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2005 Kia Spectra repairs by problem area

Engine (48%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (4%)

Brakes and Traction Control (11%)

Suspension and Steering (4%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (26%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)

Other (4%)

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Chart based on 46 repairs.

See TSBs and recalls for the 2005 Kia Spectra.

2005 Kia Spectra repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (3%)

$500 - $999 (9%)

$100 - $499 (39%)

< $100 (48%)

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Chart based on 33 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

See repairs for all Kia Spectra model years.

Kia Spectra5 in Massachusetts, United States - Nov 2006
Nov 2006 14000 mi	Idle speed would sometimes stay high. Based on information from Kia forum, I cleaned the idle control valve and fixed the problem.

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Kia Spectra5 in Maryland, United States Oct 2014 - Dec 2015
Dec 2014 220000 mi US $400	fuel system issue. vent valve stuck, would not release air. Could not add fuel to vehicle. Alternator died.
Dec 2015 240000 mi US $200	Fuel vent valve replaced 2nd time in less than 15,000 miles.

Kia Spectra5 in Quebec, Canada Nov 2010 - Jul 2014
Jun 2013 108500 mi C $300	Replaced the right front wheel bearing which was noisy, changed the other side by precaution.
Feb 2014 116560 mi C $150	The front pipe with the braided section had a hole in it and was replaced.

Kia Spectra5 in California, United States May 2018 - Aug 2018
Jun 2018 165000 mi US $110	Engine overheating, using coolant. Found that oil totally broken down and sludgy, needed to be spooned out of oilpan. Had engine flushed in addition to oil change.

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Kia Spectra in Ohio, United States Feb 2013 - Apr 2017
Feb 2013 111900 mi US $197	replace starter with remanufactured starter.
Mar 2014 123000 mi US $160	torn transmission mount. replace trans mount and all three motor mounts.
Nov 2014 125000 mi US $4	rough idle. cleaned throttle body.
May 2015 127900 mi US $100	Airbag sensor pad in front passenger seat failed (code: B1448 Defective Mat).
Aug 2015 129900 mi US $25	Clutch slave cylinder leak. Replaced clutch slave cylinder and bled hydraulic clutch system.
Nov 2016 138400 mi US $185	Replace fuel pump.

Kia Spectra in Ohio, United States Sep 2014 - Jun 2017
Mar 2015 98000 mi US $250	EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELD SECURED HAND BREAK FIXED
Oct 2015 112700 mi US $1220	replaced all pads & rotors + 1 caliper and replace worn belts Replace clutch
Jan 2017 121200 mi US $350	Braking was not smooth, caliper was the problem.
Jun 2017 152000 mi US $500	Alternator failed and wrecked the battery as well

Kia Spectra in Ontario, Canada Nov 2011 - Aug 2013
Dec 2011 83700 mi	Replaced rear calipers recall Radio noise hum

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Kia Spectra in Ontario, Canada Nov 2017 - Mar 2018
Feb 2018 65100 mi C $500	Heater died and electrical wires under battery were burnt and needed to b replaced with new ones. Window panel buttons were not working properly. They were sticking and draining my battery.

Kia Spectra in Nevada, United States Sep 2015 - Apr 2018
Oct 2015 139000 mi	Battery needed to be changed.

Kia Spectra in Quebec, Canada - Jul 2009
Jul 2005 418 mi	Purchase. Fuel pump electrical circuit failed. Stalled on highway. Dealership took 2 weeks to repair the car.
Jan 2006 6922 mi	Latch assembly for the trunk failed, required replacement. Trunk would open while driving and required excessive force to close. While waiting for the part, the blower failed. Took 3 days in the shop to fix it. Burnt Fuse and burnt resistor.
Feb 2006 8656 mi	Trunk would not open, ketch replaced
Jul 2008 27900 mi C $34	An intermittent problem with the blower started after the Jan/06 repair. After multiple visits to the dealership, I found out that the intermittent problem with the blower was due to a fuse that partially melted.
Jul 2009 35340 mi	Check engine turned on. Dealer claim 80$ gamble if problem not warrantied. Took it to a place with real service, read out defective O2 sensor heater. Won't get fixed, car is almost out of lease.

Kia Spectra in New York, United States Nov 2007 - Dec 2010
May 2007 16000 mi	Brake light staying on. Dealer fixed it under warranty.
Sep 2009 51000 mi	Right front wheel bearing replaced. Front struts replaced. All work was covered under warrantee

Kia Spectra in Georgia, United States Jan 2013 - Jun 2013
Apr 2013 163000 mi US $280	The car was hesitating and fuel economy went very low. Had new plugs installed.

Kia Spectra in Ontario, Canada Nov 2010 - Jul 2013
Aug 2012 68080 mi	Intermittant service engine light on. Code reader indicated pre-cat 02 sensor. Increased tension on terminals at plug in. So far ok.

Kia Spectra in Quebec, Canada Nov 2010 - Jun 2013
Oct 2012 65400 mi C $500	Door locks stick when frozen; door refuses to open/close
Jan 2013 67060 mi	Squeeky belts when cold - belts replaced - still squeek

Kia Spectra in Florida, United States Mar 2012 - Aug 2013
Feb 2012 96248 mi US $235	Found water pump noisy. Replaced it along with a new timing belt, although timing belt was not due for another 20,000 miles. Found water pump noisy. Replaced it along with a new timing belt, although timing belt was not due for another 20,000 miles. Water pump was under lifetime warranty from parts house when it was replaced at the last timing belt replacement.
Apr 2012 100000 mi	Oil temp sensor wiring was cracked. I added new pig tail on it and plugged it back in. Works like a new one.

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Kia in Texas, United States Jun 2011 - Jul 2012
Jul 2012 133000 mi US $800	AC not cooling. Was told the radiator was cracked and needed to be replaced.

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Kia Spectra in New York, United States May 2016 - Apr 2023
Oct 2016 195000 mi US $525	Replace / Upgrade to performance clutch (clutch disc, pressure plate, and throw out bearing)rnrnRepair / Replace CV joint seal
Aug 2017 200000 mi US $40	Symptoms - Vehicle was hard to start after a fuel fill up. Emission System - Changed: Vapor Canister Purge Valve.
Jun 2018 205000 mi US $57	Engine mount - Front Engine mount - Rear
Sep 2022 206965 mi US $20	Oil was leaking from valve cover. Valve Cover Gasket changed.
Jan 2023 207603 mi US $50	Emission. Check Engine Light Illuminated. OBD reported P2243 - O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit Open Bank 1 Sensor 1. Sensor changed, and OBD reset.