KiaSpectra2007Overview/kia/spectra/2007/base/

2007 Kia Spectra

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2007 Spectra.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2007 Kia Spectra is a passenger car fitted with a four-speed automatic transmission, EPA-rated at 23/32/26 mpg, and an engine calling for 4.2 quarts of 15W-40 or 5W-20 API oil. In the model’s 2000–2009 complaint history, the 2007 model year registers the most owner grievances at 162—far above the 2000 model’s low of 23—with air bags cited as the top concern and one recall on record. That peak concentration of complaints makes this model year the primary reference for assessing the Spectra’s reliability standing across that span.

Model year20092008200720062005200420032002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 5W-20 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/32/26 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 121R · 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 121R · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176.8 in
Overall width67.7 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase102 in
Curb weight2701 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 32 / 26 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume97 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Spectra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.2–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 2005 Spectra5 Wagon
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2005Spectra5 Wagon 2.0L I-48.20 sec16.50 sec138 hpFWD
2005SX Sedan 2.0L I-48.50 sec16.20 sec138 hpFWD
2005EX Sedan 2.0L I-48.70 sec16.10 sec138 hpFWD
2004EX Sedan 2.0L I-48.50 sec16.20 sec138 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 15W-40 / 5W-20 API engine oil. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.5
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 5W-20
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-85 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4.2

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs10-11 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings35-38 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts123-130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87-94 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8MM Bolts: 14-19; 10MM Bolts: 27-38 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Front Wheel Hub147-184 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub145-188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.52-.64 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance7,480-10,120 ohms
Ignition Timing8, Not adjutstable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.04-1.16 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.05-4.56 oz
Standard BCI Group Number121R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-182 °F
Engine Compression185-206 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI
Engine Oil Pressure22.8 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMIdle rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.0079 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0110 in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket18-24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle51-54 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket18-24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle51-54 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

Prep M10 bolts

116.6-19.5 ft. lbs.16.6–19.5 ft. lbs
260-65 degrees60–65 degrees
360-65 degrees; M12 bolts60–65 degrees
420.3-23.1 ft. lbs.20.3–23.1 ft. lbs
560-65 degrees60–65 degrees
660-65 degrees60–65 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120-23 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-6420–23 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 25,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 25,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 5,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 7,500 miPCV Hose (inspect)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 15,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 25,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Timing Belt Tensioner (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2007 Kia Spectra represents the peak of reported complaints within this generation, recording 162 issues, which is the highest figure in the provided 2000 to 2009 dataset. While recalls remained relatively stable with one action, similar to 2004 through 2006, Technical Service Bulletins reached a high of 30, matching the 2008 model year. This general upward trend in complaints from the early 2000s culminates in 2007 before declining slightly in 2008 and 2009, with specific federal records highlighting Air Bags as the primary complaint area with 43 reports. Additionally, the data specifies 23 crash-related complaints and 7 fire complaints for this model year, further distinguishing it from years with lower incident counts. Given that this model year sits at the highest point of reported complaints compared to preceding or succeeding years, it carries a statistically higher burden of owner reports. Consequently, this is not a recommended year to buy compared to other model years in this range.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
30
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
162
Owner complaints
23 involved a crash · 7 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 162 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags43
Fuel System, Gasoline14
Fuel/Propulsion System12
Electrical System10
Vehicle Speed Control7
Latches/Locks/Linkages7
Unknown Or Other6
Engine & Engine Cooling5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V256000Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:MountingReported 25/04/2011

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 SPECTRA LD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 7, 2003, THROUGH MARCH 6, 2007, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND ATTACHING HARDWARE WITH NEW ZINC COATED PARTS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 30 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_BOD055_R12021-09-13StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This…
PS5392018-03-02Engine And Engine CoolingPITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed…
TSB-GEN085R12017-01-18EquipmentTSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners…
TSB-GEN0852016-11-04Latches/Locks/LinkagesTSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners…
WTY001OWNERR12016-06-15Air Bags"REVISION: OWNER LETTER: WTY001 - 2007-2009 MY SPECTRA VEHICLES FRONT PASSENGER OCS…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Spectra. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2007 Spectra take?

4.2 qt of ABOVE 14 degrees F: 15W-40 API, BELOW 14 degrees F: 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2007 Spectra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Spectra get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 32 highway / 26 combined mpg.