2006 Kia Spectra: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 100 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (45% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2006 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that three of her interior door handles had become defective and the doors could not be opened from inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side door and the front driver's and passenger's side door handles were defective. The contact called the local dealer and scheduled an appointment to have the door handles repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Mar 2022
“The contact owns a 2006 Kia Spectra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V256000 (Fuel System, Other). The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The check engine and brake warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the recall and failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 116,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2021
“After a minor accident where the car went in the ditch off the road the car caught fire and became rapidly engulfed in flames. What should have been a minor accident turned into a near fatality because of an aggressive fire. The driver had a medical emergency when pulling out of the driveway. The car crossed the road and entered the ditch directly across the driveway entrance. This should have been a walk away accident with minor or no damage to the car, but it burst into flames. The driver was able to get out of the car before burning to death and thankfully there were no other passengers. We had the car only a few weeks and do not have any knowledge of recalls being repaired.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Within 2 months of each other, both (left and right) rear door handles broke upon attempting to open the door using normal force. The door handles came off the car and the rear doors can not be opened from the outside”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2019
“I was driving to work and began to hear a scraping noise. When I got to work I looked under my car and noticed that one of the fuel tank straps had rusted through and snapped. I looked online to order a new one and found a website saying that there was a recall for this exact issue.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia spectra. The contact stated that the door handles were inoperable. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who stated that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The door handles were replaced however, the engine was not repaired nor replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000. *ln*jb”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia spectra. While driving approximately 35 mph over a pothole, the vehicle stalled and would not restart. The contact called a family member who recommended the fuel shut off valve and the vehicle started again. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia spectra. While driving 35 mph, the contact's vehicle was struck on the passenger side door area and passenger side front end. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a laceration to the head, a bruised left shoulder, bruised ribs, and bleeding from the breast, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia spectra. Every time the vehicle was started, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the passenger side ocs mat was defective and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,144.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2016
“The airbag light is on in my car and didn't pass inspection was told by mechanic probably under recall...also my vehicle was involve in a crash in 2010 or 2011 and front end was smashed in and none of. The airbags went off!”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 28 of these complaints and injuries in 32 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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, MAINE, MARYLAND MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH HOLD THE TANK MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT. AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY SEPARATE ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND AND POSSIBLY DISRUPT THE INTEGRITY OF THE TANK.
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, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
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 Spectra 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 Spectra reliable?
NHTSA has 100 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2006 Kia Spectra. The most complained-about area is air bags (45% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Kia Spectra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Kia Spectra have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:mounting. 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.