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2005 Kia Amanti

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Kia Amanti do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 36.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

65 reports with mileage · 18 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I THINK THE RADIO ISOTOPE ELECTRIC GENERATOR WAS REMOVED FROM THE CAR. THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER WERE NOT KICKING ON AND IT ALSO CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR. I DIDNT KNOW IT WAS ELECTRIC. ALSO THE CO2 AND YEAR GAS WERE REMOVED AND NOT SURE IF ANY FIREARMS WERE. THIS WAS 'THE BEAST' I BELIEVE. I…

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I THINK THE RADIO ISOTOPE ELECTRIC GENERATOR WAS REMOVED FROM THE CAR. THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER WERE NOT KICKING ON AND IT ALSO CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR. I DIDNT KNOW IT WAS ELECTRIC. ALSO THE CO2 AND YEAR GAS WERE REMOVED AND NOT SURE IF ANY FIREARMS WERE. THIS WAS 'THE BEAST' I BELIEVE. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM "MIKE" HE MENTIONED I SHOULD ADD IT TO MY CURRENT INSURANCE PLAN BUT I TOLD HIM I ONLY HAD OBAMACARE. GET MY DIAMOND JUBILEE BACK PLEASE!

NHTSA ODI #11388478

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

ADMINISTRATION ON 6/26/20 A DEALERSHIP MADE A TENATIVE SALE ON A USEC 2005 VEHICLE INTENTIONALLY DECIEVING POTENTIAL BUYER. VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS IT MADE MISFIRE AND THE FLUIDS IN VEHICLE WERE ALL MISSING FROM EACH TANK. THE SALESMAN DENIED ME THE RIGHT TO TEST DRIVE OR OPPORTUNITY TO REPLENISH MISSING FLUIDS,ADVISIN…

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ADMINISTRATION ON 6/26/20 A DEALERSHIP MADE A TENATIVE SALE ON A USEC 2005 VEHICLE INTENTIONALLY DECIEVING POTENTIAL BUYER. VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS IT MADE MISFIRE AND THE FLUIDS IN VEHICLE WERE ALL MISSING FROM EACH TANK. THE SALESMAN DENIED ME THE RIGHT TO TEST DRIVE OR OPPORTUNITY TO REPLENISH MISSING FLUIDS,ADVISING VEHICLE IS AS-IS. I EXPLAINED I DROVE 60 MILES ONE WAY AND WAS NOT TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS AS -IS OR IN SUCH TERRIBLE CONDITION. MANAGER REFUSED TO ASSIST ME OR SPEAK WITH ME AS I WOULD COMPLAIN. THE SALESMAN SAID,"TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT"!!! I DID NOT PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BUT IT MUST BE LISTED AS UNSAFE IN A NATIONWIDE ALERT AS LEFT DRIVER SIDE IMPACT ON DOORS FROM BUMPER TO FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, LEFT SIDE FENDER HANGING OFF , VEHICLE SHAKING BAD, COMPUTER HARDWARE AND CAPS MISSING ON ENGINE. PLEASE HAVE DMV IN DELAWARE RED FLAG THIS DEALERSHIP AND RECALL THIS VEHICLE AS I WAS ALMOST A VICTIM UNDER LEMON LAW HERTRICH BUICK GMC OF SEAFORD 26953 SUSSEX HIGHWAY SEAFORD, DE 19973 WWW.HERTRICHGMCBUICK.COM (888) 313-4253 DEAR [XXX], WE HAVE RECEIVED YOUR PRICE QUOTE REQUEST AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST. TO HELP US MAKE THE RIGHT DEAL FOR YOU ON THE 2005 KIA AMANTI, PLEASE CONTACT US AT YOUR NEAREST HERTRICH LOCATION.. THANK YOU, HERTRICH BUICK GMC OF SEAFORD HTTP://WWW.HERTRICHGMCBUICK.COM 2005 KIA AMANTI BASE PRICE: $1,897.00 BODYSTYLE: SEDANINT. COLOR: GRAY ENGINE: V-6 CYLODOMETER: 131200 TRANSMISSION: AUTOMATICSTOCK #: 40510B EXT. COLOR: BLACKVIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

NHTSA ODI #11337472

166,000 miles · Jun 16, 2020
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension

