2004 KIA SPECTRA

1 recalls — 92 complaints

11V256000 Apr 25, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
Defect Description
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 SPECTRA LD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 7, 2003, THROUGH MARCH 6, 2007, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW J... Read more
Consequence
THE FUEL TANK CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND STRIKE THE GROUND WHICH COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK. LEAKING FUEL CAN CREATE A FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND ATTACHING HARDWARE WITH NEW ZINC COATED PARTS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
58,322 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION

Complaint Statistics

92 total complaints 20 crashes 1 fires 12 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION13
AIR BAGS13
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE6
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
SUSPENSION3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Mar 28, 2022
Incident date: Mar 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2004 Kia Spectra. The contact stated the cruise control feature was not operating properly. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving and approaching a traffic light, when depressing on the brake pedal the vehicle failed to stop and accelerated independently to 80 mph. Th... Read more
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Aug 18, 2017
Incident date: Jun 7, 2016
ELECTRICAL - SPEEDOMETER / ODOMETER - FUNCTIONS INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO POSSIBLE SHORT IN WIRING
SERVICE BRAKES Aug 6, 2017
Incident date: Aug 5, 2017
TAMARA RECALL; THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ABOUT TEN CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I SEEN EVERYONE START HITTING THERE BRAKES SO I STARTED APPLYING MINE. THEN I REALIZED EVERYONE HAD COME TO A STOP SO I APPLIED ON MY BRAKES EVEN HARDER AND THEY LOCKED UP AND I SLID ABOUT 15 FT. AND HIT A TRUCK IN THE REAR END STIL... Read more
Crash
AIR BAGS Aug 6, 2017
Incident date: Aug 5, 2017
TAMARA RECALL; THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ABOUT TEN CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I SEEN EVERYONE START HITTING THERE BRAKES SO I STARTED APPLYING MINE. THEN I REALIZED EVERYONE HAD COME TO A STOP SO I APPLIED ON MY BRAKES EVEN HARDER AND THEY LOCKED UP AND I SLID ABOUT 15 FT. AND HIT A TRUCK IN THE REAR END STIL... Read more
Crash
STRUCTURE:BODY Jan 29, 2016
Incident date: Sep 25, 2014
METAL AROUND WHEEL WELLS ROTTING OUT.
AIR BAGS Mar 20, 2015
Incident date: Mar 19, 2015
FRONT END COLLISION GOING AROUND 30MPH AND NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. CAR IS TOTALED. *TR
Crash
STRUCTURE:BODY Dec 17, 2014
Incident date: Dec 3, 2014
AFTER PARKING MY CAR I COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE (LEFT FRONT) DOOR. THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE NO LONGER OPENS THE DOOR. I NOW HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IN AN EMERGENCY I COULD BECOME TRAPPED INSIDE. THE ELECTRIC WI... Read more
AIR BAGS Dec 21, 2012
Incident date: Nov 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED MONTHS LATER THE SEAT BELT SPRINGS FROM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TES... Read more
SEAT BELTS Dec 21, 2012
Incident date: Nov 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED MONTHS LATER THE SEAT BELT SPRINGS FROM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TES... Read more
POWER TRAIN Jul 20, 2012
Incident date: May 10, 2012
I WENT INTO KROGER'S AND PICKED UP A FEW ITEMS. WHEN I WAS DONE, I LEFT THE STORE AND GOT BACK INTO MY CAR TO FINISH RUNNING SOME ERRANDS. I STARTED MY KIA- SPECTRA AND SHE PURRED LIKE A KITTEN- AS USUAL. I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE BUT MY KIA WOULD MOVE. I WAS PRES... Read more
SUSPENSION Jan 23, 2012
Incident date: Jun 20, 2011
THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE SPECTRA 2005 4-DOOR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY 1. THE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, THE LIGHT WENT OFF SO THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. NOW THE LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY 'ON' AND I DON'T KNOW IF I... Read more
AIR BAGS Jan 23, 2012
Incident date: Jun 20, 2011
THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE SPECTRA 2005 4-DOOR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY 1. THE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, THE LIGHT WENT OFF SO THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. NOW THE LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY 'ON' AND I DON'T KNOW IF I... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Jan 23, 2012
