Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
Decoding from NHTSA…
Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
KNAFE121085••••••2008 Kia SPECTRA
This build draws 1.7× more complaints than the average 2008 Kia SPECTRA build (5 vs 3).
5on this build
103on the model
34builds in total
1involved a crash
1injuries
Most reportedAir Bags 3Seat Belts 1Vehicle Speed Control 1
What owners of this build wrote
Air BagscrashJun 2013
The contact owns a 2008 kia spectra. The contact was driving 40 mph and crashed into a deer. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and shoulder injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was not repaired or inspected for the cause of the air bag…
Vehicle Speed ControlJul 2024
After starting car, for first 15-20 mins, all normal. After speedometer go erratic (showing slower than actual speed - or - higher than actual speed) and soon after it just stops working. No check engine light. Dangerous to drive without knowing actual speed. Have to use mobile…
Seat BeltsJun 2013
The contact owns a 2008 kia spectra. The contact stated that the rear seat belts failed to lock. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000
Air BagsMay 2019
Air bag light (red warning light) started to stay on constantly. This means that air bag will probably not deploy in case of crash (to best of my knowledge when searching on google about this issue). Before this light turned on (red light on air-bag), I experienced an issue with…
Air BagsFeb 2008
The contact owns a 2008 kia spectra. The contact stated that the front passengers side air bag light illuminated sporadically even when the passenger seat was occupied. The drivers side air bag light illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The…
Owner complaints…
Now the whole model — all 34 builds of it, not just this build. Same NHTSA reports, wider net:
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The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN KNAFE121085519522 · decoded Aug 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.