2005 Kia Spectra: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 130 complaints
130
Total Complaints
63,609mi
Median Mileage
AIR BAGS
Top Issue
34
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

10,000 25th Percentile
63,609 Median Mileage
100,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

AIR BAGS
24
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
12
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
12
STEERING
8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
5
ENGINE
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
4
SEATS
4
STRUCTURE:BODY
4

Severity Assessment

34
Crashes
1
Fires
25
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"I HAVE ADVANCED AIRBAGS IN MY CAR AND A LIGHT "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF " LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT LETS ME KNOW WHEN THE AIRBAG IS OFF. ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS THE LIGHT HAS COME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE LIGHT HAS ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS STAYED ON FOR UP T..."
"DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO STEER THE CAR TO THE RIGHT IT CONTINUED TO GO TO THE LEFT. APPROXIMATELY FOUR HOURS PRIOR TO THIS THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE WITH VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR WENT IN TO A GUARD RAIL ON SOUTHBOUND 14 ..."
"DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO STEER THE CAR TO THE RIGHT IT CONTINUED TO GO TO THE LEFT. APPROXIMATELY FOUR HOURS PRIOR TO THIS THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE WITH VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR WENT IN TO A GUARD RAIL ON SOUTHBOUND 14 ..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28