Is the 2006 Kia Sedona a bad year?
385 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sedona years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2006 Kia Sedona are in line with other Sedona years. Suspension, electrical system and brakes stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Sedona owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 114,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 84 (22%) | 90k–147k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 79 (21%) | 59k–144k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 44 (11%) | 26k–143k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Stability control | 20 (5%) | 68k–159k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 80 (21%) | 60k–108k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 41 (11%) | 12k–111k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 33 (9%) | 31k–108k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Latches and locks | 31 (8%) | 25k–89k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Engine | 28 (7%) | 35k–102k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 24 (6%) | 18k–92k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 22 (6%) | 39k–90k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 21 (5%) | 33k–111k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 11 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 114,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 385 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 8 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 15 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in May 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My 2006 Kia Sedona minivan has an intermittent failure causing it not to start. All electrical works except the engine & starter.
Kia Sedona 2006 - engine stalled on highway, no response from the accelerator - the "Check engine" Light came on as well as the 'ESC off' light.
Our Sedona van intermittently looses all power. When this happens the rpm's drop to 1000RPM and nothing happens when you push down the accelerator pedal.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 114,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Kia Sedona: 7
Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short. An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use. A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion resulting from prolonged exposure to salty environments. A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Any of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, may lead to a crash.
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with adjustable brake pedals, the stop lamp switch wiring harness may be out of position. An improperly positioned stop lamp switch wiring harness could make contact with the u-joint assembly of the steering column. Chafed insulation could cause a short of the wiring harness resulting in the loss of brake lights, engine stalling, or an inability to start the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear caliper brake hoses may be out of position. An improperly positioned rear caliper brake hose may contact rear suspension components and over time breach the integrity of the hose. This would result in the loss of brake fluid, which could cause decreased brake function, leading to crash and personal injuries.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Kia: 24
Repair instructions Kia sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Kia Sedona. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable…
ECM upgrade with tp sensor replacement-mil on with DTC P2135/P0638
Front door glass run channel replacement
Front door glass run channel replacement (SA167)
Neighbouring years
2005 Sedona: 185 complaints, keep it · 2007 Sedona: 157 complaints, keep it.
Every Kia Sedona year
2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · All Sedona years side by side
Other Kia models: Kia Amanti · Kia Cadenza · Kia Carnival · Kia EV6 · Kia EV9 · Kia Forte · Kia K5 · Kia Niro · Kia Optima · Kia Optima Hybrid · Kia Rio · Kia Rondo · Kia Seltos · Kia Sephia · Kia Sorento · Kia Soul · Kia Spectra · Kia Sportage · Kia Stinger · Kia Telluride. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Kia Sedona a bad year?
385 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sedona years. At 114,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Kia Sedona?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: suspension (84), electrical system (79), brakes (44), stability control (20), air bags (80).
How many recalls does the 2006 Kia Sedona have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 20V-088), Latches and locks (NHTSA 16V-389), Suspension (NHTSA 16V-387), Suspension (NHTSA 13V-550) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.