2004 Kia Spectra recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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. THE…
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2004 SPECTRA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Kia dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 11V256000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-333-4542.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
Summary: 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: 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.
Notes: KIA SAFETY RECALL NO. SC090. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2004 Kia Spectra owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (26), Transmission / drivetrain (16), Vehicle Speed Control (9), Electrical system (7), Engine (7).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/28/2022 · Vehicle Speed Control · fire
The contact owns a 2004 Kia Spectra. The contact stated the cruise control feature was not operating properly. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving and approaching a traffic light, when depressing on the brake pedal the vehicle failed to stop and accelerated independently to 80 mph. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driv…
08/18/2017 · Electrical system
ELECTRICAL - SPEEDOMETER / ODOMETER - FUNCTIONS INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO POSSIBLE SHORT IN WIRING
08/06/2017 · Airbags · crash
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 STILL GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. IT SHOVED THE FRONT END OF MY CAR BAC…
01/29/2016 · Body / structure
METAL AROUND WHEEL WELLS ROTTING OUT.
03/20/2015 · Airbags · crash
FRONT END COLLISION GOING AROUND 30MPH AND NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. CAR IS TOTALED. *TR
12/17/2014 · Body / structure
AFTER PARKING MY CAR I COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE (LEFT FRONT) DOOR. THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE NO LONGER OPENS THE DOOR. I NOW HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IN AN EMERGENCY I COULD BECOME TRAPPED INSIDE. THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS WON'T WORK UNLESS THE CAR IS RUNNING OR THE KEY IS IN…
12/21/2012 · Airbags
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 TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ST…
07/20/2012 · Transmission / drivetrain
I WENT INTO KROGER'S AND PICKED UP A FEW ITEMS. WHEN I WAS DONE, I LEFT THE STORE AND GOT BACK INTO MY CAR TO FINISH RUNNING SOME ERRANDS. I STARTED MY KIA- SPECTRA AND SHE PURRED LIKE A KITTEN- AS USUAL. I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE BUT MY KIA WOULD MOVE. I WAS PRESSING THE PEDDLE AND MY CAR DID NOT MOVE. I COULD HEAR THE…