Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2006 Kia Sorento: common problems and reliability
An average Sorento year.
242 owner complaints, most about engine. 1 recall.
Should I buy a 2006 Sorento?The 2006 Kia Sorento has 242 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are engine and exterior lighting.
Safety record for the 2006 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2006 Kia Sorento vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Sorento years only. How we score it
Is 2006 a good year for the Sorento?
Across the 24 Sorento model years we track, complaint volume runs from 3 (2010) to 1,517 (2011). With 242 complaints, the 2006 Sorento sits about the same as the model's median of 242.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2006 Sorento
exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Campaign 09V130000HUYNDAI-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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year, powertrain, and owner expectations. For newer models (2023-2026), feedback is often positive regarding value, interior comfort, ride quality, feature content, and hybrid fuel economy.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Sorento. See the full Sorento owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Sorento listings typically run $15,098–$28,908.
Other Sorento model years
Compare every Sorento year side by side to see how 2006 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Sorento against its rivals
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