KnownCarProblems2004 Kia Spectra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 71 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Kia Spectra, most often about the air bags (37% of complaints, typically around 33,000 miles). It is 8th of 10 Spectra model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2004 Kia Spectra problems
Air bags
26 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 33,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
2004 Kia Spectra on 3/20/06 was impacted on passenger side within the area of front and rear doors. The impact forced the rear of my car to slid away from impact and come in contact with a pickup truck damaging my drivers side rear quarter and not one air bag in my car deployed and there are 8 air bags in this model…
Warning light for airbag on the speedometer panel stays on. Dealer and Kia tech first replaced passenger seat cover and drivers side seat buckle because they were shorted out. This did not solve the problem. They then said the problem was because of some fluid spilled on computer under cup holders in the center…
Transmission
16 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 8,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
On several instances my car has not shifted into a higher gear when taking off from a stop sign. I have taken the car to the dealer twice and they have not found anything wrong. This has happened on the following dates: 9/11, 9/12, 9/20, and twice on 9/23.
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 into neutra as the…
Speed control
9 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Kia Spectra. When the brakes were applied, the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated automatically. The vehicle can only be stopped by being turned completely off. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The current mileage was 34,000 and failure mileage was 33,600. Updated 03-19-08…
Tl 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 for a diagnostic, but…
Engine
7 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 18,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
: the contact stated when the vehicle is idling, it idles low and then revs up on it's own. The dealership replaced the main solenoid in the transmission. The problem returned, and the dealership is unable to diagnose a problem. Also, two weeks after purchase, the check engine light illuminated. The dealership…
Tl 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. Updated 5/30/08 the consumer…
Electrical
7 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 14,500 miles. Parts named most often: software.
: the contact stated while shifting gears, the transmission lurches. The dealership determined the computer is not sending the proper signals to the transmission to shift gears. The dealership is unaware of how to repair the vehicle. Updated 5/3/2006 -
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 failure recurred. The…
Seat belts
5 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: front, integrated child seat.
There was no indication prior to the accident that there was anything wrong with the driver's seat belt. My husband and I were in an accident, I was in the front passenger's seat and he was driving. My seat belt locked and his didn't allowing him to be thrown into the steering wheel, this left him with a severely…
I had no indication that my seat belt or airbag were faulty. While driving at 40 MPH I struck a car that turned left directly in front of me. My seat belt failed to lock and I was lifted out of the seat and hit my head, shoulder, and hip on the left side of my car. The airbag did not inflate. The insurance adjuster…
Suspension
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: rear.
When starting the vehicle there would be a heavy vibration in the steering wheel. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
: the contact stated at all driving conditions the vehicle rocks back and fourth due to the suspension. At higher speeds the condition worsens. The dealership has been alerted however they are unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer has been alerted who went by what the dealership determined.
Steering
3 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, linkages.
Dt: the contact pesumes that the spindle broke on the wheel while driving 45 MPH. The vehicle pulled o the left. He pulled over, checked the vehicle and discovered that spindle was broken. He called the dealership with hopes of buying a new spindle. The car came with drum brakes, and when the dealer looked up the VIN…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Kia Spectra recalls
Fuel system: mounting
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2004 Kia Spectra
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Kia Spectra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (26 complaints, typically around 33,000 miles); transmission (16 complaints, typically around 8,500 miles); speed control (9 complaints, typically around 31,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Kia Spectra have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 25, 2011 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Kia Spectra?
- It is 8th of 10 Spectra model years by number of complaints, with 71 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.