2004 Kia Spectra
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 29 of 71 complaints (41%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 90 in 2003 to 71 in 2004.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | vs. 2004 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–2,850 | 2,600–2,850 | 2,500–2,850 | 2,500 | 2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–24 | 22–24 | 22–25 | 25 | 25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–21 / 27–29 | 19–21 / 27–29 | 19–22 / 27–31 | 21–22 / 30–31 | 22 / 30–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–404 | 370–404 | 355–404 | 355 | 355 | |
| Complaints filed | 92 | 90 | 71 | 103 | 118 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 25 | 15 | 16 | 23 | 30 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 19 | 11 | 9 | 17 | 32 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Kia Spectra have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2004 Kia Spectra?
Airbags & Restraints: 29 of 71 NHTSA complaints (41%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Kia Spectra get?
EPA rates it 22–25 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2004 Kia Spectra?
EPA estimates $2,500–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 21 mpg | 31 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 22 mpg (high) | 29 mpg | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 29 | 13 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING · Campaign 11V256000 · Apr 28, 2011
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, 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.
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.