KIA Amanti Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used KIA Amanti options? We analyzed 6 model years (2004–2009) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the KIA Amanti has 247 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls across model years 2004–2009. The most reported issue area is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. 2005 drew the most complaints; 2009 drew the fewest.
- Make
- KIA
- Model
- Amanti
- Model years analyzed
- 2004–2009 (6 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 247
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Crash-related complaints
- 22
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2005 (83 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2009 (4 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
KIA Amanti: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe KIA AMANTI has 247 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. 22 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 247 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 4 federal recall campaigns
- 22 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
4 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2004–2009. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 247 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
247 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
When pulling into a parking spot and with my foot on the break, the car suddenly accelerated. The car did not react to my breaking. The car kept moving forward over a sidewalk, over the curb on the street, into the back end of a pickup parked on the road I was facing, and started heading across the street toward another parked truck. Luckily there was no one on the sidewalk, no one was hurt. This has not happened before or since. No warning signs. When I took the car in to get an alternator replaced, the initial shop said they could not fix it bacause of codes that came up concerning the electrical system. I then had the car towed to a Kia dealer. They fixed the alternator but never mentioned the other codes. Suspecious.
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH RECALL NUMBER 13V114000 WAS PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE ON DEC.5, 2014. 52098 MILES. ON JUNE 22, 2016 THE SWITCH FAILED WITH 66,219 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN STORAGE UNTIL SEPT. 12, 2016 WITH 66,219 MILES. I HAD IT TOWED TO EARNHART KIA BY AAA. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACE FOR $239.42. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE OF TIME AND MILEAGE. I CALLED KIA CASE #3274275. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THE SAME AS THE DEALER. MY GRIPE IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND KIA SHOULD REPLACE THE SWITCH AT NO OR VERY LITTLE COST I HAD NO WARNING THAT I HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS UNTIL I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. SOMEONE COULD HAVE HIT US WITHOUT BRAKES LIGHTS WORKING. THAT IS WHY WE HAD THE CAR TOWED. IT IS THE SAFETY THAT CONCERNS US!
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA AMANTI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY FORTY FIVE MINUTES THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,300. UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF
TAKATA RECALL. THE "AIRBAG LIGHT" IN MY DASH HAS BEEN ON FOR A WHILE. AFTER CONSULTING WITH MY MECHANICH HIS BELIEVES IT IS A AIRBAG PROBLEM THAT MY COMPUTER KEEPS RECORDING. MY CAR HAS NO ACTIVE RECALLS ON IT BUT MY LOCAL DEALER IN NJ TELLS ME THAT THE AIRBAG HAS PROBLEMS IN MANNY OF THESE CARS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA AMANTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IMMOBILIZER INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Read 14 more owner reports
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA AMANTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT REPORTED TO THE DEALER THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE RECALL REMEDY DID NOT FIX THE FAILURE AND THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA AMANTI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA AMANTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE JERKED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ESC FAILED TO FUNCTION BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. UPDATED 1/20/16 *SS THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANMISSION FAILURE WAS THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA AMANTI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATE 77,000.
MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON ONE DAY FOR NO REASON AND CONTINUES TO STAY ON CONSTANTLY. SPOKE WITH KIA DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE LIGHT AND IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE MY AMANTI. THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH AMANTIS SOLD TO BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DO TO THE NUMBERS GAME. THEY WANT ME TO PAY BETWEEN $800 AND $1600 TO HAVE IT FIXED. THIS AIRBAG LIGHT IS THE SAME DEFECT THAT THE OPTIMAS AND RONDOS ARE HAVING. IT IS UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE MY CAR. THEY NEED TO REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE SAME RECALL FOR OTHER VEHICLES. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE HAVE THE AMANTIS ADDED TO THE RECALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA AMANTI. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V130000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE VIEW MIRRORS FAIL TO STAY IN MEMORY POSTION. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN TO THE CAR DEALER EIGHT TIMES AND HAD SWITCH CONTORL, MODUAL UNDER STEAT REPLACED. STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. DEALER TELLS ME HAVE TRIED HELP FORM KIA VERY LITTLE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AT 60K MILES AND KIA TELL ME PROBLEM IS PASSED 60K NOT THEIR PROBLEM. PROBLEM GOING ON FORM JULY OF THIS YEAR. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA AMANTI. SHE STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE CHECK TIRE SENSORS WERE ILLUMINATED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, AN HOUR AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE THE TIRE SENSOR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CLOSEST REPAIR FACILITY WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL DESCRIBING THE IDENTICAL FAILURE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V130000, HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. REPAIRS WERE SCHEDULED PER HER EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 60,000. UPDATED 3/10/10 *CN UPDATED 05/06/10.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA AMANTI. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG WAS INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 10106. UPDATED 1/4/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT HIS WIFE CARRY EXTRA WEIGHT IN HER LAP OR RIDE IN THE BACK SEAT. UPDATED 01/06/10.*JB
