2006 Kia OPTIMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
155 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
61,894 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 128 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 155 complaints (20.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 9.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 4.5% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 32 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 24 |
| Electrical System | 20 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 10 |
| Exterior Lighting | 10 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Visibility | 9 |
Air Bags: 32; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 24; Electrical System: 20; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 10; Exterior Lighting: 10; Power Train: 10; Unknown Or Other: 9; Visibility: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 41 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 29 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 23 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 41; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 29; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 23; 150,000 and above: 8
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (41). 27 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 18 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2011 | 19 |
| 2012 | 17 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2006: 11; 2007: 18; 2008: 8; 2009: 6; 2010: 18; 2011: 19; 2012: 17; 2013: 14; 2014: 13; 2015: 9; 2016: 8; 2017: 1; 2018: 7; 2019: 4; 2020: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 15 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10170085 · 2006-10-06 (October 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…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10170085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170087 · 2006-10-06 (October 6, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON PAVED ROADS, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HAD A SEVERE VIBRATION AND MADE A ROARING NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE EXCESSIVELY WORN AND THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE TIRES WERE HANKOOK, OPTIMO P205/60R16, DOT #T7BKBWH. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 13,380 miles reported. Look up ODI 10170087 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170291 · 2006-10-09 (October 9, 2006)
AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 200 MILES I STOPPED FOR A MEAL. APPROX. 30 MINUTES LATER I STARTED MY KIA OPTIMA (2006). IT RAN VERY ROUGH THEN STALLED & DIED. I HAD PLANNED TO STOP AT WINERY APPROX. 3-4 MILES FROM CAFE I ATE AT. I STARTED CAR AGAIN. DROVE TO WINERY AND AS I PULLED INTO PARKING SLOT, CAR RAN ROUGH & DIED AGAIN. I WENT BACK TO SHELL STATION ACROSS FROM CAFE I ATE AT. CALLED KIA ROADSIDE ASST. CAR WAS TAKEN TO KIA DEALERSHIP IN PEORIA,IL. SERVICE DEPT FOUND MISFIRE AND CHANGED CRANK SENSOR. ALSO PERFORMED OTHER TESTS WITH REGARDS TO FUEL …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,119 miles reported. Look up ODI 10170291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10171849 · 2006-10-25 (October 25, 2006)
I HAVE A 2006 KIA OPTIMA THAT WAS JUST PURCHASED 2 MONTHS AGO. IT HAS A PROBLEM STALLING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I ALSO WORK AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP. ONE OF THE LAST TIMES THIS HAPPENED I ALMOST HIT A BUSINESS SIGN TURNING A CORNER. I BELIEVE THE DEALER AND KIA ARE NOT DOING ALL THEY SHOULD SINCE I WORK THERE. THEY ONLY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE ONE TIME AND ONLY CHECKED A COUPLE OF THINGS. I HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR BUSINESS ALMOST 20 YEARS AND I AM NOT SATISFIE…
Owner-reported narrative. 292 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171849 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10173827 · 2006-11-19 (November 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
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173827 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10173863 · 2006-11-20 (November 20, 2006)
KUMHO RADIAL TIRE ON THE BACK (PASSENGER SIDE) OF A 2007 KIA OPTIMA FAILED AT APPROXMIATELY 70 MPH. THE STEEL BELTS IN THE TIRE BROKE AND THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WALLS. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE TREAT ITSELF, AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT ANYTHING OTHER THAN STRUCTURAL FAILURE (SUCH AS A FOREIGN OBJECT) WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIRE'S FAILURE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10173863 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10173924 · 2006-11-21 (November 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 SAFET…
Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10174219 · 2006-11-25 (November 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 A…
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10174219 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
11V153000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
Reported: 2011-03-09 (March 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗12V014000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2012-01-17 (January 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