Model year
2006 Kia Sorento
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 242 complaints for the 2006 Kia Sorento (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (67), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (52), EXTERIOR LIGHTING (49). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,200–$4,450, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2003 305 complaints
- 2004 220 complaints
- 2005 307 complaints
- 2006 242 complaints
- 2007 154 complaints
- 2008 217 complaints
- 2009 55 complaints
- 2011 1,520 complaints
- 2012 880 complaints
- 2013 982 complaints
- 2014 988 complaints
- 2015 754 complaints
- 2016 1,258 complaints
- 2017 808 complaints
- 2018 255 complaints
- 2019 433 complaints
- 2020 138 complaints
- 2021 254 complaints
- 2022 193 complaints
- 2023 125 complaints
- 2024 43 complaints
- 2025 76 complaints
- 2026 6 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
09V130000 · Apr 17, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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…
Complaints
242 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 12, fire flag on 8, injury field 14, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP21003 | Throttle control system vulnerabilities · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE | Nov 12, 2021 | Jun 20, 2023 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento 2WD · 3.5L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 20 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Sorento 2WD · 3.5L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Sorento 4WD · 3.5L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Sorento 4WD · 3.5L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 18 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2006 Kia Sorento at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.