The Kia Amanti is a large upscale family sedan that was produced from 2004 to 2009.
Dubbed the “Korean Buick,” the Amanti is smooth, comfortable, and spacious.
In this article, we’ll be going through all of the best and worst model years of the Amanti.
Table of Contents
Here’s The Short Answer To What The Best And Worst Years For The Kia Amanti Are:
The best Kia Amanti model years are 2009, 2008, and 2007. The worst model years of this model are 2005, 2004, and 2006. This is based on auto industry reviews, NHTSA statistics, reported problems, and consumer feedback.
What Are The Best Years For The Kia Amanti?
2009, 2008, and 2007 Kia Amanti
The ’09, ’08, and ’07 Amanti models are the “better half” of the 6-year nameplate, scoring impressive owner scores and receiving minimal complaints.
These three models are essentially the same, following updates in 2007, the Amanti remained unchanged.
For 2007 the Amanti’s exterior was revamped, the engine was replaced with a 32% more powerful one, and the wheels featured a new design.
It received structural enhancements that dropped the weight by 250 lbs, suspension upgrades, and interior design tweaks.
Each model year offers a spacious interior, minimal road noise and overall great value.
Standard safety features include:
- Antilock disc brakes
- Active front-head restraints
- Front seat-mounted side airbags
- Full-length side curtain airbags
It comes in a 1 trim level only, and is powered by a large 3.8-liter V6 engine (264 horsepower) mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission.
The EPA places combined city and highway fuel efficiency at 19 MPG, which is pretty good for a large sedan.
Owners love these models for the following aspects: value, comfort, appearance, minimal road noise, interior, and fuel economy.
2009 Amanti:
- Edmunds: 4.8 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.6 / 5.0
2008 Amanti:
- Edmunds: 4.8 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.6 / 5.0
2007 Amanti:
- Edmunds: 4.7 / 5.0
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.6 / 5.0
2007 Amanti, Edmunds review:
“It’s been a year now since my purchase and I’m still a fan of the Amanti. Love the vehicle and its reliability. I’m getting low mileage around the city but 80% of my driving is just that. City 15.8 MPG .. but on the highway I get a strong 34 MPG. I traded my Lincoln Continental in for this vehicle and was nervous about my choice. I went with the Amanti for value and warranty. I’m glad I did…”
Consumer Scores For Best Kia Amanti Years
| Model Year | Edmunds Consumer Rating | Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating |
| 2009 Kia Amanti | 4.8 / 5.0 | 4.6 / 5.0 |
| 2008 Kia Amanti | 4.8 / 5.0 | 4.6 / 5.0 |
| 2007 Kia Amanti | 4.7 / 5.0 | 4.6 / 5.0 |
What Are The Worst Years For The Kia Amanti?
2004 and 2005 Kia Amanti
The 2005 and 2004 Amantis are the most problematic model years produced, and as is to be somewhat expected – they were also the first models produced.
The leading issue reported online is sudden unintended acceleration and speed control issues, as if the car had a mind of its own.
Associated symptoms were as follows: unresponsive gas pedal, jerking, revving, lurching, lunging, shaking, hesitation, rattling, vibrating, and stalling.
Here are some owner complaints from the NHTSA website:
“The 2004 Kia Amanti will accelerate on its own. I have been in local traffic and it accelerates and decelerates like a runaway horse.”
“2005 Kia Amanti: occasionally the accelerator will barely move the car even though it’s floored, then there is a sudden severe lurch forward.”
“Driving on interstate in my 2005 Kia Amanti and the car accelerated on its own. Car speed increased and then just stopped.”
Another common complaint from owners was that the airbag light would come on for no apparent reason.
“Airbag light is lit without an accident or mishap. I see others online are having this same issue and have taken it to the dealer and spent $175 cost to find out the airbags work fine.”
“Airbag light will not go off. Dealer cannot find any reason why. Airbag is fine, must be a bad sensor somewhere, but they cannot find it.”
- The 2005 Amanti had a total of 14 complaints according to CarComplaints.com and 122 problems based on CarProblemZoo.com data.
- The 2004 Amanti had a total of 2 complaints according to CarComplaints.com and 114 problems based on CarProblemZoo.com data.