Incident date: Jun 20, 2011
THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE SPECTRA 2005 4-DOOR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY 1. THE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, THE LIGHT WENT OFF SO THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. NOW THE LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY 'ON' AND I DON'T KNOW IF I... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Dec 27, 2011
Incident date: Dec 27, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT A SIZZLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THE FA... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Aug 26, 2011
Incident date: Aug 25, 2011
KIA SPECTRA EX 2004.5. CONSTANTLY STALLS AND ENGINE RACES AT ANY TIME AND ANY SPEED. I AM FORCED TO PLACE TRANSMISSION IN "N" WHEN I APROACH A STOP SIGN. I AVOID HIGHWAYS BEING AFRAID TO STALL AT A HIGH SPEED AND CAUSE A FATALITY TO MYSELF OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. PROBLEMS STARTED WHEN VEHICLE WAS STILL ... Read more
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Aug 12, 2011
Incident date: Aug 8, 2011
FRONTAL IMPACT AT ABOUT 40 MPH. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SUFFERED STRAINED NECK. *TR
Crash 1 injured
AIR BAGS Apr 14, 2011
Incident date: Jan 13, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT TRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS LOCATED WHERE THE AIR BAGS WERE. SHE ASSUMED THAT BECAUSE THE WIRES FOR THE AIR BAGS WERE RUN CLOSE TO THE SEAT TRACK, THE AIR BAGS WERE DISCONNECTED WHEN THE SEAT WAS MOVED BACK AND FORTH BECAU... Read more
SEATS Apr 14, 2011
Incident date: Jan 13, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT TRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS LOCATED WHERE THE AIR BAGS WERE. SHE ASSUMED THAT BECAUSE THE WIRES FOR THE AIR BAGS WERE RUN CLOSE TO THE SEAT TRACK, THE AIR BAGS WERE DISCONNECTED WHEN THE SEAT WAS MOVED BACK AND FORTH BECAU... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Aug 29, 2010
Incident date: Jun 16, 2004
I HAVE A 2004 KIA SPECTRA THAT HAS AN ISSUE STICKING IN THIRD GEAR. IT STARTED A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. I NOTICED IT WHEN I FIRST PULLED OUT OF A SIDE STREET ON TO A MAIN ROAD AND WHEN I PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WAS BARELY MOVING. THANK GOD NO ON COMING TRAFFIC WAS COMIN... Read more
AIR BAGS Jun 9, 2010
Incident date: Jun 6, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 05V431000 (AIR BAGS) AND THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND STAYED ON. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WAS NON-FUNCTIONAL. WHEN SOMEONE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE LIGHT DI... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Apr 2, 2010
Incident date: Apr 2, 2010
FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTING OUT. MY FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTED OUT CAUSING ONE TO DRAG THE GROUND MAKING SPARKS! I LOOKED OVER THE CAR AND NOTHING IS RUSTED LIKE THE STRAPS, THE EXSUST IS GOOD THE HEAT SHIELD AND THE FUEL LINES ARE GOOD JUST THE FUEL STRAPS ARE SO RUSTED TO THE POINT THEY SNAPPED!
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Apr 2, 2010
Incident date: Apr 2, 2010
FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTING OUT. MY FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTED OUT CAUSING ONE TO DRAG THE GROUND MAKING SPARKS! I LOOKED OVER THE CAR AND NOTHING IS RUSTED LIKE THE STRAPS, THE EXSUST IS GOOD THE HEAT SHIELD AND THE FUEL LINES ARE GOOD JUST THE FUEL STRAPS ARE SO RUSTED TO THE POINT THEY SNAPPED!
CHILD SEAT Nov 2, 2009
Incident date: Jun 1, 2008
EVENFLO TRIUMPH ADVANCE' LX CONVERTIBLE FAILS TO PERFORM BASIC CARSEAT FUNCTIONS. ACTUAL CARSEAT DAMAGES ITSELF VIA RAZOR SHARP PLASTIC OPENINGS WHERE THE LATCH SYSTEM STRAP OR VEHICLE RESTRAINT STRAP GOES THROUGH THE SEAT. WE HAVE BEEN PHYSICALLY CUT ON THIS PLASTIC ALONG WITH THE LATCH STRAP BEING... Read more
SEAT BELTS:INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT Nov 2, 2009
Incident date: Jun 1, 2008
EVENFLO TRIUMPH ADVANCE' LX CONVERTIBLE FAILS TO PERFORM BASIC CARSEAT FUNCTIONS. ACTUAL CARSEAT DAMAGES ITSELF VIA RAZOR SHARP PLASTIC OPENINGS WHERE THE LATCH SYSTEM STRAP OR VEHICLE RESTRAINT STRAP GOES THROUGH THE SEAT. WE HAVE BEEN PHYSICALLY CUT ON THIS PLASTIC ALONG WITH THE LATCH STRAP BEING... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Sep 14, 2009
Incident date: Sep 11, 2009
THE CRUISE CONTROL UNIT WHEN ENGAGED IT ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. OR IT TOLALLY DIS-ENGAGES ON ITS OWN. *TR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jul 14, 2009
