2006 Kia Sorento problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (38) · Exterior Lighting (35) · Steering (30)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Sorento model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
208 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (19)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2021-09-13 · TSB_BOD055_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 tha
Engine And Engine Cooling 2018-03-02 · PS539 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Equipment:mechanical 2017-01-18 · TSB-GEN085R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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, washe
Latches/Locks/Linkages 2016-11-04 · TSB-GEN085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2016-04-04 · PS443 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 cab
Engine 2013-01-17 · PS233 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 norm
Showing the 6 most recent of 19 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-12-08 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 122,000 mi“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 need…”
2022-10-20 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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…”
2022-08-08 · Air Bags · 98,000 mi“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 failur…”
2022-04-26 · Exterior Lighting · 118,000 mi“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 contact contacted an unknown dealer and was awaiting a call back. the m…”
2022-02-09 · Unknown Or Other · 100,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 …”
2022-01-31 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“my vehicle was sitting for 4 hours and suddenly caught on fire…drivers side. …”
2021-06-24 · Air Bags · 162,000 mi · 💥 crash · 🔥 fire“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 ho…”
2020-11-12 · Engine · 39,000 mi“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 pul…”
2020-09-11 · Suspension · 141,719 mi“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…”
2020-06-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 127,000 mi“smell of gasoline coming from vehicle around the filler neck…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.