NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Kia Amanti. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
The 2004 Kia Amanti will accelerate on it's own. I have been in local traffic and it accelerates and de-accelerate like a run away horse. It will then drive normal. The check engine light comes on sometimes and goes back out. This last time the light came on, I took to an electrical auto repair place. The computer read out said it needed a throttle body. I replaced it as suggested. The 2004 Kia Amanti attempts to accelerate on it's own and stops and drives normal again. The check engine light is on again. I would like to get what is perfect and right for the Kia to perform better and be safe. How do I do that?
AFTER GETTING HOME LAST NIGHT FROM MY SISTER IN LAW'S GENDER REVEAL, I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE BONNET SO I OPENED IT QUICKLY AND SAW A FIRE BLAZING BEHIND THE ENGINE....WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THERE, THEY POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL..... I NEED SOME FORM OF COMPENSATION FROM THE COMPANY AS I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES ARE WIDELY AFFILIATED WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OF KIA CARS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 KIA AMANTI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP THEREFORE THE CONTACT PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE INTO AN INTERSECTION AND GOT HIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRUISED NECK, BRUISED ARMS, AND A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION AS THE HOSPITAL HAD TO REMOVE GLASS FROM HER HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO THEIR HOME ADDRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,006. *DT *DT CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER AND WOULD NOT DO A VEHICLE INSPECTION BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. CASE NUMBER [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”
STARED DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR WAS TRYING TO GO OUT GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY PULL TO THE SIDE AND THEN IT STOP RUNNING TRYED TO START IT UP IT WOULDN'T DO NOTHING BATTERY BRAND NEW LLIGHTS CAME IT THAT WAS IT ONCE I WAS TOWED BY THE GUY SAID OFF THE TOP IT IS ECLECTICALLY HE EVEN TRYED TO GIVE IT A JUMP AND IT WOULDN'T JUMP AND THAT'S WHERE IAM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA AMANTI. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT QUICKLY MERGED OFF THE EXIT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT BE ELECTRICAL. THE DEALER THAT SOLD THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT HAD GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. NO OTHER DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,600. *DT*JB *DT*JB
SUNROOF SHATTERED UPON OPENING TILT POSTITION, MINOR CUTS FROM GLASS CLEAN UP.
AIRBAG LIGHT ON, TOOK IT TO GET IT CHECK AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BATTERY. GOT A NEW BATTERY LIGHT STILL ON. THE LIGHT IS ON AT ALL TIMES.
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR DOWN A 3 LANE ROAD. THE WINDOWS BEGAN TO OPEN AND CLOSE, THE DOOR LOCKS DID THE SAME. WARNING LIGHTS WERE FLASHING ON & OFF ON THE DASH AND I HAD ALMOST NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE LIGHT AHEAD WAS RED AND WHEN I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR, NOTHING HAPPENED. I TRIED PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO SLOW ME DOWN AND PUSHED AS HARD ON THE BREAKS AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND HIS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME VERY HARD. I HAD A CONCUSSION, SPRAINED THORASIC SPINE AND NECK. A SPRAIN ON MY RIGHT HIP AND PULLED MUSCLE IN MY CALF FROM TRYING TO MAKE THE CAR STOP. THIS TOTALLED MY CAR AND CAUSED SEVERE BURNS FROM THE AIR BAGS. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS STUCK AND I HAD TO BE PRYED OUT OF THE CAR. WE HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED THE CAR AND HAD ALL NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE CAR HAD 99,239 MILES ON IT. I TRULY THOUGH I WOULD DIE. I AM UNABLE TO GET INTO MY TRUNK TO RETRIEVE MY PROPERTY AND I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE.
WELL I GOT MY CAR ON WEEK AND NOW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT IS ON AND SO TODAY I TAKE IT TO 5TAKE OIL CHANGE AND GOT A OIL CHANGE THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR HAD TRANSMISSION LEAK AND OIL LEAK AND NOW MY MHP GOIN DOWN AND WANT AND WANT SHOW ME MY SPEED AND THEY DON'T KNOW WANT THE PROBLEM IS AND MY CAR JUST NOT WORKING NOW .WHAT Y'ALL GOIN TO DO.PLEASE PLEASE. I HAVE KIDS .THAT SICK.PLEASE .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA AMANTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,045.
WHILE MAKING A LEFT THE CARD WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE (REAR PASSENGER DOOR) BY A PERSON RUNNING A RED LIGHT. THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT MY INSURANCE COMPANY DEEM THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG WAS NEVER DEPLOYED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA AMANTI. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO RESET THE CODE IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SLID OVER ICE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE FURTHER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
WHEN I START MY CAR, THE RPM ACCELERATES HIGH AS IT WILL GO. VERY ANNOYING AND LOUD. IT DOES THIS MOST OF THE TIME SOME TIMES WHEN I COME TO A STOP LIGHT AND PROCEED FORWARD, THE CAR JERKS FORWARD AS I ACCELERATE. *TR
KIA AMANTI LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING OR LOSING POWER THEN ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL AND KIA SEEMS NOT TO BE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
ON 6 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS SLOWED DOWN AND "CHUGGED" OUT OF THROTTLE POWER WHILE INITIALLY DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF ANYWHERE BETWEEN 35 AND 65 MPH. IF THE VEHICLE DOES MANAGE TO KEEP DRIVING, IT DOES SO IN A VERY JERKY WAY, ALMOST LIKE SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO DRIVE STICK. I'VE FOUND THAT THE ONLY WAY AROUND THIS JERKING IS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN SPORT-SHIFT MODE IN A LOWER GEAR SO THAT THE RPMS STAY ABOVE 3000. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE IS ENTIRELY UNRESPONSIVE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED, WHICH (MULTIPLE TIMES) NEARLY PUT ME IN A SEVERE CAR ACCIDENT ON BUSY I-95 IN BOTH FLORIDA AND PHILADELPHIA, PA. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS ONLY EVER REMAINED ON ONCE, GIVING AN ERROR CODE P1614: "ENHANCED TRACTION SYSTEM ENGINE CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTION." IN THE PAST, TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON IMMEDIATELY HAS FIXED THE ISSUE TWICE. OTHER TIMES THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO REMAIN OFF FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE THE PROBLEM WOULD CLEAR UP. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONLY 2 OF THE 6 TIMES THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. THE FIRST TIME IT CAME ON, IT DID NOT REMAIN ON ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. CURRENTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING SMOOTHLY SINCE THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE OF THIS ISSUE WHICH HAPPENED ON JANUARY 8, 2015. I DO BELIEVE THE PROBLEM MAY BE LINKED TO THE FUEL INJECTORS. I FIND THAT ADDING FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER TO A FULL TANK OF GAS EVERY OTHER WEEK HELPS ME AVOID HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND MY CAR LOSES POWER FAST NO MATTER WHAT SPEED I AM GOING. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE RPM'S GO UP AND I AM ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE AT A SPEED OF 20MPH. AT TIMES MY CAR WILL DRIVE AT A NORMAL SPEED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL BE ON .ITS VERY STRANGE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT NEEDED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ONE WEEK LATER THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND ANOTHER OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE OF OVER $1,000.00 AND ANOTHER PART. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS MONTHS LATER. EACH TIME WITH A DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS BY THE DEALER. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED WITH HIS METER AND IT READ ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. I TOLD THIS TO THE DEALER MONTHS AGO AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AGO. *TR
