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2006 Kia Sorento

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Kia Sorento do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 242.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

208 reports with mileage · 34 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports8 fire reports7 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

56 reports
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118,000 miles · Apr 26, 2022
Exterior Lighting

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 awaitin…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11462253

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2020
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS REPLACED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WAS REPLACED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V130000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) WHICH SHE LINKED WITH HER FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11299762

17,500 miles · Nov 10, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HEAD LIGHTS BLOW OUT EVERY COUPLE MONTHS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO AND IT HAPPENS AT ALL TIME DRIVING DAY AND NIGHT WHEN DRIVING AND PARKED

NHTSA ODI #11045249

120,000 miles · Oct 25, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP BACK IN 2013.IT HAD 53000 MILES ON IT I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO USE IT DUE TO WHEN THE ISSUES DEVELOPED. WITHIN THREE MONTHS I HAD TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE THEN DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHTS AND THE FRONT AND REAR TAIL LIGHTS. THIS HAS OCCURRE…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP BACK IN 2013.IT HAD 53000 MILES ON IT I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO USE IT DUE TO WHEN THE ISSUES DEVELOPED. WITHIN THREE MONTHS I HAD TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE THEN DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHTS AND THE FRONT AND REAR TAIL LIGHTS. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. I HAD TO DO THIS ABOUT ONCE A YEAR. I RECENTLY JUNE 2016 CHANGED THE PASSENGER SIDE BULB LOW BEAM AGAIN. NOW I HAVE NOTICED I HAVE NO TAG LIGHTS. I ORDERED REPLACEMENT BULBS FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEM INSTALLED AND THEY STILL DO NOT WORK. YET NO FUSES ARE BLOWN AND THERE IS NO SMELL OF BURNING WIRES OR MELTED WIRES ANYWHERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10918940

151,000 miles · May 23, 2016
EngineExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

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…

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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. KIA DEALERSHIPS REFUSE TO FIX IT AT COST EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS LIKE A BIG PROBLEM THAT MANY KIA CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH. OTHER MECHANICS SAY THEY DON'T EVEN WANT TO TOUCH THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE REVIEWS OF PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE INFORM ME AND ANYTHING I CAN DO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI #10870298

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingService Brakes

DEAR SIR; AT THIS TIME I'M REQUESTING THAT YOUR OFFICE SEND TO ONE A COMPLAINT FORM TO BE FILE AGAINST THE COMPANY CAR CORRAL 11 IN COLONIAL HEIGHT VA 23834 FOR RIGHTFULLY AND KNOWINGLY SELLING A USED CAR WITH THE DEFECTED EMERGENCY BRAKES, DRY ROTTEN TIRES, ROTORS SCORNED, DIMMED HEAD LIGHT CANNOT BE SEEN AHEAD OF DRI…

