Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 385 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Kia Sedona, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 57 | 15% |
| Suspension | 57 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 23 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 18 | 5% |
| Structure | 14 | 4% |
| Structure | 13 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 10 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 2% |
| Power train | 9 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owned a 2006 Kia Sedona. The vehicle was bought used close to four years ago. The contact was unaware that the vehicle had received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVIC
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Auto dealer fraud 8/3 2024 dealership sold me a title washed lemon with major safety hazards Defective unrepairable components Discovered later after purchase P0885 limp mode Fire hazard the vehicle may catch on fire
NHTSA complaint: Power train
UNKNOWN. MY VQN CAUGHT FIRE UNDER MY HOOD NOT SURE WERE IT CAME FROM.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sedona LX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V088000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and stated that while powered off, he observed smoke emanating f
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
FRAME RUSTED -OUT ALLOWING RIGHT FRONT WHEEL A -FRAME TO COME LOOSE. ALLOWING WHEEL TO MOVE REARWARD INTO WHEELWELL STOPING ROTATION. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE ??? MAYBE YOU WOULDNOT BE READING THIS???
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Intermittently not starting. Not cranking. Battery has been checked. Alternator is ok. We've left it with our mechanic for a week and he was unable to replicate the issue. It's happening a couple times a month. We wait a
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sedona. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V389000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) and 20V088000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the parts to do the
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at 4MPH, a bystander informed him that the brake lights of his vehicle were not functioning. The contact stated that the brake lights failed to op
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2006 Kia Sedona. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDALS, THE STOP LAMP SWITCH WIRING HARNESS MAY BE OUT OF POSITION. AN IMPROPERLY POSITIONED STOP LAMP SWITCH WIRING HARNESS COULD MAKE CONTACT WITH THE U-JOINT ASSEMBLY OF THE STEERING COLUMN. REPEATED CONTACT MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE W
Risk: CHAFED INSULATION COULD CAUSE A SHORT OF THE WIRING HARNESS RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS, ENGINE STALLING, OR AN INABILITY TO START THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRING HARNESS FOR CHAFING AND, REPAIR IF NECESSARY. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER WILL SECURE THE WIRING HARNESS TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH THE U-JOINT ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN O
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR CALIPER BRAKE HOSES MAY BE OUT OF POSITION. AN IMPROPERLY POSITIONED REAR CALIPER BRAKE HOSE MAY CONTACT REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND OVER TIME BREACH THE INTEGRITY OF THE HOSE.
Risk: THIS WOULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, WHICH COULD CAUSE DECREASED BRAKE FUNCTION, LEADING TO CRASH AND PERSONAL INJURIES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITIONING OF THE REAR CALIPER BRAKE HOSES AND ADJUST OR REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. Th
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 and originally sold in, or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachuse
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the front lower control arms on 2006-2007 models. 2008-2012 models will either have their front lower control arms replaced or additional anti-corrosio
| Reliability raw | 59 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 385 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 57 of them (15%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 59/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.