Kia Amanti Problems by Year

We compared every Kia Amanti model year from 2004–2008 using 243 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2004 and 2005, which drew far more complaints than other Amanti years at the same age. The best years are 2007 and 2008.

5model years
243complaints
2recalls
2004, 2005worst years
2007, 2008best years

Complaints by model year

200420052006200720087383471525
Owner complaints per model year, Kia Amanti. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
200825−52%1ElectricalGood
200715−68%2AirbagGood
200647typical—TransmissionAverage
2005831.7×—AccelerationCaution
2004731.8×—EngineCaution

* Complaints compared with the median Amanti year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Kia Amanti problems

  • Speed control & accelerationworst: 2005
    5422%
  • Air bagsworst: 2005
    3916%
  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 2006
    3816%
  • Engine & coolingworst: 2004
    3514%
  • Electrical systemworst: 2004
    3314%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 2004
    2912%
  • Suspensionworst: 2004
    208%
  • Other / not specified
    208%
  • Lightsworst: 2005
    146%
  • Brakesworst: 2004
    135%
  • Wheels & tiresworst: 2004
    104%
  • Stability & traction controlworst: 2004
    73%
  • Steeringworst: 2005
    73%
  • Body & structureworst: 2005
    62%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroofworst: 2008
    62%
  • Equipment & accessoriesworst: 2006
    31%
  • Seat beltsworst: 2004
    21%
  • Seatsworst: 2006
    21%
  • A/C & heaterworst: 2004
    10%
  • Driver assistanceworst: 2005
    10%

Latest Kia Amanti recalls

Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch

NHTSA recall 13V-114 · Apr 1, 2013 · 980,377 vehicles

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles.

Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge.

Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch

NHTSA recall 09V-130 · Apr 17, 2009 · 139,844 vehicles

Huyndai-Kia is recalling 139,844 my 2006-2007- sedona, sportage, sorento and my rondo and amanti vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles May malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch May cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or May cause the brake lights to remain…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2009. Owners May contact Kia's consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Kia Amanti should you avoid?

2004 and 2005 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Amanti years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2004.

What is the best year for the Kia Amanti?

2007 has the fewest complaints compared with other Amanti years at the same age, followed by 2008. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Kia Amanti problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the speed control & acceleration (54), air bags (39) and transmission & drivetrain (38). Acceleration complaints peak in the 2005 model year.

How many recalls has the Kia Amanti had?

2 recalls across 2004–2008. The model year with the most is 2007.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.