2006 Kia Sedona Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Kia Sedona has a Complaint Index of 94, ranking 2nd worst out of 17 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 385 complaints, 7 recalls, 13 crashes, 8 fires, and 18 injuries tied to this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 94/100
- #2 of 17 Sedona years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 385
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 18
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 18 / 0
Top 2006 Kia Sedona problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System104 (27%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires92 (24%)
- Airbags80 (21%)
- Structure & Body64 (17%)
- Brakes57 (15%)
- Engine51 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain24 (6%)
- Steering21 (5%)
- Other16 (4%)
- Fuel System11 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners describe unintended acceleration where the vehicle kept speeding up despite the brake pedal being pressed to the floor, sometimes with smoke coming from the brakes.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-speed and rear-end collisions, leaving occupants with head and glass injuries.
- One owner reported the vehicle shifted into gear on its own after using an aftermarket remote starter, causing it to move backward into a house.
- Reports describe sudden power loss and lurching under load, particularly when climbing hills, with the ESC light illuminated.
- One owner described the driver-side lower control arm severing while driving, making the vehicle uncontrollable.
- Owners also reported brake pedal pressure not stopping the vehicle at low speeds, with the vehicle continuing forward before an abrupt stop.
2006 Kia Sedona recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V088000Feb 14, 2020Brakes228,829 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.
- NHTSA 16V387000Jun 1, 2016Suspension, Wheels & Tires97,884 vehicles
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 and originally sold in, or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the front lower control arms on 2006-2007 models. 2008-2012 models will either have their front lower control arms replaced or additional anti-corrosion coating will be applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC133.
- NHTSA 16V389000Jun 1, 2016Structure & Body219,800 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through April 04, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Risk: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the secondary hood latch or clean and lubricate the latch, depending on the vehicle's location and the condition of the latch. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall number is SC134.
2006 Kia Sedona fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Sedona years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Kia Sedona reliable?
- Compared to other Sedona model years, 2006 ranks poorly. It has a Complaint Index of 94, the 2nd highest among 17 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Kia Sedona?
- NHTSA complaint data shows the top problem areas are the Electrical System (104 complaints, 27% share), Suspension, Wheels & Tires (92 complaints, 24% share), and Airbags (80 complaints, 21% share).
- Does the 2006 Kia Sedona have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2006 Sedona, covering brakes, suspension, structure/body, and electrical system issues, including a control arm corrosion recall and an ABS module moisture recall.
- What mileage do 2006 Sedona problems typically show up at?
- Across all complaints, the median mileage at failure is 83,500 miles, though this varies by system: Electrical System issues show a median of 92,000 miles and Structure & Body issues show 48,300 miles.
- How does the 2006 Sedona compare to other years?
- Only 2016 has a higher Complaint Index (100) among all 17 Sedona model years. Years like 2020 and 2021 rank as Best, with Complaint Indexes of 6 and 13.