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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  Safety Warning! - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Endangered Consumer - April 10 - 10:00 am

  I have a safety warning for petite people or anyone who loves a petite person. The 2004 Kia Spectra has an airbag sensor for the front passenger seat that has a lower weight sensitivity limit of 125 pounds, which means the airbag may not engage during an accident if anyone who weighs under 125 pounds is sitting in that seat. Unfortunately, the local Kia dealership didn’t forewarn me of this situation before I bought the car, and a Kia company consumer affairs representative stated that “there is nothing we can do to ‘fix’ the condition.” So, buyer beware!

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  My Lemon - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By SheilaMarie - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I have put more milage on this vehicle taking it back and forth twice a month to have it repaired, than for any other reason. The dealership, is wonderful -- they are a great bunch of people and I would buy another vehicle from them as long as it wasnt ever another Kia. This is a Lemon. It is a piece of junk and I have evoked the lemon law on it and am just waiting on a reply from my attorney and the manufacturer.

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  2004 Kia Spectra - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By kwitcherbytchn - November 30 - 5:20 pm

  This is my second new car. I bought it for the warranty. And now I regret it. The gas mileage is horrible. Im lucky to get 25 mpg. I had a Saturn and was getting 31 mpg. The trans kicks when accelerating, it makes funny noises on and off.

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  na - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By gainery - July 22 - 10:00 am

  could get better gas millage and the take a very long time for the window to defrost or clear enough so you can see no heat for the exterri mirror and some time the eigen light come on and wont go off the car only has 17700 miles bought it new in 2001 i really dont think a car like this such have that many problem

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  Dont trust their warranty - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By suckered - April 7 - 11:40 pm

  They have two maintenance schedules. No one tells you that you are under the severe schedule until you need the warranty. Transmission failed at 38K. Kia wont cover because we didnt have the transmission fluid changed at 30K per the severe schedule. Normal schedule says look at fluid and replace if needed all the way to 105K. No customer support! No dealership support! A private transmission repair shop states that the fluid is fine & that the failure is due to part failure. Kia doesnt rebuild transmissions, they replace the whole thing and keep many in stock just for this reason. I think Kia is trying to avoid a recall. Wish superman would come to our rescue.

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  Overall good - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By L. Roberson - April 28 - 7:33 pm

  I like the car, although it fails to have enough leg room for medium to tall height drivers. It has a slow start-up speed but once it gets past about 30 its smooth sailing. For an economy car, its overall good.

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  Dont But a Kia - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By karen dowds - February 3 - 4:06 pm

  Experienced what felt like a transmission slipping problem before warranty was up - dealer test drove car with me and felt problem but wouldnt svc it without check engine light being on. Light came on finally and fun began. Murray, dealer, monkeyed with car 6 times and light kept coming back on - problem grew worse till car would stop. Had to go to Eastern Regional Office to open a case. After 6 more trips to dealer and a special kia tech having to come out to look at car (tech had to come out for other cars that Murray couldnt fix too) and replacement of wire harness ($900 part which did not correct problem), another tech FINALLY found o2 sensor problem, light off for 5 days.

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  How can we all have the same problem? - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Kia 04.5 Owner - October 14 - 11:26 am

  Reading the reviews I couldnt even laugh. I have replaced the dash (odometer problem - forgot about that until I read another review). C02 censor is being replaced (again 3x); car shakes (BADLY) at 70mph. Taking it in (AGAIN) so I can pass emissions test. I did not buy the extended warranty so I am out over $2K (YIKES). If I could have afforded $2K in repairs I would have stayed with Honda and put more money in the INITIAL investment. Looks like it is time to trade out before the transmission goes out. {sigh}

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  2004 Spectra - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Clay Stephenson - June 14 - 10:00 am

  Steering is very stiff and too tight. Interior could be up graded. Mileage is only fair for the size of the car. I get appx 24 city and 28 highway. Road noise on a scale of 1-10 would be rated at 6 for me. Problems within first five months of purchase. Frequently the speed will indicate as much as a 24 mph various higher than actual travel. Ok for a work car but not of the quality I expected. Previous Kia I owned was a 2000 Sophia and handling and mileage was much better. I will likely purchase a different make on my next purchase

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  Cheating on GAS Mileage - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Unhappy user - November 30 - 7:10 am

  For gas price over $2/g. Gas mileage is one of the most important factor when I buy car. Its sticker shows 25- 34 miles/gallon. But after driving 13,000 miles, I am only getting 27 miles/g_freeway. Is it only me or just like some Kia dealers say, need to break in. After 13,000 miles???