KIA Amanti Reliability by Year
Best & 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.
Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact KIA Amanti you plan to buy.
KIA AMANTI (2004-2009) has 247 NHTSA complaints, with top issues in vehicle speed control (56) and air bags (39). The 2005 model year has the most complaints (83). Buyers should inspect these systems and check for open recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- 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
- Below Average
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.
⭐ 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.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Below AverageBased on NHTSA complaint data, the 2004-2009 Kia Amanti shows a high number of complaints concentrated in vehicle speed control (56), air bags (39), and powertrain (38). The 2005 model year has the most complaints (83), while 2009 has the fewest (4). Buyers should prioritize inspecting these systems and verifying all recalls are addressed. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Vehicle speed control accounts for 56 complaints, the highest of any component.
- Air bags have 39 complaints, indicating potential safety system issues.
- The 2005 model year has 83 complaints, the most of any year.
- Vehicle speed control
- Air bags
- Powertrain
2005 has the most complaints (83), driven by vehicle speed control and air bags. 2004 also has high complaints (73).
2009 has the fewest complaints (4), followed by 2007 (15) and 2008 (25), indicating these years may be more reliable.
- Inspect vehicle speed control system for reported issues.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for air bags, powertrain, and electrical system.
- Have a mechanic inspect before purchase.
🔔 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.
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
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.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 247 NHTSA 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
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.
[XXX] This was a persistent problem since the car was new; yet, undiscovered by the dealer after their examination. Continued complaint produced no result. Engineer's analysis: Rear Sway Bar End Linkage is designed to rotate during a (leaning outward) pitched road cornering and the resulting torsional forces on the frame. Both rear shock absorbers interfere with the travel of the Sway Bar end linkage during their designed rotational dynamic range. This interference of rotation destroys the shock absorber by repetitive striking and inhibits full functional rotation of the sway bar and end linkage. A mechanic (Jig-Saw Auto; Carson City, Nevada 06/24/2021) replaced damaged shocks hoping to fix the problem; but, it did not. When another mechanic (Les Schwab North Carson City, NV 06/30/2021) put the KIA car on a lift, and discovered the problem a quote was given for a repair of the new shocks which were now damaged. When, by chance, a licensed engineer (yours truly) examined the area, the design flaw was discovered. Replacement of parts would result in damage to parts from the design flaw. --[XXX] , Licensed P.E. in CA and IL. [XXX] cell ph. On Behalf of Dr.[XXX] DDS. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA AMANTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT OPERATE EVERYDAY THE BATTERY WILL RUN DEAD. THE SUNROOF WILL INDEPENDENTLY OPEN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW ELECTRONIC PANEL WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTION THAT ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A DEER AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO INJURIES TO EITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DAMAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500.
POWER SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ARE MOVING WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN SHIFTING TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO REVERSE/NEUTRAL/DRIVE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS WHEN I GO TO LOOK OUT THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS THEY ARE CONSTANTLY IN A DIFFERENT POSITION THEN HOW THEY SHOULD BE SET. I'M CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING THE MIRRORS AND THEY CONTINUE TO MOVE ALL OVER THE PLACE ON THEIR OWN.
THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WILL MOVE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT A COMMAND. TOO OFTEN WHEN I WANT TO CHANGE LANES, THE MIRROR IS NOT IN THE CORRECT POSITION. DANGEROUS
I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM HALOGEN BULBS 4X IN THE LAST TWO YEASR. THESE BULBS ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN THE AFTERMARKET AUTO PARTS STORES....HAVE TO PURCHASE FROM LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THEY NEVER HAVE THESE BULBS IN STOCK, ALWAYS HAVE TO ORDER AND USUALLY TAKES 3-4 DAYS. JUST REPLACED BOTH THE LEFT & RIGHT ON 01/26/15 AND THE RIGHT BULB BURNED OUT AGAIN YESTERDAY 4/26/1/5.....EXACTLY 4 MONTHS.....NOT ACCEPTABLE KIA!!!! THE PARTS MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS HAPPENING NOT ONLY IN THE AMANTI, BUT IN OTHER MODELS AS WELL. SO FAR BOTH BULBS THAT WERE REPLACED ON 4/26/15 ARE STILL WORKING.
MIRRORS ADJUSTING RANDOMLY ON THEIR OWN.
LEFT AND RIGHT REARVIEW MIRRORS ADJUSTING ON THEIR OWN. DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED SEAT CONTROL SWITCH. DEALER COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM ON PREVIOUS VISIT ON 9/03/10 AND TOLD US TO BRING IT BACK AS SOON AS IT HAPPENED AGAIN.
WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH THE TRANSMISSION MADE A HARD SHIFT...THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE JUMP. DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD ONLY DRIVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK.
OUTSIDE LEFT AND RIGHT REARVIEW MIRRORS SELF ADJUSTING. DEALER INSTALLED ANOTHER NEW MEMORY SEAT SWITCH
OUTSIDE LEFT AND RIGHT MIRRORS SELF ADJUSTING. DEALER REPLACED BOTH MIRRORS THIS TIME ON 9/07/12
LEFT AND RIGHT OUTSIDE MIRRORS ADJUSTING ON THEIR OWN ALL THE TIME!! DEALER SPECIAL ORDERED PARTS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. NEW PARTS WERE INSTALLED ON 1/24/13.
OUTSIDE RIGHT AND LEFT REARVIEW MIRRORS SELF ADJUSTING. INSTALLED YET ANOTHER NEW MEMORY SWITCH #88995 3F200
LEFT AND RIGHT OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRRORS SELF ADJUSTING AGAIN!! DEALER TOLD US WHEN THEY FIXED IT THE LAST TIME THAT THIS PART WAS RE-ENGINEERED AND WE WOULDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN. THE FIX WORKED UP UNTIL NOW AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN!!!! HAVEN'T CONTACTED THE DEALER YET.
2008 KIA AMANTI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE PADS ISSUE AND CONSUMER REQUESTS EXPLANATION OF WHO DETERMINES VEHICLE MODEL YEAR. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON OCTOBER 12, 2013, HE HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ORDERED 2008 PADS AND FOUND THEY DID NOT FIT. HE CHECKED THE INFORMATION ON THE DECAL AFFIXED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE, THE OWNER'S MANUAL, WARRANTY AND CONSUMER'S INFORMATION MANUALS AND ALL OF THEM SHOWED THE VEHICLE TO BE A 2007 MODEL BUILT IN KOREA IN MAY 2007. THE MECHANIC THEN EXCHANGED THE PADS FOR 2007 AND INSTALLED THEM WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT MANY VEHICLES, WERE BUILD IN PREVIOUS YEARS. UPDATED 01/22/14
WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE MIRRORS WILL READJUST AT RANDOM. THIS NOT ONLY MASHED CHANGING LANES UNSAFE, BUT ADDS AN UNNEEDED DISTRACTION TO SET THEM BACK TO A USABLE POSITION. *TR
Showing 20 of 247 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Before You Buy, Check the Exact KIA Amanti
These pages show model-year patterns across 6years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
📖 Understanding This Data
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 (Below Average) 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.
Buyers Also Compare
How does the KIA Amanti stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
📍 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.