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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

What owners actually said

242 reports
1,000 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Electrical System

WE INITIALLY PURCHASED A USED KIA SORENTO IN 2005. WE ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (LIGHTS CONTINUALLY BURNING OUT) SO WE DECIDED TO PURCHASE A NEW SORENTO SO WE WOULD HAVE THE BENEFIT OF THE FULL WARRANTY. SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE 2006 KIA SORENTO, WE HAVE REPLACED NEARLY EVERY LIGHT (HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR L…

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WE INITIALLY PURCHASED A USED KIA SORENTO IN 2005. WE ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (LIGHTS CONTINUALLY BURNING OUT) SO WE DECIDED TO PURCHASE A NEW SORENTO SO WE WOULD HAVE THE BENEFIT OF THE FULL WARRANTY. SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE 2006 KIA SORENTO, WE HAVE REPLACED NEARLY EVERY LIGHT (HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, BRAKELIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, FOG LAMPS, TURN LIGHTS AND LICENSE PLATE LAMP) NUMEROUS TIMES. THE ASSORTED REPLACEMENT LIGHTS WERE PURCHASED FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS, ENSURING THE ERROR WAS NOT WITH THE REPLACEMENT PARTS, BUT RATHER THE VEHICLE ITSELF. THE OLD LIGHTS WERE NOT RETAINED. OUR FULL WARRANTY IS NEARING EXPIRATION AND WE WOULD LIKE "SOME TYPE" OF ACTION TO OCCUR BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. WE FEEL THAT NOT ONLY IS THIS CONSTANT SOURCE OF IRRITATION AND A FINANCIAL BURDEN, BUT ALSO A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274618

9,000 miles · May 27, 2009
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILED TO WORK DURING A HEAT WAVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THIS TIME. IN ADDITION, THE CLUTCH FAILED. NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE INSTALLED AND THE CONTACT MUST DOWNSHIFT IN ORDER TO STOP TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILED TO WORK DURING A HEAT WAVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THIS TIME. IN ADDITION, THE CLUTCH FAILED. NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE INSTALLED AND THE CONTACT MUST DOWNSHIFT IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS AND TWO MECHANICS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ODI #10270039

20,000 miles · May 22, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS CLUTCH PEDAL DEPRESSES ITSELF AND STICKS TO THE FLOOR. THE FAILURE OCCURS MOSTLY WHEN DRIVING IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE A REMEDY AS TO WHY THE CLUTCH WAS STICKING. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS CLUTCH PEDAL DEPRESSES ITSELF AND STICKS TO THE FLOOR. THE FAILURE OCCURS MOSTLY WHEN DRIVING IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE A REMEDY AS TO WHY THE CLUTCH WAS STICKING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 06/27/09 *BF UPDATED 06/23/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10269689

6,000 miles · May 18, 2009
Service Brakes, Electric

LIKE CLOCKWORK, EVERY 6,000 - 8,000 MILES THE ROTORS WARP. KIA MACHINED THEM THE FIRST 2 TIMES, THEN AFTER THAT SAID IT IS MY DRIVING HABITS AND I HAD TO PAY. I HAVE OWNED 15 CARS IN MY LIFETIME AND NEVER HAD A SINGLE ONE WARP. IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WHEN STOPPING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE …

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LIKE CLOCKWORK, EVERY 6,000 - 8,000 MILES THE ROTORS WARP. KIA MACHINED THEM THE FIRST 2 TIMES, THEN AFTER THAT SAID IT IS MY DRIVING HABITS AND I HAD TO PAY. I HAVE OWNED 15 CARS IN MY LIFETIME AND NEVER HAD A SINGLE ONE WARP. IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WHEN STOPPING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE OUT OF TOWN DUE TO THE MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS THAT SURROUND WHERE I LIVE (PHOENIX, AZ). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269019

1,246 miles · May 15, 2009
Electrical SystemEquipmentLatches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD FLASH, THE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK, AND THE REAR HATCH WOULD OPEN AUTOMATICALLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEAD CELL IN THE BATTERY, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. A KIA REPRESENTATIVE STATED TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD FLASH, THE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK, AND THE REAR HATCH WOULD OPEN AUTOMATICALLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEAD CELL IN THE BATTERY, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. A KIA REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE GROUND WIRE COULD BE THE ISSUE; THEREFORE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE GROUND WIRING. THE REPAIR STOPPED THE LIGHTS FROM FLASHING; HOWEVER, THE HATCH STOPPED OPENING THE VERY SAME NIGHT OF THE REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE HEATER FAN ONLY WORKED ON HIGH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE FLASHING LIGHTS WILL DISTRACT OTHER DRIVERS AND LEAD TO A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,246.

