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
155 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Jun 27, 2015
I RECEIVED MY RECALL LETTER FOR THE CLOCK SPRING REPLACEMENT, MIND YOU THE ILLUMINATE LIGHT WASN'T ON, MADE THE APPOINTMENT TO GET THE PART REPLACED FROM MY LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT WILL TAKE TWO HOURS SO I LEAVE THE CAR THERE THEY CALL ME ON MY CELL PHONE RAMPING ABOUT OTHER ISSUE WITH THE CAR WHICH ARE NOT DOT PROBLEMS SO I SAY NO THANKS I CAN HANDLE THEM MYSELF , GO PICK UP THE CAR AND THEY TELL ME THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THERE'S A PROBLEM AND ITS GONNA COST 110 DOLLARS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM,,, WOULDN'T THIS BE COVERED BY THE RECALL??? WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR MANUFACTURER DEFECT MY PREGNANT WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR SO NEEDS TO BE SAFE, HELP WITH THIS ISSUE SINCERELY THANKS *TR
Suspension, Jun 26, 2015
REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE IN HALF CAUSING IT TO DRAG ON THE GROUND AND THE TIRE TO PUSH OUTWARD
Air bags, Jun 16, 2015
I HAVE MY VECHILE FOR A FEW MONTHS I KEPTED UP WITH MANTAINCE. NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. I WASN'T FOR SURE WHICH SIDE IT WAS FOR SO I GOT IT LOOKED AT AND I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE PASSENGER SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY
Air bags, Mar 16, 2015
I PURCHASED MY 2006.5 KIA OPTIMA ON NOVEMBER 6, 2014. BEFORE MY TEST DRIVE THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED BUT THEN TURNED OFF, I SAID SOMETHING TO THE DEALERSHIP (NOT A KIA DEALER) AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AND TOLD ME IT WAS THE AIRBAG MODULE AND THAT THEY WOULD ORDER A NEW ONE AND REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. AFTER WAITING 3 MONTHS FOR THE NEW MODULE TO COME IN, I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE 2006-2008 KIA OPTIMA'S HAVE AN AIR BAG RECALL, SO I CONTACTED A KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT IF I WANTED THEM TO LOOK AT MY CAR AT ALL IT WOULD BE $99 PLUS THE HOURLY FEE (I DON'T EVEN WANNA KNOW WHAT YHR HOURLY FEE IS). BUT SINCE MY CAR FALLS IN THAT YEAR RANGE AND IS HAVING THE AIRBAG ISSUE, SHOULD IT BE KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO INVESTIGATE AND IF NEEDED, CORRECT THE PROBLEM? *TR
Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN WHAT TYPE OF REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BATTERY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH PROPERLY AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 27, 2015
I HAD A RECALL ON MY AIRBAG HAD TOOK THE CAR TWICE TO DEALERSHIP TO BE FIX EACH TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FIX BUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME RIGHT BACK ON AND STILL ON. THEY ALSO NEED TO GO BACK AND DO A FUEL INVESTIGATE ON 2006 MODEL TOO. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 14, 2014
DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK THUS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY ON EITHER DOOR NOR THE AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL DOOR LOCK. THIS HAS RESULTED IN HAVING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER DOOR. THIS IS SPORADIC AND NOT ON A REGULAR BASIS.UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ACROSS THE KIA BRAND EFFECTING NUMEROUS MODELS AND YEARS. MY MAIN CONCERN IS UNDER AN EMERGENCY, THERE IS NO QUICK/SAFE WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. *TR
Air bags, Nov 26, 2014
DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND DOES NOT TURN OFF. CALLED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY STATED MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY THEIR CURRENT RECALL FOR THIS OBVIOUS ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS. MY CASE NUMBER WITH KIA IS [XXX]. THIS SEEMS TO BE A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM IF THE AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 25, 2014
