These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as they do not meet CARB standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Kia Sedona engine problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as they do not meet CARB standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗KIA: ECM UPGRADE WITH TP SENSOR REPLACEMENT-MIL ON WITH DTC P2135/P0638. INFORMATION RELATED TO ECM SOFTWARE AND TP SENSOR UPGRADE ON SOME VEHICLES WITH 2.7L ENGINES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) SYSTEM RELATED DTC P2135 OR P0638 OR P2A00 OR P2A03.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SOME CUSTOMERS OF 2006-2007 SEDONA (VQ), 2007 AMANTI (GH), OR 2007 SORENTO (BL) MAY EXPERIENCE A CONCERN OF A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (MIL) BEING ON. 02 SENSOR (HO2S) CODES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2006 Kia Sedona report a cluster of engine-related problems that fall into a few clear patterns.
The most persistent issue is oil leaking from valve cover and oil pan gaskets, which multiple owners say they've had repaired repeatedly under warranty. One owner documented five separate warranty repairs for the same leak over a two-year period. Because of the engine layout, this oil drips directly onto the alternator below, fouling it and causing the charging system to fail—one owner had the alternator and battery replaced three times and experienced two dangerous stalls on the highway when the alternator died.
Stalling with check engine lights is widespread. Owners report the engine cutting out at highway speeds (45–75 mph) and refusing to restart until they turn the key off and back on again. The vehicle sometimes loses power entirely, dropping to 1000 RPM with no throttle response. Dealerships have replaced spark plugs, throttle position sensors, accelerator pedal assemblies, catalytic converters, and computer modules in attempts to fix this, with mixed results. One owner replaced the transmission twice, only to discover a defective catalytic converter was the culprit.
A few owners also note hesitation on acceleration, throttle body warning lights, and misfire or jerking when starting or driving. One vehicle caught fire at 175,000 miles—the hood opened and flames erupted; the fire department extinguished it, and the owner had no active recalls.
Mechanical noise issues include heavy rattling from timing chain tensioners at startup, and CV joint or motor mount knocking at low speeds. One owner reported a strong fuel odor traced to a cracked air conditioning module.
Safety incidents are documented: two highway stalls with family in the vehicle, one near-highway fire event, and multiple reports of unresponsive throttle at speed.
Same Kia Sedona engine reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
Valve Cover and Oil Pan Gasket Leaks
Persistent oil leaks from valve covers and oil pan gasket, recurred multiple times despite repeated warranty repairs. Oil drips directly onto alternator below due to engine layout, fouling the charging system.
When: Under 15,000 miles and continuing; documented repairs from early 2008 onward
Symptoms owners cite: Oil seeping from valve covers; Oil dripping onto alternator; Alternator fouling and failure; Loss of battery charge
Repairs/costs cited: Five warranty repairs documented at Fullerton and Glendale Kia dealerships; replaced valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket repeatedly; alternator and battery replaced three times each at dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Covered under warranty; dealership repairs occurred but issue recurred
Engine Stalling with Check Engine Light
Engine stalls without warning at various speeds (city and highway), accompanied by check engine light and sometimes ESC OFF light. Vehicle loses power and throttle response or refuses to restart.
When: From early warranty period through higher mileage; one documented at 30,000 miles, another at 51,823 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at traffic lights and highway speeds (45–75 mph); Check engine light illuminated; ESC OFF warning light; No throttle response when depressed; Vehicle must be turned off and restarted to resume operation
Codes mentioned: Low engine voltage (3 codes, per one owner), Check engine codes (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to duplicate failure in some cases; replaced throttle body, APS (active pixel sensor) module, gas pedal assembly, computer module, wiring in electrical system; one owner had transmission replaced twice before discovering catalytic converter was the culprit
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner states manufacturer provided no assistance; repairs covered under warranty at dealership when diagnosed
Power Loss and Accelerator Failure
Vehicle loses engine power or accelerator response fails while driving, particularly at highway speeds. RPM drops to 1000 and accelerator pedal has no effect. Requires engine restart to restore function.
When: Reported at 30,000–48,000 miles; multiple occurrences documented in single days
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power while driving; RPM drops to 1000 and remains unresponsive; Accelerator pedal depressed with no response; Engine and ESC warning lights illuminate; Vehicle decelerates to 20 mph or lower
Codes mentioned: ESC codes (cleared by dealer without identifying root cause)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced wiring in electrical system; dealer reset ESC computer under warranty; one owner reported dealer replaced computer module which corrected problem; repairs at 30,000 and 31,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer did not provide assistance in at least one case; dealership repairs under warranty
Engine Misfire and Jerking on Startup and Acceleration
Engine misfires and trembles immediately after delivery and takeoff from stops. Jerking while driving. Check engine light illuminates.
When: As early as delivery and first miles; documented before 15,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfire upon initial start and acceleration from stops; Violent jerking while driving; Check engine light illuminated (sometimes blinking); Hesitation when depressing accelerator pedal; Stalling while in gear at stops
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (cause determined to be spark plugs in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced spark plugs per service bulletin; throttle body replaced in one case; multiple sensor replacements mentioned by one owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin issued for spark plug problem; dealership had advance knowledge but did not proactively replace plugs before customers reported issues; warranty repairs performed
Timing Chain Tensioner Rattle
Heavy rattling noise from timing chain tensioners when starting vehicle. Noise increases after driving and restarting.
When: At or near delivery (14,289 miles noted)
Symptoms owners cite: Heavy rattling sound from tensioners/timing chain on startup; Noise gets louder after driving 10 minutes and restarting
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated problem was normal for all Kia vehicles and planned to install second set of tensioners to attempt noise reduction
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed it is normal operation
Engine Fire
Engine fire with smoke and flames while vehicle was being driven, with no prior warning signs. Fire department called to extinguish.
When: At 175,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke coming from engine without warning; Engine would not restart; Burning plastic odor; Flames emitting from vehicle when hood opened
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not destroyed; fire report filed; vehicle not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VIN search confirmed no active recalls; manufacturer and dealer were not notified
Strong Fuel Odor from Cracked AC Module
Strong gasoline odor present inside vehicle. Dealership diagnosed cracked air conditioning module as source.
When: At 95,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Strong odor of fuel inside vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosed cracked AC module requiring replacement; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but did not offer assistance
CV Joint and Motor Mount Knocking
Knocking sound from driver's side under hood, attributed to CV joints and/or motor mounts. Noise constant at low speeds and during braking or turns.
When: As early as 14,289 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Knocking sound from driver's side under hood; Occurs at 0–5 mph when turning, braking, or moving forward/backward; Noise constant and increases with driving
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed by tire manufacturer and mechanic as CV joints and motor mounts
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I have owned my 2006 Kia sedona since jan 2008 and have had a persistent problem of oil leaking from the valve covers and the oil pan gasket. This oil leak issue has been 'fixed' 5 times till now, on warranty coverage at the following Kia dealerships (in descending order of dates)' - 1) fullerton Kia on 10/29/2010 2) fullerton Kia on 08/21/2010 3) glendale Kia on 06/08/2009 4) glendale Kia on…
Had engine trouble with your 2006 Kia Sedona?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2006 Kia Sedona?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 24,734 and 61,300 miles, with the median around 46,536. A quarter of owners report trouble before 24,734; a quarter make it past 61,300. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Kia/Sedona.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.