2006 Kia Optima Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 155 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 105,734miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine of the 2006 Kia Optima, 5% of the 155 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,734 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“First time problem happened was july 3, 2016 with my 2006 Kia Optima. I was sb on hwy i25 in cs, co. Speedometer read 25mph as I was coming off the on-ramp. I accelerated to 40mph into flow of traffic. I felt a lurch & the vehicle automatically accelerated. Speed went from 40mph to about 60 MPH without depressing accelerator. Breaking did not slow it down. I felt car was going out of control. My passenger reached over & turned ignition switch off & on quickly, to decelerate & accelerate. …”
NHTSA complaint #10905623, filed 2016-09, 103,083 miles“I went to go shopping, and at the second stop sign in my neighborhood I stopped. When I tried to drive the gas pedal when pushed would not let the engine go fast enough to go above 20 MPH, then I noticed that the check engine light was on. I pulled over and checked my engine and its fluids, could not find any thing wrong. So I started the car up again, and everything seemed to work fine. So I drove off and the car worked like it should have. I then went to a auto parts store, and they used their meter to check engine codes. …”
NHTSA complaint #10649926, filed 2014-10, 66,961 miles“After a recent oil change, the car was running horribly, making a knocking sound. Had an episode where the oil light was flashing on and off and the engine about died, so I had made an appointment for the vehicle to get checked for monday morning. The saturday before, while running errands, had the episode occur again, but this time, the engine locked up and it has been sitting at the dealership every since because although I have a manufacturer warranty, Kia won't honor it with all my oil change receipts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10460873, filed 2012-06, 62,000 miles“My car stalled while driving then all sudden it stalled, I started again then stalled again. I called the tow truck and towed to the auto repair, my car has a vehicle recalls. The dealerships refused to fixed it the recalls, they told me I have to pay full costs about $5,000 for new engine. They won't fixed the recalls. I found out there was huge complaints against dealerships of Kia . I filed a lawsuits against the dealerships for refused to fix my car. 2 recalls air bags/engine. The dealerships don't want to fix the recalls , they force me to pay for huge repairs. …”
NHTSA complaint #10649826, filed 2014-10, 108,386 miles“2006 Kia Optima needed a new timing belt within the next few thousand + miles (needs to be changed every 60,000 miles or sooner), but one the crankshaft pulley just came off and then the belt came off a couple pulleys because of this. The belt actually looks fine, but the pulley failure caused the belt to come off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10464270, filed 2012-07, 116,039 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 102 | 68% |
| 2019 | 92 | 43% |
| 2018 | 132 | 57% |
| 2017 | 165 | 64% |
| 2016 | 426 | 56% |
| 2015 | 623 | 62% |
| 2014 | 284 | 48% |
| 2013 | 614 | 44% |
| 2012 | 398 | 43% |
| 2011 | 256 | 43% |
| 2010 | 9 | 12% |
| 2009 | 14 | 12% |
| 2008 | 19 | 13% |
| 2007 | 16 | 10% |
| 2006 | 7 | 5% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2006 Kia Optima
46 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
27 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsExterior lighting
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology