YearToAvoid

2006 Kia Optima Airbags Problems

NHTSA has 46 owner complaints about airbag problems in the 2006 Kia Optima, 30% of all 155 complaints for this model year. That is #5 highest airbag complaint count among 16 Optima model years. These complaints report 1 crash and 2 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 50,000 miles.

Airbags complaints
46
30% of 155
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
50,000 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2006 Kia Optima airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 19, 2006, latest Mar 8, 2018.

2006 Kia Optima airbags complaints: complaints filed per month3Nov 2006Sep 2007Apr 2009May 2011Nov 2012Dec 2013Mar 2015Jun 2016
46 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2006 to Mar 2018; peak Nov 2006 (3).

Airbags recalls for the 2006 Kia Optima

  1. NHTSA 12V014000Jan 17, 2012Airbags145,755 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    Kia motors america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 kia optima vehicles manufactured from september 29, 2005, through january 29, 2008, and model year 2007 and 2008 kia rondo vehicles manufactured from september 13, 2006, through march 21, 2008. The clock spring contact assembly for the driver's side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) may become damaged through usage over time. If the clock spring contact assembly becomes damaged, the driver's air bag electrical circuit will experience a high resistance condition potentially causing the driver's air bag to not deploy.

    Risk: If the clock spring develops high resistance, in the event of a crash, the drivers air bag will not deploy and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.

    Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vehicle's air bag clock spring contact assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on july 11, 2012. Owners may contact kia customer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.

Airbags complaints by Optima model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200522 (15%)
  2. 200646 (30%)
  3. 200765 (39%)
  4. 200857 (40%)
  5. 200928 (24%)
  6. 201017 (23%)
  7. 201131 (5%)
  8. 201248 (5%)
  9. 201360 (4%)
  10. 201416 (3%)
  11. 201526 (3%)
  12. 201623 (3%)
  13. 20175 (2%)
  14. 20189 (4%)
  15. 201912 (6%)
  16. 20207 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Kia Optima have airbag problems?
NHTSA has 46 owner complaints about the airbag in the 2006 Kia Optima, 30% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 50,000 miles.
Which Kia Optima year has the most airbag complaints?
The 2007 Kia Optima has the most airbag complaints (65), compared with 46 for the 2006.
Is there a airbag recall for the 2006 Kia Optima?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Kia Optima concerns the airbag: 12V014000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.