2004 Kia Spectra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (11) · Vehicle Speed Control (7) · Air Bags (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Spectra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
54 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:mounting 2011-04-25 · campaign 11V256000 · 58,322 vehicles
Defect: 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 JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH HOLD THE TANK
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (27)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2021-09-13 · TSB_BOD055_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: information for headlamp condensation and moisture - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to some kia models tha
Engine And Engine Cooling 2018-03-02 · PS539 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines - in general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
Equipment:mechanical 2017-01-18 · TSB-GEN085R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware - by design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washe
Latches/Locks/Linkages 2016-11-04 · TSB-GEN085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: 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 to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2016-04-04 · PS443 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb - use of aftermarket usb charging cables in usb/12v ports - this article provides information regarding the use of usb ports and 12v power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. customers may experience issues with their head units that may be related to the use of aftermarket usb charging cab
Equipment 2015-07-16 · QASC122 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
questions and answers for voluntary service campaign sc122 underbody additional anti-corrosion treatment
Showing the 6 most recent of 27 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-03-28 · Vehicle Speed Control · 121,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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. the contact stated no warning light was illuminated.…”
2017-08-18 · Electrical System · 193,946 mi“electrical - speedometer / odometer - functions intermittently due to possible short in wiring…”
2017-08-06 · Service Brakes · 1,983,297 mi · 💥 crash“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 still going about 35 mph. it shoved the front end of m…”
2016-01-29 · Structure:body · 70,000 mi“metal around wheel wells rotting out.…”
2015-03-20 · Air Bags · 130,000 mi · 💥 crash“front end collision going around 30mph and no airbag deployment. car is totaled. *tr…”
2014-12-17 · Structure:body · 56,150 mi“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 windows won't work unless the car is running or the …”
2012-12-21 · Seat Belts · 140,000 mi“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 testing. the manufacturer was made aware of the failu…”
2012-07-20 · Power Train · 100,932 mi“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 pressing the peddle and my car did not move. i could …”
2012-01-23 · Suspension · 60 mi“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 it is working or not. it is definitely a concern a…”
2011-12-27 · Electrical System · 11,000 mi“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 failure recurred. the manufacturer was not contacted…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.