The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle would move, but shortly afterwards the vehicle would lose motive power and stall. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle several times, the vehicle operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who replaced the fuel pump sensor. The sensor had been replaced three times; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
The worst 2006 Kia Sorento problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine85
- Lights56
- Electrical53
- Transmission35
- Steering33
- Brakes26
- Airbags19
- Fuel system12
- Suspension10
- Acceleration8
- Body7
- Seats5
- Driver assistance3
- Locks3
- Wheels3
- Seat belts2
- Tires2
- Visibility2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Kia Sorento
Headlights 48Power steering loss 31Check engine light 25Stalling 24Loss of power 22Engine failure 17Airbag light 12Fire or smoke 11Brake failure 10Steering lock-up 8Won't start 7Warning lights 6Grinding brakes 5Door locks 5Harsh shifting 5
Recalls 1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 09V130000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2006 Kia Sorento
Defect investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the federal safety agency 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 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. the federal safety agency'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 the federal safety agency'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, the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
DP21003
Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Kia Sorento 19
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Information for headlamp condensation and moisture
- Pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- TSB - use of aftermarket USB charging cables in USB/12V ports
- Pitstop: unusual fuel trim values and/or misfire codes after incorrect engine repair - this outlines the...
- Summary to be provided on a future date.
- Kia: there may be erratic shifting, shift shock, and a malfunction light on with stored trouble codes
- Kia: fuel tank air filter reminder
- Kia: intermittent MIL on with no fault code stored; information about DTC P1330
2006 Kia Sorento fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | RWD | 14-15 | 19-20 | 16 |
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 13-14 | 18 | 15-16 |
What 2006 Kia Sorento owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
When fueling I am unable to put the fuel hose in all the way and lock in place. I have to hold the fuel hose and pump very slowly. If I pump too fast the fuel will not go in tank. I was told it’s the ball in the fuel tank that is screwed up. I was also told there was a recall but I never received knowledge to that. It’s been doing this for a while. Do not have exact date but it happens every time I fuel.
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that he purchased the vehicle with the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger's side seat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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.
The contact owned a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, an unknown person alerted the contact that her vehicle had caught fire. The fire started in the engine compartment. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. Police and fire department reports were filed. The vehicle was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. The insurance company referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately over 100,000.
My vehicle was sitting for 4 hours and suddenly caught on fire…drivers side.
The contact owned a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 15 - 20 mph, the steering wheel seized and the brakes failed when depressed which caused the vehicle to fall over a 25 ft. cliff and flip 3 times after hitting the ground. All of the air bags failed to deploy. The contact saw that there was smoke coming from under the hood and exited the vehicle. The contact was taken to the hospital by a family member and the vehicle was towed to a tow yard. No police report was filed. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia sorento. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle suddenly began to violently shake and rattle before stalling. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer sterling kia located at 125 s. City parkway, lafayette la 70503 who diagnosed that the engine crank bolt and crank pulley had failed. The engine crank pulley pin and crank bolt were replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,000.
Rear end rusted to were it could of called a wreck this is unsafe and they should have kia recall these at once there are going thousands of reports of this this just about caused my wife to wreck it is the federal place to recall these at once
Smell of gasoline coming from vehicle around the filler neck
Compare the 2006 Kia Sorento
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Other model years
200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2006 Kia Sorento
Is the 2006 Kia Sorento reliable?
Owners have filed 242 complaints about the 2006 Kia Sorento, close to a typical Sorento model year.
What is the 2006 Kia Sorento year score?
The 2006 Kia Sorento scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Kia Sorento: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Kia Sorento?
Engine and cooling, with 85 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles. Next is lights (56).
How many recalls does the 2006 Kia Sorento have?
1 recall, covering exterior lighting.
What year does the Kia Sorento have bad engine?
The Kia Sorento model years with the most engine complaints are 2016 (722 complaints), 2013 (516 complaints) and 2012 (475 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2006 Kia Sorento get?
Official estimates for the 2006 Kia Sorento range from 15 to 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 14-15 city and 19-20 highway.
VIN decoder
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