Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Kia Spectra, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2007 Kia Spectra - 126 complaints in its first 8 years (152 to date)
- 2009 Kia Spectra - 100 complaints in its first 8 years (114 to date)
- 2008 Kia Spectra - 97 complaints in its first 8 years (121 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2001 Kia Spectra - 34 complaints in its first 8 years (40 to date)
- 2004 Kia Spectra - 65 complaints in its first 8 years (71 to date)
- 2006 Kia Spectra - 68 complaints in its first 8 years (100 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Kia Spectra | 114 | 100 | 0 |
| 2008 Kia Spectra | 121 | 97 | 0 |
| 2007 Kia Spectra | 152 | 126 | 1 |
| 2006 Kia Spectra | 100 | 68 | 1 |
| 2005 Kia Spectra | 103 | 77 | 2 |
| 2004 Kia Spectra | 71 | 65 | 1 |
| 2003 Kia Spectra | 90 | 76 | 0 |
| 2002 Kia Spectra | 92 | 79 | 0 |
| 2001 Kia Spectra | 40 | 34 | 0 |
| 2000 Kia Spectra | 23 | 23 | 0 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11V256000 | 2004-2007 | Fuel System, Other | 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,... |
| 05V183000 | 2005 | Steering | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STEERING TIE RODS MAY HAVE A MANUFACTURING FLAW THAT AFFECTS THE METALLURGY. |