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING OUT OF TOWN AND HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET LIKE I NORMALLY DO WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR DRASTICALLY LOST SPEED FROM 70MPH TO 45MPH ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. I HAD TO SLOWLY MOVE OVER TO THE FAR LANE IN ORDER TO MAKE IT TO A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER. I THEN PULLED OVER SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 20 MINS AND TRIED TO COME BACK HOME AND ONCE AGAIN GOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ONCE AGAIN I LOST POWER EVEN THO I'M PRESSING THE GAS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND ITS NOT EVEN TRYING TO GAIN POWER AT ALL. I ALMOST GOT INTO 2 ACCIDENTS ON THE WAY HOME BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE ABOUT THE SAME RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH OTHER KIA AMANTI OWNERS AND THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT. PLEASE CAN SOMEONE GIVE ME SOME ANSWERS!!! *TR
I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO A RED LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR DIED. I TURNED THE KEY SO I COULD BEGIN TO TRY TO START THE VEHICLE AND I NOTICED THE RPM'S START REVVING UP AND ITS TRYING TO OVER-ACCELERATE WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE. I MANAGED TO GET IT TO A SAFE SPOT BUT I WAS 100% WORRIED IT WAS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL. IT SOUNDS VERY IF NOT EXACTLY SIMILAR TO A LOT OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. NO CODES COME UP FOR THIS ISSUE AND IT IS SERIOUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA AMANTI. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE CLOCK SPRING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
WHILE, BACKING OUT OF GARAGE THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. KIA ROAD TESTED THE CAR AND COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED BY J.B.A. KIA OF ELLICOTT CITY, MD FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE CAR HAS HAD A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INCIDENT. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO NHTSA IN JANUARY 2010, CONFIRMATION (ODI NUMBER) FOR THAT REPORT IS 10375033. KIA REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR ON 1/18/2011. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA AMANTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FIVE OF THE SIX FUEL INJECTORS WERE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE SIXTH FUEL INJECTOR REPLACED DUE TO THE SAME FAILURES. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT FAILED FUEL INJECTORS WAS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR, MADE AND MODEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
I HAVE TAKEN MY 2004 KIA AMANTI IN FOR PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAG LIGHT SEVERAL TIME. I HAVE 8 FORMS WITH BACKUP BUT IT WAS TAKEN IN MORE THAN THAT. THEY HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING FROM THE R/R CLOCKSPRING, THE AIRBAG AND MODULES, ALL MORE THAN ONCE. THE LAST TIME BEING IN 10/2010. THEN THE LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON IN 02/2011 BUT IT WOULD TURN OFF AGAIN UNTIL IT FINALLY STAYED ON ONCE AGAIN. I HAD MADE AN APPT TO GO IN ON APRIL 13, 2011 BUT WAS INVOLVED IN A FENDER BENDER APRIL 12, SO THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP. THE BODY SHOP RAN A DIAGNOSIS ON THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND IT SHOWED THE PROBLEM HAD BEGUN 3 MONTHS EARLIER SO IT WASN'T COVERED BY THE INSURANCE SINCE IT WAS NOT DUE TO THE ACCIDENT SO I HAD TO PAY $112.00. THEN I TOOK IT TO KIA THIS MORNING AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSIS AT THE DEALER AS WELL, UNLESS IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED ON MY LAST VISIT. $86.00! I ASKED, "AFTER HAVING BROUGHT MY CAR IN 8 - 10 TIMES, I AM GOING TO BE CHARGED! THEY HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING THAT COME OUT ON THE DIAGNOSIS AT LEAST 3 TIMES AND CHECKED THE WIRING ACCORDING TO WHAT THE LAST MANAGER HAD SAID IN SUMMER 2010, BUT THEY WOULD ONLY CONSIDER THE LAST VISIT! THIS KIA DEALER IS KNOW FOR REPLACING PARTS UNTIL THEY FIX IT. I KNOW BECAUSE I HAVE A STACK OF RECEIPTS SHOWING ALL THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED ON MY VEHICLE. RUSTY WAS THE MANAGERS NAME AT VIVA KIA IN EL PASO, TEXAS. HE IS NO LONGER THERE AND IT IS NOW RUBEN, WHOM USE TO BE THE SERVICE CLERK. I WAS HIGHLY UPSET. TO TOP ALL THIS OFF, THE BODY SHOP SAID THAT MY AIR BAG WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED SINCE THE LIGHT WAS ON SO IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT IT WAS ONLY A FENDER BENDER. THAT, I BELIEVE IS DANGEROUS, CONSIDERING THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS PROBABLY ON FOR HALF OF THE YEAR. *TR
SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TR
AUGUST 2010, VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCEPT GAS AT PUMP.GASOLINE SHOOTS BACK OUT OF GAS TANK UPON REFUELING. PROBLEM RECURRED FOUR TIMES SINCE. KIA OWNERS COMPLAIN ON LINE ON MANUFACTURERS WEBSITE. 6 PAGES OF SIMILAR COMPLAINT'S FRO M OTHER KIA OWNERS. COMPANY CONSUMERS AFFAIRS DEPT. REFUSES ANY RESPONSIBILITY. KIA OF RIVERSIDE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX PROBLEM AFTER CHARGING US $99.00 FOR DIAGNOSTIC ON JANUARY 5 2011. FOURTH INCIDENT SINCE AUGUST 2010. *TR
REAR SUSPENSION DOES NOT FEEL SOLID. IT BOUNCES RIGHT TO LEFT AS WELL AS UP AND DOWN. PUT NEW STRUTS ON AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED. NO ONE HAS AN ANSWER. ANY THOUGHTS? *TR
2004 KIA AMANTI ENGINE RACES AND LUNGES FORWARD WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT STOP SIGN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES AND KIA SAYS THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE IT SO NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. *TR
WHILE PARKING IN FRONT OF A COFFEE SHOP AS I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP, THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY RIGHT SHOE WAS OVER THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING THE CAR TO CONTINUE FORWARD STRIKING A CEMENT ASHTRAY ON THE SIDEWALK PUSHING IT INTO PLATE GLASS WINDOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA AMANTI. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 45 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY WHERE IT WAS LEFT OVERNIGHT, WHEN RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE, ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO START. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HER EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.
I AM AN ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2004 KIA AMANTI WITH ONLY 23000MILES. MY CAR HAS ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN SUCH AS THE TOYOTA RECENT RECALL. KIA HEADQUARTERS CLAIM THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM.MEANWHILE IF U GO TO WEBSITE WWW.ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV YOU WILL SEE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR KIA AMANTI. I GOT THE CAR FIXED BUT I DON'T FEEL SAFE.$1137.94 LATER KIA KEPT CAR ENTIRE WEEK. KIA SERVICE TECH&ADVISOR EXPLAINED IT WAS AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR FAILURE. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE BEFORE FOR SOMEONE INVESTIGATES KIA AMANTI? SADLY I REGRET SPENDING SO MUCH ON HIGH END FOREIGN VEHICLE. I HAD TO CHANGE/PURCHASE TWICE FRONT WHEEL NEW TIRES. NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE WINTER MY BATTERY GOES COMPLETELY DEAD. I 'M FRUSTRATED AS KIA HEADQUARTERS ISN'T BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR GAS ACCELERATION, AN ISSUE THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. PLEASE CAN SOMEONE AT NHTSA FINALLY TAKE ACTION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TW
I WAS STOPPING FOR A STOP SIGN AND ENGINE SUDDENLY RACED AND COULD NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD ENOUGH TO STOP. SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGINE STOPPED RACING AND CAR SCREECHED TO A HALT. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES IN LAST TWO YEARS AND EACH TIME I HAVE SHOT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND EACH TIME WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED BY ANYBODY ELSE AND COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE A POSSIBLE VACUUM LEAK, BUT AN INDEPENDENT BRAKE SPECIALIST HAS TOLD ME THERE ARE NO LEAKS AND THE BRAKES ARE FINE. NOTHING ELSE HAS BEEN DONE. I AM REPORTING THE LATEST INCIDENT. *TR
THE VEHICLE SURGES WHILE ACCELERATING. THE PROBLEM OCCURS SPORADICALLY BUT HAS DONE IT CONSISTENTLY FOR OVER 5 YEARS. EVERY TIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND NOTHING IS DONE. THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. *TR
