Model line

Kia Spectra

Every Kia Spectra model year on file, 1998 to 2009. Pick a year for its recalls, investigations, service bulletins and the full text of owner complaints.

Owner complaints, all model years906209 involved a crash, fire, injury or death
Model years121998 to 2009
Recall campaigns2Distinct campaigns listing it
Service bulletins213Summed across model years
By model year

The 2007 model year drew the most complaints, 152

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, all years filed, by model year.

050100150200199819992000200120022003200420052006200715220082009
Source: NHTSA ODI. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA, and NHTSA publishes no sales volumes, so counts are not rates.
Components

Airbags leads the Kia Spectra complaint record

Owner complaints across all model years, by component.

Airbags
361
Brakes
88
Electrical system
87
Engine and cooling
86
Powertrain
84
Fuel system
75
Speed control
72
Seat belts
54
Structure
49
Steering
38
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Model years

The record for each Kia Spectra model year

Peer index compares complaints with the median vehicle of the same model year and body class (100 is the median). It corrects for age, not for how many were sold.

Kia Spectra by model year
YearBodyComplaintsSeverity indexPeer indexRecallsInvestigationsBulletins
2009Sedan11414.04070128
2008Sedan12120.73360130
2007Sedan15219.13661130
2006Sedan10030.02081019
2005Hatchback10323.32582023
2004Sedan7123.91781027
2003Sedan9021.12730012
2002Sedan9229.33540115
2001Hatchback4035.0920113
2000Hatchback2334.81000312
1999Not decoded0NoneNone002
1998Not decoded0NoneNone002
Source: NHTSA ODI. Body class from NHTSA's VIN decoder where decoded.
Latest recalls

Recent campaigns covering the Kia Spectra

  • 11V-256 Apr 25, 2011
    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
    Fuel system · 58k vehicles
  • 05V-183 Apr 28, 2005
    On certain passenger vehicles, the steering tie rods may have a manufacturing flaw that affects the metallurgy
    Steering · 368 vehicles
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.