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
242 reports, newest first.
Power train, Aug 8, 2011
THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT SHEARED OFF ON MY 2006 KIA SORENTO AT 70,000 MILES. THIS CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE THE HARMONIC BALANCER WHICH CAUSED MY BELT TO FALL OFF ITS TRACK. KIA HAS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A RECALL ON OLDER MODELS FOR THIS EXACT SAME PART DUE TO A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THIS HAS ALSO CAUSED THE STEERING TO LOCK AND DRIVERS CAN LOOSE CONTROL. THEIR ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO THIS ISSUE ON THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLAINING TO KIA & THE BBB REGARDING THE REPAIR SINCE THEY DON'T FEEL RESPONSIBLE. THE REPAIR WOULD CONSIST OF A NEW ENGINE ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE OR EXPLAIN THE CAUSE. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THIS DEFECT BE INVESTIGATED SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE FOR SEVERAL KIA MODELS AND YEARS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 KIA SORENTO (N/A). WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Electrical system, Jul 28, 2011
I HAVE OWNED MY 2006 KIA SORENTO FOR 4 YEARS AND HAVE CONSTANTLY HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS. I WAS JUST AT THE DEALER LAST WEEK AND HAD TO HAVE A HEADLIGHT AND 2 OTHER EXTERIOR LIGHTS REPLACED. I HAVE MADE COMMENTS TO THE DEALER TO INQUIRE WHY THEY THINK THESE BULBS ARE CONSTANTLY BLOWING AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE. THIS MORNING, MY INTERIOR MAP AND DOME LIGHTS CAME ON ALL BY THEMSELVES AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF, NO MATTER WHAT BUTTONS I PRESSED. THEY DID NOT GO OFF WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LEFT. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR, IT SMELLED LIKE MAGIC MARKERS WHICH QUICKLY TURNED INTO A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL AS I PROCEEDED TO EXIT A MULTI-LEVEL PARKING STRUCTURE. I WAS TERRIFIED BY THIS!!. I GOT OUT OF THAT GARAGE, GOT OUT OF THAT CAR, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO WILL "LOOK AT IT TOMORROW". THIS INCIDENT HAS PROMPTED ME TO RESEARCH THE INTERNET FOR OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE, AND THERE ARE TONS FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. WILL YOU PLEASE DO SOMETHING??!! I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE THAT CAR ANYMORE - I HAVE LITTLE KIDS!! THIS IS NOT SAFE!!! WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE - A NUMBER UNDER "DEATHS"?! MY GUESS FROM THE OTHER CONSUMER COMMENTS I HAVE SEEN POSTED AND FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE WITH THE KIA DEALER ON OTHER ISSUES WITH MY CAR IS THAT THEY WILL FIND NOTHING WRONG. PLEASE HELP!!!!! *TR
Power train, Jul 10, 2011
IN APRIL 2010 THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT AND PIN SHEARED OFF. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING 70 ON THE HIGHWAY. TOWED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW IN JULY 2011 THE SAME THING HAD HAPPENED. THE PIN IS SHEARED ALLOWING THE PULLEY TO DROP THE BELT, RENDERING MY CAR INOPERABLE. KIA DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS STILL NOT COVERED BY KIA AND WILL COST ME AGAIN TO FIX IT. *TR
Seats, Jul 8, 2011, crash