Common problems:
- Difficulty shifting
- Engine turns over, will not start
- Brake failure
- Stalls and then lunges forward
- Battery drains
- Dies while driving
- Airbag light on
2006 Kia Amanti
The 2006 Kia Amanti wasn’t as problematic as its predecessors but received far more complaints than its successors – it also lacks all the updates that were introduced for 2007
It shared many of the same problems that the 05′ and ’04 Amantis suffered from, albeit on a smaller scale.
Owners reported that the car would accelerate on its own, lurch forward and lag on acceleration.
“2006 kia Amanti – vehicle will “lag” when the accelerator is depressed on occasions and will also “lurch” forward while trying to brake. There are numerous other Amanti owners nationwide who have experienced this problem. Kia refuses to acknowledge that a problem exists.”
“2006 kia Amanti speed control problem at minimal throttle the car would lurch or move very slow and then would buck mostly in cold weather. Never know when this will happen. Started at 4900 miles and still having problem at 94000. Dealer never can recreate problem. We have had the car in many times and its in today still no fix.”
The 2006 Amanti had a total of 4 complaints according to CarComplaints.com and 59 problems based on CarProblemZoo.com data.
Common problems:
- Car accelerated on its own
- Airbag light comes on
- Speed control issues
- Lurching
- Battery drains
- Stalls and then lunges
What Years Have The Most Complaints?
| Model Year | Complaints (CarComplaints.com) | Problems (CarProblemZoo.com) | Recalls (NHTSA.gov) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Kia Amanti | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| 2008 Kia Amanti | 5 | 36 | 1 |
| 2007 Kia Amanti | 1 | 20 | 2 |
| 2006 Kia Amanti | 4 | 59 | 0 |
| 2005 Kia Amanti | 14 | 122 | 0 |
| 2004 Kia Amanti | 2 | 114 | 0 |
What Problems Do Kia Amantis Have?
- Transmission slipping
- Stalls and then lunges forward
- Mirrors self adjust unintentionally
- Door molding fell off
- Difficulty shifting
- Throttle switch sticking
- Airbag light on
- Battery drains
- Dies while driving
- Engine turns over, will not start
- Brake failure
What Are The Best Alternatives To The Kia Amanti?
| Make & Model | Score | MSRP | Fuel Economy (MPG) |
| Pontiac G8 | 9.2 | $9,363 – $10,525 | City: 15 – 17 /Highway: 24 – 25 |
| Mercury Sable | 9.0 | $5,918 – $19,528 | City:17 – 18 /Highway: 24 – 28 |
| Toyota Avalon | 8.9 | $9,168 – $22,338 | City: 19 /Highway: 28 |
| Buick Lucerne | 8.7 | $5,727 – $7,037 | City: 15 – 17 /Highway: 22 – 26 |
| Ford Taurus | 8.5 | $6,840 – $7,497 | City: 17 – 18 / Highway: 24 – 28 |
| Hyundai Azera | 7.9 | $5,859 – $7,345 | City: 17 – 18 /Highway: 26 |
| Kia Amanti | 7.9 | $4,543 | City: 17 /Highway: 24 |
| Buick LaCrosse | 7.8 | $5,681 – $6,297 | City: 16 – 17 /Highway: 24 – 28 |
| Dodge Charger | 7.8 | $7,505 – $10,034 | City: 16 – 18 /Highway: 23 – 26 |
| Chrysler 300 | 7.6 | $7,265 – $11,379 | City: 13 – 18 /Highway: 19 – 26 |
| Nissan Maxima | 8.6 | $7,042 – $7,589 | City: 19 /Highway: 26 |
| Chevrolet Impala | 7.5 | $5,248 – $7,563 | City: 16 – 19 /Highway: 24 – 29 |
Source: cars.usnews.com, edmunds.com
References
https://www.caranddriver.com/kia/amanti
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/kia/amanti
https://www.edmunds.com/kia/amanti/2009/review/
https://www.kbb.com/kia/amanti/
https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2009/kia/amanti
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Kia/Amanti/
https://www.carproblemzoo.com/kiamotor/amanti/
https://www.cars.com/research/kia-amanti/recalls/
