YearToAvoid

2006 Kia Sorento Engine Problems

NHTSA has 90 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2006 Kia Sorento, 37% of all 242 complaints for this model year. That is #11 highest engine complaint count among 21 Sorento model years. These complaints report 3 crashes and 3 fires. Median mileage at failure: 85,000 miles.

Engine complaints
90
37% of 242
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
85,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2006 Kia Sorento engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 21, 2006, latest Nov 12, 2020.

2006 Kia Sorento engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter62006 Q42011 Q22012 Q22013 Q32014 Q32015 Q32016 Q32018 Q1
90 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q4 to 2020 Q4; peak 2014 Q2 (6).

Engine recalls for the 2006 Kia Sorento

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Sorento model year

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

  1. 2005111 (36%)
  2. 200690 (37%)
  3. 200721 (14%)
  4. 200866 (30%)
  5. 20099 (16%)
  6. 20101 (33%)
  7. 2011359 (24%)
  8. 2012490 (56%)
  9. 2013521 (53%)
  10. 2014422 (43%)
  11. 2015377 (50%)
  12. 2016748 (60%)
  13. 2017414 (51%)
  14. 2018115 (45%)
  15. 2019176 (41%)
  16. 202069 (51%)
  17. 202174 (30%)
  18. 202263 (33%)
  19. 202341 (34%)
  20. 20246 (15%)
  21. 202524 (32%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Kia Sorento have engine problems?
NHTSA has 90 owner complaints about the engine in the 2006 Kia Sorento, 37% of all complaints for this model year, including 3 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 85,000 miles.
Which Kia Sorento year has the most engine complaints?
The 2016 Kia Sorento has the most engine complaints (748), compared with 90 for the 2006.
Is there a engine recall for the 2006 Kia Sorento?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Kia Sorento is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

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.