CAR ON OCCASIONS LURCHES AND STALLS FREQUENTLY. WIFE'S CAR REALLY NOT SURE IF THROTTLE,ENGINE,TRANSMISSION. JUST VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA AMANTI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, WHITE SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND THAT SPEED. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN TO JERK WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THREE FUEL INJECTORS WERE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE CAR WHILE DRIVING TURNS OFF AND LATER IT WILL RUN BUT WON'T ACCELERATE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA AMANTI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITH GREAT FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AND ACCELERATOR SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. AT TIMES IT CLEARS BY ITSELF. THEY'VE CHANGED SPARLPLUGS ,SENSORS,ETC, BUT KEEPS HAPPENING. I HAVE TO DRIVE 50 EVERTIME, AND THEY SEEM TO NEVER FIX IT. *TR
2004 KIA AMANTI 55,000 MILES MAINTAINED REGULARLY WILL OCCASIONALLY EXHIBIT EXTREMELY HARD STEERING, AS IF THE BELT IS BROKEN OR SLICK. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG. HAVE FRIEND WITH SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH SIMILAR OCCURRENCES. *TR
2004 KIA AMANTI - ON COLD STARTUP THE ENGINE SOMETIMES REVS AGGRESSIVELY WHEN PULLED INTO GEAR, CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD OR BACK IF THE BRAKE IS NOT FIRMLY APPLIED. IT IS A DANGEROUS SCENARIO. I'VE ASKED KIA TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND THEY'VE SAID THEY CANNOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE AND HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF IT. *TR
TROUBLE STARTING THE VEHICLE. *TR
ACCELERATION PROBLEM WHEN PROCEEDING FROM A SOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN OR ANY STOPPED POSITION. THE CAR JERKS UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION CAUSING VERY STRONG POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. *TR
2004 KIA - GAS LEAKING UNDER CAR WHEN FILLING GAS TANK. KIA TOLD US IT WAS A "SENSOR" AND REPLACED IT. IT HAPPENED AGAIN - THEY REPLACED THE SAME SENSOR. WHEN IT HAPPENED FOR THE THIRD TIME, WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS A GAS OVERFLOW PROBLEM AND BY THE TIME THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR, WE HAD OVER 27 POUNDS OF GAS SITTING UNDER THE BACK SEAT. THEY TOLD US (BECAUSE SO MUCH TIME HAD PASSED, WE HAD TO PAY WHICH WE DID TO GET THE CAR. THEY ALSO TOLD US THEY WOULD CONTACT KIA AND TRY TO GET US REIMBURSED. ALL TO NO AVAIL. THE FIRST SENSOR WAS REPLACE WITHIN FIRST YEAR. BY THE TIME THE FINALLY REALIZED WHAT THE "REAL" PROBLEM WAS - THE CAR WAS 4 YEARS. THEY TOLD US WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT. THIS SOUNDED LIKE WE WERE SITTING ON A TIME BOMB! THEY TRIED TO BLAME US - THEY SAY IT'S THE WAY WE PUMP GAS. *TR
2004 KIA AMANTI WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BUCK AND JUMP AND DROPPED DOWN TO 15 MPH. HE ALSO STATES THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHAKE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS LOST. *JB
AFTER PULLING THE CAR FORWARD OUT OF THE GARAGE IN THE MORNING AND WHILE STOPPED TO WAIT FOR THE GARAGE DOOR TO CLOSE (BRAKE APPLIED, IN GEAR), THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTS TO BURST-LURCH FORWARD (NOT TOUCHING GAS PEDAL). THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN YEAR-ROUND. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT RE-PRODUCE THE PROBLEM, BUT ALSO HASN'T KEPT THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT FOR A COLD-START. HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF NEAR-COLLISIONS AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA AMANTI. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA AMANTI. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY THREE TIMES. THE CLOCK SPRING WAS ALSO REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WARRANTY EXPIRED THEREFORE THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 65,000. UPDATED 10/21/10. *LJ IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A GROUND WIRE WAS THE PROBLEM, WHICH WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 10/16/10*JB
