IllustrationI RECENTLY HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AND I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT THEY DIDN'T SO I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON MY AIRBAG SYSTEM. I WAS WONDERING WHY I WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THIS SO I COULD TAKE MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE. *TR
2005 Kia Spectra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Kia Spectra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 96.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Spectra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
280–25K
1425–50K
850–75K
1575–100K
14100–150K
5150K+
84 reports with mileage · 19 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
23 crash reports1 fire reports14 injury reports
What owners actually said
103 reportsDUE TO CORROSION, THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE FAILED AT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER. VEHICLE IS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA 5 WITH 117,000 MILES
TL*THE 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 EXPANDED I…
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TL*THE 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 EXPANDED IN HOT TEMPERATURES AND CAUSED THE ARM TO BIND UP. A CALL TO THE DEALER WAS MADE WHO REFUSED WARRANTY, BUT OTHERWISE SERVICE.. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000. UPDATED 07/18/11
TL* 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 FAILURE MILEA…
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TL* 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 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.
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. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH IN WHICH ONLY THE FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT DID REMAIN SECURE DURING THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND TWO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CONTACT WA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH IN WHICH ONLY THE FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT DID REMAIN SECURE DURING THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND TWO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE TO TREAT SERIOUS INJURIES AND THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE ALSO SUFFERED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
I WAS MAKING A THREE POINT TURN. I MOVED TO THE WALL BRAKING TO STOP TO BACK UP, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CAR WENT FORWARD SPEEDING UP AND INTO THE BLOCK WALL. STILL WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES I TURNED THE CAR OFF. *TR
2005 KIA SPECTRA I WAS BRAKING AND THE CAR STARTED SPEEDING UP. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO KEEP THE CAR FROM GOING . *TR
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONTEND COLLISION! MY WIFE'S HEAD WAS SLAMMED AGAINST THE SIDE WINDOW. HOSPITAL TO BE VISITED SOON. (THIS WAS ABOUT AN HOUR AGO) *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED WHEN SHE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO THE VEHICLE AND THEY WERE GOING TO SEND HER A DIAGRAM INSTRUCTING HER H…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED WHEN SHE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO THE VEHICLE AND THEY WERE GOING TO SEND HER A DIAGRAM INSTRUCTING HER HOW TO PROPERLY SIT IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INSTRUCTED TO GAIN WEIGHT IN ORDER FOR THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUES TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 08/05/10. *LJ
Official recalls
211V256000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
Apr 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.
05V183000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.