Model Year Problem Record

Kia Spectra 2009 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2009 Kia Spectra: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

114Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

0Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

30Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Seats11

Vehicle Speed Control6

Brakes6

Vehicle Structure5

Fuel and Propulsion System4

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags78 complaints

78 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

No recall campaigns cover this model year.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE15031Opened September 1, 2015 - Closed February 11, 2016

Occupant Classification System. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE15031Opened September 1, 2015 - Closed February 11, 2016

Occupant Classification System. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE15031Opened September 1, 2015 - Closed February 11, 2016

Occupant Classification System. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE15031Opened September 1, 2015 - Closed February 11, 2016

Occupant Classification System. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20093

20108

20116

20124

20138

201421

201524

201621

20175

20186

20195

20201

20211

20231

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.