This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Since purchasing my Sorento in 2006 I have replaced all 3 of my head, fog, and brakes lights more than a dozen times. Also the overhead console that displays the temperature, compass, etc has never report accurate reading. There were time in the winter when the temperature outside were 20 degrees however it would display that it was 50 degrees. Then they are times when the passengers seatbelt light stays on even when they is someone seating in it. I have attempted to contact Kia about the above concerns only to have heard back from anyone.
This 2006 Kia Sorento was purchased new (only owner) and has had numerous problems with the interior and exterior electrical system as follows: 1. the power control to both side mirrors no longer functions. 2. the electric door locks will suddenly lock on their own just by opening and closing a door. 3. the front and rear window washers no longer work (safety hazard); dealer wants to charge over $500 to fix without even saying what is exactly wrong. 4. brake lights and headlights burn out or short out far too often, creating severe safety hazards. I have never had to replace lights on a vehicle so often, and I have owned at least 12 different vehicles in my life. 5. seat belt straps no longer retract properly and places a lot of tension on your lap/waist when used. There have been thousands of complaints on this very same model for the same reasons. The federal government should better protect its citizens from poor quality and dangerous flaws in such vehicles. There should have been a forced recall for the entire electrical system on this model. I am filing formal complaint with the U.S. congress as well. There should be a federal investigation of Kia/Hyundai because I have seen hundreds of the same issues and complaints on their car models as well, including both Kia and Hyundai models which are by the same manufacturer. This is totally ridiculous that you do nothing about this, yet it is costing taxpayers thousands of dollars and even risking their lives.
2006 Sorento ex was bought in 2009, with 56,000 miles. Currently has 103,000 miles and is a constant electrical battle. Have replaced numerous headlights and tail lights. The interior dome light only works when manually switched "on, " and the "A/C" setting control dial only lights up after you fiddle with it. The driver's seat motor has partially died so that the seat reclines back but will not go straight up again. The front two window motors seem to be on their last legs. The front passenger door lock actuator mechanism died last year and would make an awful, loud buzzing sound whenever the door lock button would be pressed. The interior dash lights are starting to intermittently go out. It's quite scary to be driving along at night and everything on the panel goes black. Have replaced battery once since buying it when it died with absolutely no warning.
Headlights both sides will go out on regular basis without warning -dash lights go out on regular basis-A/C unit will short out causing burn smell -window switches and tail lights will stop working on regular basis I have found many complaints about these problems.
My 2006 Kia Sorento has 96000 miles on it and it seems that the head light or electrical system has a short in it. The head light will go off but you if you tap the head light assembly it will come back on as if there is a short in the electrical system. Also, the dome light will come on if you turn it to the on position but if you put it on the door position it does not come on when the door is open. Again that would be a failure in the electrical system. The Kia will not start after replacing a headlight bulb. I know that sounds like they are not related but the head light went out so I replaced it and then I wouldn't start right after changing the light.
- Quitman, AR, USA
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I have had to replace at least a head light and/or tail light about once every three months since I bought my vehicle. It seems like there is a short somewhere but none to be found; please help!
All my lights both internal & external are burning out every few months. And I've had to replace my battery times also. My headlights are replaced every 4-5 months now, first starting out every year has now dropped to months. The battery lasts from 10-13 months before having to be replaced. Now parking & brake lights are burning out at a rate of about every 6 months. Called my local Kia service rep and he says my dash and console would have to be ripped out to repair, and of course it is no longer covered under warranty.also my interior lights on dash, console and inside on the header no longer work. Have checked all fuses and can find nothing unusual.
The head and tail lights have to be replaced on a regular basis. I have replaced all 4 lights at least 6 - 10 times each, since buying the 2006 Sorento brand new. And it is my understanding from numerous others that this is a norm with this make and model car. You can replace one light and it will be okay for awhile, but then another one will go out, I have asked the mechanic if this is normal, seeing I have not replaced the lights in my 1996 Chevy a fraction of the times I have the Sorento. The replay was, no this is not normal that their must be an electrical problem somewhere in the system. I also have problems with the cruise control feature. It will not resume, or accelerate. The other two buttons work as designed.
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the headlights would flicker and he constantly had to replace the light bulbs. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who did not provide an actual diagnosis as to what was causing the failure and advised the contact to only use the light bulbs sold by the manufacturer, not aftermarket products. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 110,000.
I purchased a 2006 Kia Sorento back in February 2011. Since I have purchased the vehicle I have replaced the headlights. 3 times. Every failure occurred on interstate 64. I have taken the vehicle to have them changed where they have not touched the lamps and have completed a proper install. It appears that for a second the vehicle has no power and the headlights flash off then on. The headlights going on then back on is a regular occurrence. The last occurrence yesterday 6/3/2011 happened about 2 am while driving through daniel boone national forest and made the vehicle un-drivable until daytime hours when it could be safely driven to a shop for the headlights to be replaced again and left my family stranded on the side of the road unable to see to drive home for approximately some 45 miles from our home.
Headlights (low beam), tail lights keep burning out every two to three months consistently. Always have to replace which is not only expensive but a danger to myself and other drivers. Car is a 2006 Kia Sorento ex.
When I turn on my headlights, my interior lights stay on and will not turn off. I have had to take out the fuse to fix this problem with my interior lights staying on. It happened suddenly and I cannot seem to get it resolved.
Headlights blowing all the time. Also the windshield wipers have lost there park position and when they are turned off they stop in front of the drivers line of sight and makes it very difficult to see what is going on around you while driving. I have talked to several people that have the same make and model and year as mine and they are having the same problems.
I have a 2006 Kia Sorento. I have had to replace the battery twice (so including the original it has gone through 3 batteries since 06), I have had (and continue) to replace the bulbs in the headlights and brake lights. The dome light has ceased to work as well. I have been made aware that I am not alone in this problem but Kia is not interested in doing anything about it. This is a safety issue. This last time, I drove to my destination and all was well, then when I came out to drive home..poof, the driver low beam was out. Any help will be appreciated.
2006 Kia Sorento. I bought this vehicle new in 2006. I have replaced several headlights, taillights, turn lights, ect. My dome light is now broken and wont turn on when I open the doors. Most importantly the drivers side seat motor has now went out. After calling the dealership they advised me that its about $1,300 to fix!!!!!!! my 4-wheel drive goes in O.K. but I have to play with it to get it out. This vehicle has never had water damage or been rode hard. Yet still problem after problem!!!!!!!
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact was driving 30 mph when the headlights overheated and failed. The contact stated that the bulbs would have to be replaced every three to six months. The contact did not take the vehicle to a dealer or a local mechanic for diagnosis or repairs. The failure mileage was 30,000. Updated 03/24/11
Our 2006 Kia Sorento burns out all lights on this car. I have change the headlights at least 10 times this year alone. We keep extra brakelights in the car because they go out at least every 3 weeks. I will burn this car in the middle of the street! something must be done. I have seen over 1000 complaints on this same model for the last 6 years.
I have had to replace the headlight bulbs 5 times and tail light bulbs 4 times. The 2006 Kia Sorento was purchased new. This is not normal. An electrical problem is evident. I do a great deal of driving at night and there is a safety issue with the head lights and tail lights not being dependable. Not to mention the fact that getting pulled over by law officers due to this problem is a huge inconvenience.
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- Austell, GA, USA