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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (2)
Fuel system, other: storage, tank assembly
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Steering: linkages, tie rod assembly
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STEERING TIE RODS MAY HAVE A MANUFACTURING FLAW THAT AFFECTS THE METALLURGY.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF THE ROD CRACKS OR FAILS, LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
Canadian recalls (3)
Show 3 Canadian recalls
Fuel system
2011-04-29 · campaign 2011-180
On certain vehicles operated in areas of heavy road salt usage during winter months, the fuel tank straps could corrode and fail. This could allow the fuel tank to contact the ground, which may compromise the tank's integrity and permit fuel leakage. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel tank straps with zinc coated versions.
Airbag
2005-10-05 · campaign 2005-288
On certain vehicles equipped with an advanced airbag feature, the Occupant Classification System (OCS) installed in the right front seat of the vehicle may misclassify a child restraint seat as an adult. This may occur if the child seat is installed after an adult has been seated in the right front seat and there has not been a key ON - key OFF cycle with the right front seat empty prior to installation of the child restraint. The possibility of misclassification of a child restraint as an adult may allow the right front airbag or side impact airbag to deploy in a crash and could result in injury to the right front occupant. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the vehicles OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU).
Steering
2005-05-20 · campaign 2005-159 · 271 vehicles
On certain vehicles, the steering tie rods may have a manufacturing flaw that affects the metallurgy. When subjected to stresses that arise in the normal operation of the vehicle, it is possible that a section of the steering tie rod may crack or fail, impairing steering ability. In certain conditions, this could lead to a loss of steering control which could result in a crash. Correction: Kia Canada Inc. will replace the steering rack assembly on all affected vehicles at the port of entry prior to distribution to dealers.
Owner complaints (103)
Owners filed 103 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Kia Spectra (23 crashes, 1 fires, 17 injuries reported). Among 10 model years of this model, it ranks #4 for the most complaints (median 100).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Air bags | 43 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | |
| Electrical system | 11 | |
| Steering | 10 | |
| Power train | 7 | |
| Structure | 6 | |
| Seat belts | 5 | |
| Suspension | 4 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Kia Spectra.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2005 Kia Spectra 4-DR w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2005 Kia Spectra version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Spectra 2.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 21 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Spectra 2.0 L Manual 5-spd | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.