Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Kia Sedona owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2006 Kia Sedona. The vehicle was bought used close to four years ago. The contact was unaware that the vehicle had received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 16V389000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES), and 16V387000 (SUSPENSION). The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, an abnormal pop sound was heard coming from the vehicle. The contact noticed smoke was emitting from the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the heat gauge was rising. The contact pulled to the side of the road when a passerby ran up to the contact's vehicle and informed the contact that flames were visible under the vehicle. The passerby stated that he followed the contact for about a mile, honking and waving to notify the contact of the fire. The contact and child immediately exited the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sedona LX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V088000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and stated that while powered off, he observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment. The contact stated that when the hood was opened, fire erupted from the engine compartment. The contact extinguished the fire. No police report or fire report was made available. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sedona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V389000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and 20V088000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Received a recall notice from Kia dated 4/8/20 stating hydraulic electronic control unit, which controls ESC, tsc and anti-lock brake system, remains energized when vehicle is turned off and an electrical short circuit increases the risk of engine compartment fire even when car is turned off. The parts are not currently available to fix this. In the meantime, I am to park my vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles and structures. I called my local Kia dealership to inquire if they knew when the repair would be available and they did not even know of its existence. The service department said Kia blows things out of proportion and scares people and they have no idea when and if the repair parts will be in. This is an unacceptable response. Kia needs to communicate with the dealerships about this problem and they need to fix it as soon as possible to avoid injury to consumers. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that when her husband was parking the vehicle in her driveway, she noticed that smoke began emitting from underneath the vehicle; moments later, the vehicle caught fire. The contact was unaware if there were any illuminated warning lights prior to the failure. The contact was able to grab a water hose and extinguish the fire independently. The contact's husband, with the help of some neighbors, was able to manually push the vehicle out of the driveway and park it on the side of the street. The contact stated prior to the fire, she had received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 20V088000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic) however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia Sedona. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V088000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic). The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the parking brake warning light was illuminated with an abnormal sound. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 143,194.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia Sedona. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact placed an abnormal amount of pressure on the brake pedal, but the vehicle accelerated forward before coming to an abrupt stop. The failure recurred and the vehicle began to smoke with an abnormal odor from the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was inoperable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Updated 02/23/16
My ESC light and ABS light came on as I was pulling out of the movie theater and my vehicle immediately turned off so I restarted it and pulled out onto the highway where it turned off again and wouldn't restart for 15-20 minutes once I got it restarted my engine started making a weird sound and I could not accelerate it kept jerking like I was running out of gas when I had a full tank luckily I made it home with my 3 kids before it shut off again. Not safe at all.
Brake lights failed to illuminate at stop. Diagnosed by dealer as brake light switch malfunction. Same as earlier recall, which this vehicle was seen for. Because of failure of replacement part, dealer claims no responsibility. Because this is an unusual malfunction of known faulty system, I suspect other defects contributing to brake switch failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia Sedona. While driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle heard a noise coming from the rear brakes and the vehicle began to shake. The air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear caliper brake hoses May be out of position. An improperly positioned rear caliper brake hose May contact rear suspension components and over time breach the integrity of the hose.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the positioning of the rear caliper brake hoses and adjust or replace them free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2006. Owners May contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Brake complaints in other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Kia Sedona, 12% of the model year's 385 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Kia Sedona brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-265 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jul 19, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Kia Sedona brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.