Kia Spectra grinding brakes problems

Filed Nov 15, 2013 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · MD

Went to turn on my heater today and the smell of gasoline filled my car, 4-door sedan. The car had the same problems as many of the other owners mentioned before e.g. A brake fluid leak, squealing brakes and the transmission is always slow to kick in when pulling off from a stop. Never experienced a gas leak problem with any other car I owned.

Filed Dec 29, 2010 · Engine, Fuel system · 232 miles · LA

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 kia spectra. Upon starting the vehicle, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the fuel system sensor was replaced. The failure occurred three times. After each failure, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer who replaced the same sensor. The contact also stated that the motor shook, the brakes squeaked and the accelerator pedal became very hot. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the crankshaft was replaced. The failure mileage was 232 and the current mileage was approximately 35,000. Updated 04-05-13 *bf the consumer also stated the crank shaft sensor failed.

Filed May 25, 2009 · Transmission · 288 miles · NC

I purchased my 2007 kia spectra brand new...it only had 55 miles on the vehicle at time of purchase. While driving the vehicle for a few weeks it started to grind in 2nd gear, I took the kia to the dealership, they informed me that some screws had come loose and that is where the grinding was coming from, I was driving with screws in the clutch! They gave me a rental and put the screws back in the clutching system. I got the car back and it did good for a while and the same problem occurred, again they said screws were loose again! I questioned how the screws kept coming loose, they had no explanation for this problem. This time they didn't give me a rental, I had to get my own and they had to leave work early. Got the car back and it did fine for a short while and again the same problem! I took it to kia dealership and they said this time it was some plastic piece that had come loose and that was making it grind in 2nd gear. Again, I was without my vehicle and again, no rental. Got the car back and drove fine for a few days then the same problem. Considering how long they kept my car each time and how long I was without a vehicle each time...I called kia and told them the same problem was happening again. They told me to bring it up there and they would take a look at it...I couldn't be without a vehicle for that long again and miss work again and find ways for my children to get back and forth to school. Thinking it was the plastic piece again, I just kept driving it because of all the past problems, I assumed it would be under warranty. I waited longer this time due to the length of time they kept it each time and I really need my vehicle. So because I waited too long, they are questioning the fact as to whether or not it will be under warranty and want me to sign a paper saying that if they tear it down and don't find any manufacturing defects, then I would be responsible for the tear down and any repairs!

Filed Apr 6, 2006 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · FL

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle made a loud grinding noise while driving 20 MPH. The check engine light illuminated constantly and on several occasions the transmission would not release from the park position. The vehicle was taken to service dealers 4 times; where they determined the transmission was defective. On the first visit, part of the transmission was repaired. The vehicle was taken to a different service dealer for the second visit where the entire transmission was replaced. On the third and fourth visits, the service dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.

Filed Jan 3, 2006 · Steering · 1,000 miles · MI

I purchased my kia spectra on 8/26/05 and by the middle of october there was a grinding, rubbing noise that could be heard in the steering, especially when turning. The vehicle had approximately 1000 miles on it at the time. Shortly after this noise started the check engine light started coming on. I had a very difficult time trying to get the vehicle in to the dealership where I purchased it, jeffrey kia in roseville, michigan. Initially for the first week to week and a half they would not respond to emails or phone messages. When I finally was able to get the vehicle in the service desk person claimed the service techs had a difficult time determining where the noise was coming from, even though it was heard several others very clearly. Finally after keeping my car for an entire day they decided it needed a new steering assembly - supposedly just because a bushing was bad. They never gave me a straight answer as to why the entire steering assembly had to be replaced if only a bushing was bad. They also determined the 02 sensor was faulty. There is a recall on my make vehicle but does not include my vehicle as it was assembled after the recall period. I strongly suspect they know my vehicle is subject to the same problem and that is why they replaced the entire steering assembly. However, 2 days after picking up my vehicle I am again hearing the same grinding noise while driving and especially during tight turns. I have contacted the president and vice-president of jeffrey kia and they refuse to return my calls. I am attempting to go to another dealer.

Filed Aug 26, 2005 · Airbags, Steering · 1,700 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Dt: consumer stated that there was a loss of steering control, and when she tried to steer the car to the right it continued to go to the left. Approximately four hours prior to this there was a grinding noise with vibration in the steering wheel. The car went in to a guard rail on southbound 14 freeway in palmdale, ca. She notified the manufacturer. A recall was issued for this problem, but this vehicle was not included. Only the passenger carriage of the vehicle remained. . When the car hit the guard rail, it was thrown to the other side of the freeway, then hit the other guard rail. Upon impact, none of the airbags deployed. Consumer sustained a concussion and bruises. There was also a police report.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · 14,000 miles · OH · crash

I got in a accident when my brakes went out that night and I couldn't stop. When my car was in the shop they told my that the brakes went out and I need the have the brake line checked out. I took my car back to the dealer and they told me that the kind of brakes they are the would squeak. They never took the time to really look at the brakes because that same day I had my brakes replaced. I have had transmission problems and alternator problems and a lot more.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Seat belts · AL

About a week after I purchased this vehicle I started having problems. The rubber weather strip came off and continues to come off after a week after I bought it. I needed to put oil in the car 2 months after I go it, it was almost out of oil. I went to get my oil changed a few months later at kia of columbus ga, and asked would they top off all fluids and they replied yes. Less than 3 weeks later I had to get my oil changed again and I needed transmission fluid. I have had a constant problem with my brakes squeaking since about after the first week. They have repeatedly told me at kia of columbus ga that my brakes were fine. My brakes continue to squeak. The light inside the car when the door is open, comes on by itself when all the doors are closed. The light on the ceiling of the car has to stay in a permanent off position, or the light will come on by itself. My car has been kicking back when you put it in reverse while making this groaning noise when in reverse. My seat belt also seems to pull in a locked position sometimes when I am at a red light, I am sitting still, not making any sharp turns for this to happen. I have had nothing but problems with this kia since I bought it

Filed Dec 30, 2001 · Acceleration, Brakes · AK

Brakes grinding/squealing/reduced stopping power (18 months before replaced by dealer) vehicle accelerated when foot removed from pedal and I was forced to ride and come close to locking the brakes before I hit a base security guard after arriving home vehicle continued surging while at idle(still waiting on parts/appointment from dealer, still driving the car with these because I can't afford one of their rental cars) electrical shorts starting from the ignition switch to the spark plugs(due to faulty dealer installation of auto start, I have seen blue arcs of electricity across the fuse box, I have been shocked by the car on numerous ocasions.) clunking coming from front and rear suspension, rear hatch lock would not relase. Rear hatch wouldnot hold door closed after dealer repair.

Filed Dec 17, 2001 · Brakes, Suspension · CA

There is a grinding noise at all times coming from underneath driver's seat. Consumer just received this vehicle 6 weeks ago when he returned his 1999, kia, sephia for the same problem. Bad wheel bearings caused early brake wear.