2008 Kia Spectra Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 2%of 121 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2008 Kia Spectra, 2% of the 121 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles.
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.
“The door locks began randomly not working when using the door lock/unlock buttons on both the driver side, as well as the front passenger side. There does not seem to be a problem when using the key fob. I mentioned this problem to my local Kia dealer who brushed it off. Now, 2 years later, it has gotten worse. I can rarely unlock the doors using the buttons. I would think this is a safety issue if I was unable to get out of my car in the event of an accident or fire. I am not sure if this would be covered under warranty. The car is less than 10 years old and has just under 73,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10575457, filed 2014-03, 60,000 miles“Trunk latch will not release without the key (from the interior button or the remote). Every time the weather gets below freezing the trunk release brakes again.”
NHTSA complaint #10311593, filed 2010-02, 40,000 miles“The contact owns a 2008 Kia Spectra. The contact stated the front driver door latch fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10676937, filed 2015-01, 85,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10109777Nov 4, 2016TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited…
- 10037242Oct 1, 2010Kia: on some 2004-2009 spectras the doors are locking intermittently without the driver commanding them to.
- 10028348Nov 6, 2008Kia: doors locking intermittently without driver input from the rke transmitter or key switch may be caused by wear on switch contacts in door latch assembly resulting in high…
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Kia Spectra
61 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 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