Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2004 Kia Spectra. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗FUEL TANK STRAPS
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (71)
71 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 71 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 26 | 36.6% |
| Power train | 16 | 22.5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 12.7% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 9.9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 9.9% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 7% |
| Suspension | 4 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 4.2% |
| Steering | 3 | 4.2% |
| Seats | 2 | 2.8% |
How 2004 compares with other Spectra years
Best and worst Spectra years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 23 | 0 |
| 2001 | 40 | 0 |
| 2002 | 92 | 0 |
| 2003 | 90 | 0 |
| 2004 | 71 | 1 |
| 2005 | 103 | 2 |
| 2006 | 100 | 1 |
| 2007 | 152 | 1 |
| 2008 | 121 | 0 |
| 2009 | 114 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 356 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2004 Spectra for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2004 Kia Spectra FAQ
How many recalls does the 2004 Kia Spectra have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 11V256000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2004 Kia Spectra problems?
Owners filed 71 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (26), Power train (16), Vehicle speed control (9) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2004 Kia Spectra get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 21 city, 31 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2004 Spectra compare with other years?
Among the 2000–2009 Kia Spectra model years at least five years old, the 2000 drew the fewest complaints (23) and the 2007 the most (152). The 2004 drew 71. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.