NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
242 reports45,923 miles · Jan 22, 2008
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN STOPPED MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FOUR TIMES FOR THIS SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR ON THE CLUTCH. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CLUTCH WEARS ON ONE SIDE AND OCCURS E…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN STOPPED MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FOUR TIMES FOR THIS SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR ON THE CLUTCH. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CLUTCH WEARS ON ONE SIDE AND OCCURS EVERY 14,000 TO 15,000 MILES. THE COMPANY NO LONGER MADE THE 5 SPEED FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,923.
NHTSA ODI #10215687
31,500 miles · Aug 30, 2007
Exterior Lighting
BOTH HEADLIGHTS (LOW BEAM) WERE OUT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD TO PAY $98.15 TO GET THEM REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE WARRANTY IS GOOD FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. A COUPLE OF MONTHS BACK I ALSO HAD BOTH TAIL LIGHTS GO OUT AND HAD TO PAY FOR THEM AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI #10201251
1,200 miles · Apr 4, 2007
Power Train
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE ODOMETER READING OF 1,200 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT CAME OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO SCREWS AND A SPRING POPPED OFF, AND NOW THE ONLY WAY THAT SHE CAN SHIFT GEARSWAS BY PUSHING DOWN ON THE METAL BAR …
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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE ODOMETER READING OF 1,200 MILES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT CAME OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO SCREWS AND A SPRING POPPED OFF, AND NOW THE ONLY WAY THAT SHE CAN SHIFT GEARSWAS BY PUSHING DOWN ON THE METAL BAR THAT STUCK OUT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10187028
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2007
Exterior Lighting
MY SISTER-IN-LAW OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO AND BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS ARE OUT AND DO NOT FUNCTION, ONLY THE 3RD MIDDLE LIGHT WORKS. I HAVE SINCE PERSONALLY OBSERVED 4 KIA SORENTOS IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA ON THE ROAD WITH THE LEFT, RIGHT OR BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAVE ALSO OBSERVED 3 KIA SORENTOS IN THE SF BAY AR…
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MY SISTER-IN-LAW OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO AND BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS ARE OUT AND DO NOT FUNCTION, ONLY THE 3RD MIDDLE LIGHT WORKS. I HAVE SINCE PERSONALLY OBSERVED 4 KIA SORENTOS IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA ON THE ROAD WITH THE LEFT, RIGHT OR BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAVE ALSO OBSERVED 3 KIA SORENTOS IN THE SF BAY AREA WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. OTHER KIA PRODUCTS MAY ALSO HAVE THIS ISSUE BUT IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM/CONCERN WITH THE SORENTO. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY. YOUR ACTION TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER IS NEEDED FOR A LONG TERM SOLUTION AND/OR RECALL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10186614
500 miles · Feb 15, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2006 KIA SORENTO LX WAS IN A CRASH ON 02/12/07 WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, AN D MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO A SIDE STREET WITH THE STREET CONDITION CLEAR IN THE EVENING HOURS ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED …
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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2006 KIA SORENTO LX WAS IN A CRASH ON 02/12/07 WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, AN D MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO A SIDE STREET WITH THE STREET CONDITION CLEAR IN THE EVENING HOURS ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE AIRBAG MANUFACTURING. HE FELT THAT AIRBAGS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE DESIGNED TO DEPLOY UNDER THESE TYPES OF CONDITIONS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10182615
8,000 miles · Jan 29, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAND NEW 2006 KIA SORENTO - BRAKES STARTED SHAKING AFTER ABOUT 2,000 MILES. AT 8,000 MILES THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH AND ENTERING A TURN LANE. THE LIGHT AHEAD WAS ABOUT TO TURN RED. AS I BRAKED, IT SOUNDED LIKE THE WHEELS WERE SPINNING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WAS A HEAVY CLANKING NOISE…
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BRAND NEW 2006 KIA SORENTO - BRAKES STARTED SHAKING AFTER ABOUT 2,000 MILES. AT 8,000 MILES THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH AND ENTERING A TURN LANE. THE LIGHT AHEAD WAS ABOUT TO TURN RED. AS I BRAKED, IT SOUNDED LIKE THE WHEELS WERE SPINNING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WAS A HEAVY CLANKING NOISE AND THEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED (WHILE I WAS HALFWAY INTO THE INTERSECTION.) WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I GENTLY APPLIED THE GAS AND THE TIRES SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE SPINNING AGAIN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FOR ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CALLED ME 3 HOURS LATER AND SAID THE CAR WAS FIXED. THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS AND DID NOT HAVE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE TILES SPUN WHEN I APPLIED THE GAS AT THE STOP LIGHT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10181040
11,894 miles · Jan 9, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
2006 SORENTO WAS PURCHASED IN NOV 2005. JAN OF 2006 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO POSSIBLE LOOSE GAS CAP. FIRST TIME TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT WAS IN JULY OF 2006. RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT WAS REPLACED. IN OCTOBER OF 2006 A TAIL LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED DURING MY 15,000 MILE MAINTENANCE. IN NOVEMBER 2006…
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2006 SORENTO WAS PURCHASED IN NOV 2005. JAN OF 2006 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO POSSIBLE LOOSE GAS CAP. FIRST TIME TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT WAS IN JULY OF 2006. RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT WAS REPLACED. IN OCTOBER OF 2006 A TAIL LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED DURING MY 15,000 MILE MAINTENANCE. IN NOVEMBER 2006 RIGHT TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT AND KIA REPLACED BULB ONCE AGAIN. IN DECEMBER OF 2006 LEFT TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BULB WAS REPLACED AND I WAS TOLD MY SPARK PLUGS WERE MISFIRING AND WERE REPLACED. A DAY LATER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I AM NOW TRYING TO SEE WHAT DAY I CAN TAKE OFF OF WORK YET AGAIN TO GO AND HAVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LOOKED AT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10178154
23,501 miles · Dec 18, 2006
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
WE HAVE A 2006 KIA THE SUV TYPE AND THE PROBLE IS THAT WHEN WE FILLED THE GAS TANK THE GASA GAUGE WOULD WOULD GO TO EMPTY IN 32 MILES AND AL SO THE SHIFTER HANDEL POPED OUT THE HOLDER
NHTSA ODI #10176507
8,000 miles · Nov 24, 2006
Equipment
WHEN THE A/C TURNS ON, A BELT SLIPS NOTICEABLY AND THE POWER DIPS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10174204
19,000 miles · Nov 21, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL *NM
NHTSA ODI #10173998
NHTSA investigations
1DP21003 · 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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