THE DATE BELOW REFERS TO MOST RECENT EVENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AROUND 10 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE (2007 KIA AMANTI PURCHASED NEW). IN THE MOST RECENT EVENT I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR FROM RUNNING A RED LIGHT, ENTERING AN INTERSECTION AND NEARLY HAD A COLLISION IN THE PROCESS. THE PROBLEM IS THIS: EVERY NOW AND THEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES--WHICH OF COURSE IS SUPPOSED TO STOP THE CAR--ACTUALLY CAUSES THE CAR TO ACCELERATE DRAMATICALLY--TO JACKRABBIT I THINK IT IS CALLED--WITH SUCH FORCE THAT EVEN FULL PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKES CANNOT STOP IT. THE TACHOMETER GOES INTO THE RED OR DANGER ZONE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE NOTED ON KIA FORUM (A WEB SITE FOR KIA OWNERS WITH NO CONNECTION TO KIA MOTOR COMPANY) OTHER AMANTI OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE KIA COMPANY DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEM AND SAYS THAT I MUST TAKE IT IN SO THAT IT CAN BE FIXED IF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. OF COURSE, GIVEN THE INFREQUENCY OF THE PROBLEM, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHEN I HAVE TAKEN IT IN--MOST RECENTLY A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO. SINCE I CAN NEVER KNOW WHEN IT MIGHT HAPPEN, ALL DRIVING OF THE CAR MAKES ME VERY ANXIOUS--AFRAID IT WILL HAPPEN, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN I APPROACH A CROSSWALK FULL OF CHILDREN. I FEEL I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO GET RID OF THE CAR. I WILL, OF COURSE, FEEL MORALLY OBLIGATED TO REVEAL THE PROBLEM WHEN I TRADE THE CAR IN AND WILL THUS NO DOUBT TAKE A SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL LOSS. THIS WILL BE BETTER THAN HURTING SOMEONE EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, HOWEVER. I KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT CARS, BUT I WOULD GUESS IT IS SOME KIND OF COMPUTER PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS ONLY UNDER CERTAIN UNPREDICTABLE CONDITIONS. JUST KNOWING IT COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, HOWEVER, MAKES THE CAR TOO SCARY AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. IF I CAN, I WILL GET RID OF THE CAR AS EARLY AS TOMORROW EVEN IF I TAKE A SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL LOSS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA AMANTI. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE FLOORMAT WAS SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROUGH A HOLE BENEATH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS. ONCE HALF OF THE FLOORMAT BECAME STUCK IN THE ENGINE, IT CAUSED THE BRAKES TO STOP WORKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND MANAGED TO REACH UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PULL THE FLOORMAT OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 15,000. UPDATED 6/9/08 *CN UPDATED 6/16/08 *CN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA AMANTI. THE DASHBOARD TRIM IS ALUMINUM AND REFLECTS THE SUNLIGHT ONTO THE SIDE MIRRORS OF THE VEHICLE. THE REFLECTION FAILURE HAS ALMOST CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE HE PURCHASED IT SO THEY CAN CHANGE THE TRIM. HE HAS NOT YET BEEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. THE CONSUMER STATED THE KIA AGREED TO PAY TO HAVE THE REFLECTIVE ALUMINUM STRIP PAINTED BLACK. UPDATED 09/05/07. *JB
I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 AMANTI ON THE I-10 WHEN THE SUN ROOF SUDDENLY SHATTERED. THERE WAS NO EVENT THAT LEAD TO THIS OCCURRENCE. THE GLASS SIMPLY EXPLODED OR IMPLODED. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS CAR WAS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD AND WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP FOR AN EXPLANATION. OF COURSE, THERE WAS NONE. KIA WAS FILING THIS WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY, BUT THIS WAS A DEFECT OF SOME SORT THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS SO NEW THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS. I NOW HAD A RENTAL FOR AN UNDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME. *AK
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Amanti. The contact stated there were several failures with the clockspring assembly feature causing the horn and cruise control to become inoperable. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic confirmed the failure with the clockspring assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
Showing 20 of 247 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact KIA Amanti
These pages show model-year patterns across 6 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used KIA Amanti, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The KIA Amanti has 247 complaints on record across 6 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The KIA Amanti has 4 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 22 of the KIA Amanti's 247 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all KIA Amanti vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two KIA Amanti vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The KIA Amanti has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a KIA Amanti by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used KIA Amanti.
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KIA Amanti reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the KIA Amanti reliable?
Poor. The KIA Amanti has 247 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which KIA Amanti years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2005 (83 complaints), 2004 (73 complaints), 2006 (47 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common KIA Amanti problems?
Top reported issues: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (56 complaints); AIR BAGS (39 complaints); POWER TRAIN (38 complaints).
Does the KIA Amanti have recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the KIA Amanti. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.