2005 Kia Spectra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (15) · Vehicle Speed Control (12) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module (11)
🧭 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
84 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 (23)
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 23 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-11-29 · Seats · 128,636 mi“airbag warning light is activated. car has not sustained damage. seat or sensor malfunction may cause airbag not to deploy in crash.…”
2020-03-29 · Vehicle Speed Control · 88,088 mi“vehicle speedometer randomly quits. also dash lights on binacle. then will come back on after a day or so, have replace with genuine kia oem parts but still happens. also looked on forums online and seems to be a common occurrence.…”
2019-11-25 · Wheels · 160,000 mi · 💥 crash“bad shaking in steering wheel and sounds coming from front end. only when driving on highway…”
2019-03-09 · Seats · 100 mi“upon purchase, brand new off the lot in 2005, the seat belt light on my dashboard was always coming on and off when driving even if a person was sitting in the passenger seat or not. i never really understood exactly why or had money to have it looked at specifically for that problem. when i would take it to the mechanic, they would always say it l…”
2018-11-14 · Vehicle Speed Control · 127,089 mi“speedometer and odometer not working well it works the first time in the morning when i drive after i turn car off and go to drive again it will not work the entire day. recently i have meet someone with exact make and model with the exact same issue literally as i described the other person who i did not tell about the problem word for word descri…”
2018-09-27 · Seats · 105,000 mi“my passenger seat occupancy sensor has gone bad and kia is refusing to replace the sensor mat for 2005 kia spectras, even though they have agreed to replace the mat for the same model car from 2007 to 2009 see the nhtsa pdf about the 2007 model year recall: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2015/inot-pe15031-63613.pdf please speak with kia. th…”
2018-08-15 · Steering · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2005 kia spectra. the contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the brakes seized. the contact had no control over the vehicle's direction and crashed into another vehicle. the front passenger side of the contact's vehicle was damaged. none of the air bags deployed. there were no injuries. a poli…”
2017-11-27 · Air Bags“takata recall contacted local kia and referred to national phone 1-800-333-4542 where a representative (jessica) stated that kia does not use takata airbags on any of their vehicles; therefore, no need to replace. end of conversation.…”
2017-11-03 · Air Bags“this vehicle had an air bag recall and was performed. our service department sent this vehicle (with a air bag lamp on) to the local dealership to be diagnosed. the diagnosis from ferguson kia at tulsa ok told me that the same components that was used for the recall are now defective and causing the air bag lamp to come on. i contacted kia hotline …”
2016-11-22 · Seats · 95,000 mi“the airbag warning light stays on in my 2005 kia spectra ex. the error code saved indicates the ocs sensor in the passenger seat has failed. there is an nhtsa action number (pe15031) for the same issue and model car but for later production years. it indicates that the issue will be repaired for up to 15 years from the date of purchase. why doe…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.