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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

2 reports
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55,000 miles · Jan 27, 2010
Unknown Or Other

KIS SPEEDOMETER, REPEATED FAILURES. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MY 2005 SPEEDOMETER HAS GIVEN FALSE READINGS OFF BY AS MUCH AS AN ESTIMATED 25 MPH. A REVIEW OF THE INTERNET AND KIA-FORUMS.COM, THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM IN MODELS WELL PAST EH 1999 KIA SPEEDOMETER RECALL. KIA HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING SINCE THEY "CAN'T REPEAT …

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KIS SPEEDOMETER, REPEATED FAILURES. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MY 2005 SPEEDOMETER HAS GIVEN FALSE READINGS OFF BY AS MUCH AS AN ESTIMATED 25 MPH. A REVIEW OF THE INTERNET AND KIA-FORUMS.COM, THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM IN MODELS WELL PAST EH 1999 KIA SPEEDOMETER RECALL. KIA HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING SINCE THEY "CAN'T REPEAT THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM." I DO NOT KNOW HOW OFTEN THE SPEEDOMETER IS INCORRECT OUTSIDE THE IDENTIFIED EVENTS. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10302882

4,622 miles · Jul 21, 2005
Unknown Or Other

SLIGHTEST CONTACT WITH MOST DRIVEWAYS LOOSENS FRONT SPOILER TO THE POINT OF DETACHING FROM VEHICLE. FRONT SPOILER IS TOO LOW TO AVOID THIS TYPE OF DAMGE AND THE SPOILER IS HELD ONTO THE VEHICLE WITH DOUBLESIDED TAPE, 8 POP-OUT BRACKETS AND 2 SCREWS. PARTS BECOME LOOSE OVER TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10129588

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.