2004 Kia Ld Spectra recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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 ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A 'KEY ON' ' KEY OFF' CYCLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMPTY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION…
What could happen: THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO REMOVE THE FEATURE THAT MAY CAUSE THE CRS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN ADULT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2004 LD SPECTRA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Kia dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 05V431000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-333-4542.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS
Summary: 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 ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A 'KEY ON' ' KEY OFF' CYCLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMPTY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE CRS.
Consequence: THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO REMOVE THE FEATURE THAT MAY CAUSE THE CRS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS AN ADULT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Notes: KIA RECALL NO. SC-053. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Lights (2), Airbags (2), Transmission / drivetrain (1), Electrical system (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
01/12/2014 · Transmission / 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 START…
08/01/2006 · Lights
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…
05/23/2006 · Electrical system
DT*: 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 HA…
11/16/2005 · Airbags
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 DEA…
11/01/2005 · Airbags
DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THERE WAS RECALL O5V431000, IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. SINCE THE REPAIRS THE LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON IT ALERTED THE PASSENGER THAT THE AIRBAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE PASSENGERS WERE NOT SITTING IN THE SEATS PROPERLY. *AK