Most common 2004 Kia Spectra problems
Share of the 71 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Spectra complaints by model year
Best Spectra years: 2000, 2001, 2004. Years to avoid: 2007. Compare all years →
2004 Kia Spectra recalls (1)
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
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,…
Remedy: 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.
What 2004 Kia Spectra owners say
Air bags all 26 →
I had no indication that my seat belt or airbag were faulty. While driving at 40 MPH I struck a car that turned left directly in front of me. My seat belt failed to lock and I was lifted out of the seat and hit my head, shoulder, and hip on the left side of my car. The airbag did not inflate. The insurance adjuster could not believe that the airbag didn't inflate considering the force of the impact.
Tamara recall; there was an accident about ten cars in front of me. I seen everyone start hitting there brakes so I started applying mine. Then I realized everyone had come to a stop so I applied on my brakes even harder and they locked up and I slid about 15 ft. And hit a truck in the rear end still going about 35 MPH. It shoved the front end of my car back quite a bit but yet my airbags never deployed.
Transmission & drivetrain
The gear shift slipped out of drive into neutral and pulled to the right striking a parked car. Extensive damage to both cars, no injuries however. In October of 2004 the transmission slipped out of drive as a truck was approaching while making a left turn. The car did move by putting gear shift into neutra as the driver tried anything to get out of the wayl. This car is on it's third transmission, with less than 10,000 miles on it.
My fiance's bought a Kia Spectra.... I have noticed for awhile that at freeway speeds its OK... Getting to and coming down from freeway speeds however is a interesting time... The car for about 2-3 secs. Revs and doesn't slam but seems to ease into gear then jerks forward... Passing other vehicles is not done often due to this problem. And when getting on the off ramp the motor down shifts and revs. Way to high then same as before eases into gear and jerks backwards. Then while on city streets the transmission has a much larger stall before getting into gear 4-5 secs. And this time is slams into gear producing torque steer. I had her take it in and said they couldn't find anything. So I never further persuade it.. Because nothing was going to be done. Have worked at a dealership before. …
Speed control & acceleration
The contact owns a 2004 Kia Spectra. The contact stated the cruise control feature was not operating properly. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving and approaching a traffic light, when depressing on the brake pedal the vehicle failed to stop and accelerated independently to 80 mph. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to stop the vehicle by using the emergency brakes and parked on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to her residence. The contact stated while inspecting the vehicle, they noticed the cruise cable was not in place was separate from the box. The contact also stated she saw the area was black/burned. The contact called local dealer and them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Kia Spectra. While slowing down for a red light or stop sign at any speed, the vehicle makes a loud noise and accelerates. The contact had to turn off the vehicle in order for the failures to stop. The failure began in January of 2008. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. On November 9, 2008, while driving 5 MPH in reverse, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a tree. The contact was uninjured. The vehicle is currently at the body shop. The failure mileage was 28,000 and current mileage was 37,000. Updated 12/17/08. Updated 12/18/08.
2004 Kia Spectra engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 31 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 29 / 25 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Kia Spectra a good car?
Based on 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Spectra rates average: 18% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Spectra at the same age. It is one of the best Spectra years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Kia Spectra?
The air bags — 26 complaints, 37% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal › sensor/control module. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (16) and speed control & acceleration (9).
How many recalls does the 2004 Kia Spectra have?
There is 1 recall for the 2004 Kia Spectra, the most recent from April 25, 2011 (mounting). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Spectra?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2000, 2001 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007. See the full Kia Spectra years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Kia Spectra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 30,000 miles; 65% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.