2006 KIA SORENTO Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2006 Kia Sorento. This model year has 242 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2006 Kia Sorento Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Electrical Faults
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2006 Kia Sorento. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 86 | 3 | 3 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 56 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 53 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 35 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 33 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 26 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 19 | 6 | 1 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 9 | — | 2 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 7 | 2 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2006 Kia Sorento. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 242 most recent complaints
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 af…
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 bu…
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 vehic…
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 c…
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 dep…
My vehicle was sitting for 4 hours and suddenly caught on fire…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…
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 T…
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
SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM VEHICLE AROUND THE FILLER NECK
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
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 BE…
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 …
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…
THE REAR MOUNT ARM BRACKETS RUSTED IN HALF ON BOTH SIDE OF THE REAR AXLE.CAUSING MYSELF TO ALMOST WRECK.I HAVE HUGE RECORDS FOR MAINTENANCE AND UP KEEP ON THIS VEHICLE THAT WITH ALL THE MONEY I HAD THAT I KEPT THIS VEHICLE WELL TAKING CARE OF AND ONLY VAN BE LEAD TO A DESIGN FLAW…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE BATTERY AND EMERGENCY BRAKE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTA…
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 DEEME…
TAKARA RECALL I WAS IS A WREAK AND GOT HIT ON THE DRIVER FRONT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND NONE OF MY AIR BAGS WENT OFF. I WAS TURNING ON THE THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 15 MPH AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 60 MPH.
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 I…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2006 Kia Sorento.
Recalls for 2006 Kia Sorento
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2006 Kia Sorento. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2006 Kia Sorento — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2006 Kia Sorento reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2006 Kia Sorento has 242 NHTSA owner complaints, 12 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (86 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Kia Sorento?▾
#1: Engine Problems (86 complaints). #2: Headlight/Taillight Failures (56 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (53 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2006 Kia Sorento?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2006 Kia Sorento?▾
The 2006 Kia Sorento has 12 crash-related complaints and 8 fire reports out of 242 total NHTSA complaints. 14 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2006 Kia Sorento have any recalls?▾
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2006 Kia Sorento. The largest issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2006 Kia Sorento?▾
The 2006 Kia Sorento has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Kia Sorento reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2006 Kia Sorento
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.