Incident date: Jul 14, 2009
MY VEHICLE LOOSES POWER, SPUTTERS, AND HESITATES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THIS HAS CAUSES ME TO ALMOST BE IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. THE SERVICE DEPT CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE, BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT EXISTS. I HAVE FILED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH KIA MOTORS AND HAVE HAD NO RESPO... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Jan 14, 2009
Incident date: Aug 7, 2005
MY FIANCE'S BOUGHT A KIA SPECTRA.... I HAVE NOTICED FOR AWHILE THAT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ITS OK... GETTING TO AND COMING DOWN FROM FREEWAY SPEEDS HOWEVER IS A INTERESTING TIME... THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2-3 SECS. REVS AND DOESN'T SLAM BUT SEEMS TO EASE INTO GEAR THEN JERKS FORWARD... PASSING OTHER VEHICLES I... Read more
AIR BAGS Dec 1, 2008
Incident date: Nov 25, 2008
BLACK ICE ON ROADS I ENDED UP TURNED UPSIDE DOWN IN A SIX FOOT DITCH. CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. UPSET THAT A CRASH LIKE THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. WHAT IS THE PROTOCOL FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS? *TR
Crash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Nov 28, 2008
Incident date: Nov 9, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND ACCELERATES. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE FAILURES TO STOP. THE FAILURE BEGAN IN JANUARY OF 2008. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEAL... Read more
Crash
POWER TRAIN Oct 19, 2008
Incident date: Oct 15, 2008
THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL ALSO LUNGE WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR, FORWARD AND REVERSE. IT DOES NOT OCCUR EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE STARTS. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE 2ND TIME THE... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Jul 9, 2008
Incident date: May 1, 2008
MY VEHICLE SPUTTERS WHILE DRIVING. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW INCIDENTS WHERE MY VEHICLE HAS ALMOST STALLED ON THE FREEWAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN FAST LANE. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 5 TIME IN A 2 MONTH WINDOW, AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE, SO... Read more
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Jul 3, 2008
Incident date: Jul 2, 2008
FRONT END COLLISION, AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. 2004 KIA SPECTRA. IT WAS HIT BY A TRUCK AT APPROX. 55 MPH IN THE LEFT FRONT CORNER PUSHING EVERYTHING INTO THE MOTOR AREA AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Crash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL May 25, 2008
Incident date: May 14, 2008
KIA AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT CRASH IMPACT OF ABOUT 40 MPH. *TR
Crash 2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Apr 16, 2008
Incident date: Jan 15, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. ... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Apr 16, 2008
Incident date: Jan 15, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. ... Read more
SUSPENSION:REAR Apr 14, 2008
Incident date: Apr 14, 2008
I HAVE A 2004.5 KIA SPECTRA EX WHICH AROUND 44,000 MILES STARTED TO HAVE A RATTLING SOUND FROM THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION. INITIALLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. 4,000+ MILES LATER, RATTLING WORSE, TOOK BACK TO DEALER, TOLD THAT THE STRUT MOUNT ASSEMBLY WAS BAD AND THAT IF I ... Read more
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE Mar 13, 2008
Incident date: Aug 1, 2006
WARNING LIGHT FOR AIRBAG ON THE SPEEDOMETER PANEL STAYS ON. DEALER AND KIA TECH FIRST REPLACED PASSENGER SEAT COVER AND DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BUCKLE BECAUSE THEY WERE SHORTED OUT. THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY THEN SAID THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE OF SOME FLUID SPILLED ON COMPUTER UNDER CUP HOLDERS ... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Mar 5, 2008
Incident date: Oct 25, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AUTOMATICALLY. THE VEHICLE CAN ONLY BE STOPPED BY BEING TURNED COMPLETELY OFF. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WA... Read more
TIRES Jan 13, 2008
Incident date: Dec 29, 2007
