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BrakesPart report

2008 Kia Spectra Brakes Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
5%of 121 total for the year
Median mileage
93,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Kia Spectra, 5% of the 121 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,500 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.

“I was driving normally going 45 MPH on a rural street using my cruise control. When I was coming up to the stop, I hit the brakes to slow down, and the engine immediately accelerated. I slammed on the brakes and the engine ran faster. I put the car in neutral (the engine rpms red-lined), and turned the key off and the vehicle slowed under normal braking. I started the vehicle back up, and tested the problem. The cruise control was not disengaging with the brake pedal. When I got home, I checked the brake lights, and they were not working. …”

NHTSA complaint #10684236, filed 2015-02, 160,920 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10750044, filed 2015-08, 97,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. The contact stated the vehicle failed to stop after the brake pedal was applied and instead the vehicle suddendly accelerated crashing into a building. The air bags failed to deploy and the air bag light illuminated on the instrument panel. A police report was not filed. The driver sustained a neck injury. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer nor was it diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage 95,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10605992, filed 2014-06, 90,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10934704, filed 2016-12, 140,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200965%
200865%
2007107%
20061010%
20051010%
200423%
20031820%
20021516%
2001718%
2000417%

Other parts of the 2008 Kia Spectra

Air bags
61 complaints
Vehicle speed control
15 complaints
Electrical system
14 complaints
Engine
10 complaints
Other or unknown
10 complaints
Exterior lighting
8 complaints
Seat belts
8 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Kia Spectra

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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