2004 Kia Spectra Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 37%of 71 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Kia Spectra, 37% of the 71 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,000 miles. 12 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2004 Kia Spectra on 3/20/06 was impacted on passenger side within the area of front and rear doors. The impact forced the rear of my car to slid away from impact and come in contact with a pickup truck damaging my drivers side rear quarter and not one air bag in my car deployed and there are 8 air bags in this model car.”
NHTSA complaint #10154363, filed 2006-04, 31,000 miles“I had no indication that my seat belt or airbag were faulty. While driving at 40 MPH I struck a car that turned left directly in front of me. My seat belt failed to lock and I was lifted out of the seat and hit my head, shoulder, and hip on the left side of my car. The airbag did not inflate. The insurance adjuster could not believe that the airbag didn't inflate considering the force of the impact.”
NHTSA complaint #10139372, filed 2005-10, 18,000 miles“The warning light on the Spectra 2005 4-door has been a problem from day 1. The light keeps going on and off. When I brought it back to the dealer on a number of occasions, the light went off so they were never able to determine the problem. Now the light is permanently 'on' and I don't know if it is working or not. It is definitely a concern and it is a definitely a problem. In addition, the timing belt keeps loosening on a continual basis. I have repeatedly bought it to my mechanic to get it tightened. This should not be the case. …”
NHTSA complaint #10444981, filed 2012-01, 60 miles“We were involved in an accident our seat belts and airbags failed to work. We were both thrown into the windsheild . Suffered injuries to back, head and neck. Transported to hospital by ems. Our vecicle 2004 Kia septra 4 door was a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #10091094, filed 2004-09, 17,000 miles“Dt: the consumer's attorney stated that during a frontal crash the airbags did not deploy. There was a front end collision into three cement culverts. There was a police report filed. The consumer's son was driving and he passed away. A lawsuit was filed against the manufacturer, but they did not have any information as to why the airbags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10128142, filed 2005-07, 100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017975Mar 1, 2006Airbag control unit (acu) logic reprogramming. Kia is changing the acu logic to permit side curtain airbag deployment at all times.
- 10015260Mar 1, 2005Advanced air bag occupant classification systems (ocs).
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 76 | 67% |
| 2008 | 61 | 50% |
| 2007 | 56 | 37% |
| 2006 | 46 | 46% |
| 2005 | 43 | 42% |
| 2004 | 26 | 37% |
| 2003 | 11 | 12% |
| 2002 | 22 | 24% |
| 2001 | 9 | 23% |
| 2000 | 9 | 39% |
Other parts of the 2004 Kia Spectra
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Kia Spectra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology