Used 2006 Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A) Consumer Reviews
Used Sorento for sale
2006 KIA Sorento (4 x 4)
MDKarney, 12/05/2006
Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
My KIA Sorento drives like a luxury car, but offers me greater visibility and safety driving on roads filled with large trucks and SUVs. The only things I would like to change about this vehicle is for it to have a two additional rear seats and to increase the horsepower, as I like quick pickup if I need it. Although, starting off and maintaining a "normal" speed offers me greater gas mileage. I also find the warranty to be better than most vehicles out there! Hopefully with proper maintenance of this vehicle, I will not have to use it. While the KIA Sorento is not the most popular SUV out there, I highly recommend anyone to at least look into this SUV and give it serious consideration.
Electrical systems from the 1950's
Rich Hart, Smithville, MO, 02/19/2016
updated 03/08/2021
Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
39 of 43 people found this review helpful
Overall, a comfortable (I'm 6'3") solid vehicle, but poor fuel economy and many electrical problems. Dome light diode (whoever heard of such a thing), door lock actuator (never had one fail even in the GM garbage of the 70's and 80's), heater blend door actuator, and crankshaft angle sensor ($900 repair to replace shitty magnetic pick up, but buried in engine). The sunroof plastic guide rail broke at 5 years with little use, so roof will slide but won't tilt. Temperature gauge has never worked reliably, even after 3 trips to dealer when new. I finally gave up as it wasn't important. Factory replacement windshield wiper blades last only 18 mos! Most of the problems are just annoying, but the crankshaft sensor problem is way too frequent...should have been a recall. Also, seat belt retraction springs are going bad. The build quality on the new models looks worse, so it will be a Honda, Nissan, or Toyota next time. I also have an 18 year old Infiniti with 70,000 miles, and have had less than one- fourth the problems! Update 8-22-16: Valve lifter (tappet) now ticks if the car sits more than a day or two without being driven. Not burning any appreciable amount of oil. Gas mileage down to 15 mpg using the E10 fuel now sold here (was 16 mpg with 0-5% ethanol). Have had to replace another failed electrical part, the A/C & heat temperature door actuator. Got the Kia brand part on the internet for about $70, replaced myself so no labor cost. Still driving the vehicle because it is much more comfortable to sit in (excellent leg room) than most others, and property tax is very low. Overall impression of an average quality SUV remains the same. Update 2-23-17: Replaced brakes and turned rotors at 58,000 miles. No more vibration when stopping. Have not experienced the crankshaft bolt/pulley failure but received notice of class action settlement regarding this frequent problem. Tailgate lift struts no longer work. Vehicle remains what I would term "average" quality, on par with most of the American products. I keep driving it because the seating position and comfort remain excellent and the overall cost of ownership, even with some problems, remains low. Update 8-24-18: No new issues in last year. As I get older and have to deal with many increasingly obscure and complicated electronic gizmos (and no standardization of anything!), I appreciate the relative simplicity of this vehicle. Comfort remains good and performance remains sluggish, but it has been reliable except for the aforementioned crankshaft sensor that most definitely should have been covered under a recall and/or fixed at no cost. It is heavy (full frame), more durable, and safer than most of the similar new vehicles, resulting in a generous appetite for fuel! Still, it's a keeper. Update 2-27-19: Just replaced the A/C belt tensioner puller due to loud bearing noise, followed by the A/C compressor due to a burned up clutch/pulley. Just 71,000 miles at this point. The last A/C compressor failure I had was nearly 50 years ago on a ‘67 Oldsmobile! I am disappointed, but still plan to keep this old beast for now. The new Telluride might change my mind...but my Kia experience has been less than good. Update 8-28-19: Seat belt light/beeper has developed a mind of its own; goes on and off for no apparent reason. No other major issues. I continue to keep it because of the lack of high and intrusive center console on most new vehicles that hits my right knee. I will absolutely not buy one of those miserable beasts with no leg room. I want to stretch out, particularly on long drives! The car mfrs have not yet figured this out. Update 2-29-2020. Still going with no new problems. Keeping this because there is such restricted legroom from the huge center consoles on most new SUV’s. And a few minor repairs here and there are nothing compared with the expenses (esp taxes) of a new vehicle. I am considering upgrading the now dated headlights. Remember when halogen lamps were an innovation? 😀😀
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2006 Kia Sorento for sale near you
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- LX 4dr SUVMSRP: $9,500205 mi away
- EX 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,995243 mi away
- LX 4dr SUVMSRP: $2,500490 mi away
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Crank shaft gear
