AI Damage2004 KIA Amanti: common problems
Owners of the 2004 KIA Amanti filed 73 complaints with NHTSA, most often about vehicle speed control and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 73
- involving a crash
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Vehicle speed control 16% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 15% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 15% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 14% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 12% of all complaints
- 8 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
- Vehicle speed control: 12 complaints (16% of all).
- Air bags: 11 complaints (15% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 11 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 11 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 10 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 73 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Upon filling the tank of the kia amanti, shortly thereafter, the engine will begin to surge and react erratically without pressing the accelerator. If the brake is not sufficiently engaged the vehicle will lunge forward or backward and cause an accident.
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.
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.....
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 4,331 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 12% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Amanti has 41 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 73, above average.
What to check before buying
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2004 KIA Amanti?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: vehicle speed control, air bags, electrical system. Total complaints: 73. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (15%), jerking, harsh shifts (12%), airbag warning light (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2004 KIA Amanti?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2004 KIA Amanti from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2004 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.