2006 Kia Optima Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 155 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,020miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Kia Optima, 1% of the 155 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,020 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.
“I bought a new 2006 Kia Optima ex in apr 2006. Sept 2006 the key fobs quit working and the pass side back seat does not secure itself in place at the bottom of the seat and stay/taken to a dealership and fixed. July 2007, the key fob again quit working/taken to the dealership and I was told a TSB was out on this problem and they would replace the receiver which was done. Nov 2007 after the TSB supposedly was taken care of, again the key fob quits working/dealership has again reprogrammed to work again and currently they continue to work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10219099, filed 2008-02, 2,000 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 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 6 | 3% |
| 2018 | 12 | 5% |
| 2017 | 11 | 4% |
| 2016 | 24 | 3% |
| 2015 | 69 | 7% |
| 2014 | 97 | 16% |
| 2013 | 213 | 15% |
| 2012 | 188 | 20% |
| 2011 | 100 | 17% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 7 | 6% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 8 | 7% |
| 2001 | 1 | 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 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Kia Optima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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