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2004 KIA AMANTI. AS I APPROACHED 30,000 MILES THE ENGINE WOULD PERIODICALLY LOSE POWER WHILE IN OPERATION, THEN RESTORE SECONDS LATER. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO MY DEALER. I WS TOLD THEY WOULD RESET THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, AND THAT WOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE. SINCE THEN THE ISSUE HAS SURFACED (3) TIMES. TWO OF THE THREE TIMES ALMOST LEAD TO A SERIOUS CRASH. DURING THESE PRECIOUS FEW SECONDS (3-5) THERE WAS ABSOLUTLEY NO ENGINE POWER AVAILABLE. I NOTICE IT IT SEEMED TO OCCUR WHEN REMOVING THE FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL, THEN REAPPLYING IT TO GAIN POWER. AT THIS POINT THE ENGINE JUST DROPPED OFF. IT WILL RESTORE AND RACE TO HIGH RPM SECONDS LATER. IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I WAS AFRAID OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT WAS A CRAP SHOOT EVERYTIME YOU NEEDED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS ON COMING TRAFFIC WHETHER OR NOT MY CAR WILL LOSE POWER. IT WAS NOT A STALL, NEEDED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE RECOVERED ON ITS OWN.*AK
ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER 26, 2004, PURCHASED A 2004 KIA AMANTI. SINCE THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE HAS UNDERGONE A MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS, MANY OF WHICH KIA HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX. SINCE ITS PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE HAS EXHIBITED AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT PROBLEMS, BATTERY PROBLEMS, WATER LEAKS, RECURRING ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEMS AND, MOST RECENTLY, SHAKING AND LURCHING ISSUES WHICH HAVE RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE. ALTHOUGH SOME OF THESE ISSUES WERE RECTIFIED, IT APPEARS THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EXHIBIT ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS ONE RIGHT AFTER ANOTHER. IN FACT, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT AND WINDSHIELD LEAK REQUIRED SIX SEPARATE VISITS TO ONTARIO KIA DUE TO THE FACT THAT KIA COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS STILL RELATIVELY NEW, DR. OH HAS ALREADY PURCHASED A CAR BATTERY, TWO BRAKES, AND FOUR NEW TIRES (EXCLUDING OTHER REPAIR COSTS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY). OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST MONTH, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILS TO OPERATE SATISFACTORILY. OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, DR. OH HAS CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE NOTWITHSTANDING THE AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEMS AND THE CONTINUOUS SHAKING AND BOUNCING ISSUES. *JB
DEAR SIR: I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 KIA AMANTI. THERE ARE 43,542 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE VEHICLE ENGINE RUNS FINE AND THEN WILL SUDDENLY GO INTO LUGGING AND MISFIRING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS CAUSING DOWN SHIFTING. WHEN I TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND LEAVE IT TO SET OVERNIGHT OR FOR MORE THAN EIGHT HOURS AT WORK, THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON BUT THE ENGINE RUNS FINE ONCE STARTED AGAIN. AFTER A FEW MORE STARTS THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM OF THE SYMPTOMS. THEY RAN TESTS AND SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THEY SAID BRING IT BACK WHEN IT DOES IT AGAIN. FINE, SO IT GOES INTO THE MISFIRING ON A WEEKEND AT NIGHT TRAVELING THE INTERSTATE. NO CHANCE TO JUST LEAVE THE ENGINE RUNNING FOR A DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. NOW IT RUNS FINE AGAIN UNTIL ANOTHER INCONVENIENT SITUATION. PROBLEMATICALLY, THE ENGINE BEHAVIOR CREATES A DRIVING HAZARD AT HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BY KIA, NOT BY ITS IGNORANT OR ILL TRAINED DEALER MECHANICS. ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM? IS IT THE COMPUTER MODULE THAT MAY HAVE A SHORT OR CRACK IN THE HOUSING? MISFIRING IS A TIMING ISSUE AND MOST SURELY GOES TO THE FIRING ORDER AND TIMING CONTROLLED BY THE ADVANCE MECHANISM AND THE MODULE. OR IS IT THE THROTTLE SYSTEM? OR EGR VALVE OR SOLENOIDS? DO AMERICANS NEED TO DIE BEFORE KIA COMES UP WITH AN ANSWER? I NEED TO GET THIS FIXED BEFORE MY WIFE WHO PANICS MAY HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *JB
KIA AMANTI: BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL TOO CLOSE VERTICALLY SO AS TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO FREQUENTLY DEPRESS BOTH AT THE SAME TIME CREATING A POTENTAL HAZARD. *JB
HEAD-ON CRASH INTO DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR. AIR BAGS FAILED TO ACTIVATE. BOTH CARS TOTAL LOSSES, NOTHING REPAIRED OR REPLACED. *NM
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026