Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2004 Kia Spectra, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags26
- Power train16
- Vehicle speed control9
- Electrical system7
- Engine and engine cooling7
- Seat belts5
- Suspension4
- Steering3
- Fuel system, gasoline3
- Seats2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 9 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 8 2004 Spectra vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 5 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2004 Kia Spectra failed the safety check 2.08% of the time — 6% less often than the average 2004 passenger car (2.21%). Median odometer at inspection: 108,616 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
2 2004 cars are on the New Zealand register.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 9.9–10.7 L/100 km (about 22–24 mpg US), CO₂ 228–246 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectra · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.4 | 8.1 | 9.9 |
| Spectra · Compact · Regular gasoline | 12.3 | 8.7 | 10.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Kia told its dealers about the 2004 Kia Spectra: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10201529 | 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 that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL |
| 10183431 | 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 cables, including; * Electrical interference and limited or no functionality when attempting to play music, or when charging a device through the USB port * Excessive static or noise when listening to the audio source * Malfunctions and screen freeze of the head unit screen * Slow down of the sys |
| 10133170 | 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 | 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, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only. |
| 10109777 | 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 similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? |
| 10091489 | TSB: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE CORRECT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUIDS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH KIA MODEL. REFER TO THE SHOP MANUAL ON KGIS FOR THE SPECIFIC KIA MODEL, THEN REFERENCE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE SYSTEM/ REPAIR PROCEDURES/ INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT SECTION FOR THE CORRECT ATF CHECK/FILL PROCEDURES. |
| 10089668 | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC122 UNDERBODY ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION TREATMENT |
| 10089667 | 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 WHERE HEAVY AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED. |
| 10089642 | 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 RONDO VEHICLES ORIGINALLY RETAILED AND/OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ONE OF THE STATES WHERE HEAVY AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED. |
| 10089618 | "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 (LD), 2006~2010MY OPTIMA (MG), 2006~2011MY RIO (JB) AND 2007~2010MY RONDO (UN) VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE ORIGINALLY RETAILED OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN STATES WHERE ROAD SALT IS HEAVILY USED. THE STATES ARE: CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WI, |
| 10058518 | 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 |
| 10037242 | KIA: ON SOME 2004-2009 SPECTRAS THE DOORS ARE LOCKING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT THE DRIVER COMMANDING THEM TO. *RM |
| 10028348 | KIA: DOORS LOCKING INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT FROM THE RKE TRANSMITTER OR KEY SWITCH MAY BE CAUSED BY WEAR ON SWITCH CONTACTS IN DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN HIGH RESISTANCE. *PE |
| 10026726 | KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE |
| 10021561 | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ADAPTIVE VALUE RESET/RELEARN. *KB |
| 10020041 | A SECOND TO THIRD GEAR UPSHIFT SHOCK AFTER THE VEHICLE IS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE. ALSO MAY BE FELT AS A SLIP OR FLARE FOLLOWED BY A SHOCK WHILE SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. *TT |
| 10017975 | AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU) LOGIC REPROGRAMMING. KIA IS CHANGING THE ACU LOGIC TO PERMIT SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AT ALL TIMES. *TT |
| 10016840 | CHARGING SYSTEM UPGRADE. *TT |
| 10016799 | REPLACEMENT OF THE EVAP CANISTER HOSE VENT ELBOW AND THE FUEL TANK (AIR) FILTER. *TT |
| 10016737 | TECHLINE FAQS. KIA TECHNICIAN TIMES. VOLUME 8, ISSUE 4. *TT |
| 10015573 | MILD DRIVELINE BUMP OR SHOCK WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR MORE THAN ONE HOUR. *TT |
| 10015527 | KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. KIA TECH TIMES. *TT |
| 10015525 | CLUTCH SWITCH P/N AVAILABILITY. *TT |
| 10015320 | WIPER FUSE SPEC CHANGE. *TT |
| 10015315 | INTERMITTENT TRUNK LIGHT OPERATION. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)