I HYDROPLANED AND SWERVED ACROSS THE STREET IN THE ONCOMING LANE AND SPUN OUT AND WENT UP A DITCH AND HIT A TREE. I WAS EJECTED FROM THE CAR (I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT) AND MY SEAT BACK BROKE AND I WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE CAR THROUGH THE PASSENGER'S BACK SEAT DOOR - I BROKE THE DOOR WITH MY BACK GOING THROUGH IT. I FRACTURED A VERTEBRAE IN MY BACK AND HAD EXTENSIVE BRUISES EVERYWHERE AND A HAIRLINE FRACTURE IN MY LEFT ARM. I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SO SEVERELY HURT HAD MY SEAT NOT BROKE AND I WAS EJECTED. THE SIDE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT NOT THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I WAS TOLD I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN HURT AS SEVERELY HAD I NOT BEEN EJECTED. I MISSED ALMOST 3 WEEKS OF WORK AND NOW WEAR A BACK BRACE AND AM IN CONSTANT PAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 24, 2011
AUTO LOSING SPEED ON ACCELERATION AND CAR RUNNING POORLY, THEN QUIT COMPLETELY. HAD TOWED TO NEAREST SHOP FOR REPAIR. ALSO HAD TIMING BELT CHANGED AT THE SAME TIME, PER KIAS REQUIRED MAINTENANCE AT 60,000 MI. ON FEB. 18, 2011, REPAIRS WERE MADE: CRANKSHAFT BOLT WAS GONE AND COTTER PIN SHEERED OFF. THESE ITEMS WERE FIXED ALONG W/TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT.. JUNE 15, 2011, CAR LOSING SPEED ON ACCELERATION AND RUNNING VERY BADLY. I WAS ON HIGHWAY. I DID MAKE IT HOME. I HAD AAA COME AND TOW IT TO MY NORMAL REPAIR SHOP, THE DORSCH KIA DEALER. DORSCH OPENED HER UP AND SAID BOLTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED DOWN PROPERLY. MEANTIME, PERFORMANCE AUTO WERE I ORIGINALLY TOOK MY CAR SHOWED ME A BULLETIN ON MY MAKE AND MODEL THAT SHOWED ISSUES WITH THIS BOLT STRETCHING AND COMING OFF AND OR CRACKING OFF. FURTHER, THEY WILL NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS OR LABOR BECAUSE IT IS KIA'S ISSUE THEY SAID. NOW MY CAR IS AT KIA DEALERSHIP AND MY POCKETS ARE EMPTY. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 4, 2011
I PURCHASED A 2006 KIA SORENTO BACK IN FEBRUARY 2011. SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS. 3 TIMES. EVERY FAILURE OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE 64. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THEM CHANGED WHERE THEY HAVE NOT TOUCHED THE LAMPS AND HAVE COMPLETED A PROPER INSTALL. IT APPEARS THAT FOR A SECOND THE VEHICLE HAS NO POWER AND THE HEADLIGHTS FLASH OFF THEN ON. THE HEADLIGHTS GOING ON THEN BACK ON IS A REGULAR OCCURRENCE. THE LAST OCCURRENCE YESTERDAY 6/3/2011 HAPPENED ABOUT 2 AM WHILE DRIVING THROUGH DANIEL BOONE NATIONAL FOREST AND MADE THE VEHICLE UN-DRIVABLE UNTIL DAYTIME HOURS WHEN IT COULD BE SAFELY DRIVEN TO A SHOP FOR THE HEADLIGHTS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND LEFT MY FAMILY STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNABLE TO SEE TO DRIVE HOME FOR APPROXIMATELY SOME 45 MILES FROM OUR HOME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 2, 2011
FITTING THAT CONNECTS HOSE TO RADIATOR SNAPPED IN HALF CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK AND ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. INFORMED BY REPAIR SHOP THAT THIS CAN BE TEMPORARILY FIXED BY INSTALLING A BRASS FITTING USING EPOXY BUT THAT THE ONLY PERMANENT REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RADIATOR. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 26, 2011
HAD THE CAR 2 YEARS AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT BULBS 3 TIMES. REPLACED WITHIN LAST 5 MONTHS AND NOW ARE OUT AGAIN. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 25, 2011
HEADLIGHTS (LOW BEAM), TAIL LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT EVERY TWO TO THREE MONTHS CONSISTENTLY. ALWAYS HAVE TO REPLACE WHICH IS NOT ONLY EXPENSIVE BUT A DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. CAR IS A 2006 KIA SORENTO EX. *TR
Exterior lighting, Interior lighting, May 19, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTS NEED TO BE REPLACED OFTEN, ALSO DOME LIGHT INSIDE VEHICLE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Interior lighting, May 16, 2011
WHEN I TURN ON MY HEADLIGHTS, MY INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE OUT THE FUSE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH MY INTERIOR LIGHTS STAYING ON. IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND I CANNOT SEEM TO GET IT RESOLVED. *TR
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
Engine and engine cooling, May 4, 2011
CRANKSHAFT TORQUE BOLT SHEARED OFF CAUSING THE BRAKING AND STEERING TO BECOME STIFF RESULTING IN GREATLY DIMINISHED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE PULLEY ASSEMBLY BEGAN TO SQUEAL RESULTING IN PARKING THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS TIME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE OF THE CONCERN. ENROUTE TO THE DEALERSHIP THE BRAKE AND ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AND BRAKING BECAME SLUGGISH AND STEERING APPEARED TO BE STIFF. WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I OPENED THE HOOD SEEING THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD COME OFF. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME THAT THE CRANKSHAFT TORQUE BOLT HAD SHEARED OFF AND THEY WERE CALLING KIA TO DETERMINE A FIX FOR REPLACING THE BOLT OR IF THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACED. AFTER SOME BRIEF RESEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL KIA MODELS AND MODEL YEARS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Visibility, Apr 20, 2011
HEADLIGHTS BLOWING ALL THE TIME. ALSO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE LOST THERE PARK POSITION AND WHEN THEY ARE TURNED OFF THEY STOP IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS LINE OF SIGHT AND MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND YOU WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR AS MINE AND THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Interior lighting, Apr 8, 2011
I HAVE A 2006 KIA SORENTO. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY TWICE (SO INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL IT HAS GONE THROUGH 3 BATTERIES SINCE 06), I HAVE HAD (AND CONTINUE) TO REPLACE THE BULBS IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. THE DOME LIGHT HAS CEASED TO WORK AS WELL. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM BUT KIA IS NOT INTERESTED IN DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS LAST TIME, I DROVE TO MY DESTINATION AND ALL WAS WELL, THEN WHEN I CAME OUT TO DRIVE HOME..POOF, THE DRIVER LOW BEAM WAS OUT. ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 18, 2011
ELECTRICAL ISSUES. DOME LIGHT WILL NOT WORK, HEADLIGHT CONTINUE TO BLOW OUT, SOMETHING IS WRONG ELECTRICALLY. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Structure, Seats, Mar 6, 2011
2006 KIA SORENTO. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2006. I HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, TURN LIGHTS, ECT. MY DOME LIGHT IS NOW BROKEN AND WONT TURN ON WHEN I OPEN THE DOORS. MOST IMPORTANTLY THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT MOTOR HAS NOW WENT OUT. AFTER CALLING THE DEALERSHIP THEY ADVISED ME THAT ITS ABOUT $1,300.00 TO FIX!!!!!!! MY 4-WHEEL DRIVE GOES IN O.K. BUT I HAVE TO PLAY WITH IT TO GET IT OUT. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER HAD WATER DAMAGE OR BEEN RODE HARD. YET STILL PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM!!!!!!! *TR
Exterior lighting, Mar 4, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS OVERHEATED AND FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BULBS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY THREE TO SIX MONTHS. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ
Exterior lighting, Jan 24, 2011
