RoadVitals

2006 Kia Sorento Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Aug 8, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 242 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
10

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Kia Sorento submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Airbags
Filed Aug 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that he purchased the vehicle with the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger's side seat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ID
11478112
Incident
Aug 8, 2022
Mileage
98,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 24, 2021
Crash reportedFire reported1 injury reported

The contact owned a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at 15 - 20 mph, the steering wheel seized and the brakes failed when depressed which caused the vehicle to fall over a 25 ft. cliff and flip 3 times after hitting the ground. All of the air bags failed to deploy. The contact saw that there was smoke coming from under the hood and exited the vehicle. The contact was taken to the hospital by a family member and the vehicle was towed to a tow yard. No police report was filed. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.

NHTSA ID
11422194
Incident
Jun 22, 2021
Mileage
162,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 23, 2018
Crash reported3 injuries reported

TAKARA RECALL I WAS IS A WREAK AND GOT HIT ON THE DRIVER FRONT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND NONE OF MY AIR BAGS WENT OFF. I WAS TURNING ON THE THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 15 MPH AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 60 MPH.

NHTSA ID
11097715
Incident
May 22, 2018
Mileage
167,000 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Mar 30, 2016

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE BRAKE LIGHT & BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON . THE ENGINE SOUNDED ROUGH , WHEN I WENT TO PULL OF THE HIGHWAY , I HAD NO POWER STEERING

NHTSA ID
10852437
Incident
Mar 29, 2016
Mileage
89,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 20, 2015
Crash reported3 injuries reported

WAS INVOLVED IN HEAD ON COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLE RIVING AT APPROXIMATELY SAME SPEED. HAD A PASSENGER IN VEHICLE. NEITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ALTHOUGH INJURIES WERE MINIMAL THIS IS VERY CONCERNING, ESPECIALLY AS I JUST PURCHASED ANOTHER KIA VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10765440
Incident
Sep 17, 2015
Mileage
196,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 15, 2014

PANEL DASH LIGHTS INTERMEDIATELY DIM, LOW HEADLIGHTS AND BACK RUNNING LIGHT BULBS BURN OUT CONSTANTLY, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT BULBS BURNT OUT AND MELTED IN CASING, PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON WHEN PASSENGER IS SEATED STATING IT IS OFF. POWERED DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK MOST OF THE TIME - PUSH POWER LOCK BUTTON OR BY KEY AND STILL WON'T LOCK, KEYLESS REMOTES DON'T WORK EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT OF NEW BATTERIES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10664449
Incident
Mar 4, 2011
Mileage
6,700 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Dec 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,280.

NHTSA ID
10662960
Incident
Dec 5, 2014
Mileage
105,280 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Dec 5, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHTS. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ID
10662413
Incident
Oct 15, 2014
Mileage
117,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 14, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 12/19/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL THEREFORE REFUSING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 5/29/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID
10655077
Incident
Nov 11, 2014
Mileage
83,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 14, 2014

"PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTANTLY WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. ALSO THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM ON 06 AND 07 SORENTOS MADE AFTER JUNE 06 BUT MY KIA WAS MADE PRIOR TO THIS DATE AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I AM AFRAID FOR THE SAFETY OF ANY PASSENGER IN THIS SEAT AND FEEL IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE RECALL. I TOOK IT TO KIA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS BUT NOW I FIND OUT THERE CERTAINLY IS BUT THEY STILL ARE REFUSING TO REPAIR IT FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10655031
Incident
Nov 16, 2013
Mileage
40,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 17, 2014

"PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. ALSO THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM ON 06 AND 07 SORENTOS MADE AFTER JUNE 06 BUT MY KIA WAS MADE PRIOR TO THIS DATE AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I AM AFRAID FOR THE SAFETY OF ANY PASSENGER IN THIS SEAT AND FEEL IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10648512
Incident
Oct 8, 2013
Mileage
97,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 14, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V473000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ UPDATED 06/21/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID
10511848
Incident
Apr 8, 2013
Mileage
90,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 11, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE OPEN SOUND CONTROL (OSC) SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,882 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,882.

NHTSA ID
10458103
Incident
May 2, 2012
Mileage
57,882 mi
Airbags
Filed May 7, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPIED WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE SEAT PACK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ID
10457675
Incident
Feb 15, 2012
Mileage
32,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 22, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE AIR BAG SENSOR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V473000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL ONLY INCLUDED 2007 AND 2008 KIA SORENTOS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID
10436703
Incident
Feb 1, 2011
Mileage
30,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 5, 2011

ALL MY LIGHTS BOTH INTERNAL & EXTERNAL ARE BURNING OUT EVERY FEW MONTHS. AND I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY TIMES ALSO. MY HEADLIGHTS ARE REPLACED EVERY 4-5 MONTHS NOW, FIRST STARTING OUT EVERY YEAR HAS NOW DROPPED TO MONTHS. THE BATTERY LASTS FROM 10-13 MONTHS BEFORE HAVING TO BE REPLACED. NOW PARKING & BRAKE LIGHTS ARE BURNING OUT AT A RATE OF ABOUT EVERY 6 MONTHS. CALLED MY LOCAL KIA SERVICE REP AND HE SAYS MY DASH AND CONSOLE WOULD HAVE TO BE RIPPED OUT TO REPAIR, AND OF COURSE IT IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.ALSO MY INTERIOR LIGHTS ON DASH,CONSOLE AND INSIDE ON THE HEADER NO LONGER WORK. HAVE CHECKED ALL FUSES AND CAN FIND NOTHING UNUSUAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10423771
Incident
Sep 8, 2008
Mileage
32,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Feb 26, 2010
Crash reported

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN JUNE 2009, IN A 2006 KIA SORENTO. I WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60-70MPH. THE IMPACT WAS SO SEVERE, THAT I ENDED UP IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE THAT I WAS PUSHED INTO. THE RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT WAS TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THAT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK BROKE. DOCTORS SAID THAT HAD MY SEAT BACK NOT BROKE, I WOULD NOT HAVE SUSTAINED SUCH DEBILITATING INJURIES THAT I AM NOT GOING TO HEAL FROM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10314735
Incident
Jun 15, 2009
Airbags
Filed Oct 1, 2008
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT BOTH VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER FOR REPAIRS. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. HER VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AGAIN. PRIOR TO THIS CRASH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY ORDERED A PART RELATED TO THE AIR BAG COMPONENT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ID
10244105
Incident
Jul 3, 2006
Airbags
Filed Feb 15, 2007
Crash reported3 injuries reported

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2006 KIA SORENTO LX WAS IN A CRASH ON 02/12/07 WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, AN D MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO A SIDE STREET WITH THE STREET CONDITION CLEAR IN THE EVENING HOURS ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE AIRBAG MANUFACTURING. HE FELT THAT AIRBAGS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE DESIGNED TO DEPLOY UNDER THESE TYPES OF CONDITIONS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10182615
Incident
Feb 12, 2007
Mileage
500 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .