Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Kia Spectra, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 60 | 53% |
| Air bags | 7 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 3% |
| Structure | 3 | 3% |
| Wheels | 2 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 2% |
| Seats | 2 | 2% |
| Air bags | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I am having a problem with my hazard turning signal lights it won't turn on.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
My car seems like someone entered something in my gas tank while i may been in the store
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND WE THINK THE OCS SENSOR MAT IS BAD. KIA HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR VEHICLES BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 2006-2009 TO HAVE A OCS SENSOR MAT REPLACED FOR FREE FOR A PERIOD OF 15 YEARS REGARDLESS OF MI
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON EVEN IF SEAT IS OCCUPIED. IN ADDITION THE AIRBAG "OFF" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED NEXT TO THE CLOCK AND IS ALWAYS IN THE 'OFF', POSITION. BOTH LIGHTS REMAIN IN THAT CONDITION WHETHER THE VEHI
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
DRIVER'S SEATBELT OFTEN FAILS TO LOCK IN AND POPS OPEN MID-DRIVE. IT IS OFTEN NOT APPARENT THAT THE BELT HASN'T LOCKED UNTIL IT POPS OPEN. THIS WOULD BE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2011. SINCE THEN ONCE IN AWHILE WHEN I STOP MY CAR AT A LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN, THE CAR MOVES FORWARD EVEN AFTER I STEP ON THE BRAKE. I THEN HAVE TO QUICKLY PUT THE BRAKE ON AND TURN THE CAR OFF
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR SPED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD HITTING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME WHICH WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT; I HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT, HE SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND REPLACED THE CALIPER
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
LETTER FROM SENATOR ROBERTS RE: INQUIRY ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUTE IN REGARDS TO HER MOTHER'S 2009 KIA SPECTRA AIRBAGS DEPLOYED TOO MUCH FORCE AND INJURED HER MOTHER. *AS SEE ALSO ODI 11109673. *DSY THE CONSUMER STATED
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
| Reliability raw | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 49 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 60 of them (53%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.