2006 Kia Spectra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (29) · Structure:body (5) · Vehicle Speed Control (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Spectra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
83 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:mounting 2011-04-25 · campaign 11V256000 · 58,322 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (19)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2021-09-13 · TSB_BOD055_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: information for headlamp condensation and moisture - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to some kia models tha
Engine And Engine Cooling 2018-03-02 · PS539 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines - in general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
Equipment:mechanical 2017-01-18 · TSB-GEN085R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware - by design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washe
Latches/Locks/Linkages 2016-11-04 · TSB-GEN085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware - by design, certain fasteners utilized in various kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2016-04-04 · PS443 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb - use of aftermarket usb charging cables in usb/12v ports - this article provides information regarding the use of usb ports and 12v power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. customers may experience issues with their head units that may be related to the use of aftermarket usb charging cab
Equipment 2015-07-16 · QASC122 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
questions and answers for voluntary service campaign sc122 underbody additional anti-corrosion treatment
Showing the 6 most recent of 19 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-09-29 · 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.…”
2022-10-26 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · 67,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 kia spectra. the contact stated that three of her interior door handles had become defective and the doors could not be opened from inside the vehicle. the contact stated that the rear passenger’s side door and the front driver’s and passenger’s side door handles were defective. the contact called the local dealer and schedu…”
2022-08-01 · Power Train“while driving at freeway speeds vehicle suddenly slams down a gear or two causing moderate whiplash,and scaring the living crap out of myself and any passengers, upon having vehicle inspected by an ase certified repair technician he confirmed my complaint and stated that car seemed to be going into either second or third gear causing the vehicle t…”
2021-07-12 · Service Brakes · 116,000 mi“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 …”
2020-11-06 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch · 193,000 mi“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 n…”
2020-10-16 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 96,000 mi · 💥 crash · 🔥 fire“after a minor accident where the car went in the ditch off the road the car caught fire and became rapidly engulfed in flames. what should have been a minor accident turned into a near fatality because of an aggressive fire. the driver had a medical emergency when pulling out of the driveway. the car crossed the road and entered the ditch directly …”
2019-12-12 · Air Bags · 162,307 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia spectra. while driving approximately 45 mph, the driver attempted to move the vehicle into the left lane; however, another vehicle was in the lane. the driver quickly steered the vehicle back into the right lane; however, the vehicle spun out of control and turned over on the driver's side. the driver's and front pas…”
2019-07-06 · Unknown Or Other · 19,600 mi“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 prope…”
2019-03-22 · Structure:body · 110,000 mi“within 2 months of each other, both (left and right) rear door handles broke upon attempting to open the door using normal force. the door handles came off the car and the rear doors can not be opened from the outside…”
2019-03-04 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 215,000 mi“i was driving to work and began to hear a scraping noise. when i got to work i looked under my car and noticed that one of the fuel tank straps had rusted through and snapped. i looked online to order a new one and found a website saying that there was a recall for this exact issue.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.