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EnginePart report

2007 Kia Spectra Engine Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
5%of 152 total for the year
Median mileage
104,982miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine of the 2007 Kia Spectra, 5% of the 152 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,982 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“On my way to work I took the same route that I always take. I was going about 25mph and all of a sudden all of the lights came on ( check oil, battery, emergency brake, tire pressure, airbag, and check engine) the steering wheel completely locked up causing my car to swerve right into a community mail box. My windshield is broken, the front passenger side is off and the two passenger side tires are both flat. When I got my car in march of this year three days after I got it it had started doing this I took it back and it was in the shop for more than 3 months. …”

NHTSA complaint #10650399, filed 2014-10, 97,963 miles

“I purchased my 2007 Spectra5 used with 155,000 miles on it. The engine had no codes or any stored codes. It ran fine until I filled it up with gas. I DO NOT overfill the tank because I understand EVAP issues. After filling up the vehicle would stall at idle and occasionally lose power (momentarily) at highway speeds (55 mph and up). Obviously this is an extremely dangerous situation! Once the gas level got below 1/2 tank the issues went away…but now I ONLY fill the tank to halfway and the problems arise again every so often. …”

NHTSA complaint #11521552, filed 2023-05

“Engine 💡 came on imidiately after pulling out of dealership. So I ca ed them and they stated it wasnt anything to worry about. Several customers were calling in about the same issue. They said it was just the change in weather and the gas cap. They reset engine 💡 several times. No sooner than I would pull off the lot, it would come back on. Then I ask them for an auto check history report showing odometer desciipancies. Roll back calculations. The radiator is cracked, the emergency brake doesn't work, and the brakes and stuff are bad.”

NHTSA complaint #11040492, filed 2017-10

“As I was driving my 2007 Kia Spectra out of nowhere all my emergency lights came on and my car locked up and turned off while I was exiting the freeway. The steering wheel locked up and I could not turn it to get my car off the road. I then had to put my car in park turn the ignition off then restart it. This has happened more than 3 different times. Also as I am driving, my car starts to slow down like it starves for gas and I have to step on the gas and push the pedal down all the way before it will eventually pick up and go.”

NHTSA complaint #10692572, filed 2015-03

“I didn't know about this website until I realize that my 2007 Kia Spectra ex was not on the list of recall for brake light problem. So I started search for reporting it. I know my affect part is engine, but my husband & I car is falling apart. We don't have the money to have it fix. The engine is the last problem we have had so far.it stall if you go too fast around 55. It stall all the time. My husband stop at a red light it cut off. I believe the company should pay for the problems. They had no problem asking for a large amount of money from us. Both of the problems I stated are dangerous. …”

NHTSA complaint #10507214, filed 2013-04

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200954%
2008108%
200775%
200655%
200544%

Other parts of the 2007 Kia Spectra

Air bags
56 complaints
Fuel system
34 complaints
Electrical system
16 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
12 complaints
Vehicle speed control
12 complaints
Brakes
10 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
8 complaints
Engine cooling
7 complaints
Body and structure
6 complaints
Equipment
5 complaints
Seat belts
5 complaints
Exterior lighting
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2007 Kia Spectra

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology