Kia AMANTI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
247 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
43,330 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 206 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 52 of 247 complaints (21.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 42 | 17.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 22 | 8.9% |
| Engine operation | 21 | 8.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 21 | 8.5% |
| Steering behavior | 13 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 52 |
| Electrical System | 33 |
| Air Bags | 31 |
| Engine | 24 |
| Power Train | 20 |
| Unknown Or Other | 20 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 18 |
| Suspension | 15 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 52; Electrical System: 33; Air Bags: 31; Engine: 24; Power Train: 20; Unknown Or Other: 20; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 18; Suspension: 15
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 72 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 40 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 41 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 28 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 72; 25,000 to 49,999: 40; 50,000 to 74,999: 41; 75,000 to 99,999: 28; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 10
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (72). 41 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 22 |
| 2007 | 20 |
| 2008 | 18 |
| 2009 | 15 |
| 2010 | 21 |
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2012 | 17 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 23 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2004: 4; 2005: 7; 2006: 22; 2007: 20; 2008: 18; 2009: 15; 2010: 21; 2011: 24; 2012: 17; 2013: 13; 2014: 12; 2015: 23; 2016: 14; 2017: 3; 2018: 11; 2019: 7; 2020: 5; 2021: 6; 2022: 3; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 42 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 22 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 21 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10130416 · 2005-09-02 (September 2, 2005)
DT: WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AND PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE JUST COASTED. THIS OCCURRED WHEN HAVE TO GIVE THE CAR MORE THAN NORMAL GAS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER FOR THE FOURTH TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM. SINCE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND OR REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AT ANY CERTAIN SPEED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE IT FELT AS IF IT WERE TRYING TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THIS HAPPENED WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE.*AK THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN GOIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10130416 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143890 · 2005-11-29 (November 29, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THERE WAS NO WARNING, AND IT OCCURRED WITH OR WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED. THIS HAPPENED MORE OFTEN WHEN GOING UP A STEEP HILL. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THIS, BUT THEY WERE NUNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130771 · 2005-08-01 (August 1, 2005)
TRANSMISSION SKIPS GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10130771 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10154537 · 2006-04-04 (April 4, 2006)
THE TRANSMISSION ON THE AMANTI SKIPS/HESITATES GOING INTO 2ND GEAR AT ABOUT 8 MILES PER HR. I HAVE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE, EACH TIME THE DEALER TELLING ME THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I AM TAKING IT BACK FOR THE THIRD TIME TODAY 4-4-06. I AM ALSO HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING. IT NO LONGER GOES FROM ONE LEVEL OF POWER STEERING TO ANOTHER. IT IS ALWAYS IN FULL POWER LIKE YOUR PARKING. THE FRONT END IS ALSO VERY LOOSE AND BANGING WHEN I GO OVER THE SMALLEST OF HOLES. I HAVE ALREADY HAD MY MOTOR MOU…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10154537 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10186037 · 2007-03-23 (March 23, 2007)
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 PED…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10186037 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10291465 · 2009-11-09 (November 9, 2009)
CAR ON OCCASIONS LURCHES AND STALLS FREQUENTLY. WIFE'S CAR REALLY NOT SURE IF THROTTLE,ENGINE,TRANSMISSION. JUST VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291465 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10185198 · 2007-03-15 (March 15, 2007)
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 PROBLE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10185198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10307181 · 2010-02-07 (February 7, 2010)
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 TAK…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10307181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10188015 · 2007-04-16 (April 16, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA AMANTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER AND THE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE ALL OF THE SCREWS AND THE AIR BAG LANDED IN THE CONTACTS LAP. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE AIR BAGS COULD DEPLOY AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 59,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,316. SPOKE WITH CONSUMER 10/16/07 NEED TO RESEND FORM. *LJ THE DEALER STATED REINSTALLED FUEL FI…
Owner-reported narrative. 33,316 miles reported. Look up ODI 10188015 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10131167 · 2005-08-02 (August 2, 2005)
CAR-KIA SORENTO (NO OPTION ON VEHICLE PAGE FOR SORENTO) I HAVE TAKEN THE KIA SORENTO NOW 4-5 TIMES FOR THE GAS TANK PROBLEM. THE CAR WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO PUMP GAS FREELY. IT KEEPS STOPPING EVERY 30 CENTS OR SO. QUIRK KIA HAS SERVICED 4 TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY HAVE REPLACED PARTS FROM FUEL FILLER NECK TO PUMPS TO HOSES TO A PRESSURE SENSOR, ETC. I WAS TOLD ON 7/30/05 THAT THE MECHANIC (ON 3RD VISIT) THAT PREVIOUSLY TRIED FIXING MY CAR BROKE A FEW THINGS IN THE GAS TANK AND THERE WAS A FAULTY PART GASKET. THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE PARTS.…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10131167 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10238731 · 2008-08-18 (August 18, 2008)
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. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10238731 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
2004: 0; 2005: 0; 2006: 0; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 1