2006 Kia Optima Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 8%of 155 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the visibility of the 2006 Kia Optima, 8% of the 155 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,500 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.
“Both sun visors have failed working and will drop down in front of my face while I'm driving. I have never had an accident or misused them in any way. They just snapped upon opening. Many complains have been posted about this same problem on the internet and it's time someone steps up and reports this before an accident happens.”
NHTSA complaint #10310540, filed 2010-02, 30,000 miles“On my 2006.5 Kia Optima, on three separate occasions my sun visor mechanisms have broken internally, and would no longer remain in the up position, which has been a safety concern for me the passenger sun visor has broken at least once, and the driver side has broken at least twice. The first 2 times, the sun visor was replaced entirely under warranty. However, on the 3rd time, I was out of warranty and had to purchase and install a new one myself. …”
NHTSA complaint #10424453, filed 2011-09, 20,000 miles“After being lowered, the driver's side sun visor no longer can be returned to the up position and hangs in such a position as to obstruct the driver's vision. The sun visor has been little used and handled with care. It appears that the components of the sun visors are too fragile.”
NHTSA complaint #10464056, filed 2012-07, 92,267 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“Door jam on right back door and sun visors on right passenger over view just drops down in the passenger or child view thats causes one to become fearful.”
NHTSA complaint #10329712, filed 2010-05, 71,651 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10090713Mar 22, 2013Tsb: windshield washer pump inlet filter replacement - this bulletin provides information relating to possible foreign debris accumulation on the windshield washer pump inlet…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 2% |
| 2016 | 38 | 5% |
| 2015 | 9 | 1% |
| 2014 | 12 | 2% |
| 2013 | 21 | 2% |
| 2012 | 28 | 3% |
| 2011 | 11 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 14 | 10% |
| 2007 | 33 | 20% |
| 2006 | 13 | 8% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 5 | 4% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2006 Kia Optima
46 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
27 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsExterior lighting
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 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