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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

Suspension complaints

1 reports
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59,896 miles · May 26, 2011
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE FRONT END MADE A POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT STRUTS. THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE FRONT STRUT, BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE FRONT END MADE A POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT STRUTS. THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE FRONT STRUT, BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MAKE A POPPING NOISE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,896 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,426.

NHTSA ODI #10402800

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.