year warranty which covered nothing. My husband could have been killed but luckily escaped without injury. I really don't want this to happen to some one else with a worse out come.