2006 Kia SPECTRA5 Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 80,500miles, 16 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5. The part named most often is air bags, with 13 complaints (72% of the total), followed by seats (2) and brakes (1). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 44% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags13 72%
- Seats2 11%
- Brakes1 5.6%
- Electrical system1 5.6%
- Fuel system1 5.6%
- Seat belts1 5.6%
- Steering1 5.6%
- Body and structure1 5.6%
- Vehicle speed control1 5.6%
Example complaints
Air bags: “The air bag indicator for passenger side as decided to come on and off. The main problem is on the dash board the air bag light comes on and acts as if the air bag indicator is not working, and it then will go off and come back on. This is a major safety concern and I have noticed it happening to a lot of other Kia SPECTRA5. It should be raised as a safety concern for the fact that now I am scared to place my family in this car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10544176, filed 2013-09, 107,000 milesSeats: “Airbag light came on, had a diagnostic ran on it came up as code b1448 oc passenger sensor mat defect, looks like its srscm 70. Was told that there is a TSB recall on this problem, but when I called Kia, they said that it was not for this model. However after looking up this problem on the internet, a lot of people with this car have had this problem. Not only is it bad enough that lots of people are complaining about this, but Kia says that they can't replace the sensor by itself, I would need to buy a new seat which would be $1600 dollars!!!! That's ridiculous. …”
NHTSA complaint #10565371, filed 2014-02, 93,000 milesBrakes: “The contact owns a 2006 Kia spectra 5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle decelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. After diagnosis, they advised her that the front and rear brakes and calipers failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred approximately eight months later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they advised her that the front brake caliper fractured causing damage to the brake line hose. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. …”
NHTSA complaint #10503140, filed 2013-03, 35,763 milesElectrical system: “Air bag indicator light on dash board will not go off most times, even when a 125 pound passenger is in seat. Occasionally driver side seat belt alarm will not chime. Had mechanic check wiring, he replaced alternator,battery still the same. Kenwood stereo will not tune in from time to time, even when in my same parking space also as we are driving with shifter locked into drive, the engine seems to change gears on flat road surface as if it is in 3rd gear then goes into drive. There is nothing else I can do. Already had mechanic look at these problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #10593860, filed 2014-05, 99,788 milesMileage when problems were reported
44% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,763 and 93,500 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021Exterior lighting, Body and structure. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated…
- 10041265Jun 1, 2011Electrical system. Kia motors: installing an additional ground cable to the battery may cause sensor problems.
Other model years of the Kia SPECTRA5
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 16 | 80,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2007 | 10 | 87,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 18 | 80,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 13 complaints (72% of the total), followed by seats with 2.
Has the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 reported?
Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,500 miles and the middle half falls between 35,763 and 93,500 miles; 44% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.