2006 Kia Optima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 9%of 155 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,100miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Kia Optima, 9% of the 155 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,100 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“Keyless entry on driverside only locked me in and out of the car. Lock will only open 1/2 of the way. Airbag light came on and will not go off. I can not get an inspection. They say the system is unstable. Transmission has slipped a couple of times.”
NHTSA complaint #10556193, filed 2013-12, 80,000 miles“I purchased a 2006 Kia Optima 1 month ago. Used car dealer did not disclose any past recalls or mechanical or electrical defects. Yesterday, when I was about to leave home I noticed the steering wheel seemed locked in place, transmission was in p. - a little jiggling on the steering allowed the ignition to fire and I could move to r. Today.as I tried to leave home, the car started without problem. When I shifted to r to back out of drive, the car did not move.after further attempts it was clear that no matter what gear I was able to shift the gear into only the neutral was engaged. …”
NHTSA complaint #10618280, filed 2014-08, 132,000 miles“My vehicle keeps accelerating and slowing down randomly between gears. Can accelerate on. Its own and slow down when more pressure is applied to gas pedal. The check engine light was not on for a month and now it has appeared. This can cause a serious accident.if a less capable person was driving. Many other Kia owners of this.model report. The accelerator pedal position sensor has been the issue for countless owners of this model and have been replaced by the dealer. I have had a diagnostic test done and. It showed the same codes pointing to the accelerator.... …”
NHTSA complaint #10475367, filed 2012-09, 58,000 miles“The sun visor does not stay up. The sun visor on the driver side is vision impairment. The switch for the both seats does not work. The wheel bearing is bad. The tire pressure wheel sensor and the transmission speed adjustment sensor are bad on this 2006 Kia Optima , constantly bulbs for taillight blow.”
NHTSA complaint #10347956, filed 2010-08, 64,200 miles“The vehicle is an Optima 2006.5 model year. When slowing (braking) and then resuming (accelerating) in stop and go traffic, the car frequently goes into a 'neutral' state where it doesn't go forward on acceleration. When the gas pedal is pressed the engine revs up, but the transmission doesn't engage to drive forward. Once the car coasts down to a speed of about 30 MPH or less then the transmission will re-engage - at least so far that has been the case. As this is happening I have to keep depressing the gas pedal to know when the drive gear engages. …”
NHTSA complaint #10429996, filed 2011-10, 2,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V153000Mar 9, 2011Kia is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 optima vehicles manufactured from september 29, 2005, through june 13, 2007. There is a possibility that the…Covers: Kia Optima 2006–2008
Related service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
- 10194504May 7, 2021Tsb_eng031_r1_closed: technical service bulletin closed
- 10174520Apr 24, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating…
- 10091489Dec 6, 2013Tsb: automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct automatic transmission fluids that are required for each kia…
- 10034637Jul 1, 2010Kia: provides information related to the ecm software upgrade of some vehicles with 3.8l and 2.7l engines which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with the…
- 10023623Nov 1, 20072006.5 my optima (mg) 2.4l calibration verification number/powertrain control module reprogram.
- 10023005Oct 11, 2007Optima (mg) shift cable detachment.
- 10022422Jul 1, 2007Calibration verification number / powertrain control module reprogram.
- 10021561Jan 1, 2007Automatic transmission adaptive value reset/relearn.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 27 | 18% |
| 2019 | 17 | 8% |
| 2018 | 19 | 8% |
| 2017 | 21 | 8% |
| 2016 | 74 | 10% |
| 2015 | 49 | 5% |
| 2014 | 20 | 3% |
| 2013 | 64 | 5% |
| 2012 | 54 | 6% |
| 2011 | 25 | 4% |
| 2010 | 24 | 32% |
| 2009 | 33 | 28% |
| 2008 | 18 | 13% |
| 2007 | 13 | 8% |
| 2006 | 14 | 9% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% |
| 2003 | 8 | 6% |
| 2002 | 6 | 6% |
| 2001 | 12 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2006 Kia Optima
46 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
27 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsExterior lighting
16 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 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