VehicleVerdict

2004 Kia Spectra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2004 Kia Spectra is among the quieter years of the Spectra on NHTSA's books: 92 complaints (29% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 12 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 26 reports (28% of the total).

92

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

12

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Spectra years?

Spectra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted206 complaints2000: 30 complaints2001: 56 complaints2002: 121 complaints2003: 132 complaints2004: 92 complaints2005: 130 complaints2006: 129 complaints2007: 206 complaints2008: 162 complaints2009: 152 complaints
Spectra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Spectra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Kia Spectra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2628%
Transmission1718%
Speed Control910%
Electrical System78%
Engine78%
Seat Belts55%
Suspension44%
Fuel System33%
Steering33%
Body & Structure22%
Seats22%
Brakes22%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Other11%
Child Seat11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2004 Kia Spectra have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V256000Fuel SystemApril 25, 2011 · 58,322 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DT: THE CONSUMER'S ATTORNEY STATED THAT DURING A FRONTAL CRASH THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A FRONT END COLLISION INTO THREE CEMENT CULVERTS. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING AND HE PASSED AWAY. A LAWSUIT WAS FILED AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY DID NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 13, 2004 · crash

“THE GEAR SHIFT SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT STRIKING A PARKED CAR. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS, NO INJURIES HOWEVER. IN OCTOBER OF 2004 THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE AS A TRUCK WAS APPROACHING WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE CAR DID MOVE BY PUTTING GEAR SHIFT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 2, 2005 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND ACCELERATES. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE FAILURES TO STOP. THE FAILURE BEGAN IN JANUARY OF 2008. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 9, 2008 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 15, 2007

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT A SIZZLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 27, 2010

2004 Kia Spectra — common questions

Is the 2004 Kia Spectra reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 92 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Spectra year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2004 Spectra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (26 complaints), transmission (17 complaints), speed control (9 complaints).

Does the 2004 Kia Spectra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2004 Kia Spectra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Kia Spectra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Spectra years to avoid are 2007. The cleanest record among Spectra years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.