2007 Kia Spectra: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2007 Kia Spectra
On the 2007 Kia Spectra, the failure owners report most often is fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure, and the reports cluster around 45,000 miles. The earliest to appear is other body or interior problem, reported by a median of 30,000 miles. Overall it scores 69 out of 100, high risk for a 2007.
High risk for a 2007 — 161st riskiest of the 365 2007 vehicles we can rate. 206 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
The failures owners actually file about
Owners have reported 37 named failure modes on the 2007 Kia Spectra, and the three most-reported carry 27% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure leads with 25 reports, about 1.7 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 33k to 80,000 miles.
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault follows with 17 reports, usually reported between 57k to 110,000 miles.
Other body or interior problem follows with 14 reports, usually reported between 13k to 60,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into fuel (40), airbag (35) and electrical (21).
The mileage the reports cluster at
156 of the reports on the 2007 Kia Spectra came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 66,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 35% by 50,000 miles, 76% by 100,000 miles and 97% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 60,000 and 70,000 miles, which alone holds 13% of the dated reports.
28% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.
In the order they tend to show up: other body or interior problem around 32k, fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure around 46k, other fuel system problem around 57k and other speed control problem around 59k.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 37. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
How bad it is when it goes
Across the named modes, 30 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 15 an injury and 2 a fatality. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 5.15, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure at $250–$1,800, airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault at $300–$1,600, other body or interior problem at $200–$2,000 and other fuel system problem at $300–$2,200. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
11% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 25 | 18 | 33k | 46k | 78k | 1.7 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 17 | 13 | 57k | 84k | 111k | 1.2 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 14 | 12 | 13k | 32k | 62k | 1.0 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 13 | 8 | 33k | 57k | 74k | 0.9 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 10 | 4 | — | 135k | — | 0.7 | $200–$900 | High |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 8 | 7 | — | 112k | — | 0.5 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 8 | 6 | — | 55k | — | 0.5 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 8 | 8 | 24k | 59k | 69k | 0.5 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 6 | 6 | — | 75k | — | 0.4 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 6 | 6 | — | 58k | — | 0.4 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 5 | 5 | — | 98k | — | 0.3 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Wheel bearing or hub failure | drivetrain | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.3 | $350–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Other engine problem | engine | 4 | 2 | — | 33k | — | 0.3 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Shifter, linkage or stuck-in-park failure | transmission | 3 | 3 | — | 69k | — | 0.2 | $250–$1,400 | High |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 3 | 3 | — | 134k | — | 0.2 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 3 | 1 | — | 20k | — | 0.2 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 3 | 3 | — | 15k | — | 0.2 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 3 | 1 | — | 59k | — | 0.2 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 3 | 2 | — | 63k | — | 0.2 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 3 | 2 | — | 36k | — | 0.2 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 2 | 2 | — | 47k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Loss of power steering | steering | 2 | 2 | — | 57k | — | 0.1 | $600–$2,800 | Critical |
| Door latch or handle failure | body | 2 | 2 | — | 76k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,200 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 2 | 2 | — | 39k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 2 | 2 | — | 4k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 2 | 2 | — | 63k | — | 0.1 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Overheating | cooling | 1 | 1 | — | 130k | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 64k | — | 0.1 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Fuel leak or fuel odor | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 9k | — | 0.1 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Starter failure | electrical | 1 | 1 | — | 120k | — | 0.1 | $350–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 1 | 1 | — | 85k | — | 0.1 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Blower motor or climate control failure | hvac | 1 | 1 | — | 69k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 1 | 1 | — | 79k | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Windshield cracking | glass | 1 | 1 | — | 32k | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 1 | 1 | — | 92k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Unclassified problem | other | 32 | 25 | 69k | 99k | 130k | 2.2 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2007 Kia Spectra draws about 14 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 89th percentile of complaint rates among 2007 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 14,580 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2007 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure
