Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Kia Amanti, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 21 | 25% |
| Air bags | 13 | 16% |
| Power train | 7 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 4% |
| Structure | 3 | 4% |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% |
| Steering | 2 | 2% |
| Engine | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Was in accident on 03-13-2013 severe left front end airbags did not deploy
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHILE DRIVING IT ACTS LIKE ITS NOT GETTING FUEL SO I TOOK IT TO THE PARTS STORE THEY PUT A CODE READER ON IT I HAVE THE PRINT OUT IM ATTACHING BUT ITS VERY DANGEROUS IT JUST LOSES ALL POWER ESPECIALLY IF U PULL OUTTO GET
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
I THINK THE RADIO ISOTOPE ELECTRIC GENERATOR WAS REMOVED FROM THE CAR. THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER WERE NOT KICKING ON AND IT ALSO CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR. I DIDNT KNOW IT WAS ELECTRI
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. IM HAVING AN ISSUE KEEPING IT RUNNING OR EVEN STARTING IT UP. MAY BE HAVING STARTER ISSUES. ALSO MY AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER ARE NOT COMING ON. RADIATOR PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SUB FRAME IS SEVERELY CRACKED AND ROTTING AWAY. ATTEMPTING TO CLEAN UNCOVERS ROAD FILTH AND ROCKS. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS METAL QUALITY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 FRO
NHTSA complaint: Steering
IT BEGAN WITH SQUEAKY NOISE STEERING IT ENDED WITH STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED UP UNDRIVABLE. MECHANIC SAID HE SAW THAT ALOT IN THAT YEAR MODEL. REPLACED THE STEERING PUMP WORKED OK FOR 6 MONTHS OR SO & THE SAME THING. HA
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 HA
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
| Reliability raw | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 21 of them (25%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.