Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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 contact owns a 2006 Kia Sedona lx. The vehicle has a remote starter manufactured by audiovox, model number pro9556. When the contact pre-started her vehicle inside her home with the device, she noticed that the vehicle switched into gear. She drove backwards and crashed into another place of residence. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the starter device allowed the vehicle to shift into gears without having a key in the ignition when pressure was applied to the brake pedal. As a consequence, the vehicle could easily be stolen and increased the risk of a crash or serious injury. She notified the manufacturer of the equipment and the vehicle, but neither sources would assume liability. The contact has pictures of the failed component and the crash. The failure and current mileages were 40,000. …
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.
The struts mounts had rusted apart. So had to have strut, springs, mounts, sway bar link pins,front struts,plates had to be replaced. Whatever happened suddenly loosened my steering wheel also so could not turn well. The wheel had to be turned almost all the way around to turn a corner. What happened I was turning and a loud pop happened there had been no warning and luckily I was able to get home. On my vehicle this is the second time I had a failure suddenly. Kia did repair the control arms last year when they failed. The corrosion is an issue because if I had been at highway speed I would have had serious problems
Vehicle has been suffering from constant power loss with ESC light illuminated. Now it suddenly accelerates with the light lightest touch on pedal, lurching as it accelerates. It happens especially often when engine is under stress, such as climbing up a hill. I was parking in garage when is rapidly accelerated and my side bumper in front grazed garage door sidewall. It has also happened in reverse with rear side bumper nicking same spot on garage. This vehicle is a safety nightmare. Fault codes p2135 and p2106 often appear.
Kia Sedona 2006. I was parked. I went to back up and it started forward. I never stepped on accelerator only the brake. It continued to accelerate faster and faster all the while my foot was on the brake. There were skid mark to show that I had my foot on the brake. A cinder block wall stopped me.
On more than four occasions I have been driving this van and when pressing the gas pedal to accelerate the engine revved , but the van did not move. Two of these incidents have been while merging onto interstate 95, once on us route 1 and another merging on to route 234. On at least one occasion my one year old daughter was in the vehicle. It was an extreme safety hazard to merge on to interstate 95 in the middle of rush hour while traffic was moving at 65 MPH plus and not be able to accelerate. In one instance there was a tractor trailer coming up behind me, and I had to cut off another vehicle trying to merge in order to get back off on to the ramp that I just merged off. The first time we took it to the dealer and they said is was a speed control sensor, the second time they said it was low on transmission fluid. …
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. …
Over the past year, I have replaced struts, bushings, cv boots, & countless other items on suspension. I have had Sedona looked @ by multiple mechanics. Have driven around w/ me on both occasions. Had three ase certified guys at one time checking everywhere for lose or broken parts. We even checked spare tire & the pressure in it. When I go over any uneven surface, something rattles or clunks under the van. Not a little, a lot! Everyone can actually feel it, not just hear it. Cannot pin point location.it seems mostly around spare tire area, but I feel it under driver & passenger area too. Middle & back can feel & hear it. You cannot make it happen over things like speed bumps. Just uneven surfaces. Random.. So embarrassing & making me crazy! I also have had on 5 or 6 occasions when driving, I will take foot off gas as cars slow or exiting up a hwy ramp. …
After parking vehicle, went to exit and could not remove ignition key. Key turned off vehicle but would only go as far accs, which means while motor was not running, power was still on. Made sure dash indicator was in park, yet could not remove key. Spoke to a locksmith and added lube to around ignition key without any results. Left inside semi-heated garage overnight in case of frozen components without results. While dash indicator seemed to show proper gear selections, while in park, key could not removed, steering wheel would not lock, and vehicle could be moved forward and backward by manual pushing, in the meantime it was using up the battery. Kia dealership determined "shifter assembly failure", and after $600+ and 6 days for the special ordered part, vehicle was returned, but the failed part was returned to the supplier for a core charge. …
Transmission complaints in other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Kia Sedona?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Kia Sedona, 6% of the model year's 385 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Kia Sedona transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 42% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.