MYRModel Year Report

2008 Kia SPECTRA5

○ Not enough data
2008 Kia SPECTRA5
RENDERED 2026-08-02T14:12:08.417Z

Only 16 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 16 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Kia SPECTRA5 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 2006: 18 complaints 2006 2007: 10 complaints 2007 2008: 16 complaints 2008
2008: 16 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
200618
200710
200816

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 16 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

AIR BAGS

11 of 16 total reports mention: air bags.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20170625

DRIVING ALONE ON HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH AFTER DARK. HIT A COW CAUSING APPROXIMATELY $7,000 DAMAGE TO KIA SPECTRA5 VEHICLE FRONT END BODY, BUMPER, ETC. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130930

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171212

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 of 16 total reports mention: vehicle speed control.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181220

SEATS

2 of 16 total reports mention: seats.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 of 16 total reports mention: fuel/propulsion system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 of 16 total reports mention: electrical system.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171212

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Kia SPECTRA5 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seats issues (2 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2008 Kia SPECTRA5 reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia SPECTRA5?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 69% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Kia SPECTRA5 have?

No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.