I WENT TO GO SHOPPING, AND AT THE SECOND STOP SIGN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD I STOPPED. WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE THE GAS PEDAL WHEN PUSHED WOULD NOT LET THE ENGINE GO FAST ENOUGH TO GO ABOVE 20 MPH, THEN I NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED MY ENGINE AND ITS FLUIDS, COULD NOT FIND ANY THING WRONG. SO I STARTED THE CAR UP AGAIN, AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO WORK FINE. SO I DROVE OFF AND THE CAR WORKED LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE. I THEN WENT TO A AUTO PARTS STORE, AND THEY USED THEIR METER TO CHECK ENGINE CODES. THE CODE WAS P2135, CODE DEFINITION: THROTTLE PEDAL/POSITION SENSOR 'A/B' VOLTAGE CORRELATION. *TR
Engine, Oct 24, 2014
MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING THEN ALL SUDDEN IT STALLED, I STARTED AGAIN THEN STALLED AGAIN. I CALLED THE TOW TRUCK AND TOWED TO THE AUTO REPAIR, MY CAR HAS A VEHICLE RECALLS. THE DEALERSHIPS REFUSED TO FIXED IT THE RECALLS, THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TO PAY FULL COSTS ABOUT $5,000 FOR NEW ENGINE. THEY WON'T FIXED THE RECALLS. I FOUND OUT THERE WAS HUGE COMPLAINTS AGAINST DEALERSHIPS OF KIA . I FILED A LAWSUITS AGAINST THE DEALERSHIPS FOR REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR. 2 RECALLS AIR BAGS/ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIPS DON'T WANT TO FIX THE RECALLS , THEY FORCE ME TO PAY FOR HUGE REPAIRS. I HAD TO PAY RENTAL CAR AND TOWING SERVICES. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 7, 2014
ONCE THE DOORS ARE LOCKED, THEY CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE. THE KEY MUST BE INSERTED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE LOCK CYLINDER (OUTSIDE) AND MANIPULATED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BACK AND FORTH WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PULLING ON THE HANDLE UNTIL THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF FORCE AND TIMING ALLOW THE DOOR TO BE OPENED. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 1, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND USE THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Power train, Aug 1, 2014
I PURCHASED A 2006 KIA OPTIMA 1 MONTH AGO. USED CAR DEALER DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY PAST RECALLS OR MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL DEFECTS. YESTERDAY, WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE HOME I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED LOCKED IN PLACE, TRANSMISSION WAS IN P. - A LITTLE JIGGLING ON THE STEERING ALLOWED THE IGNITION TO FIRE AND I COULD MOVE TO R. TODAY.AS I TRIED TO LEAVE HOME, THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT PROBLEM. WHEN I SHIFTED TO R TO BACK OUT OF DRIVE, THE CAR DID NOT MOVE.AFTER FURTHER ATTEMPTS IT WAS CLEAR THAT NO MATTER WHAT GEAR I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO ONLY THE NEUTRAL WAS ENGAGED. I CALLED MY USED CAR DEALER WHO SAID TO CALL KIA WHO SAID ! THAT''S WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU BUY A USED CAR! HOW RUDE! THE AGENT NAMED [XXX] SAID THE RECALL HAD BEEN CLOSED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THIS CAR (VIA VIN) HAD OR HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR FIXED AND, BESIDES! THE RECALL PERIOD ENDED IN 2011 (END OF SERVICE CAMPAIGN OFFER. ACCORDING TO US DOT AND NHTSA RECURRING DEFECTS WITHIN 10 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER, THIS RECALL DEFECT SHOULD BE FIXED AT NO COST TO ME EVEN IF I AM THE SECOND OWNER. SINCE ONLY 8 YEARS HAVE PASSED I EXPECT THE RECALL DEFECT WITH THE CABLE AND SHIFT ASSEMBLY WHICH PREVENTS THE TRANSMISSION FROM SHIFTING GEAR. SO FAR I'VE BEEN TOLD (IN EFFECT. TOO BAD) TAKE IT TO KIA DEALER FOR ANALYSIS AND COST AND PAY FOR IT MY SELF. PLEASE ADVISE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 16, 2014
YOU CAN START IT UP. DRIVE IT FOR A LITTLE BIT, BUT AS SOON AS YOU MAKE A STOP OR SLOW DOWN, IT WILL STALL. CHANGED THE OIL, ALL FLUIDS. IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING. SO I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *TR
Structure, May 19, 2014
I CAN NOT OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR. *JS
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, May 15, 2014
WE BOUGHT OUR KIA WITH LESS THEN 10 MILES ON IT, RIGHT OFF THE SHOW ROOM FLOOR, WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMPS (TOTAL TO DATE 5/15/2015) 15 TIMES, BOTH REAR TURN SIGNALS BULBS AND REAR BRAKE LIGHTS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN EVER THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD BE MOVED AND NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD FLICKERED DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LAST NIGHT AND REMANDS ON. *TR
