1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
85,333 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.

2009 Kia Spectra engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Kia Spectra Owner Comments

problem #6

Oct 192017

Spectra

  • 112,000 miles

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

I had my cruise control on while I was driving 70 mph on interstate 64 West. I pressed my brakes to turn off the cruise control, and it didn't work. I tried again, and I still couldn't get the cruise control to stop. I had to slam on the brakes very hard and then put the car in park and I finally stopped.

- Waynesboro, VA, USA

problem #5

Jun 192016

Spectra

  • 86,000 miles
The car was in motion on a city street. When the brakes were applied, the car did not stop but continued accelerating. At this time you could hear the engine making a revving sound. Had to press extremely hard on the brake pedal and then put the car in park in order to get it to a stop. There was a burning smell. We were almost in the middle of a busy intersection when the car finally stopped. This has occurred in the past also. When we take it to the dealer, they hook it to a computer and each time they tell us that no codes come up and they do not see a problem. We are fearful to put ourselves in this car.

- Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA

problem #4

Aug 182014

Spectra

  • 129,000 miles
This has happened on more than one occasion. While traveling on the interstate at 70 mph the vehicle begin increasing in speed. Brakes were tapped, no decrease in speed, brakes were applied, no decrease in speed, pushed to de-activate cruise, no result; I had to push the gear shift in neutral, motor was racing, turn off key, turn back on momentarily all while driving in traffic. The cruise then quit working for several weeks, began working again; traveling 60 mph and was unable to make a turn because cruise would not disengage. Very dangerous!!! at this point I do not use the cruise nor will use it until I can have it seen.

- Mcneill, MS, USA

problem #3

Jul 302014

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 85,000 miles

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

While driving the accelerator stuck, causing the car to start speeding, I applied the pedal brakes the engine continued racing, the car continued rolling it wound not stop. I managed to shut off the engine which then stopped the car.I restarted the car, started driving again the engine started racing and the car started speeding, I applied the emergency brake and the pedal brake at the same time finally the car slowed down enough to shut the engine off.

- Haltom City, TX, USA

problem #2

Nov 222013

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 69,000 miles
Cruise control was set at about 40mph. I braked while pulling up to a stop light and it wouldn't turn off. Rpms increased while my foot was on the brake. The car was trying to get back up to speed. I couldn't turn off the cruise control manually either. I put the car in neutral and then the cruise control finally shut itself off. Now cruise control doesn't work at all. I think the fuse burned out. This could have been an extremely dangerous situation.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #1

Oct 132011

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 31,000 miles
While stopped, vehicle lunges forward and accelerates, accompanied by an abnormal increase in engine rpms. While pulling into a parking space, the vehicle rpms raced while I had my foot on the brake. I was able to get the car in park, but the rpms continued to race even higher. I had to take the key out of the ignition to stop the rpms from racing. The failure mileage was 31,000.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

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