Total Complaints
382 filings
KIA SORENTO · model year
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.
Total Complaints
382 filings
Crashes Reported
18 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 67 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 52 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 49 |
| STEERING | 33 |
| POWER TRAIN | 27 |
| AIR BAGS | 18 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 16 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 13 |
| SUSPENSION | 9 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 9 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 8 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 7 |
| SEATS | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 4 |
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
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
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 itâs 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. Itâs been doing this for a while. Do not have exact date but it happens every time I fuel.
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
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
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
My vehicle was sitting for 4 hours and suddenly caught on fireâ¦drivers side.
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
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
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
SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM VEHICLE AROUND THE FILLER NECK
Mileage: 127,000
THE HEAD LIGHT KEEP BURNING OUT THE RADIO AND THE CLOCK LIGHT KEEP FLICKING AND DRAING THE BATTERY WHILE DRIVING
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.