2006 Kia Sedona: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 Kia Sedona: 7 recalls, 385 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.

Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #06V265000 · 2006 · 13,060 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This would result in the loss of brake fluid, which could cause decreased brake function, leading to crash and personal injuries.
The 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #06V349000 · 2006 · 4,753 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 wiring harness insulation to chafe.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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 on September 29, 2006.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #09V130000 · 2009 · 139,844 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: Any of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, May lead to a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2009.
Suspension Vehicle recall #13V550000 · 2013 · 79,867 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms May break due to corrosion resulting from prolonged exposure to salty environments.
Why it matters: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Kia will notify owners and dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them, free of charge. The recall began on December 20, 2013.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #16V389000 · 2016 · 219,800 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch May bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Why it matters: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the secondary hood latch or clean and lubricate the latch, depending on the vehicle's location and the condition of the latch. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2016.
Suspension Vehicle recall #16V387000 · 2016 · 97,884 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms May break due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Why it matters: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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-corrosion coating will be applied. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on July…
Electrical, Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #20V088000 · 2020 · 228,829 vehicles
What's wrong: Moisture May enter the anti-lock brake (ABS) module and result in an electrical short.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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. The recall began June 5, 2020.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 8 mention a fire, 18 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Suspension (84): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (41), noise or vibration (26).
- Airbags (80): the most common themes are warning light on (40), fails to deploy (13).
- Electrical (79): the most common themes are electrical failure (37), door / lock issues (21), warning light on (13).
- Body & structure (41): the most common themes are door / lock issues (30), rust / corrosion (8), noise or vibration (5).
The 2006 Kia Sedona has 385 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 20 Sedona model years for complaints (3.2× the average Sedona year). Complaints peaked in 2015 (44 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 83,250 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (185 complaints, 2 recalls), 2007 (157 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2006 Kia Sedona.
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FAQ
Does the 2006 Kia Sedona have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 2006 Kia Sedona. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2006 Kia Sedona problems?
Owners have filed 385 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (84), airbags (80), electrical (79).
What gas mileage does the 2006 Kia Sedona get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (3.8 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2006 Kia Sedona repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.