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ProblemsByVin File / 2006-KIA-SEDONA NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Kia

2006 Kia Sedona problems

The 2006 Kia Sedona has 385 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

The 2006 Kia Sedona has 385 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is suspension at 77 complaints, typically surfacing around 118,958 miles (~$900 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Kia Sedona owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2005 Sedona 185 2
2006 Sedona (this page) 385 7
2007 Sedona 156 6
2008 Sedona 170 5
2009 Sedona 47 5
2006 Kia Sedona
Photo: MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Kia Sedona
0 5 10
Reliability score
5.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
7
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2006 Sedona?
High-risk ownership

Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Buying a used 2006 Kia Sedona? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 84,412 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 7 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 5.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2006 Kia Sedona

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2006-kia-sedona/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2006 Kia Sedona reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2006-kia-sedona/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2006 Kia Sedona reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

suspension
77 reports · fails ~118,958 mi · avg $900
moderate
airbags
66 reports · fails ~84,412 mi · avg $1,100
severe
electrical
59 reports · fails ~99,496 mi · avg $850
severe
body
31 reports · fails ~58,573 mi · avg $1,500
severe
brakes
22 reports · fails ~64,633 mi · avg $450
moderate
steering
21 reports · fails ~82,437 mi · avg $700
severe
lighting
20 reports · fails ~105,764 mi · avg $250
moderate
engine
17 reports · fails ~54,716 mi · avg $3,100
severe

Your road ahead on this 2006 Kia Sedona

When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.

  1. ~40,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
  2. ~45,983 mibody~$1,500
  3. ~46,536 miengine~$3,100
  4. ~50,000 mibrakes~$450
  5. ~67,000 micruise control~$600
  6. ~86,000 miairbags~$1,100
  7. ~100,000 mielectrical~$850
  8. ~100,000 misteering~$700
  9. ~107,000 milighting~$250
  10. ~115,000 misuspension~$900

"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.

Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2006 Sedona's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2006 Sedona?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2006 Sedona · electrical
Passenger side headlight regularly (every 2 to 3 months) burns out; have changed the headlight several times per year since 2007. Also the turn signals work intermittently, where one or the other goes out; changed these several times per year as well. *js
12/31/2014 · at 10,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10669376.0 · see electrical pattern →
2006 Sedona · electrical
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia sedona. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the rear passenger side sliding door opened without warning. The contact also stated that the sliding door was only able to operate manually and failed to operate with the key…
12/30/2014 · at 7,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10669087.0 · see electrical pattern →
2006 Sedona · cruise control Fire
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia sedona. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact placed an abnormal amount of pressure on the brake pedal, but the vehicle accelerated forward before coming to…
2006 Sedona · electrical
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia sedona. The oil light did not illuminate on the instrument control when the oil levels were low. A mechanic stated that the engine was knocking because the oil was 3 quarts low. She had not spoken with the manufacturer or the dealership to-date.…
12/28/2009 · at 133,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10297206.0 · see electrical pattern →
View all 385 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2006 Kia Sedona? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 7

severe NHTSA 20V088000 February 14, 2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles

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.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 16V387000 June 1, 2016

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

A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 16V389000 June 1, 2016

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through April 04, 2014

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.

Fix: 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.
View all 7 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2006 Kia Sedona reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.8 out of 10 based on 385 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Kia Sedona has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2006 Kia Sedona?

The 2006 Kia Sedona is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 59 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 58,345–144,000 mi; Body: 31 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 12,000–92,554 mi; Reliability score 5.8/10 — around the segment average; 7 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2006 Kia Sedona?

Inspect the suspension first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 77 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 118,958 miles. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2006 Kia Sedona a good used car to buy?

It scores 5.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 385 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is suspension. Typical failure occurs around 118,958 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2006 Kia Sedona?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is suspension, with 77 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 118,958 miles. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The suspension is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 118,958 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Kia Sedona has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Kia Sedona?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 385 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $900, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Kia/Sedona. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Kia. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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