2006 Kia Sorento Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 242 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2006 Kia Sorento overview page.
What owners report
“I WAS MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD THUD AND MY BATTERY LIGHT & E BRAKE LIGHT CAME…”NHTSA complaint 10532771 — filed 07/30/2013
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE JERKED AND DECELERATED…”NHTSA complaint 10521398 — filed 06/24/2013
“WHILE DRIVING IN BUSY CITY TRAFFIC, HEARD A LOUD CLUNKY NOISE, LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAPABILITIES IMMEDIATELY ALONG WITH BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHTS APPEARING ON…”NHTSA complaint 10506086 — filed 04/12/2013
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2006 Kia Sorento have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2006 Kia Sorento: 27 of 242 complaints on file (11.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2006 Kia Sorento have in total?
242 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 12 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, 14 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
