2008 Kia Spectra: doors won't lock, open or latch

7 of the 121 complaints about the 2008 Kia Spectra describe doors won't lock, open or latch.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 6%
typical mileage: 85,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Doors won't lock, open or latch by model year

2009
4
2008
7
2007
9
2006
3
2005
3
2004
1
2003
1
2002
3
2000
1

What owners say

Filed Feb 12, 2020 · 131,000 miles · GA · 1 injury

The metal covering on the interior door pulls is peeling off. This jagged metal cut my finger. There are other reports of injury from this on line also. Further, the driver side door will not open with the interior door pull if the door is locked.

Filed Nov 5, 2017 · 120,000 miles · OH · 1 injury

Right front passenger opened passenger-side door with interior door handle. Door handle/metallic coating separated at seam and cut/pinched occupant's right ring finger. Handle seam now separated/sharp. Vehicle was stationary in driveway.

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 Jan 21, 2015 · Locks · 85,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia spectra. The contact stated the front driver door latch fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

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 Jun 13, 2013 · Body · 76,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia spectra. The contact stated that the interior driver's side door handle became detached from the vehicle. The contact had to open the window and engage the handle from the exterior of the vehicle in order to exit. The manufacturer informed the dealer that the handle was outside of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 76,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2011 · Body · 74,000 miles · NE

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia spectra. The contact stated that the drivers side door and passenger door would not open from the inside. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor had it been repaired. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 74,000.