Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 owns a 2006 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle would fail to reverse once placing the gear shifter into reverse. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to service the vehicle and referred him to another mechanic who replaced the transmission. Almost a year later, the failure recurred, and the contact bought a code scanner that informed him that the catalytic converter was defective. The contact bought a new catalytic converter and had the catalytic converter replaced. Recently, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the throttle body warning light illuminated. …
Auto dealer fraud 8/3 2024 dealership sold me a title washed lemon with major safety hazards Defective unrepairable components Discovered later after purchase P0885 limp mode Fire hazard the vehicle may catch on fire when parked Went back to the dealership that I purchased from for a P0885 on December 4 2024 Returned Back to me march 18 2025 with a blown motor I asked the tow truck driver to be a witness to me firing up the vehicle for documentation Rey Prado of Prado towing located in Delaware he can verify my account Of events will give statement Dealership breached a bonded contract from a November 2021 purchase a 2004 ford f 250 super duty pick up truck vin# [redacted] and placed the title on the loan for the 2006 Kia Sedona without my prior knowledge the vehicle was purchased August 8 2024 with the cosign on August 21 2024 the dealer and staff purposely held the the buyer's and …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia Sedona. While driving 10 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over and waited a few minutes to allow the engine to cool off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but it would not start. The contact began to notice more smoke coming from the vehicle and smelled a burning plastic odor. The contact removed herself and her kids from the vehicle. The child's school maintenance man assisted the contact and asked her to open the vehicle's hood. As the hood was opened, flames began to emit from the vehicle. The maintenance person called the fire department for assistance. The fire was extinguished and a fire report was filed. There were no injuries. The contact's insurance company had the vehicle towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not destroyed. …
My 2006 Kia Sedona minivan has an intermittent failure causing it not to start. All electrical works except the engine & starter. Turn the key to start & it does not turn over. The automotive mechanical term used to describe this condition is "no crank". The starter & engine remain off. After multiple attempts it starts after 5-30 minutes. We have taken the vehicle to the dealership on multiple occasions & they were unable to diagnose &/or repair the problem. The failure is so wide spread that there is a youtube website describing the problem & offering a solution with over 96,000 views. There needs to be a recall on this vehicle. The dealerships refuse to correct the problem unless they can duplicate the malfunction at the time of the service visit. Motorists are having to endure repeated breakdowns without remedy. …
On Friday, April 17th, 2020, [redacted] received the safety recall interim notice for his 2006 Kia Sedona stating that the engine is at risk for fire when vehicle is off. The letter states to park the vehicle until repaired and says that the risk of fire is due to moisture in an electrical system of the engine that can short out even when the vehicle is shut off. We have pleaded with Kia findlay and the Kia consumer center to at least check for moisture in the unit of concern, but were turned away. We also requested a loaner vehicle in the interim and again, they refused and said they cannot help unless the engine catches fire. We are afraid to have the vehicle here and would like a loaner until it's repaired, rather than risk a catastrophe.
Oil leaks from valve cover gasket and timing cover gasket cause oil to drop on the alternator. This oil residue causes the alternator to stop working and in turn the battery dies. My vehicle has stopped abruptly on the freeway three times due to this issue, when all electrical power to the vehicle is abruptly disabled with very less warning and reaction time. This is a very dangerous situation and if not for my alertness and quick reaction, my family would have been a traffic hazard and accident prone. This a manufacturing or part related defect on Kia sedonas. My mechanics have confirmed seeing this on other Kia sedonas. My vehicle currently still has this problem and I am trying to get Kia to address it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia Sedona. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle vibrated through the steering wheel without warning. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road for observation and then driven to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the bolt that held the axle and the transmission was loose and stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was towed to nelson Kia (4730 n virginia ave, bassett, va 24055, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the engine block needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia Sedona. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 51,823. Updated 2/25/15
I own a 2006 Kia Sedona. I've replaced the alternator 3 separate times due to ruined alternators. Diagnosis revealed the valve cover gasket was leaking onto the alternator causing a short in the alternator. The manufacture wasn't notified. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Problems: air bag light on again. Has been repaired by dealer several times. Ac does not blow cold continually and has been repaired several times. New compressor, additional freon, etc. Horn malfunctioning again. Transmission problem - the vehicle "bangs or slams" when you come down a hill to a stop. When slowing down to a stop light it actually has a surge or acceleration. This vehicle only has 64000 on it and the brakes have been serviced several times (front and rear). Now when I am driving I get a terrible grinding feeling - and at a higher speed on the highway when you go to slow down faster it vibrates terribly. Also the braking is terrible at higher speeds. …
Engine complaints in other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Kia Sedona, 8% of the model year's 385 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Kia Sedona engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2006 Kia Sedona, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Kia Sedona engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.