MYRModel Year Report

2006 Kia Optima

● Typical for this model
2006 Kia Optima
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:44:50.442Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
155
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2006

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

30% of complaints

Complaints per year

2001: 143 complaints 2001 2002: 107 complaints 2003: 141 complaints 2004: 225 complaints 2005: 144 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2006 155 2007: 166 complaints 2008: 144 complaints 2009: 116 complaints 2010: 75 complaints 2010 2011: 594 complaints 2012: 919 complaints 2013: 1,384 complaints 2013 2014: 588 complaints 2015: 1,009 complaints 2016: 759 complaints 2016 2017: 257 complaints 2018: 232 complaints 2019: 212 complaints 2019 2020: 151 complaints
2001: 143 complaints 2001 2002: 107 complaints 2003: 141 complaints 2003 2004: 225 complaints 2005: 144 complaints 2006: 155 complaints 2006 155 2007: 166 complaints 2008: 144 complaints 2009: 116 complaints 2009 2010: 75 complaints 2011: 594 complaints 2011 2012: 919 complaints 2013: 1,384 complaints 2013 2014: 588 complaints 2015: 1,009 complaints 2015 2016: 759 complaints 2017: 257 complaints 2017 2018: 232 complaints 2019: 212 complaints 2019 2020: 151 complaints
2001: 143 complaints 2001 2002: 107 complaints 2002 2003: 141 complaints 2003 2004: 225 complaints 2004 2005: 144 complaints 2005 2006: 155 complaints 2006 155 2007: 166 complaints 2007 2008: 144 complaints 2008 2009: 116 complaints 2009 2010: 75 complaints 2010 2011: 594 complaints 2011 2012: 919 complaints 2012 2013: 1,384 complaints 2013 2014: 588 complaints 2014 2015: 1,009 complaints 2015 2016: 759 complaints 2016 2017: 257 complaints 2017 2018: 232 complaints 2018 2019: 212 complaints 2019 2020: 151 complaints 2020

2006: 155 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2001143
2002107
2003141
2004225
2005144
2006155
2007166
2008144
2009116
201075
2011594
2012919
20131,384
2014588
20151,009
2016759
2017257
2018232
2019212
2020151

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

30% · 46 reports

Most commonly citing sensor/control module and frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia Optima. The contact stated that the air bag light would continuously illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times where the air bag light was reset but failure continued to occur.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-08-17

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Kia Optima. On August 3, 2008, the contact was involved in a three vehicle crash. Her vehicle crashed into the preceding vehicle and the air bag failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-08-05

Latches/locks/linkages

17% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing latch.

Electrical system

15% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and instrument cluster/panel.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

My daughter was driving home from work when she first noticed smoke coming from the underneath the hood area. Shortly afterward sparks began to shoot out and the car was engulfed in flames.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-15

Exterior lighting

10% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing headlights.

Power train

9% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

2006 Kia Optima. Consumer writes in regards to clutch and engine light turn on and off.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-02

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2010-11-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-04-05 Transmission Shift Cable Detachment
  2. R
    2011-03-23Power train11V153000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2012-07-11Air bags12V014000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2021-11-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-06-20 Throttle control system vulnerabilities
  5. I
    2022-09-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-12-12 Loss of Motive Power

Buy-smart checklist

2006 Kia Optima — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 46 reports on file for this year.
  • Latches/locks/linkages: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 23 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 11V153000 · Power train
  • Recall 12V014000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2006 Kia Optima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Kia Optima is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Kia Optima?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Kia Optima have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.