NHTSA ODI #10268862

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2009
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2006 KIA SORENTO. I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE EXTERIOR FRONT AND BACK LIGHTS A LEAST 3-4 TIMES. THE INTERIOR LIGHT HAS BEEN CHANGE 1 TIME AND THE AC CONTROL PANEL GOES OFF AND ON. THE CAR HAS BEEN EVALUATED 2 TIMES WHILE THEY WERE CHANGING BULBS AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. I HAVE…

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I HAVE A 2006 KIA SORENTO. I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE EXTERIOR FRONT AND BACK LIGHTS A LEAST 3-4 TIMES. THE INTERIOR LIGHT HAS BEEN CHANGE 1 TIME AND THE AC CONTROL PANEL GOES OFF AND ON. THE CAR HAS BEEN EVALUATED 2 TIMES WHILE THEY WERE CHANGING BULBS AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. I HAVE SPOKEN TO ANOTHER SORENTO OWNER AND SHE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. KIA RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINT IS THEY BELIEVE IT IS BECAUSE THE BULB IS NOT THEIR BRAND. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES I HAD THEM REPLACED WITH THE BULBS AND THEY DID NOT LAST. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I BELIEVE THIS IS A RECALL PROBLEM AND I AM AFRAID OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN NEXT. IF YOU HAVE AN QUESTIONS YOU MAY CONTACT ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266773

28,000 miles · Apr 21, 2009
Exterior Lighting

2006 KIA SORENTO - THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT BECAUSE OF SOME KIND OF SHORT OR ENGINEERING FLAW. NORMAL REPAIR IS TO TAP THE LIGHTS AND THEY COME BACK ON, HOWEVER THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS WHEN THEY SHUT OFF CANNOT BE CONTROLLED AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE OTHER KIA OWNERS ONLINE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THING. MY H…

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2006 KIA SORENTO - THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT BECAUSE OF SOME KIND OF SHORT OR ENGINEERING FLAW. NORMAL REPAIR IS TO TAP THE LIGHTS AND THEY COME BACK ON, HOWEVER THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS WHEN THEY SHUT OFF CANNOT BE CONTROLLED AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE ARE OTHER KIA OWNERS ONLINE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THING. MY HEADLIGHT BULBS ARE NOT BURNED OUT, AND HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED A FELLOW KIA SORENTO OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM SHOWED ME HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266205

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2009
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE REPLACED ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN MY LOW BEAMS. IT HAS BEEN WELL OVER 10 TIMES AND IT HASN'T JUST BEEN ONE SIDE. ALSO, I HAVE REPLACED ALL OTHER EXTERIOR LIGHTS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE CAR NEW IN JAN. 2006. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NEVER CO…

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I HAVE REPLACED ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN MY LOW BEAMS. IT HAS BEEN WELL OVER 10 TIMES AND IT HASN'T JUST BEEN ONE SIDE. ALSO, I HAVE REPLACED ALL OTHER EXTERIOR LIGHTS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE CAR NEW IN JAN. 2006. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NEVER COULD FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I DON'T THINK THE LIGHTS SHOULD BE REPLACED NOT AT LEAST IN THE EXTENT I HAVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266031

49,500 miles · Feb 19, 2009
Exterior Lighting

REPLACED DRIVER AND PASSENGER HEADLIGHT ON JANUARY 3, 2009 WITH HI-PERFORMANCE SYLVANIA HEADLIGHTS AFTER INITIAL HEADLIGHTS BURNT OUT. THE NEW HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT ONE BY ONE ON FEBRUARY 16TH AND 18TH. HAVE ALSO REPLACED TAIL-LIGHT BULBS THREE TIMES. INTERIOR DOME LIGHT WORKS ON OCCASION AND POINTS TOWARDS A SHORT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259318

8,000 miles · Feb 17, 2009
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE REPLACED WELL OVER 10 HEADLIGHT BULBS IN MY KIA SORENTO. I'M A FANATIC ABOUT MAKING SURE MY CAR IS IN THE BEST OF ORDER. ONCE A BULB IS OUT IT IS REPLACED THE SAME DAY. AT FIRST I THOUGHT, "YEAH BULBS BURN OUT," BUT COME ON ALREADY. I HAVE EVERY RECEIPT SHOWING HOW MANY I HAVE BOUGHT AND REPLACED. WHAT GIVES? DOME LIGHTS,…

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I HAVE REPLACED WELL OVER 10 HEADLIGHT BULBS IN MY KIA SORENTO. I'M A FANATIC ABOUT MAKING SURE MY CAR IS IN THE BEST OF ORDER. ONCE A BULB IS OUT IT IS REPLACED THE SAME DAY. AT FIRST I THOUGHT, "YEAH BULBS BURN OUT," BUT COME ON ALREADY. I HAVE EVERY RECEIPT SHOWING HOW MANY I HAVE BOUGHT AND REPLACED. WHAT GIVES? DOME LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND SUCH HAVE BEEN REPLACED TOO HOWEVER THERE HAVE BEEN WAY MORE LOW-BEAM LIGHT BULBS REPLACED THEN I BELIEVE IS NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258895

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.

Go deeper into Kia Sorento problems