RoadVitals

2006 Kia Sorento Fuel system Problems

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

Data refreshed

Fuel system 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.
12
Latest Dec 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.
5%
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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. 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. 12 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 fuel system

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

Fuel system
Filed Dec 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle would move, but shortly afterwards the vehicle would lose motive power and stall. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle several times, the vehicle operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who replaced the fuel pump sensor. The sensor had been replaced three times; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

NHTSA ID
11496559
Incident
Dec 8, 2018
Mileage
122,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 20, 2022

When fueling I am unable to put the fuel hose in all the way and lock in place. I have to hold the fuel hose and pump very slowly. If I pump too fast the fuel will not go in tank. I was told it’s the ball in the fuel tank that is screwed up. I was also told there was a recall but I never received knowledge to that. It’s been doing this for a while. Do not have exact date but it happens every time I fuel.

NHTSA ID
11490228
Incident
Oct 20, 2020
Fuel system
Filed Jun 14, 2020

SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM VEHICLE AROUND THE FILLER NECK

NHTSA ID
11328723
Incident
Jun 10, 2020
Mileage
127,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 8, 2018

WHEN I AM FILLING MY GAS TANK WITH GAS, THE GAS SPITS BACK OUT AT ME. THE ENGINE IS OFF WHEN I'M FILLING MY GAS TANK AND THE CAR IS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID
11092476
Incident
Apr 1, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 2, 2017

CONSTANT STRONG RAW GAS ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE AND NEAR EXTERIOR REAR OF VEHICLE WHILE IGNITION OFF AND AFTER IGNITION ENGAGED. NO EXTERIOR LEAKS PRESENT. POOR GAS MILEAGE.

NHTSA ID
10957985
Incident
Oct 5, 2016
Mileage
105,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemSteering
Filed Feb 17, 2015

ON JANUARY 17, 2015, I RETRIEVED MY 2006 KIA SORENTO LX FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO HAVE THE WATER PUMP AND HEATER HOSES REPLACED. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT SINCE MY VEHICLE HAD CLOSE TO 60K MILES ON IT THAT ACCORDING THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE TIMING BELT BE REPLACED. IT COST ME A LITTLE OVER $1,200. TWO WEEKS LATER I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AS I PROCEEDED TO MAKE MY LEFT, FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE BOGGED, STALLED, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ALL CAME ON FOR AN INSTANT AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. I GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP AND ATTEMPTED TO RE-START MY CAR AND IT DID. NOTHING HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE AGAIN UNTIL A WEEK LATER AND IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. I TOOK IT THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT IT WAS CHEAP GAS. MY HUSBAND, ON SATURDAY 02/14/2015, MOVED THE VEHICLE TO THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE AND PARKED IT. AT 4 P.M. WE WENT TO LEAVE AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. I GOOGLED SOME INFORMATION AND HAD TO RE-SET THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH UNDER THE HOOD AND THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. LAST NIGHT, 02/16/2015, THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING AGAIN AND AGAIN WE HAD TO RE-SET THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH AND THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. TODAY, 02/17/2015, WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITIONING SENSORS AND THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR NEED TO BE REPLACED AND NOW THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME ANOTHER $1,100. I HAVE GONE ONLINE AND DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE. I ALSO NOTED THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN NJ FOR THE SAME THING. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT KIA MOTORS IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND JUST TURNING A BLIND EYE. THESE PROBLEMS CONTINUE AFTER REPAIRS ARE MADE ACCORDING TO THE COMPLAINTS I FOUND. *TR

NHTSA ID
10683904
Incident
Feb 4, 2014
Mileage
61,000 mi
Fuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Aug 24, 2014

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS AT LEAST THREE TIMES A YEAR ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE OWNERSHIP MANY TIMES. IN ADDITION, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP 2 AND THE WHOLE STEERING SYSTEM TWICE ALSO. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLES OF MY MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR BUT NOT ON MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE. SO IM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE BREAKING DOWN ON ME AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR THAT HAS A RECALL FOR OTHER VEHICLES IN THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10627824
Incident
Apr 12, 2013
Mileage
157,000 mi
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Jun 14, 2014

