Does the 2005 Kia Spectra have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2005 Kia Spectra, the most recent reported on April 25, 2011 (Fuel system, other: storage, tank assembly, mounting). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Kia Spectra?

Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (43 complaints), followed by vehicle speed control (12).

How many 2005 Kia Spectra complaints mention a crash or fire?

23 of 103 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 17 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2005 Kia Spectra recalls and problems

2 recalls and 103 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Kia Spectra.

recalls

103

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2005 Kia Spectra recalls

Fuel system, other: storage, tank assembly, mounting

NHTSA campaign 11V256000 · reported April 25, 2011 · KIA MOTORS CORPORATION · 58,322 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.

Steering: linkages, tie rod assembly

NHTSA campaign 05V183000 · reported April 28, 2005 · KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. · 368 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the steering tie rods may have a manufacturing flaw that affects the metallurgy.
The risk: If the rod cracks or fails, loss of vehicle steering control may occur which could result in a crash.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags43
Vehicle speed control12
Electrical system11
Steering10
Power train7
Structure6
Seat belts5
Engine4
Seats4
Service brakes, hydraulic4

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Nov 29, 2020 · Air bags · 128,636 miles
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ACTIVATED. CAR HAS NOT SUSTAINED DAMAGE. SEAT OR SENSOR MALFUNCTION MAY CAUSE AIRBAG NOT TO DEPLOY IN CRASH.

Mar 29, 2020 · Electrical system · 88,088 miles
VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY QUITS. ALSO DASH LIGHTS ON BINACLE. THEN WILL COME BACK ON AFTER A DAY OR SO, HAVE REPLACE WITH GENUINE KIA OEM PARTS BUT STILL HAPPENS. ALSO LOOKED ON FORUMS ONLINE AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE.

Nov 25, 2019 · Steering · 160,000 miles · crash reported
BAD SHAKING IN STEERING WHEEL AND SOUNDS COMING FROM FRONT END. ONLY WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY

Mar 9, 2019 · Air bags · 100 miles
UPON PURCHASE, BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT IN 2005, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD WAS ALWAYS COMING ON AND OFF WHEN DRIVING EVEN IF A PERSON WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. I NEVER REALLY UNDERSTOOD EXACTLY WHY OR HAD MONEY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT PROBLEM. WHEN I WOULD TAKE IT TO THE…

Nov 14, 2018 · Electrical system · 127,089 miles
SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER NOT WORKING WELL IT WORKS THE FIRST TIME IN THE MORNING WHEN I DRIVE AFTER I TURN CAR OFF AND GO TO DRIVE AGAIN IT WILL NOT WORK THE ENTIRE DAY. RECENTLY I HAVE MEET SOMEONE WITH EXACT MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE LITERALLY AS I DESCRIBED THE OTHER PERSON WHO I DID NOT TELL ABOUT…

Spectra model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2002	0	92	25	2
2003	0	90	15	1
2004	1	71	16	1
2005	2	103	23	1
2006	1	100	28	3
2007	1	152	22	6
2008	0	121	20	3

Across all years, the 2007 Spectra has the most complaints (152). All Kia Spectra years →

Questions

Does the 2005 Kia Spectra have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2005 Kia Spectra, the most recent reported on April 25, 2011 (Fuel system, other: storage, tank assembly, mounting). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Kia Spectra?: Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (43 complaints), followed by vehicle speed control (12).
How many 2005 Kia Spectra complaints mention a crash or fire?: 23 of 103 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 17 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received November 29, 2020.