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. *KB
2006 Kia Sorento electrical problems
moderate 40 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE WAS CAUSING THE LOW BEAMS TO FAIL PREMATURELY. THE LOW BEAM BULBS WERE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPR…
PANEL DASH LIGHTS INTERMEDIATELY DIM, LOW HEADLIGHTS AND BACK RUNNING LIGHT BULBS BURN OUT CONSTANTLY, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT BULBS BURNT OUT AND MELTED IN CASING, PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON WHEN PASSENGER IS SEATED STATING IT IS OFF. POWERED DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK MOST OF THE TIME - PUSH POWER LOCK BUTTON OR BY KEY AND STILL WON'T LOCK, KEYLESS REMOTES DON'T WORK EVEN AFTER REPLACE…
LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS, JUST GO OUT WITH OUT WARNING . REPLACED 100S OF TIME S JUST VERY COSTLY . KIA WANTS 100. EVERY TIME TO REPLACE. *JS
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2006 Kia Sorento?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 40 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.