2006 Kia Optima: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 155 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2012
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 155 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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?”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2020
“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 released without cause or warning.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Sep 2019
“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 about the exact some problem.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“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. The contact called kia of lynchburg (3400 old forest rd, lynchburg, va 24501, (434) 847-3292) and was informed that the transmission could be the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2019
“Oh rear lower swing arm supporting the spring broke letting the spring come out of position and letting the wheel tilt as if flat. The lower arm had rusted in two allowing this to happen.”Owner report · Wheels · Jan 2019
“I have an 06 optima (06.5/ ms) 2.4 engine but the problem im having juging from kia internet forums is spread acros meney years and models it is an intermitant engine stall it can happen at any time ive had it happen at 65mph on interstate this is followed by a series of start stall then it will run fine for a while ive had a complete wire harness check reaced several sensors and other parts nothing has cured the problem it should be recalled and repaired by kia before some one gets hurt not after.this is a totally random happening”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2018
“Front passenger side door will mot open from the inside or outside causing you to be locked in the vehicle. Also when you try to open the door from inside the vehicle automatically locks the car. This is a safety hazard that needs to be address.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2018
“Auto lock issue. At 118,000 miles my auto locks started to automatically lock when I tried to unlocked them, essentially trapping me in the vehicle. As soon as I click unlock they immediately relook. If this isn't a safety issue in need of a recall I don't know what is. I've looked into the problem on other forums and it seems quite common. Yikes! Please get this recall done!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2017
“I also have the driver's side airbag warning light came on and stays on. I checked and found out there is a recall for driver side airbag on 2006 kia optima, but the dealership said my car is not covered under this recall. This recall need to cover all 2006 kia optimas since so many have the same problem.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
“Pulling out of my garage my car accelerated out of control at high speed backwards across the street into the side of my neighbor's house taking her electrical box, sprinkler motor and a/c unit down. The wire's were hot and I was advised to stay in the car until the firefighters arrived and the power shut down by the power company - scared to death of a fire or electrocution.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Optima by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Kia Optima reliable?
NHTSA has 155 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Kia Optima. The most complained-about area is air bags (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Kia Optima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 66,961 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Kia Optima have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.