RoadVitals

2006 Kia Optima Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Jul 26, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 155 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Kia Optima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 26, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REVERSE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE SHIFTER WAS IN PARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD SHIFT OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED KIA OF LYNCHBURG (3400 OLD FOREST RD, LYNCHBURG, VA 24501, (434) 847-3292) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA ID
11235041
Incident
Jul 25, 2019
Mileage
171,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 10, 2016

SC088:11V-153,I CAN'T PUT MY CAR IN PART NOR CAN I GO IN REVERSE. MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I SEE IT WAS A RECALL ON THIS MATTER FOR THE KIA OPTIMA. TOOK MY CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP,THE TOLD ME MY VIN# WASN'T ON THE LIST. IT'S A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. AM TRYING TO GET THIS REALIZE.ARE THERE CERTAIN VIN#UNDER THE RECALL FOR THIS IF NOT WHERE I NEED TO TAKE MY CAR TO HAVE IT FIX. I WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED I COULDN'T BACK UP NOR PUT IT IN PART AGAIN IT WANT ALLOW ME TOO DO SO.

NHTSA ID
10846045
Incident
Feb 25, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 1, 2014

I PURCHASED A 2006 KIA OPTIMA 1 MONTH AGO. USED CAR DEALER DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY PAST RECALLS OR MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL DEFECTS. YESTERDAY, WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE HOME I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED LOCKED IN PLACE, TRANSMISSION WAS IN P. - A LITTLE JIGGLING ON THE STEERING ALLOWED THE IGNITION TO FIRE AND I COULD MOVE TO R. TODAY.AS I TRIED TO LEAVE HOME, THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT PROBLEM. WHEN I SHIFTED TO R TO BACK OUT OF DRIVE, THE CAR DID NOT MOVE.AFTER FURTHER ATTEMPTS IT WAS CLEAR THAT NO MATTER WHAT GEAR I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO ONLY THE NEUTRAL WAS ENGAGED. I CALLED MY USED CAR DEALER WHO SAID TO CALL KIA WHO SAID ! THAT''S WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU BUY A USED CAR! HOW RUDE! THE AGENT NAMED [XXX] SAID THE RECALL HAD BEEN CLOSED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THIS CAR (VIA VIN) HAD OR HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR FIXED AND, BESIDES! THE RECALL PERIOD ENDED IN 2011 (END OF SERVICE CAMPAIGN OFFER. ACCORDING TO US DOT AND NHTSA RECURRING DEFECTS WITHIN 10 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER, THIS RECALL DEFECT SHOULD BE FIXED AT NO COST TO ME EVEN IF I AM THE SECOND OWNER. SINCE ONLY 8 YEARS HAVE PASSED I EXPECT THE RECALL DEFECT WITH THE CABLE AND SHIFT ASSEMBLY WHICH PREVENTS THE TRANSMISSION FROM SHIFTING GEAR. SO FAR I'VE BEEN TOLD (IN EFFECT. TOO BAD) TAKE IT TO KIA DEALER FOR ANALYSIS AND COST AND PAY FOR IT MY SELF. PLEASE ADVISE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

NHTSA ID
10618280
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Mileage
132,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 31, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V153000 POWER TRAIN RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS OR PLACE THE GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ID
10562313
Incident
Jan 27, 2014
Mileage
58,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 16, 2013

KEYLESS ENTRY ON DRIVERSIDE ONLY LOCKED ME IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. LOCK WILL ONLY OPEN 1/2 OF THE WAY. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I CAN NOT GET AN INSPECTION. THEY SAY THE SYSTEM IS UNSTABLE. TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED A COUPLE OF TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10556193
Incident
Aug 17, 2011
Mileage
80,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 16, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA OPTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND SHE HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ID
10525228
Incident
Apr 6, 2011
Mileage
58,000 mi
AirbagsPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 25, 2013

CALLED BOTH SERVICE DEALERSHIPS AND MAIN KIA OFFICES ABOUT RECALLS TO MY CAR CONCERNING AIRBAGS AND TRANSMISSION LINKAGE. NO HELP GIVEN ON RECALLS TO VEHICLE. DENIED SUCH A RECALL EXISTED AND MY CAR WASN'T COVERED UNDER RECALL. I'M LOCATED IN FREDERICK MD. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10504407
Incident
Mar 25, 2013
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 13, 2012

MY VEHICLE KEEPS ACCELERATING AND SLOWING DOWN RANDOMLY BETWEEN GEARS. CAN ACCELERATE ON. ITS OWN AND SLOW DOWN WHEN MORE PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON FOR A MONTH AND NOW IT HAS APPEARED. THIS CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.IF A LESS CAPABLE PERSON WAS DRIVING. MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS OF THIS.MODEL REPORT. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR HAS BEEN THE ISSUE FOR COUNTLESS OWNERS OF THIS MODEL AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER. I HAVE HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE AND. IT SHOWED THE SAME CODES POINTING TO THE ACCELERATOR.... MY DEALER STATED THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS AN $800 PART PLUS LABOR. I THINK THAT IF THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS IN MANY OF THESE MODELS AND THE PROBLEM CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH, THEN IT SHOULD. BE A RECALLED ITEM. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID
10475367
Incident
Sep 13, 2012
Mileage
58,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 13, 2011

THE VEHICLE IS AN OPTIMA 2006.5 MODEL YEAR. WHEN SLOWING (BRAKING) AND THEN RESUMING (ACCELERATING) IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE CAR FREQUENTLY GOES INTO A 'NEUTRAL' STATE WHERE IT DOESN'T GO FORWARD ON ACCELERATION. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED THE ENGINE REVS UP, BUT THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ENGAGE TO DRIVE FORWARD. ONCE THE CAR COASTS DOWN TO A SPEED OF ABOUT 30 MPH OR LESS THEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL RE-ENGAGE - AT LEAST SO FAR THAT HAS BEEN THE CASE. AS THIS IS HAPPENING I HAVE TO KEEP DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL TO KNOW WHEN THE DRIVE GEAR ENGAGES. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE EXACTLY WHAT STEPS NEED TO HAPPEN TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH IT DOES OCCUR FREQUENTLY NOW. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS ~55,000 MILES. THE SITUATION IS VERY FRIGHTENING AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. IT'S TERRIFYING TO BE COASTING DOWN TO A LOW SPEED WAITING ON THE TRANSMISSION TO RE-ENGAGE WHEN VEHICLES ARE QUICKLY APPROACHING FROM THE REAR. IF THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T RE-ENGAGE, THE RESULT IS LIKELY TO BE DEADLY FOR ALL PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLICATE IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10429996
Incident
Aug 21, 2006
Mileage
2,000 mi
Interior & seatsPowertrain (other)Tires & wheels+1 more
Filed Aug 7, 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10347956
Incident
Jun 27, 2010
Mileage
64,200 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .