2004 Kia Spectra Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 13%of 71 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,800miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2004 Kia Spectra, 13% of the 71 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,800 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving and upon pressing the brake pedal down, the vehicle surged forward. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer eight times. Also, there was vibration in the steering which made a banging noise.”
NHTSA complaint #10092639, filed 2004-09, 900 miles“Dt: the consumer stated that her transmission seemed to be slipping. She had taken the vehicle to dealership three times to be examined. The dealership could not find the cause of the problem. The consumer stated that the problem occurred between 20-40 MPH. This was an intermittent problem but occurred more frequently. When this happened the consumer had to pull the vehicle over and place the vehicle in park then back to drive. Even though there was a temporary fix, the vehicle was still hard to pull over when in traffic. …”
NHTSA complaint #10139671, filed 2005-10, 7,590 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Kia Spectra. The contact stated the cruise control feature was not operating properly. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving and approaching a traffic light, when depressing on the brake pedal the vehicle failed to stop and accelerated independently to 80 mph. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to stop the vehicle by using the emergency brakes and parked on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to her residence. …”
NHTSA complaint #11458700, filed 2022-03, 121,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Kia Spectra. When the brakes were applied, the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated automatically. The vehicle can only be stopped by being turned completely off. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The current mileage was 34,000 and failure mileage was 33,600. Updated 03-19-08 the consumer stated the dealer inspected the vehicle and could not duplicate the defect. The consumer also stated problem has not happened again. Updated 03/19/08”
NHTSA complaint #10220138, filed 2008-03, 33,600 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Kia Spectra. While slowing down for a red light or stop sign at any speed, the vehicle makes a loud noise and accelerates. The contact had to turn off the vehicle in order for the failures to stop. The failure began in january of 2008. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. On november 9, 2008, while driving 5 MPH in reverse, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a tree. The contact was uninjured. The vehicle is currently at the body shop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10250075, filed 2008-11, 28,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 6 | 5% |
| 2008 | 15 | 12% |
| 2007 | 12 | 8% |
| 2006 | 4 | 4% |
| 2005 | 12 | 12% |
| 2004 | 9 | 13% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 7 | 8% |
| 2001 | 2 | 5% |
| 2000 | 2 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2004 Kia Spectra
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 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