NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
103 reports84,000 miles · Nov 30, 2012
Structure
TL* 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 VEHICLE WA…
Read full complaint
TL* 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 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE LATCH AND LINKAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE PART AND MADE THE REPAIRS HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10486551
50,000 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Structure
THE CHROME LAYER ON THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES INSIDE THE VEHICLE IS DELAMINATING FROM THE UNDERLYING PLASTIC HANDLES. THE SHARP EDGES POSE A LACERATION HAZARD TO THE OCCUPANT WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472609
65,000 miles · Jun 16, 2012
Power Train
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 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10461967
100,000 miles · Jun 16, 2012
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
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. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10461962
73,000 miles · May 24, 2012
Electrical System
TL* 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 NOT REPA…
Read full complaint
TL* 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 NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
NHTSA ODI #10459513
77,000 miles · May 10, 2012
Electrical System
TL* 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.
NHTSA ODI #10458015
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2012
Seat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS DID NOT CLICK AND LATCH INTO THEIR BUCKLES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE REAR SEAT BELT WERE NEVER PREVIOUSLY OPERATED. THE FAI…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS DID NOT CLICK AND LATCH INTO THEIR BUCKLES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE REAR SEAT BELT WERE NEVER PREVIOUSLY OPERATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF UPDATED 05/14/12
NHTSA ODI #10454864
45,593 miles · Feb 3, 2012
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR WITHIN THE SEAT FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR WITHIN THE SEAT FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,593.
NHTSA ODI #10446553
85,000 miles · Sep 26, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* 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 MASTER …
Read full complaint
TL* 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 MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER HAVING THE REPAIRS DONE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10427192
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2011
Power Train
2005 KIA SPECTRA PASSED INSPECTION AS WELL AS ALL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER OWNING IT AT APPROXIMATELY 85,722 MILES, WITHOUT WARNING, TRAVELING THROUGH LOCAL STREETS SLOWLY (AT LESS THAN 5 MPH) THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND ACTUALLY EXPLODED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT LEFT A 12 HOLE IN THE TOP PORTION OF THE TRANSMISS…
Read full complaint
2005 KIA SPECTRA PASSED INSPECTION AS WELL AS ALL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER OWNING IT AT APPROXIMATELY 85,722 MILES, WITHOUT WARNING, TRAVELING THROUGH LOCAL STREETS SLOWLY (AT LESS THAN 5 MPH) THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND ACTUALLY EXPLODED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT LEFT A 12 HOLE IN THE TOP PORTION OF THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING. TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE STREET AND PIECES OF THE TRANSMISSION FELL OUT. LEAVING US STRANDED FIVE HOURS FROM HOME. TOWED TO KIA DEALERSHIP, AND FOUND OUT LATER VIA PICTURES, E-MAIL, PHONE CALLS AND OPINIONS FROM MECHANICS THAT THERE APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS DEFECT IS UNDETECTABLE WITH THE NAKED EYE (BECAUSE IT WAS INTERNAL), THIS WOULD NOT SHOW UP IN DIAGNOSTICS NOR TRIP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THIS IS HAPPENING UNLESS YOU CAN SEE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION BY THAT TIME IT IS TOO LATE. LOOKING AT THE PICTURES YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THROUGH THE 12 HOLE AND INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEE THE INTERNAL WORKINGS. THERE YOU WILL SEE WHAT IS AN APPROXIMATE 3 GROOVE IN WHICH A BENT PIN (FROM MANUFACTURING) WORE AWAY AT THE METAL TILL THERE WAS NO MORE METAL FOR IT TO HIT. AT WHICH POINT IT EXPLODED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT RIPPED A 12 HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE METAL HOUSING OF THE TRANSMISSION (WITH 4 OF US IN THE CAR AT THAT TIME). WE CONTACTED KIA AND ADVISED THEM OF SITUATION AS WELL AS THE EXPENSES TO REPAIR AND ALL THEY GAVE US WAS THE RUN AROUND! WHEN ASKED THEY WOULD NOT DISCLOSE WHERE THEY SENT THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AND KIA SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE! TRANSMISSIONS DO NOT EXPLODE! THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND A SAFETY CONCERN! HAD THIS HAPPEN AT 70 MPH THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE INJURIES! WE HAVE CLEAR DETAILED PICTURES! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10421868
Official recalls
2Apr 25, 2011
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Apr 28, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STEERING TIE RODS MAY HAVE A MANUFACTURING FLAW THAT AFFECTS THE METALLURGY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Illustration