There are no safety recalls for the 2008 Kia Spectra5, but owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA.
2008 Kia Spectra5 problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Air Bags | 11 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | |
| Electrical System | 2 | |
| Seats | 2 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | |
| Structure | 1 | |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 1 | |
Most reported parts
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 80,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2008 Kia Spectra5 complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Vehicle Speed Control · reported Dec 20, 2018
There is absolutely no anti slip resistance on the pedals at all. There has been numerous of times, where my mother or my foot would slip off the brake onto the gas causing us to move forward towards the object in front of us. It finally got me and I hit the side of my highschool which damaged my hood and bumper. I would really have hated if one of my friends or anyone at all were in front of my car or if the air bags would have deployed. I got lucky this time but what about next time?
Service Brakes · at 115,000 miles · reported Oct 1, 2018
Sudden unintended acceleration (Sua): cruise control (Cc) set to ~85 MPH, sudden lurching red-line acceleration occurred, cc would not disengage. Had to fight my vehicle (Pull e-brake) to get safely to freeway shoulder then turn ignition off. Car continued to try to red line after ignition killed, shifting thru all gears, battery terminals disconnected or cc module disconnected. Verified brake lights worked fine after pulling over. 1st incident - behind an 18-wheeler, almost rear ended said 18-wheeler! After ~2hrs the car "resolved" itself & stopped trying to accelerate. 2nd incident - had to…
Air Bags · at 65,000 miles · reported Dec 12, 2017
Purchased a 2008 kia spectra 5 in 2009. For 3 years it was a good commuter car. Then weird things started happening out of the blue. First, the car wouldn't allow us access by use of the key fob. It would unlock then lock. The vehicle flip the door unlock lever back and forth like a ghost was moving. Second, the car would blow a front head lamp almost every 6 months like clock work when the vehicle was shifted into drive from park. Third, the front console controlling the fan, heat etc. Would just stop working only to start working a few hours or days later. Especially problematic in winter.…
Unknown or Other · at 99,000 miles · reported Jun 28, 2017
Interior door handles have sharp edges. The thin metal coating on the interior door handles is peeling off. The sharp edges caused a cut on my hand.
Air Bags · at 175,000 miles · reported Jun 25, 2017
I was in a car accident on june 19, 2017. A vehicle hit my kia at a speed of 30 - 40 MPH in the front driver's wheel base. None of the airbags deployed. I was making a left turn out of a shopping center, moving less than 10 MPH.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2008 Kia Spectra5 have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2008 Kia Spectra5 as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Kia Spectra5?
Owners report air bags problems most often (11 reports), followed by fuel/propulsion system (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 80,000 miles.
Are Kia recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.