VehicleVerdict

2006 Kia Sedona problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 579 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.6 times the median Sedona year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 20 Sedona years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 22 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (100), suspension (85), and airbags (81), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

579

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

14

Fires reported

22

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Sedona years?

See all Sedona years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Kia Sedona problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System10017%
Suspension8515%
Airbags8114%
Brakes458%
Body & Structure417%
Lighting356%
Engine315%
Latches & Locks315%
Transmission244%
Speed Control224%
Steering214%
Other163%
Tires & Wheels142%
Fuel System112%
Seat Belts81%
Visibility & Wipers71%
Seats61%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2006 Kia Sedona have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V088000Electrical SystemFebruary 14, 2020 · 228,829 units

Defect

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence

An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.

16V387000SuspensionJune 1, 2016 · 97,884 units

Defect

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 and originally sold in, or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

Consequence

A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the front lower control arms on 2006-2007 models. 2008-2012 models will either have their front lower control arms replaced or additional anti-corrosion coating will be applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC133.

16V389000Latches & LocksJune 1, 2016 · 219,800 units

Defect

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through April 04, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Consequence

If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the secondary hood latch or clean and lubricate the latch, depending on the vehicle's location and the condition of the latch. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC134.

13V550000SuspensionNovember 5, 2013 · 79,867 units

Defect

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 originally sold in, or currently registered in Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, West Virginia or the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion resulting from prolonged exposure to salty environments.

Consequence

A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners and dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on December 20, 2013. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC100.

09V130000LightingApril 17, 2009 · 139,844 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

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.

06V349000Electrical SystemSeptember 11, 2006 · 4,753 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDALS, THE STOP LAMP SWITCH WIRING HARNESS MAY BE OUT OF POSITION. AN IMPROPERLY POSITIONED STOP LAMP SWITCH WIRING HARNESS COULD MAKE CONTACT WITH THE U-JOINT ASSEMBLY OF THE STEERING COLUMN. REPEATED CONTACT MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION TO CHAFE.

Consequence

CHAFED INSULATION COULD CAUSE A SHORT OF THE WIRING HARNESS RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS, ENGINE STALLING, OR AN INABILITY TO START THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRING HARNESS FOR CHAFING AND, REPAIR IF NECESSARY. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER WILL SECURE THE WIRING HARNESS TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH THE U-JOINT ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

06V265000BrakesJuly 19, 2006 · 13,060 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR CALIPER BRAKE HOSES MAY BE OUT OF POSITION. AN IMPROPERLY POSITIONED REAR CALIPER BRAKE HOSE MAY CONTACT REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND OVER TIME BREACH THE INTEGRITY OF THE HOSE.

Consequence

THIS WOULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, WHICH COULD CAUSE DECREASED BRAKE FUNCTION, LEADING TO CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURIES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITIONING OF THE REAR CALIPER BRAKE HOSES AND ADJUST OR REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sedona LX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V088000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and stated that while powered off, he observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment. The contact stated that when the hood was opened,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 6, 2023 · fire

FRONT DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM COVERED UNDER RECALL BUT NOT REPLACED BROKE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE AXLE AND OTHER FRONT SUSPENSION PARTS TO BREAK, CAUSING THE FRONT WHEEL TO POINT OUTWARDS IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, AND THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SCREECHING STOP, FROM 30 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 14, 2017 · crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DIESEL TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE DRIVER'S HEAD WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER HAD GLASS IN HER HEAD AND WAS UNCONSCIOUS. THE VEHICLE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 31, 2008 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PLACED AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD BEFORE COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 26, 2015 · fire

WAS IN A ACCIDENT STRUCK MANY TREES LOTS OF FRONT END DAMAGE, BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE DAMAGE AND MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 12, 2012 · crash

2006 Kia Sedona — common questions

Is the 2006 Kia Sedona reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 579 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 20 Sedona years. It is one of the Sedona years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Sedona problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (100 complaints), suspension (85 complaints), airbags (81 complaints).

Does the 2006 Kia Sedona have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Kia Sedona. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Kia Sedona years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sedona years to avoid are 2006, 2016, 2002, 2005, 2008. The cleanest record among Sedona years belongs to 2013.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.