Kia · Sorento · 2006
2006 Kia Sorento
1
Recall
242
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 2006 Kia Sorento has 1 recall and 242 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: engine (37 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2006 Kia Sorento 4-DR. w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 1746
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
Source: NHTSA Public Records
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
- Complaints
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Recalls
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Safety ratings
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Investigations
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Manufacturer communications
- Separate successful check not recorded.
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Apr 28, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
Research Context
The 2006 Kia Sorento page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most frequent complete stored component label is engine with 37 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2006 Kia Sorento currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 242 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows no overall NHTSA safety rating in our current dataset.
- The most frequent complete stored component labels on this page are engine (37), exterior lighting (24), electrical system,exterior lighting (13).
- Vehicle
- 2006 Kia Sorento
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 242
- Stored Configuration Overall Rating
- Not available in this dataset
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Configuration Test Results
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2006 Kia Sorento 4-DR. w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 1746
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
No overall score is available in our current dataset. The individual results below are not a combined safety rating; compare vehicles within the same test program and model year.
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
No rollover risk estimate available in this dataset
Safety Features
ESC: NoForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 09V130000April 17, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
242 totalAIR BAGS
Aug 8, 2022
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 vehic...
Preview excerpt
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Apr 22, 2022
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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V130000 (Exterior Lighting) and associated the recall with the failure. The c...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FIREFeb 1, 2022
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 dep...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FIREJan 29, 2022
My vehicle was sitting for 4 hours and suddenly caught on fire…drivers side.
AIR BAGS
CRASHFIRE1 injuryJun 22, 2021
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...
Preview excerpt
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Oct 20, 2020
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 bu...
Preview excerpt
SUSPENSION
Sep 10, 2020
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
ENGINE
Sep 2, 2020
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 T...
Preview excerpt
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jun 10, 2020
SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM VEHICLE AROUND THE FILLER NECK
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Dec 1, 2019
RECENTLY PURCHASED 2006 KIA SORENTO..RECALL #SC077 THE BRAKE LIGHTS INTEROIR LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING I REPLACED ALL BULBS AND FUSES..PLEASE HELP
Showing 10 recent complaints from 242 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2006 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Kia Sorento Years
2007 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2006 for complaint and recall shifts.4r154c2005 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2006 for complaint and recall shifts.307c2008 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2006 for complaint and recall shifts.3r215c2004 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2006 for complaint and recall shifts.220c2009 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2006 for complaint and recall shifts.3r55c2003 Kia SorentoCompare this year against 2006 for complaint and recall shifts.1r305c
More 2006 Kia Models
2006 Kia SedonaAnother 2006 Kia option for same-year comparison.7r384c2006 Kia OptimaAnother 2006 Kia option for same-year comparison.2r155c2006 Kia SpectraAnother 2006 Kia option for same-year comparison.1r118c2006 Kia SportageAnother 2006 Kia option for same-year comparison.1r111c2006 Kia RioAnother 2006 Kia option for same-year comparison.1r73c2006 Kia AmantiAnother 2006 Kia option for same-year comparison.47c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2006 Kia Sorento have?
The 2006 Kia Sorento has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2006 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has received 242 owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Kia Sorento.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2006 Kia Sorento?
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 2006 Kia Sorento. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Kia Sorento?
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 2006 Kia Sorento are engine (37 reports), exterior lighting (24 reports), electrical system,exterior lighting (13 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Does the 2006 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2006 Kia Sorento. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.