2004 Kia Spectra GSX from North America

Summary:

This car is possessed

Faults:

This car is possessed.

The car first acted like it had a timing belt problem (inter-mitten problem). I took it in because it seemed that the automatic shifting wasn't happening at the right times. They told me, nothing is wrong that they can see.

A few days later it does it again, I bring it back to the shop because this time it didn't shift out of the gear at all. I was on the highway and couldn't go over 30mph, I was redlining the engine. I was told they saw nothing wrong with the car. I explained this wasn't the first time, they reiterate that they see nothing wrong with the car.

I drive off, of course it is working fine.

Few weeks later, it does the same thing and it gets stuck in gear again. I take it immediately to the shop. They look at it and believe it to be low on transmission fluid, but see no leaks. They tell me to watch my fluid levels. I leave very disgusted with this treatment.

Few weeks later, happens again. Pulled over looked at fluid level of transmission fluid. It is level on the line. Fluids are fine. Tired of being told I am crazy so I give up. I now turn the car off and back on.

I get no engine light, no warning when this will happen.

General Comments:

This vehicle has strange problems that I am sure could be fixed and this car could be really wonderful. It is a great car when it runs properly.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th December, 2005

21st Feb 2007, 12:25

That is really too bad that the dealer cannot catch the problem. I was thinking to my self "have a Priest bless the vehicle!". lol, no offense, but I just find that odd on whats going on. Hopefully not like the movie "Excoristism of Emily rose".

24th Apr 2007, 01:01

Sounds like the problems I had with my car. Kia never bothered to look into the matter so I had to go to an independent repair shop. They wanted to rebuild, but I convinced them not to do so. Kia wouldn't agree on an outside repair shop doing the job. They said that they had to rebuild this transmission. But at the same time they did not acknowledge there was any problem with the car. No kidding! Talk about stuck in the middle!

Anyhow this independent shop found the error within an hour and they said it was a common failure on many types of transmissions. It was a sticking/defect solenoid. New transmissions are electronically operated and shifts are made when the management electronics send a shift signal to the solenoid.

Btw, I'll never bother buying a new Kia again. The cars are a heap of crap and the dealers are a bunch of gangsters.

2004 Kia Spectra LS 1.8 Gas from North America

Summary:

Not worth the price especially on resale

Faults:

Check engine light comes on intermittently. Have had the dealer "fix" it three times. Each time I have been told it was a different problem. Just had it fixed about 1 month ago; told the problem was the transmission modulator. Check engine light came on again last night (12/12/05).

Car use to occasionally refuse to shift out of 2nd gear; but that seems to have "fixed" itself.

General Comments:

Generally rides OK; wouldn't want to take it on a long trip (300-500 miles)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th December, 2005

2004 Kia Spectra EX 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Very good buy for the money

Faults:

Had a minor problem with speedometer, but its OK now.

General Comments:

Runs very well so far. I will probably have this for quite a long time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 22nd November, 2005

2004 Kia Spectra EX 2.0 from North America

Summary:

The car is wonderful, Kias' service curse continues though

Faults:

When I test drove the car nothing was amiss, but a week later when I went for delivery the front headlight had been gouged deeply. Also there was a blue mark approx. 3 in. long across the sunglasses holder. When I went to tell the salesperson about this I came across some exterior damage to the passenger side doors, it looked as though someone had opened another cars door and nicked off paint and left gouges. Then when I did say something it was quickly blamed on someone else. I did not even get to take the car home until three days later because the dealership couldn't access the registry computer and give me a registration. I was promised that they would right all wrongs. When I got my car all, but the headlight had been fixed, that required phone calls to the dealership for a week. And when I did get an appointment someone had ordered the wrong headlight.

General Comments:

The car runs great. The price was right and all, but the salesperson treated my request and concerns with respect. Although the headlight wasn't ordered correctly, the service dept. manager took time to locate and install the correct one within the hour.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 17th November, 2004