Overview & Reviews

Kia introduces a completely redesigned and much improved Spectra as a midyear 2004 model. However, both the old and new versions are available this year.

• Long range warranty, redesigned version sports a spunky engine, well-finished interior and standard side-curtain airbags.

• Suspension a bit soft, weak performance on outgoing model, ABS optional only on most expensive models.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 112.00

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  Cleaned out my wallet - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Bernice - October 19 - 4:10 am

  We bought this Spectra used at 32,000. Following year we put in a new clutch. We had 4 CV joints put in and now the Rack and Pinion is gone. Car is at 64000 miles. The dealership wants $1200 to replace. Called Kia and they offered no help. Have spent tons of money on this car and it always makes funny noises. I found a friend to replace rack with a used one for $250.00. I am stuck with this car for now but would never buy anything from KIA.

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  do not buy - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By johnson kia - August 12 - 10:00 am

  no pick up, poor gas milage.. dealship does not honor warranties, turn knobs for seat poositioning in poor location unable to use, car excellerates while at stop

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  how my kia feels - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By roby - March 23 - 2:00 am

  this car is very low to the ground.had bad gas mileage. has no pickup for a 4 cyl. car.

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  No Quality Control - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By tschux - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Spectra brand new, the air conditioner went out on the drive home. Parked it on my driveway and noticed a puddle of oil under the car, after owning the car for 30 minutes!!! The car has been in the shop 6 times in 9 months, all different things wrong with it. Spend a few extra $$ and get something other than this car.

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  Not the best - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Unhappy - January 17 - 11:50 pm

  Unless you get a newer model Kia, they are not one tenth as safe as they are supposed to be.

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  horrible service/vehicle - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By cjhammen - December 22 - 6:26 am

  Not only have we had to fork out over $1000 on repairs but Kia finally decided to put a new transmission in at only 58K, but that took 25 payments for them to do that. There is NO power to the vehicle. The seats are uncomfortable and if I didnt drive 50 miles each way to work and needed something to use as a "throw away vehicle" I would never have bought this piece of JUNK. I will not even give it to my 16 year old son to drive.

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  Poor quality and brake system - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By tootsietwo - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle which I own 2001. The rubber seals around all doors was falling off when the car was 3 months old. The plastic inside door handles (can you believe plastic) have broken and I have replaced brakes around 10X and still are not good. I will never by this car again. Good price but I have put almost as much $$$$ in this car as what I paid for.

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  KIA go back to making Bicycles - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By msiriodis - October 27 - 10:00 am

  Not worth the Money, service is null and even the service provider told me that we live and learn when I told him the car I had purchased.

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  Parameters of KIA Spectra 2004.5 - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By kiasyracuse - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Purchased car in May, 2004, have had problems with slow/hesitation on acceleration, grinding left front wheel, engine hesitation, shaking steering wheel, steering column, brake pedal and gas pedal. Service manager thought transmission; factory rep replaced computer instead. The engine slows down when the air, heat or defrost is on. Told that engine parameters are when engine reaches 50 degrees, the steering wheel shakes/vibrate until engine warms up. Live in Central New York, started having problems this July. In the past week, night temps gone to 42 degrees. When drive to work, engine warms after 10 minutes, steering wheel still vibrates.

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  Worst car Ive owned - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By A. May - November 18 - 9:43 pm

  We have had nothing but problems with this car. We seem to be constantly going in for repairs and most recently have been told we need a new compressor for $1200. This car is only two years old and should not be having so many problems. The dealer will not cover this problem. I will never buy a Kia again. Our other car is a 99 Hyundai and while it needs some repairs we are spending more on repairs on this new Kia.