Is the 2006 Kia Sorento a bad year?
242 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 85, 1.6× a quiet Sorento year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 64k–112k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Sorento 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 85,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 83 (34%) | 65k–112k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 56 (23%) | 30k–91k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 53 (22%) | 31k–98k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 35 (14%) | 45k–102k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 33 (14%) | 74k–120k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Brakes | 26 (11%) | 14k–100k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Air bags | 19 (8%) | 4k–98k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 12 (5%) | 59k–124k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 8 (3%) | 25k–124k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (3%) | 85k–138k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 10 (4%) | 94k–124k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Equipment | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 5 (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 85,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 242 complaints: 12 mention a crash · 8 mention a fire · 7 report an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Dec 2022.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The same thing has happened three times now. Driving down the road and all of a sudden the brake lights come on, check engine light comes on and now you have no power steering.
Fitting that connects hose to radiator snapped in half causing coolant to leak and engine to overheat.
I went to the bank in november of 2014. I shut my car off because its started to make a loud noise . I tried to start it when I was done and it would not start.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 85,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Kia Sorento: 1
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.
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: 10
Repair instructions Kia sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Kia Sorento. 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…
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…
Intermittent MIL on with no fault code stored; information about DTC P1330
ECM upgrade with tp sensor replacement-mil on with DTC P2135/P0638
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Neighbouring years
2005 Sorento: 307 complaints, consider selling · 2007 Sorento: 154 complaints, keep it.
Every Kia Sorento year
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Questions
Is the 2006 Kia Sorento a bad year?
242 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 85, 1.6× a quiet Sorento year. At 85,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 64k–112k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Kia Sorento?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (83), exterior lighting (56), electrical system (53), transmission and drivetrain (35), steering (33). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 64k–112k miles.
How many recalls does the 2006 Kia Sorento have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09V-130). 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.