2005 Kia Spectra Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2005 Kia Spectra, and owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2005 Kia Spectra
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Mounting (fuel system)
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,…
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…
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
On certain passenger vehicles, the steering tie rods may have a manufacturing flaw that affects the metallurgy.
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…
103 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2005 Kia Spectra have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA; 23 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 17 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 61,328 miles. Complaints peaked in 2006 with 20 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“AIRBAG warning light is activated. Car has not sustained damage. Seat or sensor malfunction may cause AIRBAG not to deploy in crash.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 29, 2020 · Air bags
“Vehicle speedometer randomly quits. Also dash lights on binacle. Then will come back on after a day or so, have replace with genuine KIA oem parts but still happens. Also looked on forums online and s”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 29, 2020 · Electrical system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2005 Kia Spectra. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 21–22 / 30–31 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Kia Spectra model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Kia Spectra model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 Kia Spectra | 0 | 23 |
| 2001 Kia Spectra | 0 | 40 |
| 2002 Kia Spectra | 0 | 92 |
| 2003 Kia Spectra | 0 | 90 |
| 2004 Kia Spectra | 1 | 71 |
| 2005 Kia Spectra | 2 | 103 |
| 2006 Kia Spectra | 1 | 100 |
| 2007 Kia Spectra | 1 | 152 |
| 2008 Kia Spectra | 0 | 121 |
| 2009 Kia Spectra | 0 | 114 |
Checking a specific 2005 Kia Spectra
How do I know if my 2005 Kia Spectra has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2005 Kia Spectra; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Kia dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 05V183000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Kia models
- Sorento10,183 complaints
- Optima7,512 complaints
- Soul5,553 complaints
- Sportage4,699 complaints
- Forte2,553 complaints
- Sedona2,410 complaints
- Telluride2,026 complaints
- Sephia1,705 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.