Owners have filed 382 complaints
about the 2006 KIA Sorento with NHTSA between 2006 and 2022.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 20 of 22 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 30
Against the median year of the KIA Sorento. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 45
8.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 33
20% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Body
420.0%
AIR Conditioner
315.0%
Headlights
315.0%
Clutch Assembly
210.0%
Switch
210.0%
Cooling System
210.0%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys
210.0%
Rotor
210.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
20.6%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
237.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
175.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
4012.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
6519.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
7823.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
6519.8%
150,000+ miles
3811.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2006peak 13Dec 2022
NHTSA investigations into the 2006 KIA Sorento
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP21003Opened 12 Nov 2021Closed 20 Jun 2023VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can b...
Recalls on the 2006 KIA Sorento
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 200914011,386 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, the stop lamp switch may have been incorrectly installed during vehicle assembly. This could prevent proper brake lamp operation. Failure of the brake lamps to illuminate when the brakes are applied may result in the following road users being unaware of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury or death. A malfunction of the switch may also cause the brake lamps to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released. Additionally, a faulty switch may affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock on automatic transmission-equipped vehicles so that the transmission shifter would not be able to be shifted out of PARK position. It may also cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) light to illuminate, and it may not deactivate the cruise control when the brake pedal is depressed. Correction: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch assembly.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 100,000 milesElizabeth, PAFire
UNKNOWN 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.
NHTSA complaint #11451140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port St Lucie, FLFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle was sitting for 4 hours and suddenly caught on fire…drivers side.
NHTSA complaint #11449644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 162,000 milesWilliamsburg, KYCrashFire1 injured
AIR 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.
NHTSA complaint #11422194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesMurrieta, CAFire
ENGINE
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 TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #11164543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,000 milesTerrell, TXCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11097715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesGoshen, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 THAT THE FUSE AND ELECTRICAL BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA complaint #11097032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 122,000 milesHouston, TX
FUEL 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.
NHTSA complaint #11496559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Petersburg, FL
FUEL/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.
NHTSA complaint #11490228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesAurora, IL
AIR 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.
NHTSA complaint #11478112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesTulsa, OK
EXTERIOR 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.
NHTSA complaint #11462253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesElizabeth, PAFire
UNKNOWN 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.
NHTSA complaint #11451140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port St Lucie, FLFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle was sitting for 4 hours and suddenly caught on fire…drivers side.
NHTSA complaint #11449644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 162,000 milesWilliamsburg, KYCrashFire1 injured
AIR 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.
NHTSA complaint #11422194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesCarencro, LA
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11374308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 141,719 milesJonesville, VA
SUSPENSION
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
NHTSA complaint #11354492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,000 milesShady Spring, WV
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM VEHICLE AROUND THE FILLER NECK
NHTSA complaint #11328723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centreville, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE HEAD LIGHT KEEP BURNING OUT THE RADIO AND THE CLOCK LIGHT KEEP FLICKING AND DRAING THE BATTERY WHILE DRIVING
NHTSA complaint #11306260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesSomerset, KY
POWER TRAIN
RECENTLY PURCHASED 2006 KIA SORENTO..RECALL #SC077 THE BRAKE LIGHTS INTEROIR LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING I REPLACED ALL BULBS AND FUSES..PLEASE HELP
NHTSA complaint #11302704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesSomerset, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RECENTLY PURCHASED 2006 KIA SORENTO..RECALL #SC077 THE BRAKE LIGHTS INTEROIR LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING I REPLACED ALL BULBS AND FUSES..PLEASE HELP
NHTSA complaint #11302704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesSomerset, KY
SERVICE BRAKES
RECENTLY PURCHASED 2006 KIA SORENTO..RECALL #SC077 THE BRAKE LIGHTS INTEROIR LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING I REPLACED ALL BULBS AND FUSES..PLEASE HELP
NHTSA complaint #11302704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hollis, NY
EXTERIOR 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.
NHTSA complaint #11299762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesCove, TX
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11243587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesCove, TX
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11243587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
WHEELS
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
NHTSA complaint #11228982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
SUSPENSION
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
NHTSA complaint #11228982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
ELECTRONIC 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
NHTSA complaint #11228982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 152,000 milesCharleston, WV
SUSPENSION
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 THE THE MANUFACTURING
NHTSA complaint #11209998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,000 milesEast Brookfield, MA
STEERING
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 CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS REFERRED TO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH ANYONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000.
NHTSA complaint #11169873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesMurrieta, CAFire
ENGINE
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 TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #11164543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,000 milesTerrell, TXCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11097715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesGoshen, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 THAT THE FUSE AND ELECTRICAL BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA complaint #11097032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.