IT BEGAN WITH SQUEAKY NOISE STEERING IT ENDED WITH STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP UNDRIVABLE. MECHANIC SAID HE SAW THAT ALOT IN THAT YEAR MODEL. REPLACED THE STEERING PUMP WORKED OK FOR 6 MONTHS OR SO & THE SAME THING. HAD TO TOW IT. MECHANIC SAID NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RANK & PINION & THAT IT MAY OR MAY NOT CORRECT THE PRO…

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IT BEGAN WITH SQUEAKY NOISE STEERING IT ENDED WITH STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP UNDRIVABLE. MECHANIC SAID HE SAW THAT ALOT IN THAT YEAR MODEL. REPLACED THE STEERING PUMP WORKED OK FOR 6 MONTHS OR SO & THE SAME THING. HAD TO TOW IT. MECHANIC SAID NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RANK & PINION & THAT IT MAY OR MAY NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM . HE DID SOME KIND OF ADJUSTMENT CHARGED ME $250 & I WAS ABLE TO STEER. 6 MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD ITS DOING THE SAME THING ESP LIGHT COMES ON A DRAGGING NOISE& TROUBLES STEERING. I NOTICE IT MORE MANEUVERING TO PARK IN A SPACE... *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329211

70,000 miles · Aug 16, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT MY CAR WAS" JUMPING" AT STOP LIGHTS ON A CITY STREET; AS IF IT WANTED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE WAS PUSHED. I WENT TO START IT ONE EVENING AND THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I GOT A JUMP AND THEN NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I HAD A FRIEND CHECK THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THE FOLLO…

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I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT MY CAR WAS" JUMPING" AT STOP LIGHTS ON A CITY STREET; AS IF IT WANTED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE WAS PUSHED. I WENT TO START IT ONE EVENING AND THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I GOT A JUMP AND THEN NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I HAD A FRIEND CHECK THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THE FOLLOWING DAY AND HE STATED THAT THE SWITCH WAS SO LOOSE THAT IT FELL INTO HIS HAND. HE TIGHTENED THE SWITCH SO I COULD TRY AND PUT A CHARGE ON THE BATTERY. I GOT THE CAR STARTED BUT THE BATTERY WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE, I INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY AND THE CAR STILL FEELS AS THOUGH IT WANTS TO ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSING BRAKE TO STOP. SINCE THEN, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE DOOR AJAR AND TRUNK OPEN LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR COURTESY LIGHTS WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AS WELL AS OTHER COMPONENTS. I HAD ISSUES WITH THE DIMMER SWITCH WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE LEFT ON AUTO, AND I USE THE FOB TO LOCK THE DOORS; IF I DO NOT TURN THE LIGHTS OFF MANUALLY; THE LIGHTS FLASH UNTIL THE BATTERY DIES. AFTER THE LAST ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, I ALSO CAN NOT OPEN THE TRUNK WITH FOB, I CAN ONLY OPEN WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND SET TO ON POSITION. IT CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE AS WELL. WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE, BELOW 40 DEGREES, THE RADIO SCANS AND WILL NOT STOP. THE CD WILL ONLY WORK IF ONLY ONE DISC IS INSERTED.

NHTSA ODI #11120387

49,814 miles · Mar 9, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA AMANTI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT REMAINED FOR THIRTY DAYS FOR INVESTIGATION. THE ECM WAS REPLACED. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA AMANTI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT REMAINED FOR THIRTY DAYS FOR INVESTIGATION. THE ECM WAS REPLACED. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,814.

NHTSA ODI #10845764

126,000 miles · Jul 12, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

SINCE PURCHASING MY 2005 KIA AMANTI AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON; THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER EXPERIENCED AN IMPACT WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY NEITHER HAVE ANY OF THE AIRBAG COMPONENTS EVER BEEN TAMPERED WITH. THE THROTTLE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY SPORADIC AND OFTEN CAUSES HESITATION, LURCHING, NO ACCELERATION,…

