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Research · Midsize Cars

2006 Kia SpectraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 118 owner complaints for the 2006 Kia Spectra. Most complaints involve air bags (59) and structure (10). The EPA rates it 25 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Apr 2011
Owner complaints
118
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, otherReported Apr 25, 2011NHTSA 11V256000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

118 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2006 – Sep 2023
  1. Air bags59
  2. Structure10
  3. Fuel/propulsion system8
  4. Power train7
  5. Fuel system, gasoline7
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic7
  7. Electrical system6
  8. Engine5
  9. Vehicle speed control5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Spectra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200295
200393
200471
2005103
2006118
2007162
2008137
2009114
Crashes reported
30
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
32
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

59 reports23 crashes1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE INTO THE LEFT LANE; HOWEVER, ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS IN THE LANE. THE DRIVER QUICKLY STEERED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND TURNED OVER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES AND CUTS. THE PASSENGER ALSO INJURED THE LEFT HAND, WHICH REQUIRED STITCHES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: 191201035 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,307.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2019Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11288698

Structure

10 reports2 crashes
“WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER, BOTH (LEFT AND RIGHT) REAR DOOR HANDLES BROKE UPON ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR USING NORMAL FORCE. THE DOOR HANDLES CAME OFF THE CAR AND THE REAR DOORS CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 22, 2019StructureODI 11190932

Fuel/propulsion system

8 reports1 crash1 fire
“AFTER A MINOR ACCIDENT WHERE THE CAR WENT IN THE DITCH OFF THE ROAD THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND BECAME RAPIDLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MINOR ACCIDENT TURNED INTO A NEAR FATALITY BECAUSE OF AN AGGRESSIVE FIRE. THE DRIVER HAD A MEDICAL EMERGENCY WHEN PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE CAR CROSSED THE ROAD AND ENTERED THE DITCH DIRECTLY ACROSS THE DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WALK AWAY ACCIDENT WITH MINOR OR NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR, BUT IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR BEFORE BURNING TO DEATH AND THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO OTHER PASSENGERS. WE HAD THE CAR ONLY A FEW WEEKS AND DO NOT HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF RECALLS BEING REPAIRED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2020Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedFire reportedODI 11364760
All 2006 Spectra problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Spectra
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$2,550355
Spectra
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,550355
  • Spectra
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Spectra
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Kia Spectra as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 1747
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Spectra questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Kia Spectra have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Kia Spectra problems?

Owners filed 118 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (59), structure (10), fuel/propulsion system (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Kia Spectra get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Kia Spectra at 25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026