I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE DOING ABOUT 65 MPH BOTH TIMES THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED AND THE CAR CAME TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. SMOKE WAS POURING OUT FROM MY LEFT REAR TIRE, AND WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHOWED UP IT TOOK HIM A GOOD 15 MINUTES TO GET THE BRAKES UNSTUCK. *AK
2006 Kia Spectra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Kia Spectra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 96.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Spectra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
83 reports with mileage · 17 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
100 reportsON MARCH 2, 2007, WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 KIA SPECTRA-5 AT HIGH SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD MOLDING BLEW OUT OF THE TRACK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I CAME CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT SCARED ME BEYOND WORDS. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ORDERED AND REPLACED THE MOLDING WITH NEW PARTS. THE DEALERSH…
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ON MARCH 2, 2007, WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 KIA SPECTRA-5 AT HIGH SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD MOLDING BLEW OUT OF THE TRACK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I CAME CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT SCARED ME BEYOND WORDS. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ORDERED AND REPLACED THE MOLDING WITH NEW PARTS. THE DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST CAR THEY HAD REPLACED THIS MOLDING ON. LAST WEEK, APRIL 8, 2007 THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING POPPED OUT AGAIN. THIS TIME ON BOTH SIDES OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE MOLDING IS STILL IN PLACE ALONG THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE DEALER HAS ORDERED A NEW PART. I EXPECT TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED AGAIN NEXT WEEK. *JB
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM DEALER IN 2/06, BROUGHT REGULARLY TO DEALER FOR ANY AND ALL WARRANTY/MAINTENANCE WORK. THIS YEAR VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER BECAUSE AT TIMES WHEN THE BRAKE WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND SOUNDED AS IF THE GAS WAS BEING APPLIED AT THE SAME TIME. DEALER ASSURED THIS WAS T…
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VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM DEALER IN 2/06, BROUGHT REGULARLY TO DEALER FOR ANY AND ALL WARRANTY/MAINTENANCE WORK. THIS YEAR VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER BECAUSE AT TIMES WHEN THE BRAKE WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND SOUNDED AS IF THE GAS WAS BEING APPLIED AT THE SAME TIME. DEALER ASSURED THIS WAS THE ABS KICKING IN , AND ALL WAS WELL. THE SECOND TIME THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF OURS WAS HIT, AND ACCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN RETURNED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE PAINT WAS COMING OFF THE CAR BELOW BOTH REAR DOORS ON BOTH SIDES, WE WERE TOLD THIS WAS DUE TO SALT AND SAND. HOWEVER THERE WAS NO OTHER PART OF THE VEHICLE EFFECTED, AND WE SAW THAT ON THE 2007 SPECTRA THERE HAS BEEN A GUARD ADDED TO ENSURE THAT THIS DID NOT OCCUR ON THE 2007 SPECTRA. HOWEVER WE WERE TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY DID NOT APPLY BECAUSE WE LIVED IN A SALT AND SAND STATE. THEREFORE, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS WASHED WEEKLY, IN LESS THAN A YEAR ,IT WILL SIMPLY CONTINUE TO RUST AND WE HAVE NO RECOURSE.*AK
I WAS DRIVING A LOANER CAR 2006 KIA SPECTRA WHEN SOMEONE WAS DRIVING AN OLDER MODEL GRAND MARQUIS TURNED INFRONT OF ME AND I HIT HER SMACK DAB INT HE MIDDLE OF HER PASSENGER SIDE DOORS AND OUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN AN ADULT WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THERE WAS NO ADULT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS OFF. THE LIGHT SHOULD BE WORKING THE OPPOSITE OF *AKTHE CURRENT FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SPECTRA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN AN ADULT WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THERE WAS NO ADULT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS OFF. THE LIGHT SHOULD BE WORKING THE OPPOSITE OF *AKTHE CURRENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2447 . THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC DUPLICATE DTHE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2584.*AK
ON MARCH 10, 2007, AT APPROXIMATELY 4:45 PM, MY WIFE AND I WITNESSED A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT ON RED BLUFF BETWEEN KIRBY AND BAY AREA BLVD IN PASADENA TEXAS. THE VEHICLE WAS WILDLY OUT OF CONTROL AND EVENTUALLY LANDED UPSIDE DOWN IN A DITCH ON THE LEFT HAD SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER SAID THE CAR WENT "CRAZY." I EXAMINED THE CA…
