2006 Kia Optima owner complaints

Tl*- the contact stated he purchase a 2006 Kia optima on 11/30/06, with 377 miles on the vehicle at purchase. The contact states that after purchasing the vehicle he notice that passenger side airbag sensor light would not turn off. The contact states that while no one is in passenger seat the light stays on and the airbag is off. The contact stated that while someone is in passenger seat the airbag light continues to stay on. He said that the airbag is malfunctioning. The contact states that he has informed dealership of the problem and they ordered the part. The contact stated that the dealership contacted him and told him to bring vehicle in today even though the part will not be in until after christmas. The contact stated that dealership has ordered the padding for the cus

2006 Kia optima. Consumer writes in regards to recall notice and repairs concerning air bag clock spring contact assembly. *tgw the consumer stated he was charged a $113.00 for diagnostic testing. However, according to the recall letter, in addition to providing a lifetime warranty for the driver's air bag clock spring contact assembly, Kia was to replace the clock spring contact assembly free of charge. *jb

Dt*: the contact stated while a passenger weighing 125 pounds was properly restrained in the front passenger seat, the advanced airbag sensor light would not illuminate, which indicated a lack of airbag protection. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who performed a diagnostic test, which did not produce any failure codes. The dealer referred to the vehicle owner's manual which indicated in some instances with lighter passengers, the advanced airbag system may not be active. The dealer determined the advanced airbag system was functioning accordingly to the manufacturer's specifications and all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. The manufacturer was alerted.

Driver side air bag light on and does not turn off. Called Kia consumer affairs and they stated my vehicle is not covered by their current recall for this obvious on going problem with the air bags. My case number with Kia is [xxx]. This seems to be a real safety problem if the air bags do not deploy in an accident. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

We purchased a 2006.5 Kia optima a few months back. This car is equipped with a feature, the de-activation of the front seat passenger airbag when the seat is vacant. My wife weighs about 104 lbs and does not always activate the switch as indicated by the fact the warning light does not go off, and therefore is unprotected if there was a frontal crash. The dealer checked and indicated that the switch is functioning as designed. This problem occurs about 50% of the time. Sometimes she can get the indicator to go off by moving around and/or bouncing on the seat. The other fun fact is that we can be riding along and the indicator will come on or if it is on it will sometime turn off. There does not appear to be any rhyme or reason for the activation or de-activation of the sensor

I just purchased a 2006.5 Kia optima. My concern is when my wife sits in the passenger seat; the air bag does not arm. Kia states that the new standard (NHTSA) states that one must be over 130 lbs. If true, I find that unacceptable. There is no statements within the owners manual or is there a placard on the dashboard warning one must be over 130 lbs. Should I have an accident, who is liable, you or Kia. Please let me know the rules, the law and if this is so, what individual, felt individual less than 130 lbs do not deserve that safety feature. *jb

"takata recall" on or about october 16, 2015 I could not get out of my drivers side door...I was locked in. I am unable to unlock the door from the inside, or from the outside with my key. The door will not open and I have to climb across to the passenger side to get in and out. I don't know if it happened while I was driving down the road, or when I stopped.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia optima. The contact stated that the driver's side door could not be opened with the keyless entry remote or manually when using the key. The contact had to exit the vehicle from the passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the small plastic door checker needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 98,000. Updated 01/29/13*lj the consumer stated the vehicle was taken to three different auto repair shops before finally getting the door to open with a coat hanger. The vehicle was repaired. Updated 1/31/2013 *js

Door lock will not unlock thus door will not open. Door lock will not unlock with the key on either door nor the automatic or manual door lock. This has resulted in having to exit the vehicle from the passenger door. This is sporadic and not on a regular basis.upon searching the internet this is a very common problem across the Kia brand effecting numerous models and years. My main concern is under an emergency, there is no quick/safe way to exit the vehicle. *tr

Auto lock issue. At 118,000 miles my auto locks started to automatically lock when I tried to unlocked them, essentially trapping me in the vehicle. As soon as I click unlock they immediately relook. If this isn't a safety issue in need of a recall I don't know what is. I've looked into the problem on other forums and it seems quite common. Yikes! Please get this recall done!

The driver side door will not open either by key or by the remote control. This began randomly a few weeks ago, and would open if we jiggled the key a certain way. We could not lock the car since we didn't know if we could get it open again. We both work full time and are an hour away from a Kia dealer. On thanksgiving day, it was accidentally locked and we haven't been able to get it open since. As a result, my husband, age 63 and I, age 62 have to crawl in through the passenger door, over the center console. The Kia dealer contacted will not replace this at no charge, it will cost $200 just to be able to get into our car! It is past the bumper to bumper warranty and the customer service 800 number said it would be up to the district manager to fix it at no cost. The service dept. Tells m

Ref the two previous complaints first. #10170291 & 10208029. This is the 3rd complaint on our 2006 Kia optima lx. On 11/5/07 a new tensioner and drive belt were replaced. This made the 4th attempt to repair the same pulleys & belts system. The problem began @ mileage 5033 in sept 2006. Aprox 16,500 mileage and the problem continues and appears to be getting worse. On 12/5/2007 I took the car to dealership #113211 with same problem. Loud belt squeal at start up and constant chirp while driving. I was given a written receipt that stated the dealership drove the car 5 miles and heard a "slight chirp" coming from the belt area. Tech asst was called and the dealership was advised not to attempt repairs until a "platform manager" was contacted and spoke to service manager. It was put in writing

On 11/05/07 our 2006 Kia optima lx was taken is the shop for a fifth time since a squealing noise had appeared again. The car has now had 2 tensioners and three drive belts replaced as of 11/5/2007. I strongly expressed to dealer # 113211 that I wished to have the in state lemon law applied due to the fact a reasonable amount of attempts had been made to repair a nonconformity per ic 24-5-13-10. I was told by the shop manager at dealer 113211, that the car is in working condition after the reaper and the lemon law does not apply to a car that is good working order. I was instructed to let the dealer know if the problem returned. On 11/26/07 the squealing returned. I spoke with Kia, I was instructed to take the car to the dealer. I requested a Kia rep be present. I was told a rep would no

The dashboard does not accurately report mileage, gas amount, speed. *tr

I have approximately 13,800 miles on this car (Kia, optima, lx, 2006), and the tires (4) have been changed already. The tires sound hollow, and ping, besides pulling to right and left. The second set are doing the same thing. I think and fell that Kia should be involved in this problem, but they say its not there problem. These tires are on a Kia? *tr

Front suspension rattles, bounces not absorbing bumps and road well for a new car. Tires sound hollow over bumps, and ping also. Tires have been replaced by kumho tire manufacture, but still have the same problem. Dealer says there is no problem with the front end of the car. I have been requesting help from dealer since I bought the car. The tire pressure monitoring system light is always going on no matter if I have less air or more air in the tires, its become a real problem. *tr

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

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Kia optima. While driving approximately 10 MPH in rainy conditions, the windshield wipers completely failed. Prior to the failure, the contact detected a burning smell inside the passenger compartment. She was able to pull over and avoid a crash. She notified the dealer, but they have yet to inspect the vehicle. The contact has not filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The current and failure mileages were 16,803.

Dt*: the contact stated when pumping fuel into the fuel tank, the fuel blew back out of the gas tank, after the auto shut off valve on the pump handle stopped. The sales/service dealer was unable to fix the problem after six attempts and when the manufacturer was notified, an offer to buy back the vehicle was made.

Left rear tail light works intermittently. *tr