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Kia Spectra VIN Check

NHTSA holds 753 owner complaints on the Kia Spectra from 268 production runs; the worst run has 10, the typical one 2.8.

NHTSA complaint records · 753 complaints · 268 runs · 2000–2009 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Spectra run is KNAFE121575 (2007 builds) with 10 complaints, 3.6× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 44% of reports; 2007 is the worst model year at 3.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for Spectra model years 2004–2007.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Kia Spectra has 268 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every Spectra complaint on file.

FIG.01·Kia Spectra — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
KNAFE121575••••••200710——
KNAFB121325••••••20021041
KNAFE221X95••••••200910——
KNAFE121365••••••2006103—
KNAFE121275••••••2007911
KNAFE121975••••••20079——
KNAFE121075••••••200792—
KNAFE121385••••••200893—
KNAFB121835••••••200391—
KNAFE121865••••••200683—
KNAFB121435••••••20038——
KNAFB121X25••••••200281—
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 256 Spectra runs has 8 complaints or fewer.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Kia Spectra the gap between build years is 1.9×: a 2007 car draws 3.5 complaints per run, a 2000 one 1.8.

FIG.02·Kia Spectra — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20092.9913110
20083.11173818
20073.51313714
20062.5953824
20052.3904020
20042582915
20032.760226
20022.6682620
20012.1251211
20001.818104
ROWS 10·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2007 at 3.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2000 at 1.8.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 44% of everything Kia Spectra owners report: Air Bags, 310 of 753 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Kia Spectra — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Air Bags3101103
Electrical System7327
Power Train6751
Vehicle Speed Control6591
Service Brakes63151
Seat Belts4616—
Engine And Engine Cooling4642
Structure4010—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 2 recall campaigns on the Kia Spectra; the 2 below cover build years 2004 to 2007. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Kia Spectra — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
11V256000Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:mounting2004–2007
05V183000Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly2005
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

11V256000 was opened in 2011 on cars built from 2004: 7 years on the road before the recall.

How serious were they

Of the 753 reports on the Kia Spectra, 18.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·Kia Spectra — complaint severity
OutcomeKia SpectraAll vehicles
Complaints filed7531,116,631
Involved a crash142 (18.9%)64,221 (5.8%)
Involved a fire19 (2.5%)26,977 (2.4%)
Injuries reported11958,047
Deaths reported52,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 226% above the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Kia Spectra share of that is 753 complaints over 268 runs, 0.07% of everything on record.

Everything on the Kia Spectra
Recalls14 campaignsFuel economy27 mpg bestReliability3.5/5Common problems957 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space18 cu ftUsed prices234 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2000–2009

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Kia Spectra VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 753 NHTSA complaints from 268 Spectra runs and 2 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Spectra production run has the most complaints?

KNAFE121575, a 2007 build, with 10 complaints. The typical Spectra run has 2.8.

Which Spectra years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2007 is heaviest at 3.5 complaints per run and 2000 lightest at 1.8.

How many Spectra complaints involve a crash?

18.9% of 753 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 19 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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