KIA SORENTO · model year

2006 KIA SORENTO

382 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006KIASORENTO carries 382 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 18 crashes, 8 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 SORENTO is engine with 67 filings, followed by electrical system (52) and exterior lighting (49). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 8 investigation files overlapping the 2006 SORENTO. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

382
Complaints
18
Crashes
8
Fires
14
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

382 filings

Crashes Reported

18 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE67
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM52
EXTERIOR LIGHTING49
STEERING33
POWER TRAIN27
AIR BAGS18
SERVICE BRAKES16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING13
SUSPENSION9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
SEATS5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC4
STRUCTURE:BODY4

Recalls (1)

09V13000017/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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 TH

Recent Complaints

20221208FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle would move, but shortly afterwards the vehicle would lose motive power and stall. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle several times, the vehicle operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who replaced the fuel pump sensor. The sensor had been replaced three times; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

Mileage: 122,000

20221020FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

20220808AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 98,000

20220426EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

Mileage: 118,000

20220209FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 100,000

20220131FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

My vehicle was sitting for 4 hours and suddenly caught on fire…drivers side.

20210624CrashFireAIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 162,000

20201112ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 39,000

20200911SUSPENSION

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

Mileage: 141,719

20200614FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM VEHICLE AROUND THE FILLER NECK

Mileage: 127,000

20200131ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE HEAD LIGHT KEEP BURNING OUT THE RADIO AND THE CLOCK LIGHT KEEP FLICKING AND DRAING THE BATTERY WHILE DRIVING

20200129SERVICE BRAKES

RECENTLY PURCHASED 2006 KIA SORENTO..RECALL #SC077 THE BRAKE LIGHTS INTEROIR LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING I REPLACED ALL BULBS AND FUSES..PLEASE HELP

Mileage: 99,000

20200129ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

RECENTLY PURCHASED 2006 KIA SORENTO..RECALL #SC077 THE BRAKE LIGHTS INTEROIR LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING I REPLACED ALL BULBS AND FUSES..PLEASE HELP

Mileage: 99,000

20200129POWER TRAIN

RECENTLY PURCHASED 2006 KIA SORENTO..RECALL #SC077 THE BRAKE LIGHTS INTEROIR LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING I REPLACED ALL BULBS AND FUSES..PLEASE HELP

Mileage: 99,000

20200116EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS REPLACED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V130000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) WHICH SHE LINKED WITH HER FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20190813ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 74,000

20190813STEERING

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.

Mileage: 74,000

20190702ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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

20190702SUSPENSION

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

20190702WHEELS

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

Compare 2006KIASORENTO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 KIA SORENTO have?
The 2006 KIA SORENTO has 382 NHTSA complaints, 18 crashes, 8 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 KIA SORENTO?
Yes, the 2006 KIA SORENTO has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 KIA SORENTO?
The most-complained component for the 2006 KIA SORENTO is ENGINE with 67 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Is the 2006 KIA SORENTO safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.