Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
When I applied the brake, the car sped up and lurched forward hitting the vehicle ahead of me which was stopped at a traffic light; I had a mechanic inspect it, he said it was the brake calipers and replaced the calipers, and rotors, and the problem has continued to occur..have had it back to the mechanic 3 times and he says he cannot reproduce the problem
I purchased the vehicle in 2011. Since then once in awhile when I stop my car at a light or a stop sign, the car moves forward even after I step on the brake. I then have to quickly put the brake on and turn the car off or else I'm a hit someone was in front of me. I have taken it to the dealer and I'm told that I have to bring it there when it's happening. This is happened a few times since 2011. It always happened when I would step on the brake at a stop light or a stop sign when my car should be motionless however it would keep going even though I stepped on the brake. I have not kept track of when this has happened. Below I had to put a date that it happened. I do not know the dates that this is happened since I purchased the car it is probably happened at least 10 times since I purchased the car in 2011. I did not keep track of the dates
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Kia Spectra. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact applied the brakes while approaching a red light. The engine shut down, and the steering and brakes failed. The vehicle crossed the intersection and crashed into the rear driver side of another vehicle. The brake and steering lights indicators remained illuminated. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The air bags failed to deploy. Two injuries were sustained, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
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. …
I was approx. 6 car lengths from car in front of me, when I hit the brakes to slow down, nothing happened. I continued to hit the brakes , forcing them to the floor and still nothing. First instinct was to veer to the right to avoid hitting the car but my steering had a mind of its own, it would not let me turn or stop. My steering wheel air bag did deploy causing damage to my wrist and arm. But the scary feeling of trying to stop with no response was scary. Roads were a little wet but even then with the ABS I should not have been able to put the brake pedal to the floor with no response. I am getting the repair facility to check the brakes.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that the rpms revved violently. When depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle jerked without warning. In addition, while driving at any speed, the vehicle surged forward continuously. The failures recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Spectra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V256000 (Fuel System, Other). The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The check engine and brake warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the recall and failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 116,000.
On the afternoon of the 25th day of May in the year 2006, my wife and myself were driving down I-5 sb to mamc for her hospital appt. We were then involved in a multi-car accident off next to the off ramp of exit 123. We tried to slow down in time before noticing the just wrecked vehicle in front of us and my ABS in my 2006 Kia Spectra sx did not engage, my tires then locked up and I skidded and slid into the stopped vehicle. We hit them doing approx. 35-45 MPH and smashed in the front of our car. At that time my airbags (both driver and passenger) did not deploy. There has been no corrective action from the time of the accident.
NHTSA investigations
Rear drum brake wheel cylinder leakage
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of rear drum brake wheel cylinder leakage in 2002 Kia spectra vehicles.this investigation was prompted by Kia?s early warning report to the agency for the first quarter of 2004, which contained a single field report that identified 13 incidents of wheel cylinder leakage in the subject vehicles.the subject vehicles…
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Spectra years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (18), 2002 (15), 2005 (10), 2006 (10) and 2007 (10) model years. Brake complaints make up 20% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Kia Spectra brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 40% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (7 mentions), followed by the foundation components (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.