2008 Kia Spectra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Kia Spectra ranks 2nd worst of 5 model years with a complaint index of 75 and 121 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Airbags account for half of all complaints, with 61 reports and 17 crashes.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #2 of 5 Spectra years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 121
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 20
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 21
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 23.5 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 1
Top 2008 Kia Spectra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags61 (50%)
- Engine22 (18%)
- Electrical System19 (16%)
- Other11 (9%)
- Structure & Body9 (7%)
- Seat Belts8 (7%)
- Brakes7 (6%)
- Fuel System5 (4%)
- Steering5 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Side and front airbags failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including one at 49 mph that hit two trees and a pole.
- The passenger airbag warning light stayed illuminated even after dealers tested the seat sensor with weighted mannequins.
- Electrical wiring produced smoke and, in at least one case, an engine-bay fire that spread and engulfed the vehicle.
- Brakes reportedly failed to stop the car when the pedal was applied, leading to a collision with a building.
- Automatic parking lights turned on by themselves minutes after the driver removed the keys and left the vehicle.
- A rattling noise was traced to the airbag housing near the dashboard and driver-side pillar.
2008 Kia Spectra recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2008 Kia Spectra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23.5 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Spectra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Kia Spectra reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints, the 2008 Spectra ranks 2nd worst out of 5 model years with a complaint index of 75, earning an Avoid verdict. Airbags are the top problem area, making up 50% of complaints.
- What is the main problem with the 2008 Kia Spectra?
- Airbags are the top issue, with 61 complaints (50% share) and 17 crashes linked to non-deployment, at a median mileage of 63,500 miles.
- Does the 2008 Kia Spectra have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2008 Spectra in this data, though owners reported problems that overlap with issues addressed by recalls on other Spectra model years.
- How does the 2008 Spectra compare to other years?
- The 2008 model (complaint index 75, Avoid) ranks worse than 2005 and 2006 (both Good) and 2007 (Caution), but slightly better than 2009, which has the highest complaint index at 100.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Kia Spectra?
- The EPA rates the 2008 Spectra at 26.5 mpg combined (23.5 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,450.