10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,390 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2007 Kia Spectra fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2007 Kia Spectra Owner Comments

problem #15

Jun 102014

Spectra

  • 68,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was restarted and the failure had occurred once before. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the fuel canister and fuel valve needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 68,000. The VIN was not available.

- Mukillteo, WA, USA

problem #14

Feb 232012

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 77,712 miles
After I fillup gas tank car shake and die on the highway orlando fl Kia dealer change the canstar in the tank steel doing the same thing. It is very dangeres needs to be ck by the gov.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #13

Aug 172011

Spectra

  • 27,345 miles
I had this car serviced at the dealer on Tuesday and it drove fine, I filled the fuel tank at the same station I have been using for over a year. And drove home(1-1/2mi) the next day after about 10 miles the car began to miss and the engine died I restarted it and drove about 1/2 mile and it died again I drove to the dealer and left the car to be checked. I was told the fuel tank had been over filled and that the same three system components (less than a year ago I had the same problem) required change at over $700. I do not top off the tank, and have been extremely watchful that it is not topped off since the first incident. This is a safety hazard had I been in the left lane. The power steering and power brake fail with the engine not running. I think a safety recall should be started before a death. I see many reports of the same problem with the Spectra. This may be caused by the driver or not ( I did not and do not top of the fuel tank). But the problem seems to be a flaw in the fuel vapor system on this car.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #12

Dec 152010

Spectra

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle stalled while stopped at intersection, first happened in December and not again until April of the next year. Since April it has begun to stall more often when stopped. Vehicle also hesitates while driving. Vehicle was taken to dealership service center in June; they were not able to figure out what was wrong. Vehicle was taken to same dealership service center in August, after stalling and hesitation dramatically increased. I provided the service center with the possible problem and solution that I found through research online. Diagnostic testing confirmed that it is a known issue with the fuel tank. Replaced fuel tank, evap canister, vent solenoid, purge flow solenoid, and canister filter, with parts and labor totalling $1100. Service center refused to answer whether the parts are the same design as the defective parts, or if they have been fixed/updated.

- Seville , OH, USA

problem #11

Jul 202011

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
The vehicle has been stalling randomly after the fuel tank is filled. After it stalls the engine will not start right way and it can stall again until fuel level drops. When filling at gas station the tank only gets filled until gas nozzle self stops it does not continue to get filled.

- Shelton, WA, USA

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problem #10

Mar 302011

Spectra 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
2007 Kia Spectra's engine dies after I fill it up with gas, but will be fine after I've used some gas. I don't top off my gas so that cannot be the problem. I find it very dangerous to drive my vehicle when it dies during rush hour traffic. I have taken it to a Kia dealership but they said they do not know what the problem is after they ran tests on it. My Spectra wasn't giving the Kia dealership mechanic any problems so after having my car for almost 1 week they gave it back to me and told me to take my car back in to them if it should happen again. Well it happened again, so I plan on taking it back in tomorrow morning asap!

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #9

Feb 012011

Spectra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2007 Kia Spectra. Consumer states vehicle stalls whenever the tank is full the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and they claimed the problem was caused by topping up, which the consumer claimed never happened. The consumer stated the vehicle stalled again while driving in rush hour traffic. The consumer took the vehicle back to the dealer, only to be told it was due to the same problem.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #8

May 142010

Spectra

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled after it was filled with gasoline. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the fuel tank cannister flooded and caused the failure. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was unvailable. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

- Bellevue, WA, USA

problem #7

Sep 172010

Spectra

  • miles
I drive a 2007 Kia Spectra ex, with 37,000 miles still under warranty. I believe it suffers from a manufacturer's defect in the fuel & exhaust system making it dangerous to drive. Every time I fill the gas tank completely, the car stalls. This stall usually occurs while idling and within 10 miles from my fueling. It can be extremely dangerous to stall in the middle of a 6 lane 50mph commuter road during rush hour and I feel very unsafe driving this vehicle as a result. I have nearly been rear ended and run over when this occurs. I have taken it to the Kia dealership 3 times for this problem, 2 of the times they said they could find nothing wrong and 1 time they changed a purge valve in the fuel system. The problem is still not resolved even though the car is under warranty.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #6

Aug 282010

Spectra

  • 86,800 miles
My 2007 Kia Spectra ex has something wrong with the overflow tank. When I take my car to the gas station I turn my car and pump the gas. If I fill the tank up (the pump automatically shutting off) my car will die while I am driving, parked, or idling. When I 'm driving my car down the road the car will suddenly die and lose power steering and then start again. There have been several times that my car has died while going around a corner and it has been very hard to maintain control of my car with the loss of power steering. I have taken my car to the shop approximately two times to have them fix this problem while under warranty and they could never duplicate the problem. However, when I took my car to the shop when it was no longer under warranty the service worker said that it was a defect with the charcoal tank.

- Ozark, MO, USA

problem #5

Nov 092009

Spectra

  • 9,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Gas line/tank/canister issues. My Spectra has been to the dealership approx. 11 times. I have had the gas canister replaced 4 times and on my last visit they replaced the entire tank. The car will stall out while driving or idling. When it stalls you lose the ability to steer or brake, because they lose power. I have stalled mid-intersection, on the expressway, at stop signs/stop lights, no reason when it happens, it just starts shaking, sometimes violently and then stalls. Kia dealership says we are overfilling and that they recommend not using citgo gas. We do neither. They have said that the canister valve does not stop overfilling, which allows that gas to contaminate other areas of the vehicle, which causes the stall. I have filed a complaint with Kia headquarters and spoke with tom moralles, the Consumer Affairs mgr. I asked how many times does the car need to be repaired before they deem it unsafe and unable to be fixed. He says they never do, they will keep repairing and that he does not have a crystal ball to tell me that they can fix it once and for all. He told me that if I am not happy I should contact the better business bureau. I drive with 2 small children and when the car stalls and I have other vehicles about to smash into us, it scares them and it scares me. What is to say with this gas leak/contamination that a common fender bender at one of these stall out times would not result in my car exploding should a spark ignite my gas leak" Kia knows that this happening and these vehicles should have been recalled. The fact that they don't want to help in any other way is unacceptable. These cars are a safety hazard not only to my family, but other families that I could crash into when I lose power and cannot brake. Is it going to take someone to die for anyone to pay attention to this. I found many cases the same as mine just by searching the web. When is enough, enough " now. Before someone is killed.

- Oak Park, IL, USA

problem #4

Apr 052008

Spectra

  • 10,000 miles
Problems with the fuel tank and purge canister system. The normal operation of fueling the vehicle can cause the purge system to become filled with fuel. This causes the vehicle to stall at the most dangerous times on the road; stop lights, slower moving in traffic, it has also semi stalled while on the freeway or roadway. The vehicle has been to the dealer for repairs two times; however, the first time it was in and out for about a month, it would stall driving it out of the dealer!! it is now in for the second time, with no end in sight. The purge valve and canister have been replaced. These actions however will not correct the underlying problem, which is a defect in the design of the fuel evaporation recovery system. I fully expect the problem to reoccur. I do not feel safe or secure in this vehicle and I do not trust it. Something needs to be done.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #3

Oct 172008

Spectra

  • miles
On May 26, 2008, I purchased a 2007 Kia Spectra at carmax, which is located at 11335 atlantic boulevard, jacksonville, Florida 32225. Several months later I discovered that the vehicle was not of satisfactory quality, because while driving the vehicle would shut off without advance notice. The vehicle would shut off at the stop light, driving on the highway during rush hour, pulling into my driveway, or after making turns. These occurrences have placed my life, my family members; as well as, the general public in danger on numerous occasions. I am driving an unsafe vehicle that is clearly un-roadworthy. The vehicle was serviced on seven different occasions by 'specialized Kia technicians' to no avail. Work was performed by technicians from camden (Georgia), brunswick (Georgia), and jacksonville (Florida) Kia dealerships they have yet to identify or successfully repair the vehicle. I am dissatisfied with the service I have received thus far. I have already attempted to resolve this problem by contacting representatives from the corporate office via telephone, contacting thomas J. folliard, CEO of carmax, via mail, contacting Kia customer service in addition to contacting Kia corporate office via telephone. I have exhausted all administrative avenues. I have enclosed copies of my records, receipts, in addition to pertinent history and contact information for your review. Unfortunately, the problems remain unresolved. As I am sure you can relate; I rely on my vehicle for Transport. Each attempt made to repair the vehicle has caused a significant inconvenience.

- Saint Marys, GA, USA

problem #2

Feb 252009

Spectra

  • 40,000 miles
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

- Chilhowie, VA, USA

problem #1

Dec 312008

Spectra

  • 10,000 miles
Problems with the fuel tank and purge canister system. The normal operation of fueling the vehicle can cause the purge system to become filled with fuel. This created a dangerous situation by allowing fuel to be expelled or leak out of the tank or what the dealer called overflow onto the floor in my garage. We have followed the dealers instructions regarding topping off after the initial shutoff of the gas pump to the extent of not filling the tank to capacity yet this has not made any difference. Not only does it present a safety issue with fuel leaking in an enclosed area but it also causes the vehicle to stall at the most dangerous times on the road. The vehicle has been to the dealer for repairs three times. The purge valve and canister have been replaced. These actions however will not correct the underlying problem, which is a defect in the design of the fuel evaporation recovery system. I fully expect the problem to reoccur. After researching the issue on the internet I have discovered many complaints regarding this problem. It seems to be present in other Kia models as well.

- Oakland, TN, USA

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