2006 Kia Sedona Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report rust-related front suspension failures, airbag warning lights tied to seat sensors, and repeated electrical and lighting problems, usually on vans with well over 80,000 miles. Several complaints describe bulbs burning out repeatedly and doors or latches that stop working. A number of complaints concern recalls for the ABS module and lower control arm corrosion, with parts sometimes unavailable or the repair never completed.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   ABS/ESC module moisture, shorts and fire risk

   • 63 complaints (16%)
   • median 101,391 mi at 10.0 yrs old (50 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2026

   Complaints describe the ABS and ESC warning lights coming on, sometimes with a chime, followed by smoke from under the hood or a fire that started while the van was parked. Many owners reference recall 20V088000 for moisture entering the ABS module and say parts were unavailable for weeks or months, with instructions to park outside. Other complaints describe the van not starting, intermittent no-crank conditions and repeated alternator replacement. Reported from about 100,000 to 230,000 miles, with recall-related complaints clustered in 2020.

   Recall 20V0880001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check whether recall 20V088000 was completed and confirm the ABS module has been replaced or sealed. Look for the ABS light and any signs of moisture or corrosion around the module and its connector.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We were notified of a dangerous part failure. In early april. So far we have heard no more from Kia the manufacturer & the dealer knows nothing. We need our vehicle. It's our only vehicle. We need to park it outside away from other vehicles as it can burst into flames. We need this fixed now.”

   NHTSA complaint #11323402, filed 2020-05, 102,000 miles

   “There is an open recall on my vehicle, NHTSA recall number 20v088 Kia recall number sc186. This recall has been open since april 8, over a month now, and has a chance of the vehicle catching fire so it must be parked away from my house. On a previous recall of chevrolet, which just had a chance of the key coming lose from the ignition, a different vehicle was provided while the recall was being remedied. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11324233, filed 2020-05, 141,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light on; seat/weight sensor faults

   • 78 complaints (20%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 8.5 yrs old (69 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,825 (median of 16 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2023

   Owners report the airbag light staying on constantly, often after starting the van normally and with no prior crash. Dealers commonly diagnosed faulty seat or weight sensors and quoted repairs in the several-hundred to couple-thousand dollar range; some complaints note the sensor is tied to the passenger seat belt or that the light means the airbag system will not deploy. Owners frequently describe being told the vehicle was out of warranty and that no recall applied. Reported from about 60,000 to 140,000 miles, often on vans past the warranty period.

   What to check: Turn the key to on and confirm the airbag light goes out after the self-check. Ask for any diagnostic or repair records for seat sensors and the passenger occupant detection system.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Side sliding door opens while car is in drive. Luckily I was able to pull over and push it closed, but it scares me when I'm driving and my son is in his car seat and the door chime will go off because the door is opening. This needs to be fixed asap. Air bag light is on quite often and had to take to mechanic to see what was wrong.”

   NHTSA complaint #10588388, filed 2014-05, 103,000 miles

   “Takata recall my air bag light stays on all the time.. Saw a show last night about the takata air bags exploding not at all sure how long it has been this way so the date below is not accurate it has been a couple years I think. I don't know how many miles but it is 140,000 now.”

   NHTSA complaint #10934400, filed 2016-12, 100,000 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights, brake lights and bulbs failing

   • 51 complaints (13%)
   • median 83,500 mi at 5.9 yrs old (41 state mileage)
   • filed 2007–2026

   Owners describe low-beam headlights, turn signals and brake lights burning out repeatedly, sometimes several times a year, and in some cases both headlights and turn signals going dead at once. Complaints also describe brake lights that stay on or fail to illuminate. Some owners report dimming lights and repeated bulb replacement; dealers often replaced bulbs without finding a cause. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand to over 200,000 miles.

