VehicleVerdict

2006 Kia Sorento problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2006 Kia Sorento sits mid-pack among Sorento years: 382 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 338, with a single recall and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (87), lighting (59), and electrical system (56), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

382

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Sorento years?

Sorento NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted2,073 complaints2003: 421 complaints2004: 341 complaints2005: 457 complaints2006: 382 complaints2007: 224 complaints2008: 317 complaints2009: 79 complaints2010: 3 complaints2011: 2,073 complaints2012: 1,205 complaints2013: 1,293 complaints2014: 1,364 complaints2015: 955 complaints2016: 1,610 complaints2017: 1,021 complaints2018: 332 complaints2019: 616 complaints2020: 183 complaints2021: 335 complaints2022: 278 complaints2023: 179 complaints2024: 53 complaints2025: 112 complaints2026: 7 complaints
Sorento NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sorento years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Kia Sorento problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine8723%
Lighting5915%
Electrical System5615%
Transmission359%
Steering339%
Brakes267%
Airbags195%
Fuel System123%
Other103%
Suspension103%
Speed Control82%
Body & Structure72%
Seats51%
Tires & Wheels51%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)31%
Latches & Locks31%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Seat Belts21%

Does the 2006 Kia Sorento have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OFF, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DEEMED THE VEHICLE A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 20, 2018 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS OVERHEATED AND FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BULBS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY THREE TO SIX MONTHS. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · March 9, 2009 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN KIA OF MIDDLETOWN (4961 ROUTE 17M, NEW HAMPTON, NY 10958) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 1, 2018 · fire

“TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE ODOMETER READING OF 1,200 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT CAME OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO SCREWS AND A SPRING POPPED OFF, AND NOW THE ONLY WAY THAT SHE CAN SHIFT GEARSWAS BY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 4, 2007

“LESS THAN A YEAR PRIOR, TIMING BELT NEEDED REPLACED. A COSTLY FIX. ONLY MONTHS LATER DUE TO PROBLEM(COMMON ISSUE KIA IS AWARE OF) WITH CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, VEHICAL STALLED AND DIED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO WARNING FOR THIS AND WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I LOST…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 11, 2015 · crash

2006 Kia Sorento — common questions

Is the 2006 Kia Sorento reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sorento: 382 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2006 Sorento problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (87 complaints), lighting (59 complaints), electrical system (56 complaints).

Does the 2006 Kia Sorento have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2006 Kia Sorento. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Kia Sorento under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Kia Sorento years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sorento years to avoid are 2011, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2017, 2015, 2019. The cleanest record among Sorento years belongs to 2010.

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.