2005 Kia Spectra recalls and problems

The 2005 Kia Spectra has 2 recalls and 103 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is air bags.

Pictured: a 2004 model; the 2005 may differ in details. Photo: 2004 Kia Spectra by Cutlass, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

How the 2005 compares

High

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 10 Spectra model years — 4th most.

2recalls

103complaints

23crashes

1fires

17injuries

50,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

2 recalls

Fuel System

Apr 25, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V256000 · 58,322 vehicles

Problem: 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 May occur as a result of prolonged exposure to road salt. As a result of the corrosion, one or both straps May separate allowing the fuel tank to contact the ground and possibly disrupt the integrity of the tank.

Original NHTSA wording

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 MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT. AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY SEPARATE ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND AND POSSIBLY DISRUPT THE INTEGRITY OF 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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.

Kia safety recall no. Sc090.owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Steering

Apr 28, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V183000 · 368 vehicles

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the steering tie rods May have a manufacturing flaw that affects the metallurgy.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STEERING TIE RODS MAY HAVE A MANUFACTURING FLAW THAT AFFECTS THE METALLURGY.

Risk: If the rod cracks or fails, loss of vehicle steering control May occur which could result in a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THE ROD CRACKS OR FAILS, LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace the steering rack assembly, which includes the tie rod components free of charge. Owners were notified by telephone on April 8, 2005. An additional letter was sent to owners who had not taken their vehicles in for repair. This letter was mailed May 20, 2005. Owners May contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Kia recall no. Sc-047.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Air Bags43

Vehicle Speed Control12

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2005 vs. other Kia Spectra years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2005. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2005 Kia Spectra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2005 Kia Spectra, the latest from Apr 25, 2011 (fuel system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Kia Spectra?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (43), vehicle speed control (12), electrical system (11). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.