no report yet
Tank assembly: mounting
Risk. THE FUEL TANK CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND STRIKE THE GROUND WHICH COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK.
2004 Kia SpectraProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 71 owner complaints about the 2004 Kia Spectra, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 28, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Kia Spectra has problems
71 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
26Air bags12 crash/fire/injury
16Power train1 crash/fire/injury
9Vehicle speed control2 crash/fire/injury
7Electrical system
7Engine and engine cooling
5Seat belts
4Suspension
3Steering
3Fuel system, gasoline
119 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 26 | 12 |
| Power train | 16 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 2 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 3 | 0 |
| 9 other systems | 11 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2004 Kia Spectra recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other Spectra year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Spectra median. How we score
'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Kia Spectra safety ratings
2004 Kia Spectra 4-DR w/SAB (2004.5) in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Spectra owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TAMARA RECALL; THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ABOUT TEN CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I SEEN EVERYONE START HITTING THERE BRAKES SO I STARTED APPLYING MINE. THEN I REALIZED EVERYONE HAD COME TO A STOP SO I APPLIED ON MY BRAKES EVEN HARDER AND THEY LOCKED UP AND I SLID ABOUT 15 FT. AND HIT A TRUCK IN THE REAR END…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED MONTHS LATER THE SEAT BELT SPRINGS FROM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC…
THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE SPECTRA 2005 4-DOOR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY 1. THE LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, THE LIGHT WENT OFF SO THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. NOW THE LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY 'ON' AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT…
Own a 2004 Spectra?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.