Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2006 Kia Sorento, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine67
- Exterior lighting56
- Electrical system53
- Power train35
- Steering33
- Air bags19
- Engine and engine cooling19
- Service brakes16
- Suspension10
- Unknown or other9
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 14 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 31 2006 Sorento vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 18 people died inside them, and 7 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2006 Kia Sorento failed the safety check 2.99% of the time — 28% more often than the average 2006 passenger car (2.34%). Median odometer at inspection: 133,440 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2006 Kia Sorento cars on Dutch roads are the 3.5 petrol (143 kW, 192 hp), 2.4 petrol (102 kW, 137 hp) and 2.5 diesel (103 kW, 138 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5 petrol | 143 kW 192 hp | 82 |
| 2.4 petrol | 102 kW 137 hp | 54 |
| 2.5 diesel | 103 kW 138 hp | 21 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
168 first registered in 2006 are on Dutch roads; 4% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €36,345.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde77
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen74
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)52
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm49
- Band onvoldoende profiel45
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt41
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld39
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage25
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
914 cars built in 2006 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 779 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 2,300 of these cars first registered in 2006 took their annual MOT test. 51% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2006 the figure was 56%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2006 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 23.3% | 21.5% |
| Brakes | 21.9% | 13.1% |
| Suspension | 18.3% | 17.3% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 15.0% | 8.6% |
| Steering | 9.0% | 3.5% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 6.9% | 2.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
98 of these cars first registered in 2006 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 329,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
214 2006 cars are on the New Zealand register; 0% arrived as used imports, 97% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 14.9–15.7 L/100 km (about 15–16 mpg US), CO₂ 343–361 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 16.6 | 12.8 | 14.9 |
| Sorento 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 18.0 | 12.9 | 15.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2006 Kia Sorento.
| 2009140 14 May 2009 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the stop lamp switch may have been incorrectly installed during vehicle assembly. This could prevent proper brake lamp operation. Failure … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Kia told its dealers about the 2006 Kia Sorento: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10201529 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL |
| 10183431 | TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. Customers may experience issues with their head units that may be related to the use of aftermarket USB charging cables, including; * Electrical interference and limited or no functionality when attempting to play music, or when charging a device through the USB port * Excessive static or noise when listening to the audio source * Malfunctions and screen freeze of the head unit screen * Slow down of the sys |
| 10133170 | PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine. |
| 10109812 | TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only. |
| 10109777 | TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? |
| 10090606 | PITSTOP: UNUSUAL FUEL TRIM VALUES AND/OR MISFIRE CODES AFTER INCORRECT ENGINE REPAIR - THIS OUTLINES THE PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW IF AFTER AN ENGINE REPAIR YOU ENCOUNTER A COMPLAINT RELATING TO MIL ON (DTC P)#)X) WITH A MISFIRE DURING ACCELERATION AND/OR YOU FIND UNUSUAL FUEL TRIM VALUES OUTSIDE THE NORMAL PARAMETERS. |
| 10060226 | SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE. |
| 10037693 | KIA: THERE MAY BE ERRATIC SHIFTING, SHIFT SHOCK, AND A MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON WITH STORED TROUBLE CODES. THIS IS CAUSED BY A PROBLEM WITHIN THE TRANSFER MOTOR. *RM |
| 10037420 | KIA: FUEL TANK AIR FILTER REMINDER. THE AIR FILTER CAN ACCUMULATE DIRT OVER TIME AND NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED. *RM |
| 10034246 | KIA: INTERMITTENT MIL ON WITH NO FAULT CODE STORED; INFORMATION ABOUT DTC P1330. PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO CERTAIN VEHICLES. IN AFFECTED VEHICLES AN INTERMITTENT SHORT TO GROUND IN A CIRCUIT ONLY INTENDED FOR TESTING PURPOSES MAY CAUSE THE MIL TO ILLUMINATE AND A DTC P1330 (SPARK TIMING ADJUST) TO BE STORED. *PE |
| 10033464 | KIA: ECM UPGRADE WITH TP SENSOR REPLACEMENT-MIL ON WITH DTC P2135/P0638. INFORMATION RELATED TO ECM SOFTWARE AND TP SENSOR UPGRADE ON SOME VEHICLES WITH 2.7L ENGINES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) SYSTEM RELATED DTC P2135 OR P0638 OR P2A00 OR P2A03. *PE |
| 10028268 | KIA: HEAD LIGHT BULB LIFE CONCERN. THERE MAY BE CONCERNS OF SHORT HEADLAMP BULB LIFE IN VEHICLES. A NEW RESISTIVE WIRE HARNESS HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE LOW BEAM BULBS. *PE |
| 10026726 | KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE |
| 10021561 | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ADAPTIVE VALUE RESET/RELEARN. *KB |
| 10021446 | THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR W/ 3.5L ENGINES. *KB |
| 10020679 | TRANSMISSION SHIFT HESITATION. *KB |
| 10019926 | CRANKSHAFT BOLT TORQUE. *TT |
| 10019917 | POSSIBLE ABNORMAL VIBRATION/NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT TORQUE AT THE REAR DRIVESHAFT RETAINING BOLTS AT THE TRANSFER CASE. *TT |
| 10016851 | ENHANCED DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR FOR P0446/P2422. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation