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: visibility
13 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Aug 10, 2012
AFTER BEING LOWERED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR NO LONGER CAN BE RETURNED TO THE UP POSITION AND HANGS IN SUCH A POSITION AS TO OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION. THE SUN VISOR HAS BEEN LITTLE USED AND HANDLED WITH CARE. IT APPEARS THAT THE COMPONENTS OF THE SUN VISORS ARE TOO FRAGILE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR NOW IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WANTS $125.00 TO FIX IT. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Visibility, Jul 3, 2012
AFTER BEING LOWERED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR NO LONGER CAN BE RETURNED TO THE UP POSITION AND HANGS IN SUCH A POSITION AS TO OBSTRUCT THE DRIVER'S VISION. THE SUN VISOR HAS BEEN LITTLE USED AND HANDLED WITH CARE. IT APPEARS THAT THE COMPONENTS OF THE SUN VISORS ARE TOO FRAGILE. *JS
Visibility, Apr 3, 2012
THE VISOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WON'T STAY UP. THIS WAS FIXED ABOUT 30,000 MILES AGO UNDER WARRANTY. IT SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE DRIVEN A HALF MILLION MILES IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH A VISOR. IT MUST BE DEFECTIVE. MY PASSENGERS ALL HIT THEIR HEADS ON IT WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE CAR. I HAVE TO REMEMBER TO KEEP REMINDING THEM. IT ALSO BLOCKS THE VISIBILITY WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. IF I EVER WILL HAVE TO STOP SHORT, I'M SURE MY PASSENGER WILL HIT HIS HEAD ON THE VISOR. THE COMPANY CLAIMS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE APPEAR TO BE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS SO MAYBE A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR
Visibility, Sep 9, 2011
ON MY 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA, ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY SUN VISOR MECHANISMS HAVE BROKEN INTERNALLY, AND WOULD NO LONGER REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION, WHICH HAS BEEN A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME THE PASSENGER SUN VISOR HAS BROKEN AT LEAST ONCE, AND THE DRIVER SIDE HAS BROKEN AT LEAST TWICE. THE FIRST 2 TIMES, THE SUN VISOR WAS REPLACED ENTIRELY UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, ON THE 3RD TIME, I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAD TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL A NEW ONE MYSELF. (PURCHASED ONLINE FOR $80 SHIPPED FROM A DEALER.) THIS DEALER OFFERS THE NEW SUN VISOR REPLACEMENT FOR A FAIR PRICE, DUE TO REPEATED REQUESTS, BUT MANY OTHER PARTS VENDORS, INCLUDING DEALERS AND SALVAGE YARDS, CHARGE OVER $100 FOR THE VISOR, EVEN IF USED AND TAKEN OFF A WRECKED CAR, AS THEY KNOW IT IS A FREQUENTLY NEEDED REPAIR. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS NOT DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AND REPLACE, AND I WAS ABLE TO DO THE WORK MYSELF. *TR
Visibility, Equipment, Jul 27, 2011
I'VE A 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA. THIS ISSUE THAT I'D LIKE TO REPORT IS THAT THE SUN VISORS ARE DEFECTIVE ON THIS VEHICLE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR, AND OTHERS. MY DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR HAS BROKEN. IT WON'T FOLD UP, AND IT IMPAIRS MY VISION AND DISTRACTS ME WHILE DRIVING. IT'S A CONSTANT DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING. I'VE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THIS WAS A DEFECT SINCE I'VE NEVER HAS A SUN VISOR EVER GO BACK ON ANY CAR THAT I'VE EVER OWNED. AND EVEN THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD VARIOUS CUSTOMERS THAT CALLED IN TO STATE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THAT YEAR'S MODEL SUN VISORS. THEY STATED I'D HAVE TO BRING IT IN, AND IT'S GOING TO COST ME FROM $200+ TO HAVE IT FIXED. THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT I SHOULD BE FIXING IN THE FIRST PLACE. IT SHOULD LAST THE EXPECTED LIFECYCLE OF THE CAR. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2006.5 AND I HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VISOR FOLD UP. IT JUST STOPPED ONE DAY ABOUT A MONTH AGO. STILL EACH DAY IS A CONSTANT DISTRACTION, AND IRRITATES ME WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS FOR A 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA - THE DEFECT IS THE SUN VISORS. *TR
Power train, Visibility, Tires, Seats, Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2010
THE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP. THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS VISION IMPAIRMENT. THE SWITCH FOR THE BOTH SEATS DOES NOT WORK. THE WHEEL BEARING IS BAD. THE TIRE PRESSURE WHEEL SENSOR AND THE TRANSMISSION SPEED ADJUSTMENT SENSOR ARE BAD ON THIS 2006 KIA OPTIMA , CONSTANTLY BULBS FOR TAILLIGHT BLOW. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, May 10, 2010
DOOR JAM ON RIGHT BACK DOOR AND SUN VISORS ON RIGHT PASSENGER OVER VIEW JUST DROPS DOWN IN THE PASSENGER OR CHILD VIEW THATS CAUSES ONE TO BECOME FEARFUL. *TR
Visibility, Mar 16, 2010
BOTH SUN VISORS WOULD FALL DOWN WHILE IN THE "UP" POSITION. DEALER REPLACED BOTH FREE OF CHARGE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Visibility, Feb 15, 2010
BOTH SUN VISORS HAVE FAILED WORKING AND WILL DROP DOWN IN FRONT OF MY FACE WHILE I'M DRIVING. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT OR MISUSED THEM IN ANY WAY. THEY JUST SNAPPED UPON OPENING. MANY COMPLAINS HAVE BEEN POSTED ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND IT'S TIME SOMEONE STEPS UP AND REPORTS THIS BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Seats, Jan 21, 2008
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT ELECTRIC SWITCH DOES NOT WORK DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR ELECTRIC SWITCH DOES NOT WORK BOTH KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTES KEEP LOSING THEIR PROGRAM. *TR
Visibility, Dec 13, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMPLETELY FAILED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT DETECTED A BURNING SMELL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND AVOID A CRASH. SHE NOTIFIED THE DEALER, BUT THEY HAVE YET TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 16,803.
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
Exterior lighting, Visibility, Oct 6, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON DARK COUNTRY ROADS, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ADJUSTED TOO LOW TO SEE BEYOND 30 FEET AHEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DESIGNED THAT WAY. UPDATED 11/14/2006 - THERE IS A DARK CURTAIN THAT BLOCKS HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN DRIVING WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON THERE ON A DARK ROAD THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SEE MORE THAN 30 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DARK CURTAIN. WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY WITH AMBIENT LIGHT THE CURTAIN IS TRANSPARENT. THE DEALER CHANGED THE HEADLIGHT TO BRIGHTER ONES BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER THE DEALER THOUGHT THIS WAS A PROBLEM. *NM