KiaSorento2006Overview/kia/sorento/2006/base/

2006 Kia Sorento

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Sorento.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 5-spd

As an SUV paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission, the 2006 Kia Sorento returns EPA fuel economy figures of 14 city, 20 highway, and 16 combined mpg. This iteration has accumulated 242 total owner complaints, with the engine representing the primary area of concern alongside a single recall. Contextualized within the Sorento's full complaint history spanning 2003 to 2026, the 2006 model sits well below the problematic 2011 peak of 1,516 complaints but remains far above the 2010 low of just 3, indicating a moderately troubled reliability profile for researchers to consider.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque65-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/20/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124 · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.9 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height71.3 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Curb weight4345 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 20 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sorento of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.1–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.10 sec — 2003 EX V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2004EX V6 3.5L V69.40 sec16.96 sec192 hp4x4
2003EX V6 3.5L V69.10 sec17.00 sec192 hp4x4
2003EX V6 3.5L V69.50 sec17.30 sec192 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 65-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.2
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.6
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity6.8

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-87 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug22.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug22.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub178-198 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0-21.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.26-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.72-5.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test22 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)39.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)46.0-50.0 psi
Engine Oil Pressure18.77 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-24 ft-lbs / 16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle47-54 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Runout Limit0.0012 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.024 in / 0.724 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 7,500 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
At 15,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBody Fasteners (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 37,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 Kia Sorento sits midway through the initial 2003–2009 cycle, posting 242 complaints—below the 307 and 308 filed in 2005 and 2003, respectively, but above the 154, 215, and 55 logged in 2007, 2008, and 2009. This year marks the return of recalls and investigations after two quiet years, with one each, immediately before both metrics escalated to four recalls and three investigations in 2007 and stayed elevated through 2008. The 2006 model also recorded the lowest TSB count to that point in the cycle at 19, down from 30 in 2003, while owner filings highlighted 37 engine and 24 exterior lighting complaints alongside 12 crash-related and 8 fire-related submissions, though the data does not specify underlying causes. Against the backdrop of heavier regulatory activity in 2007–2008 and the extreme volume spikes that begin in 2011, the 2006 model occupies a relatively moderate position within a fading initial cycle. Given that its complaint count sits below the early peaks and its single recall predates the bulk of 2007–2009 regulatory actions, 2006 stands as one of the more stable early-model-year options, assuming documented completion of its one recall.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
19
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
242
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 8 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 242 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine37
Exterior Lighting24
Air Bags13
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting13
Electrical System12
Engine & Engine Cooling12
Power Train10
Suspension8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09V130000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 17/04/2009

HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 19 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_BOD055_R12021-09-13StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This…
PS5392018-03-02Engine And Engine CoolingPITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed…
TSB-GEN085R12017-01-18EquipmentTSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners…
TSB-GEN0852016-11-04Latches/Locks/LinkagesTSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners…
PS4432016-04-04Electrical SystemTSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sorento. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2006 Sorento have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Sorento get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.