KnownCarProblems2005 Kia Spectra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 103 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Kia Spectra, most often about the air bags (42% of complaints, typically around 26,500 miles). It is 4th of 10 Spectra model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2005 Kia Spectra problems
Air bags
43 complaints · 42%Half of these problems showed up before 26,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
: the contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned and crashed into a wall four times smashing all four corners of the vehicle. All six air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries to any occupants.
: the contact stated the air bag sensor light illuminated intermittently, even when a passenger was in the passenger seat. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was also notified. Updated 1/10/2007 -
Speed control
12 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.
Turned the car on, got on the hwy looked at the speed and it was at 0 MPH. Drove for a while it picked up to 20 MPH. Not sure if its working right. I've gotten a ticket for speeding how do I know what speed I'm going if its not working. I also have a new born. I believe this is very dangerous.
Pulling out of a driveway to center lane and then merging with traffic, the vehicle would not accelerate. Rpms would flare, but car had no power as if engine was not getting fuel. This would happen intermittently. Vehicle was taken to dealer who stated gas had gotten into an emissions part in the fuel take, stating it…
Electrical
11 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
The contact owns a 2005 Kia Spectra. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the speedometer, fuel gauge and temperature gauge were providing inaccurate level readings. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that the speedometer was malfunctioning and would read that she was traveling 50 MPH after coming to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was…
Steering
10 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 24,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, linkages.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Spectra. While driving 40 MPH, the contact felt the vehicle pulling drastically to the right. The dealer stated that the tie rods were faulty and the tires would not wear. She stated that the tires have been rotated every 3,000 miles for the last 46,000 miles on her vehicle. There was a…
While driving a windy mountain road our 2005 Kia Spectra steering locked up as if the car was in park. A Kia service department in victorville was unable to figure out what was wrong and they returned the car to US. A few months later the same event happened and the key would not come out of the ignition when the car…
Brakes
9 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages.
The car was parked in the driveway in 1st gear with the emergency brake engaged. The brake failed and the car rolled down our driveway and hit the house across the street.
The contact owns a 2005 Kia Spectra lx. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds the brakes would be depressed straight to the floor board. In order for her to stop the vehicle, she would have to place the vehicle into park. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they advised her that the o2 sensor and…
Transmission
7 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 43,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, clutch assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Spectra. The contact stated when he engaged the clutch pedal to change from neutral to first gear, the clutch arm became stuck and the vehicle would not shift into gear. A mechanic consulted with the consumer and stated that the clutch arm failure appeared to be heat related as the metal…
After pressing the clutch more than ten time it starts getting harder. After that it will get stuck and will not release. This only happens when temperatures are over 90 degrees. It will release after it cools down. I have been stranded in the middle of the road several times. My vehicle is less than 100 thousand…
Body and structure
6 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2005 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that the driver side door would not close fully. The door alarm would chime sporadically to indicate that the door was not fully closed. The vehicle was neither inspected nor repaired for the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The…
The contact owns a 2005 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that while attempting to exit the vehicle, the door failed to open. The contact pulled the door panel off and noticed that the linkage and the latch were both fractured. The contact could only open the window and the door from the exterior of the vehicle. The…
Seat belts
5 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: front, rear/other.
: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH the contact rear ended another vehicle. The airbags did not deploy, the seat belt did not restrain the occupant. Minor injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard were it was deemed totaled. The manufacturer has been alerted.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Spectra. One year ago, the driver side front seat belt buckle became detached. The contact took her vehicle to the dealer since it was under warranty. Exactly one year after replacing the buckle, it has detached again. The failure occurred while driving 15 MPH. The current mileage is 20,300…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 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.
Steering: tie rod assembly
Risk: If the rod cracks or fails, loss of vehicle steering control may occur which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the steering tie rods may have a manufacturing flaw that affects the metallurgy.
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 2005 Kia Spectra
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Kia Spectra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (43 complaints, typically around 26,500 miles); speed control (12 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); electrical (11 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Kia Spectra have?
- 2 recalls 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 2005 a bad year for the Kia Spectra?
- It is 4th of 10 Spectra model years by number of complaints, with 103 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.