RecallRepo

2004 Kia Spectra Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2004 Kia Spectra has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 58,322 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 92 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 11V256000 2011-04-25 58,322 affected
Defect

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,…

Consequence

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.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS
13
5crashes2injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
13
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
7
1crashes1fires
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
6
6crashes5injuries1deaths
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
3
SUSPENSION
3
Total complaints92

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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.…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2022-03-24

“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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2017-08-05

“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…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2017-08-05

“Electrical - speedometer / odometer - functions intermittently due to possible short in wiring”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2016-06-07

“Front end collision going around 30mph and no airbag deployment. Car is totaled. *tr”

AIR BAGS · reported 2015-03-19

“After parking my car I could not open the driver side (left front) door. The inside door handle no longer opens the door. I now have to roll down the window and open the door using the outside door handle. I feel this is a safety issue. In an emergency I could become trapped inside. The electric…”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2014-12-03

“Metal around wheel wells rotting out.”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2014-09-25

“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia spectra. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 mph, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact also stated months later the seat belt springs from the driver and passenger side exploded. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2012-11-07
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 Kia Spectra as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.