2008 Kia Spectra electrical problems

Filed Mar 19, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · VA

The car randomly starts. When the car is finally started sometimes the power steering goes out, the windows randomly roll down, the locks randomly lock and unlock themselves. I have taken the car to several mechanic shops including electrical specialist and the dealership. None of them are able to determine what the problem is.

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 Jan 12, 2016 · Electrical · 129,785 miles · CT

I bought my 2008 kia spectra in june of 2015. About a month after the purchase my door locks started acting up occasionally. Now it is an almost everytime occurance. I will unlock my door via key fob, and it will instantly, and automatically, relock itself(all doors). When it does decide to unlock, and stay that way until I enter the vehicle, as soon as I open the drivers door all doors wil lock. I find this quite annoying, and dangerous due to the fact that I have a child, and a wife, and I would rather not have my vehicle prevent them from entering, or exiting the vehicle safetly. I have been in touch with kia dealers and have been told that it will be a 300-750 dollar fix, and kia motors themselves stated that some spectra's have this issue, but mine does not because there is no service campaign for my VIN.

Filed Nov 3, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 103,000 miles · CA

Dashboard airbag light illuminated, and nothing I tried--scanner, calling the dealer, and inspecting it myself--seems to be addressing the issue. I see multiple people are experiencing simpler symptoms. The light illuminates as usual upon ignition and shuts off as normal. It then comes back on around 10 to 20 seconds after the car starts, and it does not shut off until I turn off the car. The it sounds like a warranty issue.

Filed Aug 17, 2015 · Electrical · 67,500 miles · OK · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 kia spectra. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal noise and suddenly there was smoke inside of the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the road and the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire and a police report were filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,500. According to the letter from the consumer's lawyer, the vehicle was destroyed by an electrical fire arising under the dashboard, apparently from the blower/ventilation system. Updated 09/14/15. *jb ma 10/5 status updated 11/19/15.*jb the consumer stated the manufacturer denied any liability. They blamed the fire on a past incident, where the vehicle was filled with too much oil. Updated 04/25/16.*jb

Filed Mar 11, 2015 · Electrical, Suspension · 85,000 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 kia spectra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a knocking noise emitted from the front driver side of the vehicle. Also, the contact mentioned that the front driver side window failed to roll down. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000. Updated 4/15/15*cn updated 9/28/2017

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.

Filed Nov 4, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 88,000 miles · IL

I drive a 2008 kia spectra. I've owned the car for roughly 4 yrs. Within the last month my car continues to stall. This occurs generally when I'm coming to a stop and turning. The dash lights will all come on and my wheel locks up in the direction I was turning. When I turn my car off and turn it back on, the lights will turn off, but my RPM's rev up to a minimum of 3. I have taken the vehicle to two auto mechanics. They have changed a fuel temp. Sensor and switched out all my spark plugs. Both mechanics have plugged the vehicle up to the machine and it reads clear. They cannot find an issue with the vehicle. Since the vehicle acts up randomly, they are unable to identify the problem when it's in their possession.

Filed Mar 29, 2014 · Electrical, Locks · 60,000 miles · NC

The door locks began randomly not working when using the door lock/unlock buttons on both the driver side, as well as the front passenger side. There does not seem to be a problem when using the key fob. I mentioned this problem to my local kia dealer who brushed it off. Now, 2 years later, it has gotten worse. I can rarely unlock the doors using the buttons. I would think this is a safety issue if I was unable to get out of my car in the event of an accident or fire. I am not sure if this would be covered under warranty. The car is less than 10 years old and has just under 73,000 miles.

Filed Mar 15, 2010 · Electrical · 91,000 miles · WV · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 kia spectra. While traveling at 20 MPH the contact noticed black smoke coming inside the vehicle from the air ventilation system. She pulled over to the side of the road and shut the engine off. A loud clicking sound could be heard coming from the engine. After examining the front end of the vehicle and finding no signs of a fire or smoke the contact re entered the vehicle and noticed that flames were coming out from under the dashboard and steering wheel. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire and a fire report was filed for the incident. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileages were 91,000.