Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - SOFTWARE | |||||
| TSB-044 | 11/01/2009 | 10033464 | 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 | 08/18/2010 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 11/01/2007 | 20000 | ||
| The day after we purchased this vehicle i had to change the right break light, sinse then i've had to change the headlights both at least twice, assorted tail lights each side at least three times, the front dome light will not come on when you open the doors but can be swiched on, now dash lights are going off one at a time some can be wiggled and come on for a few seconds. this has gone from annoying to a safety issue, and i read a lot of people on line with 06 sorentos have the same problem and have been told by the deeler that it will cost them a lot of money to fix.i feel like all the others this should be kia's responibility to fix. | |||
| 01/05/2012 | 70000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2006 kia sorento. while parked, the contact noticed that the electronic door locks would not open electronically, only manually. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. the approximate failure mileage was 70,000. kmj | |||
| 01/05/2012 | 70000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2006 kia sorento. while parked the contact noticed the electronic door locks will not open electronically only manually. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 70,000. ds | |||
| 01/23/2012 | 60000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 12/10/2007 | 48000 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 11/01/2011 | 96000 | ||
| 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 assemply 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 postion 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. | |||
| 09/08/2008 | 32000 | ||
| 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 unsual. | |||
| 08/01/2011 | 40000 | ||
| Brake lights burn out premature and both aux. power outlets blow out fues when plugging in xm radio | |||
| 07/28/2011 | 31000 | ||
| I have owned my 2006 kia sorento for 4 years and have constantly had to replace headlights. i was just at the dealer last week and had to have a headlight and 2 other exterior lights replaced. i have made comments to the dealer to inquire why they think these bulbs are constantly blowing and they don't seem to care. this morning, my interior map and dome lights came on all by themselves and would not turn off, no matter what buttons i pressed. they did not go off when i turned the car off and left. when i returned to my car, it smelled like magic markers which quickly turned into a burning electrical smell as i proceeded to exit a multi-level parking structure. i was terrified by this!!. i got out of that garage, got out of that car, and had it towed to the dealer, who will look at it tomorrow. this incident has prompted me to research the internet for other complaints like mine, and there are tons for this model year. will you please do something??!! i don't want to drive that car anymore - i have little kids!! this is not safe!!! what is it going to take - a number under deaths?! my guess from the other consumer comments i have seen posted and from my own experience with the kia dealer on other issues with my car is that they will find nothing wrong. please help!!!!! | |||
| 03/18/2011 | 25000 | ||
| Electrical issues. dome light will not work, headlight continue to blow out, something is wrong electrically. | |||
| 03/25/2006 | |||
| 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. | |||
| 11/01/2010 | |||
| Have replaced headlight bulbs 6 times, replaced brake lights 3 times, the dome light had complications with coming on when opening doors, license plate lite is out as we speak, also the lock on rear left makes a strange buzzing noise when you engage locks, car has a lot of electrical issues going on. | |||
| 05/13/2010 | |||
| This 2006 kia sorento has other electrical issues other than just the brake switch. we are constantly replacing the bulbs in the headlights, tail lights, brake lights and parking lights. this is become a complete pain in the neck. i feel it is a safety issue since how my lights go out for no apparent reason. we have alos noticed that during the day when we are not using the dash lights that when we apply the brakes the dash lights come on and so do the parking lights. the fact that i drive around without knowing when my lights are blown or not can create a terrible accident. please look into this further. | |||
| 10/14/2009 | 92348 | 3 | 01/31/2007 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2006 kia sorento and stated the propeller shaft for the four wheel drive continued to fail on the vehicle. the dealer replaced the front drive shaft and road tested the vehicle. within the next month, the vehicle was taken back to the shop for the same failure. the front drive shaft was replaced a second time to no avail. the failure persisted an additional two times within four months. while driving, the check engine light illuminated on the warning panel and he could smell burning oil coming from the vehicle. the dealer replaced the front drive shaft again. to date, the vehicle was making a very loud noise, when turning right, the steering wheel would become very hard and a loud noise was coming from the steering wheel. no repairs have been made to date to correct the actual failure. the failure mileage was 92,348 and the current was 99,583. updated 02/02/10 .*lj the blower motor for the heater had to be repaired. the front door's latch was faulty it was making a buzzing sound. the consumer stated the driver shaft was replaced three times and the vehicle continued to make strange noises. updated 02/04/10 | |||
| 01/15/2007 | 1000 | 1 | |
| We initially purchased a used kia sorento in 2005. we encountered problems with the electrical system (lights continually burning out) so we decided to purchase a new sorento so we would have the benefit of the full warranty. since the purchase of the 2006 kia sorento, we have replaced nearly every light (headlights, interior lights, brakelights, tail lights, fog lamps, turn lights and license plate lamp) numerous times. the assorted replacement lights were purchased from various locations, ensuring the error was not with the replacement parts, but rather the vehicle itself. the old lights were not retained. our full warranty is nearing expiration and we would like some type of action to occur before it is too late. we feel that not only is this constant source of irritation and a financial burden, but also a potential safety hazard. *tr | |||
| 08/29/2006 | 1246 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2006 kia sorento. the contact stated that the interior and exterior lights would flash, the door would unlock, and the rear hatch would open automatically. the dealer replaced the computer and stated that there was a dead cell in the battery, which did not remedy the issue. a kia representative stated that the ground wire could be the issue; therefore, the dealer replaced the ground wiring. the repair stopped the lights from flashing; however, the hatch stopped opening the very same night of the repairs. in addition, the heater fan only worked on high. the vehicle has not yet been repaired. the contact is concerned that the flashing lights will distract other drivers and lead to a crash. the current mileage was 39,600 and failure mileage was 1,246. | |||
| 01/24/2009 | 1 | ||
| In february of '06 we bought a new kia sorento. after the 1st year we have had to replace 4 headlights. 2 tail lights, 2 dome lights and 1 clock. clock and dome light were covered under warranty but not the headlights. the 3rd headlight was replaced last week on 1/19/09 (passenger side) and the drivers side replaced today 1/28/09. also while on vacation in the summer of '08, the battery had to be replaced. kia has to be aware of this problem but has failed to acknowledge it with free replacements. however, the service dept. did tell me that in the past 2 years he has replaced more headlight bulbs than you could imagine. if this is indeed an electrical problem, how safe is my wife driving this automobile. i have called their corporate office with my concern and their response has been, well headlights do burn out . i do know of other owners who have had the same problem. please help before someone is injured. thank you *tr | |||
| 07/22/2006 | 11894 | 4 | 11/04/2005 |
| 2006 sorento was purchased in nov 2005. jan of 2006 the check engine light came on and i was told it was due to possible loose gas cap. first time tail light went out was in july of 2006. right rear tail light was replaced. in october of 2006 a tail light bulb was replaced during my 15,000 mile maintenance. in november 2006 right tail light went out and kia replaced bulb once again. in december of 2006 left tail light went out and check engine light came on. bulb was replaced and i was told my spark plugs were misfiring and were replaced. a day later my check engine light came on again. i am now trying to see what day i can take off of work yet again to go and have the check engine light looked at. *nm | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 08/01/2006 | 6700 | 1 | 04/12/2006 |
| Dt*: the contact stated the outside temperature gauge was inoperable and attempted repair resulted to the splicing of the wring harness. the repair caused the vehicle to stall at 45 mph. the vehicle was maneuvered off the road and towed to the dealer where a new wiring harness was ordered. updated 9/5/2006 - when making a u-turn the vehicle made a clicking noise. the dealer replaced both front center caps. *nm | |||