2006 KIA Sorento Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the 2006 KIA Sorento, 23% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 50,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “low beam” (13% of reports).
- 56exterior lighting complaints
- 50,000median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 29%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Low beam: mentioned in 7 of 56 complaints (13%)
- Headlight bulbs: mentioned in 5 of 56 complaints (9%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 38 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 56 complaints, 1 a fire.
KIA Sorento exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 2 | 3% | 530 |
| 2024 Sorento | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2023 Sorento | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2022 Sorento | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2021 Sorento | 3 | 1% | 55,839 |
| 2020 Sorento | 5 | 4% | — |
| 2019 Sorento | 22 | 5% | 8,500 |
| 2018 Sorento | 41 | 16% | 43,450 |
| 2017 Sorento | 125 | 16% | 37,100 |
| 2016 Sorento | 67 | 5% | 43,594 |
| 2015 Sorento | 91 | 12% | 76,000 |
| 2014 Sorento | 86 | 9% | 74,459 |
| 2013 Sorento | 70 | 7% | 94,187 |
| 2012 Sorento | 60 | 7% | 95,500 |
| 2011 Sorento | 102 | 7% | 98,000 |
| 2009 Sorento | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2008 Sorento | 13 | 6% | 72,000 |
| 2007 Sorento | 12 | 8% | 98,432 |
| 2006 Sorento | 56 | 23% | 50,000 |
| 2005 Sorento | 53 | 17% | 45,400 |
| 2004 Sorento | 14 | 6% | 55,500 |
| 2003 Sorento | 16 | 5% | 36,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Problem: 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 brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause the brake lights to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released. A stop lamp switch malfunction may also affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature so the transmission shifter would not be able to be shifted out of the park position. It may also cause the electronic stability control (esc) malfunction light to illuminate, and it may not deactivate the cruise control when the brake pedal is depressed.
Risk: Any of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, may lead to a crash.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the brake lights failed to illuminate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V130000 (Exterior Lighting) and associated the recall with the failure. The contact contacted an…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia sorento. The contact stated that the passenger's side rear brake light was replaced on several occasions however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the brake light was replaced. The manufacturer had not been notified of the…
Head lights blow out every couple months and the brake lights to and it happens at all time driving day and night when driving and parked
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2006 KIA Sorentos have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 56 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the 2006 KIA Sorento (23% of the 242 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2006 KIA Sorento exterior lighting?
Yes: 1 safety recall list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems start?
The median reported mileage is 50,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the 2006 KIA Sorento?
The most frequent phrase is “low beam”, in 7 of 56 complaints, followed by “headlight bulbs” (5).
Other 2006 KIA Sorento problems
See all 2006 KIA Sorento problems or exterior lighting problems across all Sorento years.