I WAS DROPPING MY SON OFF AT DAYCARE. I ATTEMPTED TURN LEFT AND MY BATTERY, BRAKE, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY STEERING ALSO WENT OUT. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED BACK IT ON. CAR WAS FINE UNTIL I TRIED TO TURN, SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WALKED MY SON THE REST OF THE WAY TO DAYCARE. WHEN I RETURNED I STARTED THE CAR AND HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND. I DROVE IT LESS THAN A MILE BACK HOME AND OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE WHERE THE SOUND WAS COMING FROM. NONE OF MY BELTS WERE MOVING AND CHECKED MY LIQUIDS AND TOPPED EVERYTHING OFF. STILL NOTHING THEN I NOTICED THE PULLEY WAS WOBBLING. WHILE REMOVING THE RADIATOR FAN TO GET A CLOSER LOOK I REALIZED THE PLASTIC NIPPLE THAT CONNECTS TO THE HOSE HAD BEEN COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED AND BROKEN OFF. I BOUGHT A NEW RADIATOR AND TIGHTENED THE PULLEY BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. NOW I'VE LEARNED THE THE CRANK PULLEY BOLT HAS BROKEN AND IS GOING TO COST ME 2000 SOME ODD DOLLARS TO FIX. AFTER READING THE KIA FORUM I SEE THAT HE RADIATOR AND BOLT IS MORE THAN A COMMON ISSUE FOR THE KIA. I'M ON PROBATION PERIOD AT MY JOB AND WILL MOST LIKELY LOSE MY JOB AND MY VEHICLE. I HOPE ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS SOMETHING BEING DONE TO RESOLVE IT. *JS

NHTSA ID
10598314
Incident
Jun 10, 2014
Mileage
120,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Feb 10, 2014

2006 KIA SORENTO COMPLAINT: ENGINE , STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EXTERIOR LIGHTING ,THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR I AM CHANGING THE HEAD LIGHTS EVERY 4-5 MONTH AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO WARNING. AND JUST LAST WEEK 2/2/2014 THE ENGINE STOPPED AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND ALSO NO BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SIDE ROAD AND BARELY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED AND HAD TO REPLACE A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND A MASS AIR FLOW METER AND AIR FILTER AND THE HARMONIC BALANCER. THIS IS CRAZY THESE PROBLEMS AND REQUIRES EXTENSIVE AND EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO THE ENGINE. THIS INDICATES TO US A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN FLAW AND PROBABLE SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY KIA WORLDWIDE. IT'S DISTURBING WITH HOW MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I'M READING ON THIS SITE ABOUT THE SAME EXACT THING! IS THERE ANY HELP OUT THERE THIS IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ALL THESE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,100. *TR

NHTSA ID
10563656
Incident
Feb 2, 2014
Mileage
73,100 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 13, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,100.

NHTSA ID
10470464
Incident
Aug 6, 2012
Mileage
72,900 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 15, 2008

I OWN A 2006 KIA SORENTO. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO WE NOTICED AN ISSUE WITH GAS SPRAYING BACK WHEN TRYING TO FILL THE TANK. WE WENT TO THE KIA DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT OUR VEHICLE TO LEARN THE DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN SOLD. WE NOTIFIED THE NEW DEALER OF OUR NEED TO HAVE WARRANTY WORK DONE, EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT NO WARRANTY WORK COULD BE DONE UNTIL THEY WERE GIVEN "CODES" FROM THE PARENT COMPANY. WE MADE MANY CALLS OVER SEVERAL MONTHS AND WAS FINALLY TOLD NOT TO CALL THE DEALER, THEY HAD OUR INFORMATION AND WOULD CALL US. THE SITUATION WITH THE GAS TANK SEEMED TO SETTLE UNTIL TWO WEEK AGO WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ONLY TO A GREATER DEGREE, THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF SPRAY BACK, AND THE TANK CANNOT BE FILLED. WE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A VAPOR VALVE ISSUE AND SINCE OUR CAR NOW HAD 70000 MILES THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT APPLY. THERE IS NO RECORD OF OUR CALLS NOR IS THERE ANY RECORD OF THE "CODES". I HAVE INITIATED A COMPLAINT WITH THE PARENT COMPANY, TO NO AVAIL. AFTER REVIEWING SOME OF THE LITERATURE I HAVE NOTED THAT KIA HAS HAD ISSUES SIMILAR TO THIS SINCE 1999 WITH A NHTSA INVESTIGATION OF GAS TANK LEAKS IN MAY 2006. I BELIEVE THAT THE SAME DEFECT THAT WAS IN THE KIA SPORTAGE IS IN THE KIA SORENTO. THERE SEEMS TO BE A GROWING POPULATION OF KIA OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. SINCE MY ISSUE SEEMS TO BE THE SAME AS MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD GAS TANK PROBLEMS, I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY IN EXCESS OF 500 DOLLARS TO CORRECT A PROBLEM THAT KIA KNEW THEY HAD. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PARENT COMPANY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THERE IS SIGNIFICANT DOCUMENTATION OF THIS EXACT ISSUE BEING INVESTIGATED OVER TIME. THANK YOU PAUL LEBLANC *TR

NHTSA ID
10245624
Incident
Oct 9, 2008
Mileage
40,000 mi
Fuel systemTransmission
Filed Dec 18, 2006

WE HAVE A 2006 KIA THE SUV TYPE AND THE PROBLE IS THAT WHEN WE FILLED THE GAS TANK THE GASA GAUGE WOULD WOULD GO TO EMPTY IN 32 MILES AND AL SO THE SHIFTER HANDEL POPED OUT THE HOLDER

NHTSA ID
10176507
Incident
Nov 27, 2006
Mileage
23,501 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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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .