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2006 Kia SPECTRA5 problems

The most common problem on the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 is airbags, typically around 93,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical SPECTRA5 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
71/100
Owner complaints
18
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
2
Worst area
Airbags

The worst 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    13
  • Seats
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5

Airbag light 9

Trouble codes owners of the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 mention

B1448 3

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 2

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

What 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 20, 2018 · Airbags · OH

Light stays on in the kia spectra airbag system passenger seat mat is bad

Filed Jul 19, 2017 · Airbags · 144,000 miles · GA

We have had no accidents, but the mat sensor in the passenger sensor has gone bad causing the air bag light on the dash to stay on. The dealer was able to determine this by getting a b1448 code when diagnosing the issue. Many others have complained of this same issue with this and other kia vehicles. The part is prohibitively expensive at approximately $1600 for parts and labor.

Filed Jul 11, 2017 · Airbags, Seats · 154,000 miles · MI

Airbag light on due to faulty passenger side seat sensor. Exorbitant cost to replace. Can't afford.

Filed Jun 3, 2017 · Airbags · VA

Air bag light illuminated and was told by mechanic the sensor was faulty and it's around 2000$ to fix. Will not pass inspection without repair. Started around 60,000 miles. This is ridiculous, other kia models have been recalled. What can anyone do?

Filed Nov 16, 2016 · Steering · 89,000 miles · ID

Steering continually knocked after multiple repairs I still had a knock in my steering wheel during turns and going and an audible one outside all axles and suspension was deemed fine. I ended up selling the car since it was an annoyance. The passenger seat air bag sensor did not work properly it would flash a light on the hud for hours only when someone sat in it. The car also had very loose steering and was very unsafe on the freeway

Filed Aug 2, 2014 · Airbags · 90,000 miles · UT

Just as others with my same vehicle have stated, the airbag light on the dashboard comes on and off and is a real safety concern.

Filed May 24, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 99,788 miles · NH

Air bag indicator light on dash board will not go off most times, even when a 125 pound passenger is in seat. Occasionally driver side seat belt alarm will not chime. Had mechanic check wiring, he replaced alternator,battery still the same. Kenwood stereo will not tune in from time to time, even when in my same parking space also as we are driving with shifter locked into drive, the engine seems to change gears on flat road surface as if it is in 3rd gear then goes into drive. There is nothing else I can do. Already had mechanic look at these problems. No codes are showing up, but obviously there is an electrical problem that may not allow passenger air bag to deploy or driver seat belt to activate or what ever else is controlled by the electrical. Also have a 2006 kia with some electrical problem that car stereo shop could not get a new stereo installed to work properly. Other wise car if very affordable,not sure how safe it is.

Filed Feb 21, 2014 · Airbags, Seats · 93,000 miles · HI

Airbag light came on, had a diagnostic ran on it came up as code b1448 oc passenger sensor mat defect, looks like its srscm 70. Was told that there is a tsb recall on this problem, but when I called kia, they said that it was not for this model. However after looking up this problem on the internet, a lot of people with this car have had this problem. Not only is it bad enough that lots of people are complaining about this, but kia says that they can't replace the sensor by itself, I would need to buy a new seat which would be $1600 dollars!!!! That's ridiculous. A problem such as this one should not be so expensive to fix. Did kia put this sensor there so that we would have to pay almost 2 grand to fix a crappy electrical job? By the way this is not the only kia around this year with this exact problem. Recall the spectra5 too!!!!

Filed Sep 18, 2013 · Airbags · 107,000 miles · GA

The air bag indicator for passenger side as decided to come on and off. The main problem is on the dash board the air bag light comes on and acts as if the air bag indicator is not working, and it then will go off and come back on. This is a major safety concern and I have noticed it happening to a lot of other kia spectra5. It should be raised as a safety concern for the fact that now I am scared to place my family in this car. Also this car runs great engine wise, however, all of my door handels have broken off, my ck engine light has been on since my car hit 30,000 miles and the cd player has a mind of its on. Electrical wise its not good.

Filed Mar 15, 2013 · Brakes · 35,763 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia spectra 5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle decelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. After diagnosis, they advised her that the front and rear brakes and calipers failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred approximately eight months later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they advised her that the front brake caliper fractured causing damage to the brake line hose. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 35,763. The current mileage was approximately 37,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Compare the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5

Other model years

200620072008

Questions about the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5

Is the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 reliable?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5, close to a typical SPECTRA5 model year.

What is the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 year score?

The 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 scores 71 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Kia SPECTRA5: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5?

Airbags, with 13 complaints, typically around 93,000 miles. Next is seats (2).

How many recalls does the 2006 Kia SPECTRA5 have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Kia SPECTRA5 have bad airbags?

The Kia SPECTRA5 model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (13 complaints) and 2008 (11 complaints).

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