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.
2005 Kia SpectraProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 103 owner complaints about the 2005 Kia Spectra, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 29, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Kia Spectra has problems
103 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
43Air bags16 crash/fire/injury
12Vehicle speed control3 crash/fire/injury
11Electrical system
10Steering4 crash/fire/injury
7Power train
6Structure
5Seat belts
4Service brakes, hydraulic
4Suspension
2412 other systems7 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 43 | 16 |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 0 |
| Steering | 10 | 4 |
| Power train | 7 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 3 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 1 |
| 12 other systems | 24 | 7 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2005 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.
no report yet
Linkages: tie rod assembly
Risk. IF THE ROD CRACKS OR FAILS, LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
27kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 32 air bags complaints. 81% were reported before 100,000 miles.
17under 30k miles26under 100k miles6100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 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
2005 Kia Spectra safety ratings
2005 Kia Spectra 4-DR w/SAB 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.
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ACTIVATED. CAR HAS NOT SUSTAINED DAMAGE. SEAT OR SENSOR MALFUNCTION MAY CAUSE AIRBAG NOT TO DEPLOY IN CRASH.
UPON PURCHASE, BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT IN 2005, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD WAS ALWAYS COMING ON AND OFF WHEN DRIVING EVEN IF A PERSON WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. I NEVER REALLY UNDERSTOOD EXACTLY WHY OR HAD MONEY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT PROBLEM. WHEN I WOULD…
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:…
Own a 2005 Spectra?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.