Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Kia Sorento owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
While stopped at a traffic light, the car was running fine. When the light turned green, I took my foot off the brake and all the lights on my dash illuminated and the car immediately shut off. I shift into park and restart the car with no problems as if nothing happened. No other issues occurred until today (3 weeks later). This time I started my car and was driving through a parking lot with no signs of a problem. After I stopped, to let a car out in front of me, I took my foot off the brake to proceed. Immediately as I stepped on the gas, the dash illuminated, the steering wheel locked, and the car shut off. I tried restarting it a few times, but it wouldn't budge at all. I shut off all electrical devices, such as headlights, radio, and hazard lights and tried starting it again. This time it started as if nothing was wrong. …
While driving my 2006 Kia Sorento on Wednesday December 17, 2014, a week before christmas, the crankshaft pulley bolt loosened up. Under tremendous pressure from the engine the steel pulley bent skewing all belted driving systems: power steering, electrical, electricity to engine, A/C, wipers, heating and defrosting systems, and etc causing me to lose complete control of car while turning corner at busy intersection; loosing steering, complete engine shutdown, panic, and putting me in 'harm's way'! My wife and I had specifically bought this SUV because we care and drive our 3 beautiful grandchildren to school/back and to all activities and so many other children (their friends) going to the same places and activities. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. While the contact's daughter was driving 70 MPH, she heard a loud bang and felt an impact underneath the vehicle. The driver noticed a piece of metal had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle independently pulled to the right and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the crank shaft pulley bolt failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. A dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not eligible for a free repair because the mileage was over 100,000. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while traveling 60 MPH, there was a sudden loss of power steering and the steering wheel locked with no warning. The vehicle was merged over to the side of the road and the contact was able to restart the vehicle which reset the computer. The contact stated that the vehicle was making an extremely loud abnormal noise when the failure occurred. The vehicle was parked at the contacts residence. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and indicated that a bolt fractured into the crank shaft. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop for further diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
I went to the bank in November of 2014. I shut my car off because its started to make a loud noise . I tried to start it when I was done and it would not start. I was able to get a jump to start it back up but it keep on dying. I was finally able to get it started enough to get it home . It died right before my house so we had to push it into the driveway. When I was driving it home the electrical kept cutting in and out and it was making a loud noise. Come to find out the crankshaft pulley bolt broke off into the engine.I only had the car for 8 months and paid $8700.00 for the car.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, there was an abnormal loud noise coming from the engine. In addition, the engine and the battery warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn and excessive force was reuqired in order to turn the vehicle. The contact noticed that a bolt fractured from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,575. Updated 4/15/15 updated 9/27/2017
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.
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, [phone]). 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.
Driving on highway when heard a pop and power steering went out and battery and brake light came on. Had it towed to auto repair shop to find out the crank shaft pulley bolt had broken off into the engine. Auto repair shop unable to get bolt out since it broke off into engine. Only way to repair was a new engine which was around $5000.
Steering complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Kia Sorento, 14% of the model year's 242 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2006 Kia Sorento steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2006 Kia Sorento, though it has 1 recall 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 Sorento steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering 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.