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2006 Kia OptimaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 155 owner complaints about the 2006 Kia Optima, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

2006 Kia Optima
61
CarFlaw IndexSolid year35% below the Optima median · #17 of 20 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints1556 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage50kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 14, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2006 Kia Optima has problems

155 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags462
Latches/locks/linkages270
Electrical system231
Exterior lighting160
Power train140
Visibility120
Structure120
Engine and engine cooling90
Engine70
11 other systems391

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2006 Kia Optima recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Air bags: frontal

Recall 12V-014 · Jan 17, 2012 · 145,755 vehicles

Risk. 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,…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Lever and linkage: column shift

Recall 11V-153 · Mar 9, 2011 · 70,115 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.

Mileage at failure

When do air bags problems start?

50kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 35 air bags complaints. 83% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
14under 30k miles29under 100k miles6100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2006 vs. every other Optima year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Optima median. How we score

'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2006 Kia Optima safety ratings

2006 Kia Optima 4-DR w/SAB Later Release in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2006 Kia Optima frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2006 Kia Optima side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2006 Kia Optima, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Throttle control system vulnerabilitiesDP21003 · closed Jun 20, 2023
    No recall
  2. Loss of Motive PowerDP22003 · closed Dec 12, 2023
    No recall
  3. Transmission Shift Cable DetachmentPE10046 · closed Apr 5, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-153
In owners' words

What Optima owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I ALSO HAVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. I CHECKED AND FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL FOR DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG ON 2006 KIA OPTIMA, BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. THIS RECALL NEED TO COVER ALL 2006 KIA OPTIMAS SINCE SO MANY HAVE THE SAME…
Complaint 10885436 · Jul 18, 2016
THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. I CHECKED AND FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL FOR DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG ON 2006 KIA OPTIMA, BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. THIS RECALL NEED TO COVER ALL 2006 KIA OPTIMAS SINCE SO MANY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
Complaint 10876967 · Jun 27, 2016
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAVE NOT GONE OFF YET. I TOOK IT TO GET A DIAGNOSE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR IN THE SEAT AND I SHOULD HAVE IT REPLACED. WELL I HAD SOMEONE PUT IN A DIFFERENT SEAT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT DID NOT GO OFF. NOW…
Complaint 10871474 · May 30, 2016 · 115,075 miles

Own a 2006 Optima?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.