KiaOPTIMA MS2006Overview/kia/optima-ms/2006/base/

2006 Kia OPTIMA MS

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Optima.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2006 Kia OPTIMA MS is a passenger car whose engine is serviced with a 4.5‑qt oil capacity and is approved for 20W‑40, 20W‑50 or 10W‑30 API viscosities. Its safety record includes two recalls and a concentration of complaints in the air‑bag system, contributing to a total of 155 owner complaints reported during its production run. Within the model’s 2001‑2020 complaint history, this year falls near the lower‑end spectrum, suggesting a relatively stable early reliability profile compared with later spikes.

Model year2020201920182017201620152006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Optima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.90 sec — 2006 EX
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2006EX 2.4L I-48.90 sec17.00 sec162 hpFWD
2007EX V6 2.7L V68.60 sec16.60 sec185 hpFWD
2007EX 2.4L I-48.90 sec16.90 sec162 hpFWD
2008EX 2.4L I-48.80 sec16.70 sec162 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.2
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilABOVE 32 degrees F
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine OilABOVE 32 degrees F
Engine Oil Capacity5.1 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-85 · GL-4

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs10-11 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts80-94 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts123-130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts94-101 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsM8 bolts: 11-14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsM8 nuts: 18-22 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub148-203 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.78 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance20,000 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.67-.81 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance11,305-15,295 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.07 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number124R

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-19 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-19 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)38.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)47.0-50.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0002 in / 0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in / 0.0012 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.024 in / 0.393 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.024 in / 0.393 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-9413–16 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
112-14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-94 degrees12–14 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

Prep New bolts:

114 ft. lbs.14 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3loosen all bolts
414 ft. lbs.14 ft. lbs
590 degrees90 degrees
690 degrees; Original bolts:90 degrees
114 ft. lbs.14 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
118 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
2turn 58-62 degrees58–62 degrees
3turn 43-47
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
118.1 ft. lbs.18.1 ft. lbs
260 degrees60 degrees
345 degrees45 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-9418 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
112 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60 degrees, Step 3: 6012 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Timing Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 105,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2006 Kia OPTIMA MS lead in one area — the air bags, 34 of 155 reports (22%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recall 12V-014 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
37
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
155
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 155 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags34
Latches/Locks/Linkages17
Exterior Lighting8
Power Train8
Engine & Engine Cooling7
Visibility6
Unknown Or Other5
Vehicle Speed Control5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12V014000Air Bags:FrontalReported 17/01/2012

KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JANUARY 29, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007 AND 2008 KIA RONDO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED… Remedy: KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT…

11V153000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column ShiftReported 09/03/2011

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2007. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SHIFT CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING TENSION… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SHIFT CABLE AND REINSTALL IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2011. OWNER MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 37 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_TRA046_R52025-04-17Power TrainTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been…
TSB_TRA046_R32022-11-18Power TrainTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides…
TSB_BOD055_R12021-09-13StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This…
TSB_ENG031R1_CLS2021-05-07Power TrainTSB_ENG031_R1_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED
TSB_TRA046_R12020-04-24Power TrainTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Optima. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Optima take?

4.5 qt of ABOVE 32 degrees F: 20W-40 OR 20W-50 API SM, ABOVE -10 degrees F: 10W-30, 10W-40 OR 10W-50 API SM, BELOW 100 degrees F: 5W-30 OR 5W-40 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Optima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.