2006 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 242 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 12 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 14 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 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.
ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 09V130000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
35 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, May 8, 2011
BOLT SHEARED CAUSING THE HARMONIC BALANCER TO FALL OFF CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. CLEARLY THIS VEHICLE CAN NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE IF BOLTS THAT HOLD THE ENGINE AND STEERING JUST SHEAR OFF. *TR
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 5, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO AND STATED THE PROPELLER SHAFT FOR THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE CONTINUED TO FAIL ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT AND ROAD TESTED THE VEHICLE. WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SHOP FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AN ADDITIONAL TWO TIMES WITHIN FOUR MONTHS. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE WARNING PANEL AND HE COULD SMELL BURNING OIL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT AGAIN. TO DATE, THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE, WHEN TURNING RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME VERY HARD AND A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO DATE TO CORRECT THE ACTUAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,348 AND THE CURRENT WAS 99,583. UPDATED 02/02/10 .*LJ THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR THE HEATER HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE FRONT DOOR'S LATCH WAS FAULTY IT WAS MAKING A BUZZING SOUND. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER SHAFT WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MAKE STRANGE NOISES. UPDATED 02/04/10
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Equipment, May 27, 2009
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.
Power train, May 22, 2009
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
Power train, Service brakes, Electric, May 15, 2008
REPLACED FRONT ROTORS,18,000,26,000 MILES. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT 30,000 MILES. BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. REPLACED REAR DRIVE SHAFT AND INSTALLED SHIELDED WIRE FROM TCM TO TRANSMISSION SENSOR. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, May 13, 2008
I HAVE BEEN THE OWNER OF 2 BRAND NEW KIA SORRENTOS, A 2004 AND A 2006. WITH BOTH VEHICLES I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES SHAKING (SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY) AFTER ONLY 6,000 TO 8,000 MILES. WHEN TAKEN TO BE LOOKED AT I WAS TOLD THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AT MY OWN COST BECAUSE "BRAKES ARE A WEAR ITEM". I HAVE A FRIEND WITH A 2005 SORRENTO THAT HAS DEALT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE SORRENTO LINE AND YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD TRY TO MAKE CUSTOMERS HAPPIER AND MAKE STRONG PARTS. *TR
Power train, Jan 22, 2008
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.
Power train, Apr 4, 2007
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
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Dec 18, 2006
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
Power train, Equipment, Oct 31, 2006
2006 KIA SORENTO EX 4WD, CLUNKING SOUND IN THE REAR END WHEN YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN START AGAIN. REAR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED IN AUG 2005, BUT THE CLUNK IN THE REAR END STILL REMAINS. AS OF OCT 2005 THERE IS ALSO AN INTERMITTENT SOUND IN THE REAR END THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE DIFFERENTIAL IS STICKING OR LOCKING INTO A POSITIVE TRACTION CAUSING ONE TIRE TO SOUND AND FEEL LIKE IT IS SLIDING ON GRAVEL. PREVIOUS OWNER REPORTED SAME PROBLEM "CLUNK" IN THE REAR END NUMEROUS TIMES AS WELL. POSSIBLY A DESIGN FLAW. *NM