RecallRepo

2006 Kia Optima Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2006 Kia Optima has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 215,870 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 214 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 12V014000 2012-01-17 145,755 affected
Defect

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…

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.

POWER TRAIN 11V153000 2011-03-09 70,115 affected
Defect

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…

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.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS
32
1crashes2injuries
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
20
1fires
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
10
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
10
POWER TRAIN
10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
9
1crashes
VISIBILITY
9
ENGINE
7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
7
1crashes
Total complaints214

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The front subframe is dangerously rusted. The same way the other optima were recalled for.”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2023-08-11

“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?”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2020-10-01

“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…”

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH · reported 2019-09-23

“Car will not always start. Sometimes I have to wait 24 hours and pick up the car wherever I had to leave it cause it wouldn't start. When trying to start there's a clicking sound and all panel light start to flash. Replaced alternator and battery, still not fixed. Seen a lot of reviews complaining…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2019-08-07

“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia optima. While reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle failed to reverse and the instrument panel indicated that the shifter was in park. The contact stated that the gear shifter would shift out of park into reverse. There were no warning indicators illuminated.…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2019-07-25

“Oh rear lower swing arm supporting the spring broke letting the spring come out of position and letting the wheel tilt as if flat. The lower arm had rusted in two allowing this to happen.”

SUSPENSION · reported 2019-01-03

“Oh rear lower swing arm supporting the spring broke letting the spring come out of position and letting the wheel tilt as if flat. The lower arm had rusted in two allowing this to happen.”

WHEELS · reported 2019-01-03

“I have an 06 optima (06.5/ ms) 2.4 engine but the problem im having juging from kia internet forums is spread acros meney years and models it is an intermitant engine stall it can happen at any time ive had it happen at 65mph on interstate this is followed by a series of start stall then it will…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2018-10-10

Defect investigations

Investigation DP21003 Opened 2021-11-12 · closed 2023-06-20

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003.…

Investigation DP22003 Opened 2022-09-12 · closed 2023-12-12

Loss of Motive Power

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles…

Investigation PE10046 Opened 2010-11-22 · closed 2011-04-05

Transmission Shift Cable Detachment

During manufacture the automatic transmission shift cables in certain subject vehicles were installed incorrectly causing extra tension on the cable.This condition can cause the shift cable to detach from the gear shifter assembly's dowel pin preventing the transmission from being shifted.The shift lever can be moved…

Investigation PE10046 Opened 2010-11-22 · closed 2011-04-05

Transmission Shift Cable Detachment

During manufacture the automatic transmission shift cables in certain subject vehicles were installed incorrectly causing extra tension on the cable.This condition can cause the shift cable to detach from the gear shifter assembly's dowel pin preventing the transmission from being shifted.The shift lever can be moved…

Investigation PE10046 Opened 2010-11-22 · closed 2011-04-05

Transmission Shift Cable Detachment

During manufacture the automatic transmission shift cables in certain subject vehicles were installed incorrectly causing extra tension on the cable.This condition can cause the shift cable to detach from the gear shifter assembly's dowel pin preventing the transmission from being shifted.The shift lever can be moved…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2006 Kia Optima as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.