2006 Kia Spectra recalls and problems

The 2006 Kia Spectra has 1 recall and 100 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is air bags.

2007 Kia Spectra
Pictured: a 2007 model; the 2006 may differ in details. Photo: 2007 Kia Spectra by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2006 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 10 Spectra model years — 5th most.

1recalls
100complaints
28crashes
3fires
32injuries
67,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

1 recall

Fuel System

Apr 25, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V256000 · 58,322 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

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.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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.

Kia safety recall no. Sc090.owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2006: 10 complaints20062007: 17 complaints172008: 4 complaints20082009: 2 complaints2010: 4 complaints20102011: 9 complaints2012: 7 complaints20122013: 8 complaints2014: 7 complaints20142015: 9 complaints2016: 8 complaints20162017: 1 complaints2018: 3 complaints20182019: 5 complaints2020: 2 complaints20202021: 1 complaints2022: 2 complaints20222023: 1 complaints20231

2006 vs. other Kia Spectra years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2006. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2006 Kia Spectra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2006 Kia Spectra, the latest from Apr 25, 2011 (fuel system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Kia Spectra?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (46), fuel system (15), service brakes (10). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.