2008 Kia Spectra acceleration problems

Filed Jul 15, 2024 · Acceleration · MD

After starting car, for first 15-20 mins, all normal. After speedometer go erratic (showing slower than actual speed - or - higher than actual speed) and soon after it just stops working. No check engine light. Dangerous to drive without knowing actual speed. Have to use mobile phone app like Waze or something which shows apx speed. Upon internet search, I found there are many Kia spectra Ex (from 05-09 models) reported similar issues. This situation is dangerous as driver may be following speedometer on highway and ending up driving slower than actual speed. the federal safety agency should issue a recall. Kia - as usual - never acknowledged issue to save money. Dealership recommending me buy a new car rather than fixing the issue or at least attempting to fix it. When declined for trade-in (or buy a new car) they demanded upfront diagnostic charges without telling me what is actual issue.

Filed Sep 28, 2019 · Acceleration · 85,000 miles · MN

Cruise control won't set.

Filed Apr 23, 2019 · Acceleration · 108,000 miles · TX

Speedometer keeps going out. It will work first thing in the morning, but mid day it drops to zero

Filed Feb 20, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 110,000 miles · CO

My car is revving, even in park. If it occurs while driving, the brakes are hard to push as well.

Filed Jul 29, 2016 · Acceleration, Brakes · 67,000 miles · NY

The right-side passenger brakes lights are not working. All bulbs are good. My cruise control has been working intermittently. As I'm unable to view my brake lights while driving, I'm going to assume that these two problems are occurring at the same time. I believe it is due to a defective brake switch. I tested the cruise control by trying to engage it while driving at 40 MPH. It did not engage. When checking the brakes with the car parked in the driveway - they worked intermittently. All wires are in good shape and free from corrosion. I also have a problem with the passenger airbag sensor and reported this to your organization. At the time I reported it there had not been enough complaints for the spectra, specifically, to receive any help. The problem did exist in high numbers in other kia models of the same year -2008. Recently, I received notice that the air bag sensor defect has now been recognized and I can have this repair made at the dealership at kia's expense. I think it is prudent to report this apparent brake switch defect as I notice recalls on other kia models of the same year as mine - 2008 for brake switch defect.

Filed Apr 4, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 102,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia spectra. While driving at various speeds, the cruise control failed to engage and the brake lights failed to illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The failures recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the stop lamp switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was temporarily repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v114000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 102,000. Updated 05/24/16

Filed Mar 13, 2016 · Acceleration · 117,000 miles · FL

La caja de velocidades a veces golpea en autopista cuando cambia haca primera no lo hace siempre pero golpea fuerte

Filed Aug 20, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 97,000 miles · NC

Intermittingly, after starting the vehicle, engine begins revving. Intermittingly, while slowing & stopping at a traffic light, engine begins revving and attempts to lurch forward. I have to press the break very hard to keep vehicle from moving forward. Fred anderson kia, raleigh, nc investigated this problem on 7/10/15 but was unable to recreate the problem. They re-cleaned the throttle body. The issue has continued on and off since then. On 8/20/15, after approximately 45 minutes of highway driving, I pulled into the parking lot at work. I put the car into reverse to back into a parking spot & the engine started revving dramatically & the car jerked noticeably as it went into gear. I backed into the spot & put the car in park, again jerking. I let the car idle for a few minutes & moved it in & out of gear. The revving worsened, the car attempted to lurch forward even with both the break & emergency break & continued jerking with every gear change. I have an appt. On 8/21/15 with fred anderson kia to investigate. My concern is the safety of the vehicle, as I have seen an indication of the same problem with other kia vehicles on this site & other sites. It seems as if kia is not resolving the issue and I don't want to have an accident because of it.

Filed Apr 29, 2015 · Acceleration, Steering · 110,000 miles · MI

I was driving my car, march 2013 and the car died while pulling into the driveway. I was at a red light in may 2014 and the car died at the stop light. For those two incidents the kia dealership indicated an issue with the charcoal canister. Now, I have a third incident that occurred april 25, 2015, I was driving approximately 40 miles per hour and the wheels locked up and the car died while driving on a main street. My vehicle has been at the dealership for 3 business days and they are not able to determine why the car is stopping. This is a safety issue for me. These incidents could have happened on the freeway and could have caused a fatality. The kia dealership has been diligently trying to diagnose the issue however; they have been unable to determine the root cause. I am sharing this information just in case other drivers are experiencing this issue.

Filed Feb 19, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 160,920 miles · SC

I was driving normally going 45 MPH on a rural street using my cruise control. When I was coming up to the stop, I hit the brakes to slow down, and the engine immediately accelerated. I slammed on the brakes and the engine ran faster. I put the car in neutral (the engine rpms red-lined), and turned the key off and the vehicle slowed under normal braking. I started the vehicle back up, and tested the problem. The cruise control was not disengaging with the brake pedal. When I got home, I checked the brake lights, and they were not working. I bought a replacement switch and the brake lights work with the replacement switch. If I had not applied the brakes far enough in advance, I am certain that I would have gone through the busy intersection and caused a major accident.