Research · Large Cars

2005 Kia AmantiRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 83 owner complaints for the 2005 Kia Amanti. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (29) and air bags (16). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
83
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2005 Kia Amanti as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

83 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2006 – Jan 2024
  1. Vehicle speed control29
  2. Air bags16
  3. Power train12
  4. Engine10
  5. Electrical system8
  6. Suspension6
  7. Fuel system, gasoline6
  8. Exterior lighting4
  9. Steering4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Amanti model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200473
200583
200647
200715
200825
20094
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

29 reports2 crashes
“I PURCHASED MY KIA FROM JD BYRIDER IN 2016 OF JULY AND I HAVE HAD A REAL DEAL WITH THIS CAR. IN THE PASS 4 YEARS WITH THIS CAR I HAVE POURED MORE THAN $5,000 INTO THIS CAR INTO IT. EVERY TIME YOU GET THIS CAR FIXED IT HAS A NEW PROBLEM ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER OR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. BUT RECENTLY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER MOTHER AND MY DAUGHTER AROUND SHOPPING ABOUT 10 MILES IN DISTANCE FROM THE HOUSE THE MALL AND DRIVING STORE TO STORE. IT WAS 93 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND SHE HAD THE A/C RUNNING AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED TO HAVE SUDDEN ACCELERATION SHE TRIED TO STOP THE CAR AND IT DID NOT STOP THE ENGINE KEEP REVVING UP HARDER HARDER AND HARDER. AT THIS POINT SHE WAS ABLE TO TURN BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT AFTER GETTING OFF THE MAIN RODE. THIS CAR IS A DANGER TO PEOPLE DRIVING IT AND OTHERS NEAR THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE ON THE STREET I REPEAT THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE ON THE STREET. I AM GLAD MY FAMILY IS SAFE BUT I WILL TRADING THIS CAR IN SOON AND I HOPE THE RIP IT UP AND TEAR IT TO PIECES FOR PARTS BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE ENDED MY FAMILIES LIFE. FOR ME AND MY OTHER LOVE ONES TO VERY SEE THEM AGAIN. GET THIS CAR OFF THE RODE PLEASE. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 7, 2020Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11327661

Air bags

16 reports2 crashes
“EVER SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND DOES NOT GO OFF UNTIL THE CAR IS OFF. THE RPM GAGE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ERRATIC WHEN DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHILE ACCELERATING. THE ENGINE SMELLS AS IF WIRES ARE BURNING AND IT SEEMS INCREASINGLY HOT, BUT THE GAGE STAYS NORMAL. THE GAS TANK CANNOT BE FILLED QUICKLY, I HAVE TO TRICKLE GAS INTO THE TANK BRAKE PADS WEAR DOWN CONSTANTLY. I HAVE ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BEING DEFECTIVE AND THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2018Air bags, Electronic stability control (esc), Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11120402

Power train

12 reports
“ADMINISTRATION ON 6/26/20 A DEALERSHIP MADE A TENATIVE SALE ON A USEC 2005 VEHICLE INTENTIONALLY DECIEVING POTENTIAL BUYER. VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS IT MADE MISFIRE AND THE FLUIDS IN VEHICLE WERE ALL MISSING FROM EACH TANK. THE SALESMAN DENIED ME THE RIGHT TO TEST DRIVE OR OPPORTUNITY TO REPLENISH MISSING FLUIDS,ADVISING VEHICLE IS AS-IS. I EXPLAINED I DROVE 60 MILES ONE WAY AND WAS NOT TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS AS -IS OR IN SUCH TERRIBLE CONDITION. MANAGER REFUSED TO ASSIST ME OR SPEAK WITH ME AS I WOULD COMPLAIN. THE SALESMAN SAID,"TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT"!!! I DID NOT PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BUT IT MUST BE LISTED AS UNSAFE IN A NATIONWIDE ALERT AS LEFT DRIVER SIDE IMPACT ON DOORS FROM BUMPER TO FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, LEFT SIDE FENDER HANGING OFF , VEHICLE SHAKING BAD, COMPUTER HARDWARE AND CAPS MISSING ON ENGINE. PLEASE HAVE DMV IN DELAWARE RED FLAG THIS DEALERSHIP AND RECALL THIS VEHICLE AS I WAS ALMOST A VICTIM UNDER LEMON LAW HERTRICH BUICK GMC OF SEAFORD 26953 SUSSEX HIGHWAY SEAFORD, DE 19973 WWW.HERTRICHGMCBUICK.COM (888) 313-4253 DEAR [XXX], WE HAVE RECEIVED YOUR PRICE QUOTE REQUEST AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST. TO HELP US MAKE THE RIGHT DEAL FOR YOU ON…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 4, 2020Steering, Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, Wheels, Unknown or other, Electronic stability control (esc), Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11337472
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Amanti
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152318$3,550494
  • Amanti
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    15 city · 23 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Kia Amanti as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 1393
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Amanti questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Kia Amanti have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 30, 2026.

What are the most common 2005 Kia Amanti problems?

Owners filed 83 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (29), air bags (16), power train (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Kia Amanti get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Kia Amanti at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026