2004 Kia Spectra from North America - Comments

How do I check the transmission fluid on a 2000 kia sephia, is it the container in front of the battery?

Does everyone understand check engine lights area a result of your government, IE: the EPA, making ALL vehicle manufactures conform to the Clean Air Act? As a person who understand the complexity of the systems, the check engine light is the "symptom" the "cause" can be a one of many sensors that control the air/fuel mgm't system, including, but not limited to the transmission controls. So next time the light is on, thank the EPA.

Hello I have a 2002 kia spectra. my transmission went out a month ago. I took it to the shop and had the torque converter replaced at $1200. a few weeks later it went out again and the shop guy says it might be the torque converter clutch. But I've done a little research and the transmission will run without the converter clutch. I feel like I've been scamed. please help.

I bought a brand new 2004 KIA Spectra. I've had so many problems with it, I don't even know where to start.

The first week I had it continued to take in my CDs and not eject them. They replaced the CD player.

They replaced the passenger seat because the air bag sensor didn't work (and it still doesn't work correctly.)

Then it took me SEVEN visits to the dealership to fix my air vents. Simply, air was coming out of all of the vents when I just wanted it to come out the face or only the feet.

In these visits I had many different people lie to me. I called KIA corporate just to get a man who hardly spoke English and didn't seem to care one bit about the disrespect I received.

My speedometer stops working when I travel on the highway (long distances at high speeds.) Guess what? KIA won't fix it unless they actually see it NOT working. My speedometer for crying out loud! Constant nonperformance.

I am very unhappy with my buy and I've been looking to trade it in only to find that I'm being offered $10,000 less than what I paid for it 4 years ago. It has less than 35,000 miles on it. I will NEVER buy another KIA again.

I have owned my Spectra for a few months now. So far so good. The drivers door doesn't open right from the inside (it may be busted) but apart from that there's been no issues. I road tested a couple of Pontiac Sunfires and a Ford Focus wagon at the same price range and they were wrecked. Hopefully I will have better luck than these other people, this was a lease return with 80k on it, and no i'm not worried about the warrantee it only has a few months left on it. I did however get a standard with little luxuries - this has been a proven strategy for more - less doo dahs, less stuff to break...

Nissan trucks were great for that, they were no frills and would run forever.

I am the proud owner of three Kia vehicles, a 2006 Spectra, a 2006 Sportage, and a 2008 Sorento. I have had great service from these vehicles and support the notion that I feel safe when driving them. I have all my service completed by my dealer in accordance with Kia suggested service and have no problems.

I have had a 2004 Kia Spectra for 4 years now and getting very annoyed with the check engine light problem. I have tried a new gas cap but it keeps going on and off.

My family owns or has owned 5 Kias including Sephia, Spectra, and Optima. I'm very satisfied with the way all 5 have run but they all had the CEL come on occasionally. The most frequent was a 2001 Spectra that the CEL would come on when it was rainy and cold then go out when the weather improved. If you're really worried got to parts store as mentioned in a prior post and let them pull the code for you. The code will tell you the specific problem.

Wow, I just came across this site. I have an 04 Spectra with 69,000 and recently have been having transmission issues. I am really nervous after reading all of your postings. Can't believe this, there must be course for civil action, they are certainly cutting corners at Kia. I've had countless other issues:

Air conditioning broke after 20,000

Two wheel bearings replaced by 40,000

E-brake replaced at 60,000

Both rear wheel cylinders replaced at 60,000

And carpeting replaced (unexplained hole), rubber molding came off two of the windows and the rear hatch and my lighter doesn't work now, so I can't charge my cell phone or use GPS.

Overall very disappointed with this vehicle. I bought it new and have taken great care of it and have followed all recommended maintenance.

A friend also had a 02 Kia Spectra, and I remember she had a lot of issues. She ended up getting rid of it at 80,000. I've saved all of my maintenance records for this purpose.

I have a 2004 Kia Spectra and bought it used last year. It has 60,360.00 miles on it. But in the past year I have had problems which were resolved but I am having a problem with it again. I have been to two dealership here in Texas in the past two weeks and as I am writing this now I have it there now as we speak. My engine light keeps coming on. They have put a fuel tank and a purge valve, a sensor for the fuel and a gas cap. (a vapor leak as the code says) This is really fustrating. I just don't know what else to do. I get worried that when I drive the car the engine light is going to come on. I really like my car. I know that engine lights are there for a reason but at times they can be annoying.