no report yet
Tank assembly: mounting
Risk. THE FUEL TANK CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND STRIKE THE GROUND WHICH COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK.
2006 Kia SpectraProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 100 owner complaints about the 2006 Kia Spectra, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 29, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Kia Spectra has problems
100 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
46Air bags23 crash/fire/injury
9Structure2 crash/fire/injury
7Service brakes, hydraulic
7Fuel/propulsion system
7Fuel system, gasoline
7Power train
5Electrical system
5Engine
4Vehicle speed control
2311 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 46 | 23 |
| Structure | 9 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 7 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 7 | 0 |
| Power train | 7 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 1 |
| 11 other systems | 23 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2006 Kia Spectra 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.
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?
57kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 40 air bags complaints. 75% were reported before 100,000 miles.
15under 30k miles30under 100k miles10100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Air bags
8 owners mentioned a cost$1,600median
Middle half: $1,600 – $1,850
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2006 vs. every other Spectra 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 Spectra median. How we score
'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2006 Kia Spectra safety ratings
2006 Kia Spectra 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Spectra owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE INTO THE LEFT LANE; HOWEVER, ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS IN THE LANE. THE DRIVER QUICKLY STEERED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND TURNED…
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN MY DAUGHTERS 2006 KIA SPECTRA AT 112,000 MILES. WE ARE THE SECOND OWNER AND HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED.. I PAID $163.96 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP.. I WAS TOLD THE ERROR CODE WAS B1448 OCS MAT DEFECTIVE. I WAS TOLD…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AREA AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LACERATION TO THE HEAD, A BRUISED LEFT SHOULDER, BRUISED…
Own a 2006 Spectra?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.