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DEAR SIR; AT THIS TIME I'M REQUESTING THAT YOUR OFFICE SEND TO ONE A COMPLAINT FORM TO BE FILE AGAINST THE COMPANY CAR CORRAL 11 IN COLONIAL HEIGHT VA 23834 FOR RIGHTFULLY AND KNOWINGLY SELLING A USED CAR WITH THE DEFECTED EMERGENCY BRAKES, DRY ROTTEN TIRES, ROTORS SCORNED, DIMMED HEAD LIGHT CANNOT BE SEEN AHEAD OF DRIVER, NEED ALIGNMENT OR THAT WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE CAR VIBRATE FROM SIDE TO SIDE, ODOROUS SMELL OF BURNING WIRES AND GAS, BELT LEADING TO AIR CONDITIONER IS CRACKED AND WORN OUT, REFUSED TO PRESENT ME WITH A CAR FAX AND WHEN SUBJECT REQUESTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB OF VIRGINIA, ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE OF VIRGINIA AND ESPECIALLY FILLING OUT THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY FORM, ALL MEMBERS OF THE SALES TEAM AND OWNER BECAME HIGHLY UPSET AND BLUNTLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ON OR AMOUNT 2/10/16 I SPOKE PERSONAL WITH THE OWNER ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH THE CAR AND HE DID SAY "I WILL WORK WITH YOU TO REPAIR OR FIX CERTAIN ITEMS ON THE CAR, BUT I'M NOT TRYING TO MAKE IT TO A NEW CAR." HE REFUSES TO FIX THE ITEMS FROM THE INSPECTION ON 2/6/16 FROM MERCHANTS TIRE AND AUTO CENTERS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE COMPANY WAS TRYING TO MAKE MONEY, I AGREE AND DISAGREE WITH THE COMMENTS OF THE OWNER. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED IN JANUARY 2016 BUT DID NOT FIND ANY ISSUES? WHAT I WANT DONE TO MY CAR: ANY AND ALL ITEMS FOUND TO BE DEEM A SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARD OR REFUND MY MONEY. EMERGENCY BRAKES CAN BE PULLED UP AT ANY TIME AS IF A CHILD'S TOY AND THE OWNER DIS APOLOGIZE BUT WHY SELL ME A SUV THAT WAS USED AS A MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING AND EXPORTING ITEMS FOR THE COMPANY? WHEN TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY THE SUV WILL VIBRATE FROM SIDE TO SIDE CAUSING DRIVER TO ENTER INTO ANOTHER DRIVING LANE AND NOT TO MENTION THE ODOROUS BURNING SMELLS FROM THE DASH BOARD CAUSING HEADACHES.

NHTSA ODI #10825667

30,000 miles · Dec 15, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE WAS CAUSING THE LOW BEAMS TO FAIL PREMATURELY. THE LOW BEAM BULBS WERE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE WAS CAUSING THE LOW BEAMS TO FAIL PREMATURELY. THE LOW BEAM BULBS WERE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10810219

17,000 miles · Oct 2, 2015
Exterior Lighting

SINCE PURCHASING MY SORENTO IN 2008 MY HUSBAND HAS HAD TO CHANGE HEADLIGHTS AND\OR BREAK LIGHTS AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH SOMETIMES MORE. ON TWO OCCASIONS I WAS DRIVING IN THE DARK WHEN I'VE LOST BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS. SO IN 7 YEARS WE HAVE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 84 HEADLIGHTS AND/OR BREAKLIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI #10779186

120,000 miles · Mar 24, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS OR TAIL LIGHTS ALMOST EVERY OTHER MONTH. I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. LATELY THE LIGHTS AND THE FAN WILL NOT SHUT OFF ON THE CAR. I HAD TO PULL OUT THE BATTERY JUST TO GET IT TO GO OFF. THE AC AND HEATER SWITCH BACK AND …

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SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS OR TAIL LIGHTS ALMOST EVERY OTHER MONTH. I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. LATELY THE LIGHTS AND THE FAN WILL NOT SHUT OFF ON THE CAR. I HAD TO PULL OUT THE BATTERY JUST TO GET IT TO GO OFF. THE AC AND HEATER SWITCH BACK AND FORTH CONSTANTLY. ONE DAY YOU CAN ONLY USE THE HEATER THEN THE NEXT WEEK YOU CAN ONLY USE THE AC. I HAVE REPLACE SWITCHES OVER AND OVER AND IT ONLY TEMPORARILY FIXES THESE PROBLEMS. GAS MILEAGE IS ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10701412

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2015
EngineExterior Lighting

FROM THE MOMENT I PURCHASED MY KIA SORENTO MY FAMILY HAS HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUE. FROM REPLACING LIGHT BULBS MONTHLY TO VALVE COVER LEAKAGE TO NOW A KNOCK UNDER THE HOOD. IT HAS 113,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND BUYING ANOTHER KIA TO ANYONE WITH ALL THE ISSUES WE HAVE HAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10690018

Official recalls

1

09V130000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 17, 2009

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 ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle

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. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.

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