Faults:

Alternator.

A/C compressor.

Interior dash.

General Comments:

Alternator has been replaced three times in the last two years. With heavy downpours, somehow the alternator gets shorted out because the alternator is under the car.

Dashboard came unglued; never saw that in any car ever. When I went to the dealership to ask about a replacement, they said I would need a new dash, which is $650, plus another $500 in labor.

Faults:

Front end shake.

Plastic parts broke off.

Check engine light came on and off at will.

Hard shifting, and the tranny slipped.

General Comments:

It was a comfortable ride at first, but in a matter of months, the front end needed alignment. It looked very nice and had good turtle space.

I am an over the road truck driver, so I traded my 1994 Rodeo so my wife would have a new car to drive while I was away. I should have kept the Rodeo, even though it had over 100,000k. The KIA was in the shop all the time.

Also, since I had the oil changed at Walmart, I voided the warranty. I will never buy another KIA as long as I live.

Faults:

Well every year the front lights go on year. It will be the left light, then the next year the right, and every year you'll get a hole in your muffler, so either get after market or buy a new one every year.

General Comments:

I wouldn't buy one again.

Faults:

Dealer replaced Chassis Acceleration Sensor (free) at 17,500 miles.

General Comments:

I get about 35 miles to a gallon, because I keep it maintained (myself).

I've had to take it to the dealer once for a sensor, which was covered by the warranty, and didn't cost me a cent.

Had an independent mechanic replace the timing belt (preventative maintenance) at about 65,000 miles for around $300...second time it's been in the shop.

Replaced the factory tires at 58,000 miles.

I've owned it for +3 years, with about 75,000 miles, and I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

Faults:

I have no idea. just took the car for a test drive cause pushy dealer insisted. car is on sale at "huge inventory blowout" for just $9999. silver 5door hatch, 1.8 L auto, all the bells and whistles, but oddly enough no power locks??? is that weird or what???

General Comments:

Drove nice enough. underpowered mind you. seemed a little hard on gas for a four banger driven 20 km or so could see the needle had moved...hum...

I say don't bother. spend the money on a corolla, civic, mazda, focus, even a sx2.0. whats that saying..."you get what you pay for"

Faults:

The trunk latch had to be adjusted prior to taking delivery from the dealership.

The weatherstripping around the rear window (on the hatchback) has shrunk over the last 40,000 miles, and started to come off. It did NOT leak on the inside, and was covered under warranty.

General Comments:

Overall this has been a GREAT car. The only complaints that I can really make is about the road noise, and I would like either a little more pep out of the engine or slightly better fuel economy.

Although it is slow off the line, you can easily catch yourself speeding.

All else has been phenomenal. It's reliable, affordable, and quite fun to drive.

This Spectra was our primary road trip vehicle for a couple of years, and I cannot say enough good things about the vehicle's performance.

Most people that I talk to who mention engineering problems all have automatic transmissions. I have a 5-speed, and it has been trouble free outside of what is mentioned above.

I think the bad reputation is based off of Kia's first attempt to enter the U.S. market with the ill-fated Ford Aspire. (I still get cold sweats thinking about that one...)

Kia has made some amazing strides in their product and performance. Doubters should at least test drive one before they criticize.