2006 Kia Amanti problems & reliability
47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Kia Amanti. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
5 complaints report injuries (6 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2006 Kia Amanti vehicles were involved in 4 fatal crashes with 3 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train → | 13 | 28% |
| Vehicle Speed Control → | 11 | 23% |
| Air Bags | 5 | 11% |
| Electrical System | 5 | 11% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 6% |
| Suspension | 3 | 6% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 4% |
| Engine | 2 | 4% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 36,965 miles (middle 50% between 9,187 and 78,000 miles), based on 41 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“This kia amante is a 2006. I have 132633 miles on it. Last month, I got an "air bag" light on the dash. I took it in to the local kia dealership, they charged me $100 to tell me the the air bag is no longer operable. The part needed to repair is no longer available. If I get in an accident, the air bags will not work…”
Air Bags · filed Aug 20, 2019
“Pulled out of a parting lot onto a street. Tried to accelerate to increase speed but nothing happened...then jerks into motion. Dangerous situation with oncoming cars”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Mar 30, 2018
“Air bags not functional stationary and/or in motion electrical/electronic controls would not lock/unlock auto doors while stationary or moving radio push buttons not functional leaving it unusable at all times”
Unknown OR Other · filed Feb 22, 2018
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
13 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2006 Kia Amanti. The 10 most recent:
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in…
TSB_BOD055_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 13, 2021
PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
PS539 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 2, 2018
TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one…
TSB-GEN085R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 18, 2017
TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are…
TSB-GEN085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 4, 2016
TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. Customers may experience issues…
PS443 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 4, 2016
Tsb: automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct automatic transmission fluids that are required for each kia model. Refer to the shop manual on kgis for…
TSBTRA046 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 6, 2013
Kia: intermittent mil on with no fault code stored; information about dtc p1330. Provides information relating to certain vehicles. In affected vehicles an intermittent short to ground in a circuit only intended for…
TSB-068 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2010
Kia: ecm upgrade with tp sensor replacement-mil on with dtc p2135/p0638. Information related to ecm software and tp sensor upgrade on some vehicles with 2.7l engines which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp…
TSB-044 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2009
Kia: all models. Article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple kia models. *pe
KT-2008082201 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 28, 2008
Ecu - upgrade driveability improvement. *kb
029 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2007
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 2006 Kia Amanti in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2006 Kia Amanti?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 36,965 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.