2008 Kia Spectra: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 162 complaints
162
Total Complaints
85,000mi
Median Mileage
AIR BAGS
Top Issue
27
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

39,531 25th Percentile
85,000 Median Mileage
110,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

AIR BAGS
54
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
14
ENGINE
10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
10
SEAT BELTS
8
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
6
STEERING
5
SERVICE BRAKES
5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
4

Severity Assessment

27
Crashes
3
Fires
28
Injuries
1
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"ALL FOUR(4) SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AUTO INCIDENT INVOLVING 2008 MODEL KIA SPECTRA. *TR"
"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DOES NOT DIM WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE SENDING A RE-CALIPER SWITCH TO REPAIR THE AIR BAG INDICATOR. TWO WEEKS LATER, NO ONE HAS CALLED THE CONTA..."
"PARKING LIGHTS SOMETIMES TURN ON SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER REMOVING KEYS AND EXITING CAR, THIS CAR HAS AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS, THE SWITCH CAN BE TURNED OFF IF DESIRED, UNLIKE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS THAT ARE ON ALL THE TIME. WE HAVE 2 IDENTICAL CARS AND BOTH HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. DEALER CHECKED CAR OUT AND ..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28