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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

100 reports
100,000 miles · Jan 23, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

TAKATA RECALL, THE GAS TANK ON MY 2006 SPECTRA IS LEAKING FUEL, THE CAR IS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI #11171724

112,000 miles · Nov 6, 2018
Air Bags

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN MY DAUGHTERS 2006 KIA SPECTRA AT 112,000 MILES. WE ARE THE SECOND OWNER AND HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED. . I PAID $163.96 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP. . I WAS TOLD THE ERROR CODE WAS B1448 OCS MAT DEFECTIVE. I WAS TOLD THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE FRO…

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THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN MY DAUGHTERS 2006 KIA SPECTRA AT 112,000 MILES. WE ARE THE SECOND OWNER AND HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED. . I PAID $163.96 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP. . I WAS TOLD THE ERROR CODE WAS B1448 OCS MAT DEFECTIVE. I WAS TOLD THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE FAULTY SENSOR AT A COST OF MORE THAN $1600. THIS IS THE SAME DEFECT FOR WHICH THE 06-08 KIA RIOS WERE RECALLED - NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 12V244000. THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE SIMILAR MODEL YEAR KIA SPECTRAS AS THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOUND. I WROTE 7 LETTERS TO KIA CORPORATE, I SPECIFICALLY WROTE TO THEIR DIRECTORS AND THOSE IN HIGHER MANAGEMENT POSITIONS LISTED ON THEIR WEBSITE. NO ONE CARED TO RESPOND BACK. THE 1-800 NUMBER LISTED FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS CLOSED MY CASE AND SAID THAT AFTER THE 5 YEARS 60,000 MILES THE WARRANTY IS OVER AND VOID AND SAFETY ISSUES SUCH AS AN AIR BAG THAT DOESN'T DEPLOY FALLS ON THE CUSTOMER AND IS CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY. MY 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER DRIVERS THIS CAR. WE ARE THE SECOND OWNER AND HAVE HAD IT FOR 5 MONTHS. I'VE BEEN ACTIVELY WORKING TO GET THIS SAFETY CONCERN ACKNOWLEDGED BY KIA FOR A MONTH AND A HALF. CUSTOMER SAFETY ISN'T A CONCERN FOR THEM AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP. THIS IS FRIGHTENING. . THEY OFFERED ME $150 TO GO TOWARDS THE COST OF REPAIRS. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT IN BOTH THE CAR AND THE COMPANY. KIA NEEDS TO MAKE RIGHT ON THEIR VEHICLES. A LIFESAVING FEATURE SUCH AS AN AIRBAG SHOULD NOT HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE. THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF CONSUMER MAINTENANCE.

NHTSA ODI #11149812

100 miles · Mar 18, 2018
Electrical SystemPower Train

PROBLEM IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON/OFF AND ON AGAIN. FAULT CODES WERE P0700 AND P0748 AS DONE AT AUTOZONE. SOME TYPE OF FAULT WITH THE TRANSAXLE (P0700) OR FAILED TRANSAXLE CONTROL MODULE/FAILED LINEAR SOLENOID VALVE/OPEN OR SHORT CICUIT CONDITION IN THE LINEAR SOLENOID CONTROL. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SHUTTERS HARD CAR…

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PROBLEM IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON/OFF AND ON AGAIN. FAULT CODES WERE P0700 AND P0748 AS DONE AT AUTOZONE. SOME TYPE OF FAULT WITH THE TRANSAXLE (P0700) OR FAILED TRANSAXLE CONTROL MODULE/FAILED LINEAR SOLENOID VALVE/OPEN OR SHORT CICUIT CONDITION IN THE LINEAR SOLENOID CONTROL. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SHUTTERS HARD CAR SHIFTS FINE WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. WHEN ENGINE WARMS UP (AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 10 MILES) WHILE CRUISING IN 4TH GEAR, A LURCH IS FELT FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN AND THE TRANS DOWN SHIFTS TO 3RD GEAR. SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE DOESN'T HELP. THE TRANS STAYS IN 3RD GEAR. SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND LET IT COOL DOWN AND IT IS BACK TO WORKING NORMAL AGAIN. THINKING ABOUT REPLACING THE SHIFT CONTROL MODULE. FIX LINK.... HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=URUT3T8UUCW HTTP://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/CERATO-2003-2008-SPECTRA5-2004/72381-2006-SPECTRA-P0750-P0765-P0755-P0760-2.HTML THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ON ALL KIA SPECTRAS PLEASE ADVISE

NHTSA ODI #11080071

150,000 miles · Jan 26, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT CALLED A FAMILY MEMBER WHO RECOMMENDED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT CALLED A FAMILY MEMBER WHO RECOMMENDED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #11065038

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2017
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AREA AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LACERATION TO THE HEAD, A BRUISED LEFT SHOULDER, BRUISED RIBS, AND BLEEDING FROM THE BREAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AREA AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LACERATION TO THE HEAD, A BRUISED LEFT SHOULDER, BRUISED RIBS, AND BLEEDING FROM THE BREAST, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10979055

121,144 miles · Nov 8, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OCS MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,144…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OCS MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,144.

NHTSA ODI #10925081

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2016
Unknown Or Other

DEFECTIVE LOCKING SYSTEM ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR. HAD IT REPLACED/REPAIRED IN NOV OF 2014 AND AGAIN NOV OF 2015 AND THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WANTED ME TO PAY AGAIN TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM. I SAID NO. ALREADY PAID FOR THIS REPAIR AND IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH 15 MODELS OF KIA VEH…

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DEFECTIVE LOCKING SYSTEM ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR. HAD IT REPLACED/REPAIRED IN NOV OF 2014 AND AGAIN NOV OF 2015 AND THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WANTED ME TO PAY AGAIN TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM. I SAID NO. ALREADY PAID FOR THIS REPAIR AND IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH 15 MODELS OF KIA VEHICLES FROM 2001-2004 AND MORE.

NHTSA ODI #10918543

79,000 miles · Sep 21, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE EVEN WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA ODI #10908399

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2016
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT ON, CAR FAILED STATE INSPECTION. CAUSED BY FAULTY SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI #10888560

61,000 miles · Jul 14, 2016
Air BagsService Brakes

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN MY DAUGHTER'S 2006 KIA SPECTRA STAYS ON. THE PASSENGER/OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT IS DEFECTIVE. THIS PROBLEM FIRST APPEARED AT 61,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE REPAIR WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $2,000, SO I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THIS FIXED. ALSO, THE BRAKE SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE AND ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS P…

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THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN MY DAUGHTER'S 2006 KIA SPECTRA STAYS ON. THE PASSENGER/OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT IS DEFECTIVE. THIS PROBLEM FIRST APPEARED AT 61,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE REPAIR WILL COST IN EXCESS OF $2,000, SO I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THIS FIXED. ALSO, THE BRAKE SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE AND ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS PREVENTS THE BRAKE LIGHTS FROM ILLUMINATING.

NHTSA ODI #10884940

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.