Kia Spectra years to avoid
No model year of the Kia Spectra stands out with more than twice its typical number of complaints.
Best Kia Spectra years
Not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
Kia Spectra complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Kia Spectra problems
All model years combined.
- Airbags359
- Brakes88
- Engine86
- Electrical86
- Transmission82
- Fuel system75
- Acceleration72
- Seat belts54
- Body49
- Steering38
- Visibility30
- Seats30
Kia Spectra problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 70 | 114 | Airbags | 71,000 | 0 | 16 | |
| 2008 | 68 | 121 | Airbags | 74,000 | 0 | 20 | |
| 2007 | 60 | 152 | Airbags | 63,800 | 1 | 22 | |
| 2006 | 72 | 100 | Airbags | 67,000 | 1 | 28 | |
| 2005 | 74 | 103 | Airbags | 50,000 | 2 | 23 | |
| 2004 | 81 | 71 | Airbags | 30,000 | 1 | 16 | |
| 2003 | 77 | 90 | Brakes | 55,500 | 0 | 15 | |
| 2002 | 75 | 92 | Airbags | 42,000 | 0 | 25 | |
| 2001 | 86 | 40 | Airbags | 33,000 | 0 | 13 | |
| 2000 | - | 23 | Airbags | 29,284 | 0 | 6 |
Recalls 2
Questions about the Kia Spectra
What years of the Kia Spectra should you avoid?
No single model year of the Kia Spectra has more than twice its typical number of owner complaints.
What is the best year for a used Kia Spectra?
There are not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
What is the most common problem with the Kia Spectra?
Airbags, with 359 complaints across all years, followed by brakes (88) and engine (86).
How many recalls does the Kia Spectra have?
2 recalls between 2000 and 2009. The 2005 model year has the most, with 2.
VIN decoder
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Buying a used Kia Spectra?
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Check its history