Problems with the fuel tank and purge canister system. The normal operation of fueling the vehicle can cause the purge system to become filled with fuel. This created a dangerous situation by allowing fuel to be expelled or leak out of the tank or what the dealer called overflow onto the floor in my garage. We have followed the dealers instructions regarding topping off after the initial shutoff of the gas pump to the extent of not filling the tank to capacity yet this has not made any difference. Not only does it present a safety issue with fuel leaking in an enclosed area but it also causes the vehicle to stall at the most dangerous times on the road. The vehicle has been to the dealer for repairs three times. The purge valve and canister have been replaced. These actions however will not correct the underlying problem , which is a defect in the design of the fuel evaporation recovery system. I fully expect the problem to reoccur. After researching the issue on the internet I have discovered many complaints regarding this problem. It seems to be present in other kia models as well. *tr
Problems with the fuel tank and purge canister system. The normal operation of fueling the vehicle can cause the purge system to become filled with fuel. This causes the vehicle to stall at the most dangerous times on the road; stop lights, slower moving in traffic, it has also semi stalled while on the freeway or roadway. The vehicle has been to the dealer for repairs two times; however, the first time it was in and out for about a month, it would stall driving it out of the dealer!! It is now in for the second time, with no end in sight. The purge valve and canister have been replaced. These actions however will not correct the underlying problem , which is a defect in the design of the fuel evaporation recovery system. I fully expect the problem to reoccur. I do not feel safe or secure in this vehicle and I do not trust it. Something needs to be done. *tr
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault
The passenger airbag light goes on intermittently. The dealer has attempted to fix the problem 5 times so far. They claim they are unable to duplicate the problem and there are no codes stored in the computer. Therefore, the vehicle is fine. The vehicle is not safe for my wife to be a passenger. They have offered to look at it again after we had the district attorney's office get involved, but we are 45 miles away from the dealer. The last time they looked at it they said it was fine. We still have an unsafe vehicle. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 kia spectra 5. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag sensor warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. Updated 07/10/12*lj when the consumer contacted the dealer about the air bag light illuminating when the seat was occupied, the dealer advised her to sit more centered in the seat. Updated 07/11/12
Other body or interior problem
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 kia spectra. The contact exited the vehicle and shut the door with the keys still in the ignition. After a few seconds, all of the doors locked automatically with her 11 month old child still in the vehicle. The contact's father used a slim jim to open the door. She called the manufacturer, but was unable to speak with a representative. The failure and current mileages were 12,769. Updated 09/13/08. *lj the consumer stated the engine was still running. Updated 09/16/08.*jb
While filling up with gas, I heard a distinct click and upon looking saw that all of the car doors had locked. My keys were still in the ignition. I called the road service that is associated with the car and they had it open almost immediately for me. The doors have locked independently a few more times since then while I have been driving down the road. Approximate mileage: 17,000. *tr
Recalls on the 2007 model year
NHTSA has issued 1 recall campaign covering the 2007 Kia Spectra, affecting an estimated 14,580 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:mounting. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
58,322 vehicles 2011-04-25- Defect
- 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…
- Consequence
- The fuel tank can fall from the vehicle and strike the ground which could cause a fuel leak. Leaking fuel can create a fire hazard.
- 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.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2007 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
How 2007 compares with the other years
High risk for a 2007 — 161st riskiest of the 365 2007 vehicles we can rate. Because the ranking is against the same model year only, age cancels out of it.
Across the 10 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2009 comes out best at 68 and 2004 worst at 73, with 2007 itself at 69.
No other year of this model scores meaningfully better than 2007, so if this generation is what you want, the year is not the lever.
Within the 2004–2009 generation specifically, 2009 is the strongest year at 68 and 2004 the weakest at 73.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2004-2009 generation, 2009 Kia Spectra scores best at 68 and 2004 Kia Spectra worst at 73.
What the numbers say to check
The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other body or interior problem from about 13k, other speed control problem from about 24k, other fuel system problem from about 33k and fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure from about 33k.
On a 2007 Kia Spectra with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other body or interior problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.
Treat it as where to point the inspection, not as a prediction. A well-maintained example can sail past every mileage on this page, and a neglected one can fail well before the first of them.
What this page cannot tell you
206 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 206 reports, 156 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 76% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2007 Kia Spectra?
The most-reported failures are fuel tank, filler or evap failure (25 reports, median 45,000 miles), airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault (17 reports, median 85,000 miles) and other body or interior problem (14 reports, median 30,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
At what mileage do 2007 Kia Spectra problems start?
Other body or interior problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 30,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 15,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 66,000 miles.
Is the 2007 Kia Spectra reliable?
It scores 69 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 161st riskiest of the 365 2007 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2007 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Kia Spectra is best?
Within the 2004–2009 generation, 2009 scores best at 68 out of 100 and 2004 worst at 73. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed