1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,615 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Kia Spectra:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #2

May 102012

Spectra 4-cyl

  • 100,932 miles
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 car revving up but I wasn't moving. To make a long story short- I had my Kia towed to the dealership for an inspection and was told that I needed a new transmission and it would cost me between $2200-3600. I was devastated and shocked. My Kia was working just fine. I never had any indicators that the vehicle was having problems. None of my dashboard indicator lights flash or light up. My car has been parked for the last three months because I could not afford to cover the repairs. I purchased my vehicle 4 years ago and have taken it to the dealer for all the regular scheduled maintenance to maintain a well-functioning vehicle. I was laid off from my job over 5 years ago. I paid $8,700 for my Kia using monies from my prophet sharing to cut down on living expenses so that I could stay on top of things between jobs. I was assured by the dealer that my vehicle was certified and would remain in great condition if I kept up with the necessary vehicle maintenance. I did everything I was suppose to and my vehicle is no longer in service. The dealership I take my vehicle to for service, advised me to contact your organization and report my issues concerning my vehicle. My car should be on the recall list because this vehicle is prone to defective transmissions. I am on a fixed income and I need my car repair. Please let me know if I can get my car repaired under a recall. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #1

Oct 152008

Spectra

  • 66,298 miles
The car will suddenly accelerate while driving. It will also lunge when shifting into gear, forward and reverse. It does not occur everytime the vehicle starts. We brought it to the dealership twice for this problem. The first time they said they couldn't duplicate the problem. The 2nd time they said that it is normal for RPM's to go up when the engine is cool. When the car lunges, the brakes have to be depressed as hard as possible to stop the car. It sounds like the same problem they had with the Kia amanti.

- Goose Creek, SC, USA