2006 KIA Optima Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Optima years
- Fewer complaints than other years 12th of 20 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 KIA Optima. That ranks 12th out of 20 Optima model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (46 complaints, 30%), typically at around 50,000 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 155owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2006 KIA Optima problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 46 | 30% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 27 | 17% | 74,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 23 | 15% | 65,150 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 16 | 10% | 3,650 | — | — |
| Power Train | 14 | 9% | 61,100 | — | — |
| Structure | 12 | 8% | 61,300 | — | — |
| Visibility | 12 | 8% | 37,500 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 9 | 6% | 8,060 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 9 | 6% | 103,083 | — | — |
| Engine | 7 | 5% | 105,735 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 5% | 75,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 6 | 4% | 51,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 3% | 81,481 | — | — |
| Tires | 5 | 3% | 9,690 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 3% | 6,937 | — | — |
| Seats | 4 | 3% | 59,600 | — | — |
| Equipment | 3 | 2% | 46,132 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 1% | 59,020 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | 96,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | 130,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2006 KIA Optima recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: Kia motors america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 kia optima vehicles manufactured from september 29, 2005, through january 29, 2008, and model year 2007 and 2008 kia rondo vehicles manufactured from september 13, 2006, through march 21, 2008. The clock spring contact assembly for the driver's side air bag supplemental restraint system (srs) may become damaged through usage over time. If the clock spring contact assembly becomes damaged, the driver's air bag electrical circuit will experience a high resistance condition potentially causing the driver's air bag to not deploy.
Risk: If the clock spring develops high resistance, in the event of a crash, the drivers air bag will not deploy and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vehicle's air bag clock spring contact assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on july 11, 2012. Owners may contact kia customer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Problem: Kia is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 optima vehicles manufactured from september 29, 2005, through june 13, 2007. There is a possibility that the shift cable may have been installed incorrectly, causing tension in the cable. If present, this condition could cause the cable to detach from the shifter assembly's dowel pin preventing the transmission from being shifted. The shift lever can then be moved into the park (p) position while the vehicle's transmission is still in the last used gear before detachment.
Risk: If the driver leaves the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, there is a possibility that the vehicle can roll injure a person in its path or cause a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the shift cable and reinstall if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on march 23, 2011. Owner may contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Loss of Motive Power (DP22003) — opened Sep 12, 2022, closed Dec 12, 2023.
- Throttle control system vulnerabilities (DP21003) — opened Nov 12, 2021, closed Jun 20, 2023.
- Transmission Shift Cable Detachment (PE10046) — opened Nov 22, 2010, closed Apr 5, 2011, led to recall 11V153000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The front subframe is dangerously rusted. The same way the other optima were recalled for.
I have a 2006.5 kia optima. I am experiencing the same problem with the brake light switch sticking as other kias currently under recall. My brake lights are always on. Am i out of luck on this one?
Hood released while in motion, folded back over windshield and roof top totally blinding driver while in motion. Vehicle was in motion, traveling south on nc hwy 16 at a rate of 50 mph, two lane road. Hood released and flew up, no known cause or effect. Hood release and/or safety latch obviously…
Car will not always start. Sometimes i have to wait 24 hours and pick up the car wherever i had to leave it cause it wouldn't start. When trying to start there's a clicking sound and all panel light start to flash. Replaced alternator and battery, still not fixed. Seen a lot of reviews complaining…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REVERSE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE SHIFTER WAS IN PARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD SHIFT OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED…
Other KIA Optima years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Optima | 151 | 0 |
| 2019 Optima | 212 | 1 |
| 2018 Optima | 232 | 2 |
| 2017 Optima | 256 | 3 |
| 2016 Optima | 759 | 5 |
| 2015 Optima | 1,009 | 4 |
| 2014 Optima | 589 | 7 |
| 2013 Optima | 1,386 | 9 |
| 2012 Optima | 920 | 5 |
| 2011 Optima | 594 | 5 |
| 2010 Optima | 75 | 1 |
| 2009 Optima | 116 | 1 |
| 2008 Optima | 144 | 3 |
| 2007 Optima | 167 | 2 |
| 2006 | 155 | 2 |
| 2005 Optima | 144 | 0 |
| 2004 Optima | 225 | 1 |
| 2003 Optima | 141 | 2 |
| 2002 Optima | 107 | 3 |
| 2001 Optima | 143 | 3 |
See all KIA Optima problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2006 KIA Optima?
Owners most often report air bags, latches/locks/linkages, electrical system problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 46 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2006 KIA Optima?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2006 KIA Optima a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Optima model years, the 2006 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.