YearToAvoid

2006 Kia Sorento Electrical System Problems

NHTSA has 88 owner complaints about electrical problems in the 2006 Kia Sorento, 36% of all 242 complaints for this model year. That is #8 highest electrical complaint count among 21 Sorento model years. These complaints report 1 crash and 2 fires. Median mileage at failure: 61,000 miles.

Electrical System complaints
88
36% of 242
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
61,000 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2006 Kia Sorento electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 21, 2006, latest Apr 26, 2022.

2006 Kia Sorento electrical system complaints: complaints filed per quarter72006 Q32010 Q12011 Q22013 Q22014 Q42016 Q12017 Q4
88 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q3 to 2022 Q2; peak 2011 Q1 (7).

Electrical System recalls for the 2006 Kia Sorento

  1. NHTSA 09V130000Apr 17, 2009Electrical System139,844 vehicles

    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 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.

    Risk: 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.

Electrical System complaints by Sorento model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200585 (28%)
  2. 200688 (36%)
  3. 200730 (19%)
  4. 200841 (19%)
  5. 200914 (25%)
  6. 20100 (0%)
  7. 2011312 (21%)
  8. 2012174 (20%)
  9. 2013158 (16%)
  10. 2014219 (22%)
  11. 2015138 (18%)
  12. 2016159 (13%)
  13. 2017190 (24%)
  14. 201857 (22%)
  15. 201984 (20%)
  16. 202022 (16%)
  17. 202148 (19%)
  18. 202232 (17%)
  19. 202337 (31%)
  20. 202413 (32%)
  21. 202521 (28%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Kia Sorento have electrical problems?
NHTSA has 88 owner complaints about the electrical in the 2006 Kia Sorento, 36% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 61,000 miles.
Which Kia Sorento year has the most electrical complaints?
The 2011 Kia Sorento has the most electrical complaints (312), compared with 88 for the 2006.
Is there a electrical recall for the 2006 Kia Sorento?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Kia Sorento concerns the electrical: 09V130000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.