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SINCE PURCHASING MY 2005 KIA AMANTI AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON; THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER EXPERIENCED AN IMPACT WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY NEITHER HAVE ANY OF THE AIRBAG COMPONENTS EVER BEEN TAMPERED WITH. THE THROTTLE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY SPORADIC AND OFTEN CAUSES HESITATION, LURCHING, NO ACCELERATION, AND EVEN LOSS OF ALL POWER. I HAVE HAD THE DEALERSHIP UPDATE THE ECM AND THE TPS REPLACE BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. I NOTICED THE THROTTLE BODY PLATE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO ACTUATE SO I THEN PURCHASED ANOTHER THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACED MY OLDER ONE. EVERYTHING FUNCTIONED AS SHOULD BE EXPECTED UP UNTIL APPROX. 3 MONTHS AGO THE ISSUES STARTED BACK UP AGAIN. I NOTICED THE THROTTLE BODY MOTOR HAD STARTED TO BECOME INCREASINGLY HOT TO THE TOUCH INDICATING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RESISTANCE WITHIN THE MOTOR CIRCUIT. BEING THAT THE PROBLEM IS RECURRING, I FEEL THE ISSUE IS LOCATED EITHER WITHIN THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS OR THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND IT, AS WELL AS THE RUINED THROTTLE BODY MOTOR, NEED REPLACED AT THE COST OF THE KIA MOTOR COMPANY. THE ISSUE CAN, AND HAS, CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS, STALLING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AS WELL AS LURCHING AND SPEEDING AWAY OF VEHICLES. A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IS PRESENT AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #10733468

91,575 miles · Oct 8, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CAR. HOWEVER, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT MOST OF THE TIME DO TO INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION. AT TIMES, WHEN I STEP DOWN ON THE GAS NOTHING HAPPENS, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR TAKES OFF LIKE A RABBIT. ON A TRIP TO SOUTH DAKOTA, AFTER USING THE BLINKER TO CHANGE LANES, THE BLINKERS WENT CRAZY, BOT…

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I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CAR. HOWEVER, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT MOST OF THE TIME DO TO INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION. AT TIMES, WHEN I STEP DOWN ON THE GAS NOTHING HAPPENS, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR TAKES OFF LIKE A RABBIT. ON A TRIP TO SOUTH DAKOTA, AFTER USING THE BLINKER TO CHANGE LANES, THE BLINKERS WENT CRAZY, BOTH ON AT THE SAME TIME, THEN FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER, I COULDN'T GET THEM TO STOP AND THE ESC LIGHT WAS FLASHING. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND ALL WAS GOOD ,FOR A FEW MORE MILES ANYWAY. I HAD TO DO THIS SEVERAL TIMES ON MY WAY HOME. THIS WAS SCARY AS I WAS 1500 MILES FROM HOME. HAVEN'T HAD THAT ISSUE SINCE AND THAT WAS 4 MONTHS AGO (NO ENGINE LIGHT FOR CODES AT THIS POINT). NOW, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR IS RUNNING LIKE CRAP. ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY CAME ON AND THE CODE IS STATING MISFIRE IN #3 SPARK PLUG. THE CAR IS RUNNING VERY POORLY, UNDRIVEABLE. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT A YEAR AGO. I HAVE READ CHANGING THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR AND UPDATING THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE MAY BE WHAT'S WRONG. HOWEVER, TRYING TO CONVINCE KIA TO DO THIS IS ANOTHER BALL GAME. THERE IS ALSO A HIGH PRIORITY RECALL ON THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, RECALL #SC077. ALSO SEE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #KT2007030801. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ACCELERATION ISSUE, SOME INVOLVING ACCIDENTS. WHY WONT KIA ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AND OFFER A RECALL ON THE TPS AND A REFLASH ON THE COMPUTER??? ALL WE GET IS THE RUN-A-ROUND AND THE SHOP NOT HEARING OF SUCH A THING. REALLY???? COME ON!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547248

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2006
Air BagsElectrical System

SOON AFTER START UP, I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND PROCEEDED TO TURN ONTO THE STREET AND I HAD NO POWER FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS, THEN IT GOES FULL OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 8 OR 9 TIMES. I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE DEALER. THEY ARE CLUELESS. I HAVE BEEN BACK 6 TIMES FOR AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH AND IT IS STILL ON. HE…

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SOON AFTER START UP, I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND PROCEEDED TO TURN ONTO THE STREET AND I HAD NO POWER FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS, THEN IT GOES FULL OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 8 OR 9 TIMES. I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE DEALER. THEY ARE CLUELESS. I HAVE BEEN BACK 6 TIMES FOR AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH AND IT IS STILL ON. HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AND HAD TO GO BACK 3 TIMES FOR THAT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10170463

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.