2006 KIA Spectra problems
Owners have filed 129 complaints about the 2006 KIA Spectra with NHTSA. Air bags account for 38% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of structure at 7.8%.
Complaints129
Crashes34
Fires3
Injuries37
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Air bags 38.0% · 49
Structure 7.8% · 10
Fuel/propulsion system 5.4% · 7
Power train 5.4% · 7
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.4% · 7
Fuel system, gasoline 5.4% · 7
Electrical system 4.7% · 6
Engine 3.9% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 34 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire and 37 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 7 model years of the KIA Spectra in this data, 2006 draws comparatively few complaints; 2007 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 14 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 67,500 miles.
In owners' own words
Dealer states issue with airbag sensor mat on passenger side. Same issue as recalled on the 2006 rio. A similar spec sensor mat is installed on the spectras as well and therefore a recall should be implemented on those models as well. Failure to recall these vehicles based on this issue could result in serious injury to passengers of vehicle if involved in an accident as the airbags would fail to deploy. Air bags · reported at 91,000 miles
The air bag warning light came on for the first time after very cold weather in january 2011. When weather warmed up in the spring, the light went out. January 2012 when it became cold again, the light came back on again. Now the light is on 99% of the time. It rarely ever goes out. ... This is the same thing that is covered by the KIA optima 2006-2008 recall 12v014000. *Tr ...Updated 09/28/15 Air bags · reported at 50,000 miles
My brother was in a automotive accident. He lost control of his vehicle hit a concrete median, his brakes stop working and his air bags didn't deploy. This is all stated in his police report. He was air lifted to the hospital where doctors inform the family he broke both his legs and arms. He had to have an operation in his skull to relieve pressure in his brain. As of now nothing has been correct. Air bags · reported at 128,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…