2006 Kia Optima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 155 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 20 Optima model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 3 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 2 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontalJan 17, 2012
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 12V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shiftMar 9, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 11V153000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
46 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, May 11, 2011
ONE DAY THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR WOULDN'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I CALLED KIA AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR. I CALLED AND NOTIFIED KIA CONSUMER RELATIONS AND AGAIN WAS GIVEN THE SPEECH OF IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND BASICALLY THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT. I ALSO IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TELEPHONE CALL, FILED A WRITTEN COMPLAINT WITH KIA AND HAVE YET TO HEAR ANYTHING FROM THEM ABOUT THIS. I HAVE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS COMPLAINT THE AIR BAG LIGHT THAT THE DEALER CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. I DID A VERY SIMPLE SEARCH AND IT WAS ABLE TO FIND MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND MAYBE YOU CAN FORCE KIA TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS FAULTY PARTS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IN THESE VEHICLES. THANK YOU! *TR
Air bags, Mar 29, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE MARCH 2011, SHE NOTICED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,600. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN UPDATED 05/11/11
Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 18, 2011
I OWN A 2006 KIA OPTIMA AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND DOES NOT GO OFF EVEN YOU ARE IN THE SEATS THIS IS A HAZARD IF YOU HAVE A ACCIDENT YOU DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIR BAG WILL WORK OR NOT COULD BE DEADLY ,ALSO DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK IF YOU LOCK THEM WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR FROM INSIDE VEHICLE ,HAVE TO CRAWL OVER TO PASSENGER SIDE TO GET THIS CAN BE DEADLY IF YOU GET IN A ACCIDENT . *TR
Air bags, Feb 9, 2011
IN A 2006/2007 KIA OPTIMA, "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATES REGARDLESS OF SEATED PASSENGER WEIGHT OR OCCUPANCY. THIS COULD LEAD TO FAILURE TO DEPLOY AIRBAG IN A FRONTAL COLLISION RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. RESETTING THE COMPUTER TEMPORARILY DEACTIVATED THE LIGHT, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR
Air bags, Nov 16, 2010
2006 KIA OPTIMA. DISCOVERED "AIR BAG" LIGHTED ICON ON DASH JUST PAST THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION. (DRIVER-SIDE BAG). PAID $125 "DIAGNOSTIC," ONLY TO BE TOLD "AIR BAG DOESN'T WORK," --DUH! DEALER WANTS ANOTHER SOME $500 TO EXPLORE CAUSE, AND ANOTHER SOME $500 TO "MAYBE" FIX IT. [XXX] RIP-OFF! (WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60,000 MILES BECAUSE I AM THE 2ND OWNER---ANOTHER RIP-OFF BY KIA). CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIRS, SO MY LIFE IS IN KIA'S HANDS!!!!. I WILL NEVER BUY NOR RECOMMEND ANOTHER KIA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Aug 17, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHERE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS RESET BUT FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. ON A LATER DATE WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE AIR BAG UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYED IN THE CONTACT'S FACE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE SWELLING TO THE FACE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,298 . UPDATED 12/10/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/17/10
Air bags, Apr 28, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS INOPERATIVE. THE FAILURE COULD PREVENT THE AIR BAG FROM DEPLOYING IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 43,000.
Air bags, Mar 3, 2009
AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH WILL NOT GO OFF. PASSENGER AIR BAG ON/OFF LIGHT NOT ALWAYS WORKING. DEALER SAYS $115 FOR TEST. IF WARRANTED THEY WILL PAY. IF NOT I WILL PAY. READ OF MANY REPORTS LIKE THIS. 87,000 MILES. *TR
Air bags, Feb 8, 2009
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT GO OUT OR IT WILL GO OUT AND BACK ON. IT IS NECESSARY TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESET THE COMPUTER FOR IT TO WORK PROPERLY. *TR
Air bags, Oct 4, 2008
YOUR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO. 08V161000, CONCERNING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM ON 2006-08 HYUNDAI SONATAS, SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE KIA OPTIMAS. I JUST HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH A 2006 KIA OPTIMA, , WHICH I PURCHASED FROM ENTERPRISE CAR SALES AND THEN RETURNED WITHIN THE 7-DAY RETURN PERIOD DUE TO DISCOVERY OF THIS PROBLEM. THE SOFTWARE DID NOT RECOGNIZE A 120-POUND ADULT AS AN ADULT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AS A RESULT OF WHICH WE GOT THE SIGNAL THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS OFF. *TR
Air bags, Aug 5, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. ON AUGUST 3, 2008, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A THREE VEHICLE CRASH. HER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT ILLUMINATING. DURING THE FIRST REPAIR, THE DEALER REPLACED A WIRE SHORTAGE. DURING THE SECOND REPAIR, THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE TOW YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000.
