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2006 Kia Spectra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Kia Spectra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 96.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

83 reports with mileage · 17 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

28 crash reports3 fire reports23 injury reports

Engine complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2023
Engine

My car just stop on me. I think my engine is not working 😕 had to called a tow truck to take me home and car.

NHTSA ODI #11547352

116,000 miles · Jul 12, 2021
EngineService Brakes

The contact owns a 2006 Kia Spectra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V256000 (Fuel System, Other). The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The check engine and brake warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the rec…

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The contact owns a 2006 Kia Spectra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V256000 (Fuel System, Other). The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The check engine and brake warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the recall and failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #11424462

193,000 miles · Nov 6, 2020
EngineLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR HANDLES WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR HANDLES WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DOOR HANDLES WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. *LN*JB

NHTSA ODI #11373460

19,600 miles · Jul 6, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS STALLING AND JOLTING THE CAR, WE CANNOT RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND IT ONLY RUNS WHEN IN 3RD GEAR. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND WE DON'T EVEN FEEL SAFE PUTTING OUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR, BECAUSE IT'S NOT SAFE, AND WE CANNOT RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER WITHOUT IT STALLING OR JOLTING AND NO…

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THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS STALLING AND JOLTING THE CAR, WE CANNOT RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND IT ONLY RUNS WHEN IN 3RD GEAR. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND WE DON'T EVEN FEEL SAFE PUTTING OUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR, BECAUSE IT'S NOT SAFE, AND WE CANNOT RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER WITHOUT IT STALLING OR JOLTING AND NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY. WE HAD THE TIMING BELT REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER 2018, WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE OIL CHANGES AND KEPT UP WITH MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER THE PROBLEMS HAVE ONLY GOTTEN WORSE, OUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE 02/2019 AT LEAST AND WE'VE PUT STEERING FLUID IN, BUT THE PROBLEMS KEEP GETTING WORSE. WE CAN'T RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER, OUR FUSES KEEP BLOWING AND I WOULD LIKE OUR CAR CHECKED OUT AND FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11229779

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

FROM THE 2ND DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE 6/27/2015 WHEN I TURNED ON A/C THE CAR HAS BEEN HESITATING AND STALLING. EVERY TIME I STARTED AND STOPPED AT LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. AND EVEN IN TRAFFIC . MAKING THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE UNSAFE.AND SO IVE BEEN COMPLAINING EVER SINCE. THEY SAID IF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN I WONT B…

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FROM THE 2ND DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE 6/27/2015 WHEN I TURNED ON A/C THE CAR HAS BEEN HESITATING AND STALLING. EVERY TIME I STARTED AND STOPPED AT LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. AND EVEN IN TRAFFIC . MAKING THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE UNSAFE.AND SO IVE BEEN COMPLAINING EVER SINCE. THEY SAID IF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN I WONT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXPENSE. HOWEVER THE CHECK ENG. NEVER CAME ON.

NHTSA ODI #10790347

Official recalls

1

11V256000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Apr 25, 2011

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 SPECTRA LD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 7, 2003, THROUGH MARCH 6, 2007, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH HOLD THE TANK MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT. AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY SEPARATE ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND AND POSSIBLY DISRUPT THE INTEGRITY OF THE TANK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE FUEL TANK CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND STRIKE THE GROUND WHICH COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK. LEAKING FUEL CAN CREATE A FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND ATTACHING HARDWARE WITH NEW ZINC COATED PARTS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.