KiaSpectra2009Overview/kia/spectra/2009/base/

2009 Kia Spectra

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Spectra.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2009 Kia Spectra is a passenger car equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission, requiring 4.2 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 viscosity oil, and achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 24 city, 32 highway, and 27 combined mpg. In terms of reliability, this model year recorded 114 total owner complaints with Air Bags cited as the primary concern area, though notably it had zero recalls—a significant improvement over earlier years. Compared to the Spectra's complaint history from 2000-2009, which ranged from a low of 23 complaints in 2000 to a high of 162 in 2007, the 2009 model's 114 complaints position it as a middle performer in the model's lifecycle. This trajectory suggests that while the Spectra maintained a consistent presence in the compact car segment, its reliability profile improved substantially from earlier models, ultimately delivering a more dependable ownership experience by the end of its production run.

Model year20092008200720062005200420032002

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy24/32/27 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 / combined24 / 32 / 27 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 5W-20 / 5W-30 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 Capacity7
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · 5W-30 · API
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
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12-16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29-43 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 °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 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Lubricate bolts with clean engine oil · M10 Bolts:

117.0-20.0 ft. lbs.17–20 ft. lbs
260 degrees-65 degrees60 degrees
360 degrees-65 degrees; M12 Bolts:60 degrees
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
260 degrees-65 degrees60 degrees
360 degrees-65 degrees60 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 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.

Every 5,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect)
At 7,500 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
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 25,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 30,000 miSteering Linkage (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · PCV Hose (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 2009 Spectra sits on the descending slope of a complaint curve that peaked at 162 in 2007 before falling to 136 in 2008 and 114 in 2009, marking the second consecutive year of improvement after a generation-long climb from just 23 complaints in 2000. Recalls disappeared after 2007, with zero campaigns for both 2008 and 2009, while technical service bulletins remained elevated at 28 — down slightly from the 30 issued in each of the two prior years but well above the 12–15 range of the early 2000s. Air bag complaints dominate the 2009 record at 60 of 114 total, with an additional seven citing air bags and seats together; the data does not specify the root cause of these reports. Sixteen crash complaints and one fire complaint were logged for the model year. The downward complaint trajectory and absence of recalls are encouraging, but the concentration of air bag reports warrants targeted pre-purchase inspection of the restraint system. This is a reasonable year to buy if the air bag system checks out clean.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
28
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
114
Owner complaints
16 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 114 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags60
Air Bags,Seats7
Vehicle Speed Control5
Electrical System4
Seat Belts3
Structure3
Wheels2
Fuel/Propulsion System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 28 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 2009 Spectra take?

4.2 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Spectra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Spectra get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined mpg.