Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2006 Kia Optima. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY
- Summary
- 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.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE INSPECTION
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (155)
155 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 155 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 46 | 29.7% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 27 | 17.4% |
| Electrical system | 23 | 14.8% |
| Exterior lighting | 16 | 10.3% |
| Power train | 14 | 9% |
| Structure | 12 | 7.7% |
| Visibility | 12 | 7.7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 5.8% |
| Unknown or other | 9 | 5.8% |
| Engine | 7 | 4.5% |
How 2006 compares with other Optima years
Best and worst Optima years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 107 | 3 |
| 2003 | 141 | 2 |
| 2004 | 225 | 1 |
| 2005 | 144 | 0 |
| 2006 | 155 | 2 |
| 2007 | 167 | 2 |
| 2008 | 144 | 3 |
| 2009 | 116 | 1 |
| 2010 | 75 | 1 |
| 2011 | 593 | 5 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 356 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2006 Optima for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2006 Kia Optima FAQ
How many recalls does the 2006 Kia Optima have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 12V014000 (air bag), 11V153000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2006 Kia Optima problems?
Owners filed 155 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (46), Latches/locks/linkages (27), Electrical system (23) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2006 Kia Optima get?
EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic version at 21 city, 31 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2006 Optima compare with other years?
Among the 2002–2011 Kia Optima model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (75) and the 2011 the most (593). The 2006 drew 155. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.