MYRModel Year Report

Kia Spectra — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

1 model year to watch and 1 best bet. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Caution1 year

Best bets1 year

Complaint history

2000: 23 complaints, Not enough data 2000 2001: 40 complaints, Recommended 2002: 92 complaints, Recommended 2002 2003: 90 complaints, Recommended 2004: 71 complaints, Recommended 2004 2005: 103 complaints, Recommended 2006: 100 complaints, Recommended 2007: 152 complaints, Caution 2007 2008: 120 complaints, Recommended 2009: 114 complaints, Recommended 2007 · 152
2000: 23 complaints, Not enough data 2000 2001: 40 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 92 complaints, Recommended 2002 2003: 90 complaints, Recommended 2003 2004: 71 complaints, Recommended 2004 2005: 103 complaints, Recommended 2005 2006: 100 complaints, Recommended 2006 2007: 152 complaints, Caution 2007 2008: 120 complaints, Recommended 2008 2009: 114 complaints, Recommended 2009 2007 · 152
2000: 23 complaints, Not enough data 2000 2001: 40 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 92 complaints, Recommended 2002 2003: 90 complaints, Recommended 2003 2004: 71 complaints, Recommended 2004 2005: 103 complaints, Recommended 2005 2006: 100 complaints, Recommended 2006 2007: 152 complaints, Caution 2007 2008: 120 complaints, Recommended 2008 2009: 114 complaints, Recommended 2009 2007 · 152
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2009 ● Recommended 114 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2008 ● Recommended 120 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2007 ◆ Caution 152 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2006 ● Recommended 100 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2005 ● Recommended 103 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2004 ● Recommended 71 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2003 ● Recommended 90 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2002 ● Recommended 92 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2001 ▲ Recommended 40 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2000 ○ Not enough data 23 Only 23 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

2

recalls on file across every Kia Spectra model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Kia models