2008 Kia Spectra vs 2009 Kia Spectra
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2008 Kia Spectra | 2009 Kia Spectra |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 120 | 114 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 30 | 28 |
| Investigations | 1 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 20 | 16 |
| Fire reports | 3 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–27 | 26–27 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 75,764 mi | 74,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Kia Spectra | Kia Spectra |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 61 | 76 |
| Electrical System | 14 | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 15 | 6 |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 9 |
| Engine | 10 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 11 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 4 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Airbag warning light | 30 | 48 |
| Stalling | 8 | 7 |
2008 Kia Spectra
2009 Kia Spectra
Compare all Kia Spectra vs Kia Spectra years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.