OUR 2006 KIA SORENTO BURNS OUT ALL LIGHTS ON THIS CAR. I HAVE CHANGE THE HEADLIGHTS AT LEAST 10 TIMES THIS YEAR ALONE. WE KEEP EXTRA BRAKELIGHTS IN THE CAR BECAUSE THEY GO OUT AT LEAST EVERY 3 WEEKS. I WILL BURN THIS CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET! SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. I HAVE SEEN OVER 1000 COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME MODEL FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 24, 2011
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT BULBS 5 TIMES AND TAIL LIGHT BULBS 4 TIMES. THE 2006 KIA SORENTO WAS PURCHASED NEW. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IS EVIDENT. I DO A GREAT DEAL OF DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS NOT BEING DEPENDABLE. NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT GETTING PULLED OVER BY LAW OFFICERS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 12, 2011
I REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS AT LEAST EVERY 3-6 MONTHS, I'VE EVEN REPLACE PARKING LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS. I BOUGHT MY 2006 KIA BRAND NEW AND EVERY YEAR SINCE, ITS THE SAME THING... KIA REALLY NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS, AS THESE SORENTOS CAN RUN FOREVER BUT IF WE CAN'T SEE WHERE WE ARE GOING, THAT'S A PROBLEM. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 10, 2011
I HAVE REPLACED BOTH FRONT HEADLAMPS AND REAR BRAKE LAMPS. THE REAR LAMPS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THERE IS DEFINATELY A DEFECT, AS LAMPS SHOULD LAST MORE THAN A FEW THOUSAND MILES. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 15, 2010
I HAVE HAD TO HAVE EXTENSIVE WORK ON MY BRAKES EVERY 8000 MILES. I CAN SET MY ODOMETER BY THIS IT IS SO RELIABLE. WHEN I BOUGHT MY SORENTO IN 2006 WITHIN THE FIRST 8000 MILES THE BRAKES WENT OUT. THE DEALERSHIP AGREED TO CHANGE THE ROTORS FOR ME. IN 8000 MILES THE SHOES, ROTORS EVERYTHING WAS BAD AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT. I WENT TO THEM AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE AN EXORBITANT PRICE SO I WENT TO MY USUAL CAR REPAIR SHOP. THEY CHANGED THE BRAKES AND AS USUAL WITHIN 8000 MILES AGAIN THE BRAKES. I WENT BACK TO MY CAR REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THIS TIME IT WAS THE BACK BRAKES (THE FIRST TIME THE FRONT). THEY REPAIRED THEM AND ASSURED ME THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN BEFORE ABOUT 30K MILES. NOW AFTER 8000 MILES MY BRAKES ARE AGAIN BAD. I HAVE NOW REPAIRED MY BRAKES, INCLUDING NEW ROTORS AND CYLINDERS AT 8000, 16,000, 23,000, 27,000 AND NOW AGAIN AT 36,000. MY MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS THE WORST HE'S EVER SEEN, A VEHICLE WITH NO BRAKES IS A DEADLY WEAPON, EVEN IF UNINTENDED. KIA FEELS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS. I HAVE COMPLAINED REPEATEDLY TO KIA, THEY DO NOTHING. THEIR CONSUMER PORTION OF KIA IS A JOKE. THEY ALWAYS SAY ITS THE CONSUMERS FAULT. MY CAR IS 3 YEARS, AND ALMOST 4 YEARS OLD AND I ONLY HAVE 29K MILES ON IT SO I AM NOT A ROUGH DRIVER, NOT A LONG DISTANCE DRIVER AND AM A 50 YEAR OLD WOMAN SO ITS NOT LIKE IM OUT HOTRODDING. PLEASE HOLD THIS COMPANY UP TO US STANDARDS. FROM NOW ON I WILL ONLY BUY AMERICAN MADE VEHICLES AS I FEEL THIS COMPANY HAS NO REGARD FOR RULES SET BY MY GOVERNMENT, THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED THAT SOMEONE MAY DIE, THEY DON'T CARE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 16, 2010
HAVE REPLACED HEADLIGHT BULBS 6 TIMES, REPLACED BRAKE LIGHTS 3 TIMES, THE DOME LIGHT HAD COMPLICATIONS WITH COMING ON WHEN OPENING DOORS, LICENSE PLATE LITE IS OUT AS WE SPEAK, ALSO THE LOCK ON REAR LEFT MAKES A STRANGE BUZZING NOISE WHEN YOU ENGAGE LOCKS, CAR HAS A LOT OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES GOING ON. *TR