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2006 Kia Sorento Recalls, Complaints & Specs

1 safety recall lists the 2006 Kia Sorento, and owners have filed 242 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

1
safety recall
242
owner complaints to NHTSA
12 / 8
complaints citing a crash / fire
15–16
MPG combined (EPA)

1 safety recall for the 2006 Kia Sorento

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 09V130000 Reported 139,844 vehicles potentially affected KIA MOTORS CORPORATION

    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…

    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.

242 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2006 Kia Sorento have filed 242 complaints with NHTSA; 12 describe a crash and 8 describe a fire. Reports cite 14 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 81,604 miles. Complaints peaked in 2014 with 43 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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 afte”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 8, 2022 · Fuel system, gasoline

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 20, 2022 · Fuel/propulsion system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2006 Kia Sorento (Sorento 2WD, Sorento 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined15–16 mpg
City / Highway13–15 / 18–20
FuelRegular
EPA classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engine6 cyl, 3.5 L
TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Kia Sorento model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Kia Sorento model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2003 Kia Sorento1305
2004 Kia Sorento0220
2005 Kia Sorento0307
2006 Kia Sorento1242
2007 Kia Sorento4154
2008 Kia Sorento3217
2009 Kia Sorento255
2010 Kia Sorento13
2011 Kia Sorento71,519
2012 Kia Sorento5880
2013 Kia Sorento5981
2014 Kia Sorento6988
2015 Kia Sorento3751
2016 Kia Sorento81,254
2017 Kia Sorento4804
2018 Kia Sorento3255
2019 Kia Sorento2428
2020 Kia Sorento1136
2021 Kia Sorento4250
2022 Kia Sorento6190
2023 Kia Sorento3122
2024 Kia Sorento242
2025 Kia Sorento375
2026 Kia Sorento25

Checking a specific 2006 Kia Sorento

How do I know if my 2006 Kia Sorento has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2006 Kia Sorento; your car may already have been repaired under it.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Kia dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 09V130000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Kia models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.