Model year record

2004 Kia Spectra

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 92 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V256000

Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: mounting

Component: Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: mounting
Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
Vehicles affected: 58,322
Reported to NHTSA: 2011-04-25
Owners notified: 2011-06-06

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Air bags	13	55,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	13	8,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	7	28,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	6	18,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	6	35,000 mi
Electrical system	6	11,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	4	17,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	3	19,150 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	3	55,600 mi
Suspension	3	1,651 mi
Power train	2	66,298 mi
Seats	2	110,000 mi
Structure: body	2	56,150 mi
Air bags: side/window	1	31,000 mi
Child seat	1	—
Electrical system: software	1	30,000 mi
Equipment	1	17,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	1	116,862 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift	1	8,000 mi
Seat belts	1	140,000 mi
Seat belts: front	1	18,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	1	70,852 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor	1	21,251 mi
Seat belts: integrated child seat	1	—
Service brakes	1	1,983,297 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	900 mi
Steering	1	900 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	1	31,000 mi
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm	1	4,000 mi
Suspension: rear	1	—
Tires	1	42,612 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	1	—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	1	—
Visibility: power window devices and controls	1	19,150 mi

The 2003 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2005 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.