   Recall 09V1300001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check that all exterior bulbs work and ask how often they have been replaced. Confirm the stop lamp switch recall 09V130000 was done, and have the charging system and grounds checked if lights have been dimming.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The alternator on my 2006 Kia Sedona has been replaced at least 4 times but I believe 5 times (I am looking for 2 more receipts). The latest 3 replacements are: mileage 104472 date 6/2/2018; mileage 95255 date 3/23/16; mileage 70121 date 2/28/2011. Also had van at dealer and other repair shops to check alternator, electrical problems, battery, etc. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11100643, filed 2018-06, 104,200 miles

   “The low-beam headlights (especially the right side) keeps blowing out. I have replaced/changed more than 6 times since owing my van. It keeps blowing; researched for recalls but there aren't none. Looking online I see that this is an issue with all 2006 Kia Sedona's. This last time that it happened, I was on my way to wisconsin from massachusetts and my light went out. It was a scary situation because it made the travel experience scary and dangerous. I didn't have my low-beam and was forced to use my high beam. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10562214, filed 2014-01, 107,931 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Front lower control arm rusts through and breaks

   • 83 complaints (22%)
   • median 113,500 mi at 9.5 yrs old (76 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2023

   Complaints describe a loud bang or clunk from the front end, followed by the wheel folding inward or the van dropping and becoming hard to steer. Several owners say a shop found the lower control arm rusted through or cracked in half; in some cases the other side was found in the same condition. Complaints frequently mention that the van had little body rust, and some owners say a recall covering this part was issued only after their repair. Mostly reported between roughly 80,000 and 175,000 miles, on vans in states that use road salt.

   Recall 16V387000Recall 13V5500002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have a shop inspect both front lower control arms and the crossmember for rust, especially if the van has lived in a salt-belt state. Ask whether the control arm recall was performed and keep the paperwork.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Passenger side rr control arm rusted through which caused it to bend and caused rr tire to fold inward. Had to replace rr control arm, rr coil spring and shocks on both sides which was affected by rusted control arm. I brought it in to repair shop when I noticed a loud thump when going over a bump. This should be a recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11350941, filed 2020-08, 156,000 miles

   “We have a 2006 Kia Sedona minivan with little or no rust on the body. In 2013 while my wife was driving in town she had the passenger front control arm break thankfully at low speed. I contacted Kia about the problem and they said they would not reimburse for the repair. A couple weeks later they called and offered to reimburse me for the new control arms and labor which they did. Shortly afterwards a recall was issued for this exact problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11032317, filed 2017-10, 175,000 miles
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Sliding and rear doors sticking, not opening or opening in

   • 42 complaints (11%)
   • median 41,215 mi at 3.0 yrs old (36 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2020

   Owners report power sliding doors that stop responding to the console button, pillar switch or remote, and door handles that stick and do not return. Some complaints describe a door reopening just before it latches, doors that will not open at all, and in a few cases a sliding door opening while the van is being driven. Complaints also mention door locks that stop working with the keypad and wind noise or glass run channel problems at the front doors. Reported from about 50,000 to 160,000 miles.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Operate both sliding doors and the tailgate several times from every switch and the remote, and check that handles spring back. Ask whether the power door control module or cables have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Sliding door on passenger side opens by itself while driving. Mirrors malfunction all the time and you can't correct them. They keep pointing down and you can't see. Had recall completed on sway bar but they didn't realign and check suspension I'm on my 3rd set of tires. Dangerous vehicle I've had more issues with this vehicle than any vehicle I've ever owned. Between issues I just spoke of to cruise control going crazy when you use it to the door coming open while driving . I don't suggest anyone buying a Kia. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11307507, filed 2020-02, 122,000 miles

   “Our Kia Sedona has exhibited numerous electrical problems. The power doors stopped working when we push the button in the console or use our keypad. The doors no longer lock using the keypad, either. We have replaced numerous headlights and turn signal lights, and seem to be doing so every other month lately. I am surprised that there are no recalls on this vehicle as the headlight/turn signal issue is very dangerous. Due to the number of complaints I have viewed, I would urge Kia to investigate and offer customers a solution.”

   NHTSA complaint #10555693, filed 2013-12, 50,000 miles

Buying note. This model year has a long list of wear and rust-related complaints, so a pre-purchase inspection focused on the front suspension, airbag system and door hardware is worth the cost. Check that the open recalls for the ABS module and lower control arms were completed before you consider the van.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.