ON 10/27/06 (@ 30,048 MILES) I PURCHASED 4 TIRES (SUMITOMO HTR H4; P195-60-R15; 87H M+S). ROTATION OF THESE FOUR TIRES OCCURRED @ 34,917 MILES. ON 7/27/07 A DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT AND WAS REPLACED WHERE I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THEM. DRIVING OFF THE FREEWAY DAMAGED THE TIRE INTO TWO PIECES (S... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE Oct 22, 2007
Incident date: May 23, 2006
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE AIR BAG CONTROLLER (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) IS LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE CUP HOLDERS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT LIQUID LEAKS OUT OF THE CUPS AND ONTO THE COMPUTER, WHICH CAUSED IT TO SHORT. CONDENSATION ALSO CAUSES THE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE AIR BAG ... Read more
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Aug 11, 2007
Incident date: Aug 8, 2007
THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE HOUSING ON MY 2004.5 KIA SPECTRA EX CRACKED, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT NOT TO LATCH. *TR
AIR BAGS Feb 9, 2007
Incident date: Feb 9, 2007
2004 AND A HALF KIA SPECTRA HAD THE RECALL OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT DONE, #05V431000. THE LIGHT STILL COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY STILL. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE AIRBAG WILL STILL WORK IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. HAPPENS TOO MUCH. IS IT REALLY SAFE. *JB
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL Oct 15, 2006
Incident date: Jul 15, 2006
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL FAILS TO TURN ON OCCASIONALY.
SUSPENSION Jun 5, 2006
Incident date: May 1, 2005
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE ROCKS BACK AND FOURTH DUE TO THE SUSPENSION. AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE CONDITION WORSENS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED HOWEVER THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED WHO WENT BY WHAT THE DEALERSHIP DE... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Apr 4, 2006
Incident date: Apr 4, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, THE TRANSMISSION LURCHES. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE COMPUTER IS NOT SENDING THE PROPER SIGNALS TO THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT GEARS. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNAWARE OF HOW TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 5/3/2006 - *NM *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Apr 4, 2006
Incident date: Apr 4, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, THE TRANSMISSION LURCHES. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE COMPUTER IS NOT SENDING THE PROPER SIGNALS TO THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT GEARS. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNAWARE OF HOW TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 5/3/2006 - *NM *AK
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW Apr 2, 2006
Incident date: Mar 20, 2006
2004 KIA SPECTRA ON 3/20/06 WAS IMPACTED ON PASSENGER SIDE WITHIN THE AREA OF FRONT AND REAR DOORS. THE IMPACT FORCED THE REAR OF MY CAR TO SLID AWAY FROM IMPACT AND COME IN CONTACT WITH A PICKUP TRUCK DAMAGING MY DRIVERS SIDE REAR QUARTER AND NOT ONE AIR BAG IN MY CAR DEPLOYED AND THERE ARE 8 AIR B... Read more
Crash 1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Feb 14, 2006
Incident date: Oct 15, 2005
PROBLEMS BEGAN OCTOBER 15, 2005 DETAILS OF PROBLEMS: 03/25/05 - A/C VENTS BROKEN - DEALER REPLACED "NOZZLE ASSY - CTR AI" 10/15/05 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON - DEALER STATES 'HEATER CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION' REPLACED "02 SENSOR ASSY" AND RESET CODES 10/28/05 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND BATTERY WEN... Read more
AIR BAGS Feb 14, 2006
Incident date: Oct 15, 2005
PROBLEMS BEGAN OCTOBER 15, 2005 DETAILS OF PROBLEMS: 03/25/05 - A/C VENTS BROKEN - DEALER REPLACED "NOZZLE ASSY - CTR AI" 10/15/05 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON - DEALER STATES 'HEATER CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION' REPLACED "02 SENSOR ASSY" AND RESET CODES 10/28/05 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND BATTERY WEN... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Feb 14, 2006
Incident date: Oct 15, 2005
PROBLEMS BEGAN OCTOBER 15, 2005 DETAILS OF PROBLEMS: 03/25/05 - A/C VENTS BROKEN - DEALER REPLACED "NOZZLE ASSY - CTR AI" 10/15/05 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON - DEALER STATES 'HEATER CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION' REPLACED "02 SENSOR ASSY" AND RESET CODES 10/28/05 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND BATTERY WEN... Read more

