2006 Kia Sorento: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 242 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (20% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 242 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that he purchased the vehicle with the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger's side seat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2022
“The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the brake lights failed to illuminate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V130000 (Exterior Lighting) and associated the recall with the failure. The contact contacted an unknown dealer and was awaiting a call back. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V130000 (Exterior Lighting) because the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2022
“The contact owned a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, an unknown person alerted the contact that her vehicle had caught fire. The fire started in the engine compartment. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. Police and fire department reports were filed. The vehicle was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. The insurance company referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately over 100,000.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owned a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 15 - 20 mph, the steering wheel seized and the brakes failed when depressed which caused the vehicle to fall over a 25 ft. cliff and flip 3 times after hitting the ground. All of the air bags failed to deploy. The contact saw that there was smoke coming from under the hood and exited the vehicle. The contact was taken to the hospital by a family member and the vehicle was towed to a tow yard. No police report was filed. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2021
“When fueling I am unable to put the fuel hose in all the way and lock in place. I have to hold the fuel hose and pump very slowly. If I pump too fast the fuel will not go in tank. I was told it's the ball in the fuel tank that is screwed up. I was also told there was a recall but I never received knowledge to that. It's been doing this for a while. Do not have exact date but it happens every time I fuel.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2020
“Rear end rusted to were it could of called a wreck this is unsafe and they should have kia recall these at once there are going thousands of reports of this this just about caused my wife to wreck it is the federal place to recall these at once”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia sorento. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle suddenly began to violently shake and rattle before stalling. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer sterling kia located at 125 s. City parkway, lafayette la 70503 who diagnosed that the engine crank bolt and crank pulley had failed. The engine crank pulley pin and crank bolt were replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2020
“Recently purchased 2006 kia sorento..recall #sc077 the brake lights interoir lights are not working I replaced all bulbs and fuses..please help”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia sorento. While driving 40 mph, the crankshaft fractured and the power steering failed. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and had it towed to community kia (4221 east fwy, baytown, tx 77521, 832-612-3807). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would be in communication with the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 74,000.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2019
“Hello, I purchased a car from george taylor aka micheal booker. When I brought. The car to tge mechanic he said that the axcel struts and hubs were glued togteher and it was melting I called mr booker to let him know to please give me my miney back he refused to. He said he would get it fixed if I paid for the parts I paud for the parts and the car is still not fixxed I took him to court and won he wont pay me is past thirty day and im still out of a car and my money..please help me”Owner report · Wheels · May 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sorento by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Kia Sorento reliable?
NHTSA has 242 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2006 Kia Sorento. The most complained-about area is engine (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Kia Sorento problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 82,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Kia Sorento have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.