2006 Kia Optima Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 8%of 155 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,300miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the body and structure of the 2006 Kia Optima, 8% of the 155 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,300 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.
“Driver's side door will not open from either the inside or the outside. This is the second time that this has occurred but I was able to finally get the door open before and disengaged the actuator. As long as no one locked the door, it worked fine, however; mother recently had work done on her car and when they returned it, they locked the door. I've spent numerous hours trying to get the door open so that I can replace the mechanism and actuator but have been unsuccessful. …”
NHTSA complaint #11088437, filed 2018-04, 96,000 miles“It is a well-known issue with Kia Optima cars that the door latch is faulty, and after various lengths of time, it will stop unlocking. By no longer unlocking, I mean under any condition. Using a remote, using the key, even sitting in the vehicle pressing the button on the door or manually moving the indicator by the handle. This is a severe safety issue. In the event of a wreck or other emergency situation, it is impossible to exit the driver's side door on my Kia Optima. No matter what you attempt, the door will not open. …”
NHTSA complaint #10564803, filed 2014-02, 60,000 miles“I was trapped inside the car when the drivers door would not open by activating the inside door handle, the inside door unlock lever or the remote key fob. When I used the door handle nothing happened. When I pressed the inside door unlock lever I could hear the power unlock mechanism activate but the door would not open. Nor would the door open when the remote key fob unlock was pressed even though I could hear the unlock mechanism activate. The door latch would not release and allow the door to open. I had to crawl across the front console to exit the car thru the passenger door. …”
NHTSA complaint #10496947, filed 2013-02, 61,300 miles“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“Front passenger side door will mot open from the inside or outside causing you to be locked in the vehicle. Also when you try to open the door from inside the vehicle automatically locks the car. This is a safety hazard that needs to be address.”
NHTSA complaint #11091106, filed 2018-04, 150,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
- 10058518Jul 1, 2015Kia: an additional application of anti-corrosion protection will be applied on some vehicles underbody components to help prevent corrosion. Model 2004-09 spectra, 2006-10…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 14 | 7% |
| 2018 | 7 | 3% |
| 2017 | 5 | 2% |
| 2016 | 41 | 5% |
| 2015 | 76 | 8% |
| 2014 | 48 | 8% |
| 2013 | 127 | 9% |
| 2012 | 39 | 4% |
| 2011 | 21 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 8% |
| 2005 | 22 | 15% |
| 2004 | 42 | 19% |
| 2003 | 25 | 18% |
| 2002 | 30 | 28% |
| 2001 | 35 | 24% |
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 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsEngine
7 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 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