Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The car was in motion on a city street. When the brakes were applied, the car did not stop but continued accelerating. At this time you could hear the engine making a revving sound. Had to press extremely hard on the brake pedal and then put the car in park in order to get it to a stop. There was a burning smell. We were almost in the middle of a busy intersection when the car finally stopped. This has occurred in the past also. When we take it to the dealer, they hook it to a computer and each time they tell us that no codes come up and they do not see a problem. We are fearful to put ourselves in this car.
I had my cruise control on while I was driving 70 MPH on interstate 64 west. I pressed my brakes to turn off the cruise control, and it didn't work. I tried again, and I still couldn't get the cruise control to stop. I had to slam on the brakes very hard and then put the car in park and I finally stopped.
After starting car, for first 15-20 mins, all normal. After speedometer go erratic (showing slower than actual speed - or - higher than actual speed) and soon after it just stops working. No check engine light. Dangerous to drive without knowing actual speed. Have to use mobile phone app like Waze or something which shows apx speed. Upon internet search, I found there are many Kia spectra Ex (from 05-09 models) reported similar issues. This situation is dangerous as driver may be following speedometer on highway and ending up driving slower than actual speed. NHTSA should issue a recall. Kia - as usual - never acknowledged issue to save money. Dealership recommending me buy a new car rather than fixing the issue or at least attempting to fix it. When declined for trade-in (or buy a new car) they demanded upfront diagnostic charges without telling me what is actual issue.
Intermittingly, after starting the vehicle, engine begins revving. Intermittingly, while slowing & stopping at a traffic light, engine begins revving and attempts to lurch forward. I have to press the break very hard to keep vehicle from moving forward. Fred anderson Kia, raleigh, nc investigated this problem on 7/10/15 but was unable to recreate the problem. They re-cleaned the throttle body. The issue has continued on and off since then. On 8/20/15, after approximately 45 minutes of highway driving, I pulled into the parking lot at work. I put the car into reverse to back into a parking spot & the engine started revving dramatically & the car jerked noticeably as it went into gear. I backed into the spot & put the car in park, again jerking. I let the car idle for a few minutes & moved it in & out of gear. …
Tl contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra. While driving 15 MPH, the contact attempted to stop the vehicle and heard a revving noise coming from the gear shifter. Shortly after, the vehicle accelerated across the street. She attempted to steer the vehicle to avoid driving into a ditch. The rear passenger side wheel struck the guardrail, but the vehicle still did not stop. The vehicle continued to drive through bushes and up a hill. The speed finally began to decrease and the vehicle came to a stop. There were no serious injuries, only headaches and bruising. The vehicle was towed to a garage by the police, but was later taken to a repair shop. A police report was filed. The mechanic stated that the computer in the vehicle was too unsophisticated; therefore, a diagnostic test could not be performed. Through research, the contact discovered numerous complaints for the same type of defect. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited an abnormally loud revving noise. While driving 5 MPH and attempting to park with the brakes applied, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a post. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was able to be driven from the scene. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and the current mileages were approximately 30,000. The VIN was unavailable.
I was approaching germantown avenue from mt. Airy avenue with the expectation of making a right hand turn on to germantown avenue when the car accelerated without warning. I gripped the wheel and tried to recover control of the car and was successful within inches of a vehicle turning onto mt. Airy avenue. The accelerator took control of my car (and me).I recovered control of my car. Later in the day while driving the same event happened with the exception of the fact that I was not in a "turn mode"
Dt*: the contact stated while stopped in a parking lot with brake pressure applied, the vehicle was put in reverse, and lurched backwards, crashing into a tree stump without warning. There were no injuries, and the contact was wearing a seat belt. The vehicle sustained minor damage to the rear. The police were alerted, and a report was taken. The vehicle was towed to a body shop to await inspection by the insurance adjustor. The manufacturer was not alerted.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Spectra years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (15), 2005 (12), 2007 (12), 2004 (9) and 2002 (7) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Kia Spectra acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any Kia Spectra model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Kia Spectra acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cruise control (6 mentions), followed by the accelerator pedal (4).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.