2005 Kia Spectra: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 103 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (33% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 103 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Airbag warning light is activated. Car has not sustained damage. Seat or sensor malfunction may cause airbag not to deploy in crash.”Owner report · Seats · Nov 2020
“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 seems to be a common occurrence.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2020
“My passenger seat occupancy sensor has gone bad and kia is refusing to replace the sensor mat for 2005 kia spectras, even though they have agreed to replace the mat for the same model car from 2007 to 2009 see the NHTSA pdf about the 2007 model year recall: https://static.NHTSA.gov/odi/inv/2015/inot-pe15031-63613.pdf please speak with kia. This recall agreement should also apply to 2005 model spectras. They are refusing to replace the sensor mat.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Speedometer and odometer not working well it works the first time in the morning when I drive after I turn car off and go to drive again it will not work the entire day. Recently I have meet someone with exact make and model with the exact same issue literally as I described the other person who I did not tell about the problem word for word describe the same problem. Also when speedometer isn't working the cruise control also will nitwork. I have replaced input and output speed sensor , wheel speed sensor and the speed sensor which wires back up to instrument cluster and nothing has fixed the issue.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2018
“Takata recall contacted local kia and referred to national phone 1-800-333-4542 where a representative (jessica) stated that kia does not use takata airbags on any of their vehicles; therefore, no need to replace. End of conversation.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2017
“My son was in a collision, he rear ended someone, the whole drivers side in totally caved in and the airbags did not deploy.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2016
“While driving my speedometer stopped working. Then it went to 25 mph jumped to 45 mph. Air conditioning stopped and then started again, I went to turn left and it list power for a second almost causing me to be hit on passenger side but regained power and moved on. I would park in garage and next day working again. I would park in sun at work after work speedometer would not work. Now speedometer does not work at all I'm afraid of getting a ticket. I am working with a local mechanic they scanned it no codes relating.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owned a 2005 kia spectra. While driving 45 mph, the contact noticed that the brake pedal was stiff when it was depressed. The brakes failed without warning and a crash occurred. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2015
“Another car cut in front of me causing the accident. I was driving, my husband was in the passenger seat. At the time of impact, the passenger side airbag deployed as it should with no problem but mine didn't. There was approximately 3-5 seconds late, then exploded sending hot shrapnel that injured me in several places on my face, chest, shoulders, stomach and arms causing cuts, burns, scrapes and bruises that my husband took pictures of after the accident. It was extremely tramatic & painful. I am still not completely healed.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2015
“Vehicle rear ended another vehicle. Airbags didn't deploy as they should have. My son received a concussion as a result (he was wearing his seatbelt). Kia has indicated that airbags would not deploy. Please help. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 23 of these complaints and injuries in 17 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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 VEHICLES IN FOR REPAIR. THIS LETTER WAS MAILED MAY 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Spectra by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Kia Spectra reliable?
NHTSA has 103 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Kia Spectra. The most complained-about area is air bags (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Kia Spectra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 63,609 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Kia Spectra have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:mounting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.