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2005 Kia Spectra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Kia Spectra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 96.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

84 reports with mileage · 19 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports1 fire reports14 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

4 reports
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85,000 miles · Sep 26, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE BRAKES WOULD BE DEPRESSED STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR BOARD. IN ORDER FOR HER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, SHE WOULD HAVE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE O2 SENSOR AND MASTER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE BRAKES WOULD BE DEPRESSED STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR BOARD. IN ORDER FOR HER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, SHE WOULD HAVE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE O2 SENSOR AND MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER HAVING THE REPAIRS DONE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10427192

41,000 miles · Jun 15, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA 5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN OCTOBER 2008, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE TOO CLOSE AND ALMOST CAUSED HIM TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA 5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN OCTOBER 2008, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE TOO CLOSE AND ALMOST CAUSED HIM TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 41,000. UPDATED 08/04/10 *BF THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. HE STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, HE ALSO APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AT 20 MPH. UPDATED 10/14/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10336442

24,145 miles · May 1, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE EXITING A DRIVEWAY AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED WIRES HANGING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONNECTOR FROM THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HAD FRACTUR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE EXITING A DRIVEWAY AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED WIRES HANGING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONNECTOR FROM THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO FAIL. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 24,145.

NHTSA ODI #10267444

Mileage unknown · May 14, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

INFREQUENTLY, WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE, THE RPM'S WILL GO UP TO THE 7 OR 8,000 RANGE, AND I CANNOT SUCCESSFULLY STOP THE CAR; I HAVE HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PUT THE CAR IN PARK IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP. ONE TIME I WENT THROUGHT THE INTERSECTION OF A STOP SIGN, FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS PRESENT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10157521

Official recalls

2

11V256000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Apr 25, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

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.

05V183000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Apr 28, 2005

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

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: 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.

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.