Lance, Iron Ridge, WI, 06/20/2017
Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
31 of 34 people found this review helpful
Before buying this suv do your research , mostly into weather or not the crankshaft roll pin has or is close to shearing off , the repairs will include the crankshaft gear, harmonic damper crankshaft bolt and timing belt, the repairs will exceed 1000 dollars, this part has failed on mine 3 times in less then 20000 miles, the dealer will not warranty the repairs post 6 months, its extreamly frustrating that there is no update,recall or recourse other then pony up over a grand every 8000 miles because of the same failure, poor design, poor warranty, poor reliability
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Defective part that can cause catastrophic failure
Kathy, Westford, MA, 09/06/2016
updated 07/08/2019
Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
48 of 54 people found this review helpful
Model years 2002-09 contain a defective engine crank sprocket that when the bolt breaks, causes you to loss your power steering and the engine is JUNK. The bolt broke while I was on the highway doing 65 MPH. When I went to steer on to the on ramp, I had NO power steering and almost went off the road. I had the car towed to the dealer and they told me the crank shaft bolt broke and I needed a new engine to the tune of $5000.00 I purchased the car used 6 months before for $8900.00 and there was less than 91,000 miles on it. I ended up losing my shirt on this piece of junk that Kia KNEW was defective. They don't seem to care that someone can get killed when this happens.
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A Good Buy
Sorentoluva, 05/15/2006
Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
The Sorento is a user friendly vehicle to drive especially here in the Bahamas where you need a ride that is tough and rugged to handle some of those 'bad' roads down here. It offers smooth handling and the power is there when needed for those open roads where sometimes I am surprised by its quickness, mine is the 3.5 V6. All in all I really like my Sorento and intend to enjoy it for as long as I can. What I really like is that it offers some features that an Explorer doesn't. I have to give it to Kia for the design and shape on the exterior. Those guys really kicked it up a notch. In my opinion the Sorento has one of the sportiest shape of all suv's you can find anywhere period.
"Killed In Action!"
K8, 06/16/2010
Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
6 of 9 people found this review helpful
I hate to think i spent all that money on a car i worry about more than my physical health after a roll over that almost took my life at age 27. Kia on the west side of Olympia have been more of a problem then the car. Check engine light (they cleared without fixing), wheel bearing x2 in the shop yesterday & it's my fault at 60k, pulls, shakes, squeaks, break light countless times has been replaced, how it rides scares me to death. I worry about a new problem more then the price of gas. I promise I will tell 1,000 if not more people that this car is the "biggest waste of time & money ever spent." I hate this car! My lifted 04 Rubicon is safer, even after it rolled x5 at 70 mph!
So much spaghettie
Used Car Salesperson, Murfreesboro, TN, 11/11/2018
Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
9 of 15 people found this review helpful
I've done the research and with the back seats collapsed and no passengers, one could fit approximately 200 gallons* of spaghetti in this vehicle. *Calculated based on fitting 11 18g plastic totes
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I would do it again....
TeeBrock, Cedar Rapids, IA, 12/10/2017
Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Great all around vehicle. Low maintenance other than routine stuff. Great in the snowy midwest. Lacks a bit in the fuel mileage, but it's a trade off.
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Ongoing Problem Kia Can't Fix
SWFang, 07/06/2007
Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I love the vehicle inside and out. It drives and handles well. The only problem I have is the engine light comes on and off at random always giving the same code (P506) and the vehicle stalls at random usually from a cold start, but sometimes when the vehicle is in motion. Kia has tried to fix these problems at least 4 times each but have had no success. Apparently, they want me to constantly take the vehicle in for service each time the problems happen, but it's impossible for me to do so every week. Kia doesn't seem too concerned about the problems and has said they will make no offer to resolve the problem.
Wish I would've never purchased
see, 03/09/2009
Kia Sorento EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Although, the car drives fine. It has so many problems its rediculous. I purchased new in 06. If it is windy outside and you are driving- be prepared for an annoying LOUD whistle. The wind hits the windshield at the top and makes a horrible noise. I guess its the way its made. The cd player already quit working. I didnt even use it much. The heater comes and goes as it pleases. The dome light also comes and goes as it pleases. Also, the 4x4 light comes off and on. Overall the car does get me where I need to go, but all of these "little" things have ruined it for me. Can't wait to get a different car!