2004 Kia LD Spectra Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 90,878miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Kia LD Spectra (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2004 Kia LD Spectra. The part named most often is air bags, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (2) and electrical system (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 90,878 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags2 40%
- Exterior lighting2 40%
- Electrical system1 20%
Example complaints
Air bags: “Dt: the contact complained about an ongoing problem with the air bag sensor located in the passenger seat. The light in the dashboard intermittently flashed. The dealer completed recall 05v431000 repairs. However, the problem recurred even after recall work was completed. She made contact with the manufacturer, who suggested she return to the service dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10142853, filed 2005-11Exterior lighting: “In the past 16 months I have replaced both head lights and both brake lights a total of 22 times - I have taken my vehicle to a Kia dealership twice this year and both times have been told there is nothing wrong with the lighting system - this is ridiculous. I have been driving with only my bright lights for the past month and a half as I refuse to replace any more headlights - they cease working in 1 to 12 days.”
NHTSA complaint #10164141, filed 2006-08Electrical system: “The contact stated while driving all the exterior lights and dash board indicator lights went out. The vehicle was pulled off the road without incident and turned off. When restarted both exterior and dash indicator lights returned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection; however the problem could not be duplicated. The manufacturer has not been alerted.”
NHTSA complaint #10158101, filed 2006-05, 11,757 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “I noticed that after putting the car into drive from park the engine would rev but no movement until 3-5 seconds later then the car would lunge into gear and accelerate. I would notice that I would be driving in 2nd-3rd gear and there would be no acceleration just revs from the engine then it would jump back into gear and go. This intermittently started happening after I changed the radiator that had a faulty trans-axle coupler on it, not sure if that could of been an issue with why the at is acting like it is.”
NHTSA complaint #10559532, filed 2014-01, 170,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 11,757 and 170,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 05V431000Sep 21, 2005Air bagsCovers: Kia LD Spectra 2004–2005
On certain vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag feature, the occupant classification system (ocs) installed in the right front seat of the vehicle may misclassify a child restraint seat (crs) as an adult. This may occur if the crs is installed after an…
Recall details for the 2004 Kia LD Spectra → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021Exterior lighting, Body and structure. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated…
- 10026726Aug 28, 2008Exterior lighting, Brakes. Kia: all models. Article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple kia models.
Other model years of the Kia LD Spectra
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 | 90,878 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Kia LD Spectra model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Kia LD Spectra have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2004 Kia LD Spectra as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Kia LD Spectra is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 2.
Has the 2004 Kia LD Spectra been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Kia LD Spectra reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,878 miles and the middle half falls between 11,757 and 170,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.