The Used Car Index

2004 Kia Spectra problems

NHTSA lists 71 complaints for the 2004 Kia Spectra, 16 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 7 complaints mention an injury, with 9 injuries and 1 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as KIA SPECTRA.

At a glance

Complaints
71
With crash
16
With fire
1
With injury (complaints)
7
Injuries
9
Deaths
1
Recalls
1
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
58,322
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
27

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
AIR BAGS2636.6%
POWER TRAIN1622.5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL912.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM79.9%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING79.9%
SEAT BELTS57.0%
SUSPENSION45.6%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE34.2%
STEERING34.2%
SEATS22.8%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION14
AIR BAGSFRONTAL12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE3
SEAT BELTSFRONT3
STRUCTUREBODY2
AIR BAGSSIDE/WINDOW1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSOFTWARE1
SEAT BELTSINTEGRATED CHILD SEAT1
STEERINGHYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM1
STEERINGLINKAGES1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

1 recalls.

11V256000

Date: 2011-04-25. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER.

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 DISTR (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

27 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
POWER TRAIN5
STRUCTURE4
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES3
AIR BAGS2

10201529

Date: 2021-09-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STRUCTURE.

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

10133170

Date: 2018-03-02. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

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.

10109812

Date: 2017-01-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY.

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

10109777

Date: 2016-11-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.

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

10183431

Date: 2016-04-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY.

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

10089618

Date: 2015-07-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

"TSB: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN - APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL (SC122) - TO IMPROVE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, KIA IS LAUNCHING THIS BULLETIN TO APPLY ADDITIONAL ANTICORROSION PROTECTION TO VARIOUS VEHICLE UNDERBODY COMPONENTS OF SOME 2010~2013MY SOUL (AM), 2004~2009MY SPECTRA (L

10089642

Date: 2015-07-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC122) - KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. WILL BE CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN, AS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE, TO ADD ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE UNDERBODY OF ALL 2006-2011 MY RIO, 2004-2009 MY SPECTRA, 2006-2010 MY OPTIMA, 2010-2013 MY SOUL, AND 2007-2010 MY ROND

10089667

Date: 2015-07-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (SC122) - DEAR KIA SPECTRA OWNER: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADD ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE UNDERBODY OF ALL 2004-2009 KIA SPECTRA VEHICLES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES WHER

10089668

Date: 2015-07-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC122 A UNDERBODY A ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION TREATMENT

10058518

Date: 2015-07-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

KIA: AN ADDITIONAL APPLICATION OF ANTI-CORROSION PROTECTION WILL BE APPLIED ON SOME VEHICLES UNDERBODY COMPONENTS TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION. MODEL 2004-09 SPECTRA, 2006-10 OPTIMA, 2006-11 RIO 2007-10 RONDO AND 2010-13 SOUL. *PE

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
SPECTRA71

Same model, other years

All model years | All Kia models

Other Kia models, 2004

Sources

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