2006 Kia Spectra EX
KNAFE121165220148
Vehicle history report for the 2006 Kia Spectra EX (VIN KNAFE121165220148). Silver, sedan/saloon, 2.0L, gasoline. 127,446 mi reported. Registered in Fl. 1 open safety recall. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
What's a 2006 Kia Spectra worth?
What comparable 2006 Kia Spectra vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.
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What a full report checks for VIN KNAFE121165220148
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 SPECTRA LD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 7, 2003, THROUGH MARCH 6, 2007, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTR…
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND ATTACHING HARDWARE WITH NEW ZINC COATED PARTS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 6, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA Campaign #11V256000 · 25/04/2011We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 118 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Kia Spectra, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 2 involved a crash 🔥 1 involved a fire 🚑 3 reported injuries
🔍 Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 118
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2006 Kia Spectra.
ENGINE
My car just stop on me. I think my engine is not working had to called a tow truck to take me home and car.
NHTSA ODI #11547352LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Spectra. The contact stated that three of her interior door handles had become defective and the doors could not be opened from inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side door and the front driver’s and passenger’s side door handles were defective. The contact called the local dealer and scheduled an app…
NHTSA ODI #11491036POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving at freeway speeds vehicle suddenly slams down a gear or two causing moderate whiplash,and scaring the living crap out of myself and any passengers, upon having vehicle inspected by an ase certified repair technician he confirmed my complaint and stated that car seemed to be going into either second or third gear causing the vehicle to jerk and…
NHTSA ODI #11477060SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Spectra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V256000 (Fuel System, Other). The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The check engine and brake warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the recall and failure but offered no…
NHTSA ODI #11424462LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR HANDLES WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO B…
NHTSA ODI #11373460FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AFTER A MINOR ACCIDENT WHERE THE CAR WENT IN THE DITCH OFF THE ROAD THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND BECAME RAPIDLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MINOR ACCIDENT TURNED INTO A NEAR FATALITY BECAUSE OF AN AGGRESSIVE FIRE. THE DRIVER HAD A MEDICAL EMERGENCY WHEN PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE CAR CROSSED THE ROAD AND ENTERED THE DITCH DIRECTLY ACROSS THE…
Crash · Fire · 1 injured · NHTSA ODI #11364760AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPECTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE INTO THE LEFT LANE; HOWEVER, ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS IN THE LANE. THE DRIVER QUICKLY STEERED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND TURNED OVER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER AIR…
Crash · 2 injured · NHTSA ODI #11288698UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS STALLING AND JOLTING THE CAR, WE CANNOT RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND IT ONLY RUNS WHEN IN 3RD GEAR. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND WE DON'T EVEN FEEL SAFE PUTTING OUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR, BECAUSE IT'S NOT SAFE, AND WE CANNOT RUN THE AIR CONDITIONER WITHOUT IT STALLING OR JOLTING AND NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY. WE HA…
NHTSA ODI #11229779+ 110 more complaints on record.





