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2006 Kia Sorento

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Kia Sorento do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 242.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

208 reports with mileage · 34 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports8 fire reports7 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2022
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 do…

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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. Do not have exact date but it happens every time I fuel.

NHTSA ODI #11490228

127,000 miles · Jun 14, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM VEHICLE AROUND THE FILLER NECK

NHTSA ODI #11328723

150,000 miles · May 8, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN I AM FILLING MY GAS TANK WITH GAS, THE GAS SPITS BACK OUT AT ME. THE ENGINE IS OFF WHEN I'M FILLING MY GAS TANK AND THE CAR IS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI #11092476

105,000 miles · Mar 2, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

CONSTANT STRONG RAW GAS ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE AND NEAR EXTERIOR REAR OF VEHICLE WHILE IGNITION OFF AND AFTER IGNITION ENGAGED. NO EXTERIOR LEAKS PRESENT. POOR GAS MILEAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10957985

61,000 miles · Feb 17, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

ON JANUARY 17, 2015, I RETRIEVED MY 2006 KIA SORENTO LX FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO HAVE THE WATER PUMP AND HEATER HOSES REPLACED. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT SINCE MY VEHICLE HAD CLOSE TO 60K MILES ON IT THAT ACCORDING THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE TIMING BELT BE REPLACED. IT COST ME A LITTLE OVER $1,200. TWO WEEKS LATER I WAS AT A ST…

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ON JANUARY 17, 2015, I RETRIEVED MY 2006 KIA SORENTO LX FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO HAVE THE WATER PUMP AND HEATER HOSES REPLACED. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT SINCE MY VEHICLE HAD CLOSE TO 60K MILES ON IT THAT ACCORDING THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE TIMING BELT BE REPLACED. IT COST ME A LITTLE OVER $1,200. TWO WEEKS LATER I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AS I PROCEEDED TO MAKE MY LEFT, FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE BOGGED, STALLED, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ALL CAME ON FOR AN INSTANT AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. I GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP AND ATTEMPTED TO RE-START MY CAR AND IT DID. NOTHING HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE AGAIN UNTIL A WEEK LATER AND IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. I TOOK IT THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT IT WAS CHEAP GAS. MY HUSBAND, ON SATURDAY 02/14/2015, MOVED THE VEHICLE TO THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE AND PARKED IT. AT 4 P.M. WE WENT TO LEAVE AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. I GOOGLED SOME INFORMATION AND HAD TO RE-SET THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH UNDER THE HOOD AND THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. LAST NIGHT, 02/16/2015, THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING AGAIN AND AGAIN WE HAD TO RE-SET THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH AND THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. TODAY, 02/17/2015, WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITIONING SENSORS AND THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR NEED TO BE REPLACED AND NOW THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME ANOTHER $1,100. I HAVE GONE ONLINE AND DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE. I ALSO NOTED THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN NJ FOR THE SAME THING. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT KIA MOTORS IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND JUST TURNING A BLIND EYE. THESE PROBLEMS CONTINUE AFTER REPAIRS ARE MADE ACCORDING TO THE COMPLAINTS I FOUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683904

120,000 miles · Jun 14, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering

I WAS DROPPING MY SON OFF AT DAYCARE. I ATTEMPTED TURN LEFT AND MY BATTERY, BRAKE, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY STEERING ALSO WENT OUT. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED BACK IT ON. CAR WAS FINE UNTIL I TRIED TO TURN, SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WALKED MY SON THE REST OF THE WAY TO DAYCARE. WHEN I RET…

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I WAS DROPPING MY SON OFF AT DAYCARE. I ATTEMPTED TURN LEFT AND MY BATTERY, BRAKE, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY STEERING ALSO WENT OUT. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED BACK IT ON. CAR WAS FINE UNTIL I TRIED TO TURN, SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WALKED MY SON THE REST OF THE WAY TO DAYCARE. WHEN I RETURNED I STARTED THE CAR AND HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND. I DROVE IT LESS THAN A MILE BACK HOME AND OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE WHERE THE SOUND WAS COMING FROM. NONE OF MY BELTS WERE MOVING AND CHECKED MY LIQUIDS AND TOPPED EVERYTHING OFF. STILL NOTHING THEN I NOTICED THE PULLEY WAS WOBBLING. WHILE REMOVING THE RADIATOR FAN TO GET A CLOSER LOOK I REALIZED THE PLASTIC NIPPLE THAT CONNECTS TO THE HOSE HAD BEEN COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED AND BROKEN OFF. I BOUGHT A NEW RADIATOR AND TIGHTENED THE PULLEY BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. NOW I'VE LEARNED THE THE CRANK PULLEY BOLT HAS BROKEN AND IS GOING TO COST ME 2000 SOME ODD DOLLARS TO FIX. AFTER READING THE KIA FORUM I SEE THAT HE RADIATOR AND BOLT IS MORE THAN A COMMON ISSUE FOR THE KIA. I'M ON PROBATION PERIOD AT MY JOB AND WILL MOST LIKELY LOSE MY JOB AND MY VEHICLE. I HOPE ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS SOMETHING BEING DONE TO RESOLVE IT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10598314

73,100 miles · Feb 10, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

2006 KIA SORENTO COMPLAINT: ENGINE , STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EXTERIOR LIGHTING ,THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR I AM CHANGING THE HEAD LIGHTS EVERY 4-5 MONTH AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO WARNING. AND JUST LAST WEEK 2/2/2014 THE ENGINE ST…

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2006 KIA SORENTO COMPLAINT: ENGINE , STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EXTERIOR LIGHTING ,THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR I AM CHANGING THE HEAD LIGHTS EVERY 4-5 MONTH AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO WARNING. AND JUST LAST WEEK 2/2/2014 THE ENGINE STOPPED AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND ALSO NO BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SIDE ROAD AND BARELY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED AND HAD TO REPLACE A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND A MASS AIR FLOW METER AND AIR FILTER AND THE HARMONIC BALANCER. THIS IS CRAZY THESE PROBLEMS AND REQUIRES EXTENSIVE AND EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO THE ENGINE. THIS INDICATES TO US A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN FLAW AND PROBABLE SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY KIA WORLDWIDE. IT'S DISTURBING WITH HOW MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I'M READING ON THIS SITE ABOUT THE SAME EXACT THING! IS THERE ANY HELP OUT THERE THIS IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ALL THESE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,100. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563656

72,900 miles · Aug 13, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,100.

NHTSA ODI #10470464

Official recalls

1

09V130000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 17, 2009

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.

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