2006 Kia Optima Problems, Recalls & Reliability
214 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2006 Kia Optima, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 8/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Airbags leads the reports, typically around 70,000 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2006 Kia Optima has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2006 sits among all Optima years
What owners report
“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.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Optima
“I have a 2006.5 kia optima. I am experiencing the same problem with the brake light switch sticking as other kias currently under recall. My brake lights are always on. Am i out of luck on this one?”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Optima
“Hood released while in motion, folded back over windshield and roof top totally blinding driver while in motion. Vehicle was in motion, traveling south on nc hwy 16 at a rate of 50 mph, two lane road. Hood released and flew up, no known cause or effect. Hood release and/or safety latch obviously…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Optima
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 170 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 65,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 20,000 and 100,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (2)
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 11V153000.
Technical service bulletins
37 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on transmission & drivetrain and electrical — are on file for the 2006 Kia Optima. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2006 Optima TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2006 Kia Optima reliable?
The 2006 Kia Optima drew 214 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 8/100, scored against the model's worst year (2013).
What are the most common 2006 Kia Optima problems?
The top reported problems for the 2006 Kia Optima are airbags (46 complaints), electrical (39), and latches & locks (27).
At what mileage do 2006 Kia Optima problems show up?
Owners most often report 2006 Kia Optima problems around 65,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 20,000 and 100,000 miles.
Does the 2006 Kia Optima have recalls?
2 recall campaigns apply to the 2006 Kia Optima. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.