Air bags, Mar 31, 2014
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND OFF FROM THE FIRST MONTH OF TAKING NEW CAR DELIVERY. I IMMEDITELY REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID NOT TAKE ANY ACTION, SINCE IT WOULD HAPPEN RANDOMLY.A RECALL WAS DONE ON THE 2006.5 OPTIMA IN 2012.THE CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DRIVERS DASH THAT COMES ON IGNITION FAIL TO GO OFF FOR THE FIRST TIME ON 03/30/2014.I TOOK IT MY ORIGINAL DEALER, WHO SAID THE WHOLE SYSTEM WOULD NO LONGER WORK, BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WAS NOT WORKING.THE WANTS ME TO PAY $1750 TO REPAIR THE WHOLE AIR BAG SYSTEM, THAT WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE FIST MONTH OF TAKING DELIVERY. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 18, 2014
IT IS A WELL-KNOWN ISSUE WITH KIA OPTIMA CARS THAT THE DOOR LATCH IS FAULTY, AND AFTER VARIOUS LENGTHS OF TIME, IT WILL STOP UNLOCKING. BY NO LONGER UNLOCKING, I MEAN UNDER ANY CONDITION. USING A REMOTE, USING THE KEY, EVEN SITTING IN THE VEHICLE PRESSING THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR OR MANUALLY MOVING THE INDICATOR BY THE HANDLE. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. IN THE EVENT OF A WRECK OR OTHER EMERGENCY SITUATION, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ON MY KIA OPTIMA. NO MATTER WHAT YOU ATTEMPT, THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. WHEN YOU UNLOCK IT USING ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED METHODS, THE CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY RE-LOCK THE DOOR AS SOON AS YOU TOUCH THE HANDLE, EITHER INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR. WHILE I CAN UNDERSTAND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR EATING AWAY AT THE COMPONENT, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR THE CAR TO DEFAULT TO THE LOCK POSITION IN THE CASE OF SUCH WEAR AND TEAR. A SIMPLE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO HAVE THE LATCH DEFAULT TO THE OPEN POSITION, WHICH WILL ALLOW PERSONS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. IF THIS HAS NOT ALREADY COST INDIVIDUALS THEIR LIFE, I AM SURE IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY, BEFORE IT COSTS ME MY FAMILY. *TR
Power train, Jan 31, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V153000 POWER TRAIN RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS OR PLACE THE GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 16, 2013
KEYLESS ENTRY ON DRIVERSIDE ONLY LOCKED ME IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. LOCK WILL ONLY OPEN 1/2 OF THE WAY. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I CAN NOT GET AN INSPECTION. THEY SAY THE SYSTEM IS UNSTABLE. TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED A COUPLE OF TIMES. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 1, 2013
LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 11, 2013
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE ELECTRICAL BUTTON OR MANUALLY. THE LOCK ONLY OPENS HALF WAY - PULL HANDLE TO OPEN - DOOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS. CAN'T OPEN DOOR WITH KEY FROM OUTSIDE. MUST ENTER IN PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND CLIMB OVER. BIG DANGER AS DRIVING WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. *TR
Power train, Jul 16, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND SHE HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK WHENEVER ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE POWER LOCKS NEITHER WOULD RELEASE OPEN WITH THE USE OF THE KEY FOB NOR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE LOCKS MANUALLY. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 22, 2013
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AND THE CAR ACTS LIKE IM NOT GIVING IT HAS I HAVE TO PULL OFF ROAD AND CUT OFF CAR AND WAIT TO RESTART SOMETIME IT CLEARS UP AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SOMETIMES IT WILL DO OK AFTER RESTART AND OTHER TO TIMES IT MAY GO COUPLE MILES AND DO IT AGAIN. ALSO MY TRUNK LATCH DOESN'T WORK EVEN WHEN YOU TRY TO PULL THE EMERGENCY OPEN IN TRUNK. MY SISTER HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH HER 07 OPTIMA. *TR