Air bags, Sep 17, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT OVER 100 LBS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE RESET TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THIS MEANT THAT WHEN A PASSENGER ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE SHUT OFF AND THEN REACTIVATED FOR THE AIR BAG TO WORK PROPERLY. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Visibility, Air bags, Structure, Jul 31, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE PASSENGER WEIGHED. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE ON THREE OCCASIONS, BUT IT CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,791 STARTING 60 MILES. THE DEALER STATED HEARS A RATTLE FROM THE SUNROOF AND GASKET ON TRUNK. UPDATED 08/29/07 *TR
Air bags, Apr 27, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY REGARDLESS IF SOMEONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THESE VEHICLES AND MAY BE PREVENTED BY SITTING IN A CERTAIN POSITION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 9,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.*AK
Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 20, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 5 MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE ICY. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A KIA DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE AIRBAG MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 7558. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED A GROUND WIRE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB
Air bags, Feb 20, 2007
PURCHASED BRAND NEW 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA,,,THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. MY WIFE WAYS 170 SO THIS IS WELL ABOVE A 130 LB LIMIT I HAVE READ ABOUT BUT NOT VERIFIED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT QUITE FREQUENT THOUGH. 9 TIMES IN LAST 2 DAYS...TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO ACT UP AND NO CODES IN COMPUTER. THOUGH I HAVE WITNESSED THIS MALFUNCTION AT LEAST 100 TIMES NOW IN THE LAST MONTH. I TOLD THEM THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THEY SAID THEY CANT JUST THROW MONEY AT IT HOPING TO REPLACE THE BAD PART BY LUCK AS THE SENSORS ARE $1200.00 A PIECE AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE 5 SENSORS IN THE SEAT. I THEN TOLD THEM THAT THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THE CAR WAS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I BOUGHT IT, AND NOW IT IS NOT DEPENDABLE, I CANT TRUST IT TO PROTECT ANY PASSENGER IN THAT SEAT. *NM
Air bags, Dec 18, 2006
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED HE PURCHASE A 2006 KIA OPTIMA ON 11/30/06, WITH 377 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT PURCHASE. THE CONTACT STATES THAT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICE THAT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE CONTACT STATES THAT WHILE NO ONE IS IN PASSENGER SEAT THE LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE AIRBAG IS OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SOMEONE IS IN PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON. HE SAID THAT THE AIRBAG IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE HAS INFORMED DEALERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY ORDERED THE PART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED HIM AND TOLD HIM TO BRING VEHICLE IN TODAY EVEN THOUGH THE PART WILL NOT BE IN UNTIL AFTER CHRISTMAS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DEALERSHIP HAS ORDERED THE PADDING FOR THE CUSHION ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NHTSA SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
Air bags, Dec 1, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE A PASSENGER WEIGHING 125 POUNDS WAS PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE ADVANCED AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE, WHICH INDICATED A LACK OF AIRBAG PROTECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH DID NOT PRODUCE ANY FAILURE CODES. THE DEALER REFERRED TO THE VEHICLE OWNER'S MANUAL WHICH INDICATED IN SOME INSTANCES WITH LIGHTER PASSENGERS, THE ADVANCED AIRBAG SYSTEM MAY NOT BE ACTIVE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE ADVANCED AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONING ACCORDINGLY TO THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS AND ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Air bags, Nov 25, 2006
WE PURCHASED A 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA A FEW MONTHS BACK. THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A FEATURE, THE DE-ACTIVATION OF THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG WHEN THE SEAT IS VACANT. MY WIFE WEIGHS ABOUT 104 LBS AND DOES NOT ALWAYS ACTIVATE THE SWITCH AS INDICATED BY THE FACT THE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF, AND THEREFORE IS UNPROTECTED IF THERE WAS A FRONTAL CRASH. THE DEALER CHECKED AND INDICATED THAT THE SWITCH IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME. SOMETIMES SHE CAN GET THE INDICATOR TO GO OFF BY MOVING AROUND AND/OR BOUNCING ON THE SEAT. THE OTHER FUN FACT IS THAT WE CAN BE RIDING ALONG AND THE INDICATOR WILL COME ON OR IF IT IS ON IT WILL SOMETIME TURN OFF. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY RHYME OR REASON FOR THE ACTIVATION OR DE-ACTIVATION OF THE SENSOR SWITCH. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE SENSOR SWITCH CAN NOT BE BY-PASSED BECAUSE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS. *NM
Air bags, Nov 21, 2006
I JUST PURCHASED A 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA. MY CONCERN IS WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT; THE AIR BAG DOES NOT ARM. KIA STATES THAT THE NEW STANDARD (NHTSA) STATES THAT ONE MUST BE OVER 130 LBS. IF TRUE, I FIND THAT UNACCEPTABLE. THERE IS NO STATEMENTS WITHIN THE OWNERS MANUAL OR IS THERE A PLACARD ON THE DASHBOARD WARNING ONE MUST BE OVER 130 LBS. SHOULD I HAVE AN ACCIDENT, WHO IS LIABLE, YOU OR KIA. PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE RULES, THE LAW AND IF THIS IS SO, WHAT INDIVIDUAL, FELT INDIVIDUAL LESS THAN 130 LBS DO NOT DESERVE THAT SAFETY FEATURE. *JB
Air bags, Nov 19, 2006
OUR CONCERN RELATES TO THE SAFETY OF OUR VEHICLE. A NICE FEATURE OF THIS CAR IS THE DE-ACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WHEN THAT SEAT IS VACANT; HOWEVER, THERE APPEARS TO BE A MALFUNCTION. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP AS PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED THERE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN OF OURS. *NM