Kia Spectra problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every Spectra from 2000 to 2009: 906 owner complaints and 5 recalls across 10 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2007 (152), 2008 (121), 2009 (114). Best fuel economy: 27 mpg combined (2009).
Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 | 23 | 23 | |
| 2001 | 0 | 40 | 24 | |
| 2002 | 0 | 92 | 24 | |
| 2003 | 0 | 90 | 24 | |
| 2004 | 1 | 71 | 25 | |
| 2005 | 2 | 103 | 25 | |
| 2006 | 1 | 100 | 25 | |
| 2007 | 1 | 152 | 26 | |
| 2008 | 0 | 121 | 27 | |
| 2009 | 0 | 114 | 27 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Kia Spectra.
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FAQ
What is the worst year for the Kia Spectra?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2007 (152), 2008 (121), 2009 (114).
How many recalls has the Kia Spectra had?
Across 2000–2009, NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).