2009 Kia Spectra problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: What is the 2009 Kia Spectra safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2009 Kia Spectra crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

Q: What gas mileage does the 2009 Kia Spectra get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2009 Kia Spectra at about 27 mpg combined (24 city / 31 highway).

Q: How much is a 2009 Kia Spectra worth?

Comparable 2009 Kia Spectra listings run roughly $2,500–$5,995, typically around $3,868 (from 113 vehicles).

2009 Kia Spectra at a glance

Safety recallsNone

Owner complaints114

Combined27 mpg

Typical price$3,868

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2009 Kia Spectra recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2009 Kia Spectra.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2009 Kia Spectra common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags

Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Seats

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Engine

Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

Fuel/propulsion System

Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

2009 Kia Spectra safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★

Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2009 Kia Spectra 5-DR w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2009 Kia Spectra MPG & running costs

Combined27 mpg

City24 mpg

Highway31 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$2,325

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2009 Kia Spectra worth?

Low

$2,500

Typical price

$3,868

High

$5,995

From 113 comparable 2009 Kia Spectra listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2009 Kia Spectra costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,625

Depreciation (5 yrs)$2,500

Total$14,125

Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($3,868) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,359), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.