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ON MARCH 10, 2007, AT APPROXIMATELY 4:45 PM, MY WIFE AND I WITNESSED A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT ON RED BLUFF BETWEEN KIRBY AND BAY AREA BLVD IN PASADENA TEXAS. THE VEHICLE WAS WILDLY OUT OF CONTROL AND EVENTUALLY LANDED UPSIDE DOWN IN A DITCH ON THE LEFT HAD SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER SAID THE CAR WENT "CRAZY." I EXAMINED THE CAR AND NOTICED THE LEFT TIE ROD END WAS SHEARED OFF WHERE IT ENTERS THE TIE ROD ITSELF. THE LEFT STRUT WAS ALSO RIPPED OUT OF THE BODY OF THE CAR. IT IS MY OPINION, THE ROD WAS SHEARED WHEN THE CAR HIT A POT HOLE OR THE LEFT CURB. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND WAS VERY LUCKY TO ESCAPE WITH BUMPS AND BRUISES. THE VEHICLE WAS A KIA. I DID NOT ASK THE YEAR OR MODEL, BUT I THINK IT WAS A SPECTRA. *JB
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2006 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER HAD REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, AND CHANGED THE PASSENGER'S FRONT SEAT, WHICH HA…
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TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2006 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER HAD REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, AND CHANGED THE PASSENGER'S FRONT SEAT, WHICH HAD NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1600.*AK THE AIR BAG SENSOR DIDN'T RECONIZE THE CONSUMERS WIFE AS AN ADULT. UPDATED 03/22/07. *JB
TL*- WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN A 2006 KIA SPECTRA AT 45 MPH THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE STATING THAT HE HEARD A CRACKING SOUND AT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSEDE IT TO FALL DOWN A 10 FT EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE IN BOTH THE FRONT AND THE REAR. T…
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TL*- WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN A 2006 KIA SPECTRA AT 45 MPH THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE STATING THAT HE HEARD A CRACKING SOUND AT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSEDE IT TO FALL DOWN A 10 FT EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE IN BOTH THE FRONT AND THE REAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WASN'T ANY PRIOR WARNING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 16000. THE CONTACT COULD PROVIDE COPY OF POLICE REPORT AS WELL AS PICTURES OF VEHICLE. THERE WAS ONE INJURY.*AK
CAR WAS STRUCK ON DRIVER SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE BEING SPUN IN FRONT OF THE DUMP TRUCK WHICH MADE THE FIRST IMPACT. CAR WAS STRUCK ON SEVERAL POINTS OF IMPACTS INCLUDING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR, AND FRONT QUARTER PANEL. THE HARDEST IMPACT BEING DIRECTLY ON THE SIDE DOOR, WITH E…
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CAR WAS STRUCK ON DRIVER SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE BEING SPUN IN FRONT OF THE DUMP TRUCK WHICH MADE THE FIRST IMPACT. CAR WAS STRUCK ON SEVERAL POINTS OF IMPACTS INCLUDING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR, AND FRONT QUARTER PANEL. THE HARDEST IMPACT BEING DIRECTLY ON THE SIDE DOOR, WITH ENOUGH IMPACT TO COMPLETELY PUSH THE DOOR INSIDE OF THE DOOR FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. EMT'S STATEMENT DESCRIBED THIS TO ME WHEN THEY WERE DESCRIBING THEY HAD TO USE THE JAWS OF LIFE TO FREE MY WIFE FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING THIS ENTIRE CRASH. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH 8 AIR BAGS OF WHICH THREE ARE ON SIDE IMPACT SPECIFIC ON EACH SIDE. *NM
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN HER 2006 KIA SPECTRA THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A FACTOR, NEITHER WAS THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO RAN THE VEHICLE THROUGH DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND CONCLUDED THAT THE AIRBAG WORKED. T…
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TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN HER 2006 KIA SPECTRA THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT A FACTOR, NEITHER WAS THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO RAN THE VEHICLE THROUGH DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND CONCLUDED THAT THE AIRBAG WORKED. THE DEALER HAS TOLD THE CONTACT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2800. *JB UPDATED 03/02/07. *JB
Official recalls
111V256000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
Apr 25, 2011
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 SPECTRA LD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 7, 2003, THROUGH MARCH 6, 2007, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH HOLD THE TANK MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT. AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY SEPARATE ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND AND POSSIBLY DISRUPT THE INTEGRITY OF THE TANK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FUEL TANK CAN FALL FROM THE VEHICLE AND STRIKE THE GROUND WHICH COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK. LEAKING FUEL CAN CREATE A FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND ATTACHING HARDWARE WITH NEW ZINC COATED PARTS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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