2006 Kia Sorento problems
The 2006 Kia Sorento has 382 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (22%) concerns engine. After that come lighting (15%) and electrical system (14%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 382 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 22% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 18 and 8
- Injuries and deaths
- 14 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 84,000 miles 328 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 36 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 30 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 37 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 51 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 71 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 38 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 22 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 17 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 18 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 6 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Among the 328 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 84,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 85,000 miles (81 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 18 complaints mention a crash; 8 complaints mention a fire; 14 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2006 ranks 17th most-complained-about out of 22 model years of the Kia Sorento with enough data (152 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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 hood and exited the vehicle. The contact was taken to the hospital by a family member and the vehicle was towed to a tow yard. No police report was filed.
Tl*- the contact stated that the 2006 kia sorento LX was in a crash on 02/12/07 while driving 30-35 MPH, an d making a left hand turn onto a side street with the street condition clear in the evening hours another vehicle hit the passenger's side door of the contact's vehicle and the airbag didn't deploy. The contact stated that there was a defect in the airbag manufacturing. He felt that airbags were supposed to be designed to deploy under these types of conditions.
Was involved in head on collision with other vehicle riving at approximately same speed. Had a passenger in vehicle. Neither driver or passenger airbag deployed. Although injuries were minimal this is very concerning, especially as I just purchased another kia vehicle.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 kia sorento. The front window continued to develop frost in the passenger compartment. The contact noticed stress fractures on the windshield from within the vehicle. While making a right turn at 5 MPH, the contact noticed additional cracks in the window. The contact is unable to see out of the front window due to the damage. The insurance company will authorize that the window be replaced. The dealer diagnosed the failure twice and charged the contact $50 per visit.
At 60,000 miles took my 2006 sorento in for manufacturer's recommended service - change timing belt and new plugs, etc., never had a problem before then. Got the SUV back from mechanic and the following day, the belts came off, lost power, overheated. Crank shaft bolt came loose. Now at 82,290 miles, bolt broke, harmonic balancer came loose and chewed up the end of the crankshaft. $3200 fix. SUV has been in shop for 5 weeks and will remain there for at least 5 more until I can get the money to fix it.