Most common 2006 Kia Sorento problems
Share of the 242 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Sorento complaints by model year
Best Sorento years: 2020, 2018, 2024. Years to avoid: 2011, 2016, 2017, 2013, 2014. Compare all years →
2006 Kia Sorento recalls (1)
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Huyndai-Kia is recalling 139,844 my 2006-2007- sedona, sportage, sorento and my rondo and amanti vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles May malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch May cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or May cause the brake lights to remain…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2009. Owners May contact Kia's consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2006 Kia Sorento:
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.
What 2006 Kia Sorento owners say
Engine & cooling all 85 →
Less than a year prior, timing belt needed replaced. A costly fix. Only months later due to problem(common issue Kia is aware of) with crankshaft sensor, vehical stalled and died driving down the road. There was no warning for this and when the engine stopped while going down the highway, I lost all control of power stearing, speed, brakes and other main elecrical componets. I was in the middle of a curve of the highway when this occured. This threw me into ongoing traffic. Luckily, I only hit a hwy traffic sign. The recalls for this vehicle needs to be updated and added to. This vehical should not be aloud on the road! Its dangerous for everyone on the road.
Belt sprocket and harmonic balancer with bolt. The bolt is made of substandard material and broke causing the automobile to lose power steering and other vital car features. No warning, it just broke while in motion causing all of the belts to seize. I was on a hilly mountainous road in my home area of high ridge missouri, acutally on the high ridge.I am lucky that I am Smart enough to drive defensively and was able to coast to a safe side road. Two mechanics came to my rescue and easily saw that the problem stating that I would need a whole new engine.I have a temporary fix estimate from my mechanic but he says the car really needs a whole new engine.....
Lights all 56 →
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.
My 2006 Kia Sorento has had a few problems that I fear May be very dangerous. A few months ago I was driving on highway and it felt like it was speeding up on its own. As I got off the highway on an s curve the car completely died. The battery and check engine light came on. It started back up and I got to work. The next morning on the way to work it died again at the same spot on the off ramp. I had to have it towed and missed a day of work because of it. I brought it into the shop and mechanic said the alternator belt was loose and he fixed it. However its happened since numerous times when I turn the car off and try to start it again the car wont start at all for 20 minutes to a couple hours. Now recently it will shut off as I'm driving and steering wheel is very hard to turn. It is getting more and more frequent and is effecting work. …
Electrical system all 53 →
I was in a slow head on crash, to avoid hitting other cars person swerved into my lane. Didn't even set the airbags off. As soon as the accident occurred my brake & battery light came on. When I got the car back the lights were still lit, took it back & they blamed it on a belt. I had put a reconditioned alternator in 11 days before the accident, drove fine with a questionable battery. Now the power steering work occasionally & the alternator is not charging the battery. I just want my car to work like it did before the accident. But I must say this is the fourth alternator I have put in this vehicle, three rebuilt, but the third one was brand new, I am averaging an alternator every two years. Bought this car used in the same year it came out & it only had 16,000 miles. It now has approximately 90,000. I wish my problem was only frequently burn out lights. …
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.
2006 Kia Sorento engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Kia Sorento a good car?
Based on 242 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Sorento rates better than average: 72% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sorento at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Kia Sorento?
The engine & cooling — 85 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the lights (56) and electrical system (53).
How many recalls does the 2006 Kia Sorento have?
There is 1 recall for the 2006 Kia Sorento, the most recent from April 17, 2009 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Sorento?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2018 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2016, 2017, 2013 and 2014. See the full Kia Sorento years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Kia Sorento problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 82,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.