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Research · Minivan - 2WD

2006 Kia SedonaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 385 owner complaints for the 2006 Kia Sedona. Most complaints involve suspension (84) and air bags (80). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Feb 2020
Owner complaints
385
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system

Free remedy

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Electrical systemReported Feb 14, 2020NHTSA 20V088000

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through August 14, 2012 and originally sold in, or currently registered in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

SuspensionReported Jun 1, 2016NHTSA 16V387000

Latches

Free remedy

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Kia Sedona vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2005, through April 04, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Jun 1, 2016NHTSA 16V389000
See all 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

385 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2006 – May 2026
  1. Suspension84
  2. Air bags80
  3. Electrical system79
  4. Structure41
  5. Exterior lighting33
  6. Latches/locks/linkages31
  7. Power train24
  8. Vehicle speed control22
  9. Service brakes21

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sedona model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2002250
2003200
2004213
2005185
2006385
2007157
2008170
200948
201032
201165
2012108
201439
2015140
2016297
2017134
201849
201939
202020
202110
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
18
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

84 reports1 crash
“FRAME RUSTED -OUT ALLOWING RIGHT FRONT WHEEL A -FRAME TO COME LOOSE. ALLOWING WHEEL TO MOVE REARWARD INTO WHEELWELL STOPING ROTATION. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE ??? MAYBE YOU WOULDNOT BE READING THIS??? [XXX] USCG retired”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 11, 2023Suspension, WheelsODI 11516462

Air bags

80 reports5 crashes
“WCS ERROR . AIRBAG SYSTEM ISSUE .KIA RECALLED 2015 BUT DOESNT BOTHER ON EARLIER CARS.SOMETIMES CAR DOESNT START MANY HAVE THIS ISSUES IT HAS TO DO WITH IMMOBILIZER WIRES .AND BRAKES WITH ROTORS ARE BAD EVERY 2 YEARS BREAKS AND ROTORS GET KILLED .MY CAR HAS ONLY 56856 MLS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2020Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakesODI 11355289

Electrical system

79 reports1 crash5 fires
“The contact owned a 2006 Kia Sedona. The vehicle was bought used close to four years ago. The contact was unaware that the vehicle had received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 16V389000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES), and 16V387000 (SUSPENSION). The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, an abnormal pop sound was heard coming from the vehicle. The contact noticed smoke was emitting from the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the heat gauge was rising. The contact pulled to the side of the road when a passerby ran up to the contact's vehicle and informed the contact that flames were visible under the vehicle. The passerby stated that he followed the contact for about a mile, honking and waving to notify the contact of the fire. The contact and child immediately exited the vehicle. The contact stated that once she exited the vehicle, the front end of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The contact and child did not sustain any injuries. The police and fire department were called to the scene. The fire department extinguished the fire when, shortly after, there was an explosion. The…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2026Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11736057
All 2006 Sedona problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sedona
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162318$3,550494
  • Sedona
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Kia Sedona as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 1927
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Sedona questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Kia Sedona have?

7 safety recalls as of Oct 31, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Kia Sedona problems?

Owners filed 385 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (84), air bags (80), electrical system (79). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Kia Sedona get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Kia Sedona at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026