Showing 50 of 92 complaints.

NHTSA Safety Investigations — KIA SPECTRA

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE15031 Opened: Sep 1, 2015 — Closed: Feb 11, 2016
PE — Closed — Model Year: 2008
Occupant Classification System
The subject vehicle population is MY 2007-2009 Kia Spectra vehicles.Consumers report that the SRS (air bag) warning light is illuminated in their vehicle.The focus of the investigation was the failure of the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat.This sensor mat is embe... Read more
PE04065 Opened: Sep 21, 2004 — Closed: Feb 8, 2005
PE — Closed — Model Year: 2002
REAR DRUM BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKAGE
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR DRUM BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKAGE IN 2002 KIA SPECTRA VEHICLES.THIS INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY KIA?S EARLY WARNING REPORT TO THE AGENCY FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2004, WHICH CONTAINED A ... Read more
EA04004 Opened: Feb 3, 2004 — Closed: Jul 29, 2004
EA — Closed — Model Year: 2001
REFUELING SPIT BACK
BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHE... Read more
EA02016 Opened: Aug 6, 2002 — Closed: Oct 7, 2003
EA — Closed — Model Year: 2000
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ODI GATHERED FIRE DATA FROM VARIOUS SOURCES AND INSPECTED SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ASSESS THE SCOPE AND FREQUENCY OF NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES CAUSED BY STARTER CABLE CHAFING.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOUND THAT MOST OF THE SUSPECT FIRES OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD RECEIVED SERVICE REPAIRS IN THE AREA O... Read more

KIA SPECTRA — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the KIA SPECTRA across all model years (2004–2007).

5 Total Recalls
1,218 Total Complaints
4 Investigations
261 Reported Crashes
23 Reported Fires
7 Reported Deaths

KIA SPECTRA — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2009 0 152 View
2008 0 162 View
2007 1 206 View
2006 1 129 View
2005 2 130 View
2004 (current) 1 92
2003 0 132 View
2002 0 121 View
2001 0 56 View
2000 0 30 View

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SOUL EV 62 50 View