2005 Kia Spectra Kia Spectra 2005

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

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%)

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%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

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.

2005 Kia Spectra5 4dr Hatch

138-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

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. 

Return to top

2005 Kia Spectra5 4dr Hatch

138-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

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. 

Return to top

2005 Kia Spectra 4dr Sedan

138-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

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 

Return to top

2005 Kia Spectra 4dr Sedan

138-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

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. 

Return to top

2004.5 Kia Spectra

Engine not specified

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. 

Return to top

2004.5 Kia Spectra 4dr Sedan

138-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

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. 

Return to top

2004.5 Kia Spectra 4dr Sedan

138-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Kia Spectra in Wisconsin, United States
- Aug 2007
Aug 2007

32000 mi

US $6
Headlight had to be replaced, first part that needed to be replaced. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Hatchbacks.
See TrueDelta's information for all Kia models.

2005 Kia Spectra Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2005 Kia Spectra problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.