2007 Kia Spectra: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 152 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (32% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 152 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Passenger Air bag sensor light has come on and stayed on. Took to AutoZone and have them put it on the code reader and said it was something faulty in the sensor mat under the seat.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2022
“I was drive my 2007 Kia Spectra EX in Bakersfield, CA. All of a sudden I parked my car at the gas station, I filled the car up, and I tried putting the transmission into drive but the car would not go forward. I went and searched why the car would not go forward, and I found out other Kia Spectra owners had the same problem. Is there any way to make Kia recall those cars and replace or repair the transmissions under a national recall.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2022
“The 2007 kia spectra was in motion on the highway and was in an accident with major impact. The airbag did not deploy. The kia hit another car and had major damages.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“When stopped (for example at a stop sign), with the car in drive and the engine running, the engine will sometimes go from "idle" to a higher speed (it accelerates). My foot was not on the brake and gas pedals at the same time and this is not an issue with the floor mat. (I know because I looked.)”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2018
“Backing out of a parking spot at apartment complex and passenger side air bag went off and shattered the front windshield”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2017
“The door locks have gone haywire. They click on and off automatically whether you are driving or if the engine has been turned off. Had to break the lock on the driver's side in order to exit the car. Passenger side will not open as well even via using a key in the door lock. This is an extreme safety hazard! Contacted kia a month ago, they never got back to me. I have seen on the internet where other kia owners have the same problem.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 kia spectra. The contact stated that the passenger seat pressure sensor for the air bag remained illuminated, even when the passenger seat was unoccupied. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 125,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 kia spectra. While driving approximately 50 mph, there was an abnormal scraping noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and observed that the fuel tank detached from the vehicle and was dragging. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank straps failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2016
“2007 kia spectra. Consumer writes in regards to replacement/repairs of damaged vehicle seat belts. *smd the consumer stated she had t pay $500 to get the rear seat belt replaced. *jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2016
“Owner of the 2007 kia spectra brought the car to me to have to looked at due to the airbag light being on. Upon scanning the computer in the car the srs system coded b1448 which is the passenger side ocs mat sensor failing. This part should be under a recall due to safety issues for the passenger riding in the car”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 22 of these complaints and injuries in 20 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 SPECTRA LD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 7, 2003, THROUGH MARCH 6, 2007, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH HOLD THE TANK MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT. AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY SEPARATE ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND AND POSSIBLY DISRUPT THE INTEGRITY OF THE TANK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND ATTACHING HARDWARE WITH NEW ZINC COATED PARTS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2007 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Spectra by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2007 Kia Spectra reliable?
NHTSA has 152 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2007 Kia Spectra. The most complained-about area is air bags (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2007 Kia Spectra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,000 miles or less.
Does the 2007 Kia Spectra have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:mounting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.