2005 Kia Sportage: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 68 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (16% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My 2005 Kia Sportage dropped on the rear drivers side. The rear drivers side rear constant velocity axle fell out when the rear sub-frame separated from the suspension and split apart. This caused the tire and wheel to angle to 45 degrees out from bottom to top. The rust and corrosion caused a complete failure of the sub-frame's ability to hold the rear wheels on. This was at low speed. This is a well maintained vehicle with no other problems, the engine had been replaced 5-6 years ago. The Kia Sportage of this year range is a commonly used car still utilized today. If this had happened at highway speed it would have been a disaster.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2022
“My kia sportage.... Stalled in mid traffic like it losses power right after I. Put gasoline in the car, almost making me loose control and get in a wreck. It is not getting fuel .after I continued to try and refuel it. I noticed a recall online about my vehicle nut dealer is only sayinh the recall is on a fuel strap ti hold the fuel tank up I need this safely repaired”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 kia sportage. After the fuel tank was filled, the contact had difficulty restarting the vehicle. On one occasion, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 05v212000(fuel system, gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 185,991.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Took car to have something unrelated to this checked. Was told that the frame is rusted and rotted really bad and is unsfe to drive. The vehicle was stationary and remains stationary for fear of it completely breaking off and causing a catastrophe to myself, my little girls or other drivers on the road.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 kia sportage. While driving approximately 40 mph, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (kia of mccomb in mccomb, ms, 601-250-1005) where it was diagnosed that the seat belt was faulty. The dealer referred the contact to NHTSA. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact also received the settlement notice from tk holdings, inc. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
“Frame corrosion/perforation in rear end. Mechanic says it is unsafe to drive and can't pass safety inspection as rear axle could break off at any time. This seems to be a well documented issue for this vehicle. Vehicle is a total financial loss for me now.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2017
“Tl* the contact owns 2005 kia sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 05v212000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2016
“My airbag light went on july 16 2016. I took the car to sussman kia in jenkintown pa.to check light. I was told it is a faulty seat belt .the air bag may not deploy properly. I was told to replace the seat bely assembly $715.25. The work order invoice #52875--20 july 2016.should this not be a recall item for safety by kia motors?”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 kia sportage. The contact stated that the entire subframe under the vehicle was corroded. In addition, there was a hole in the fuel tank line and the catalytic converter brake line. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was badly corroded. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 kia sportage. The contact stated that the air bag lights illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the seat belt buckle failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE O-RING INTO THE INTERNAL VAPOR CHAMBER LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK AT FULL TANK CONDITIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE THE CHARCOAL CANISTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP), THE YAW RATE SENSOR MAY BECOME TOO SENSITIVE AND MAY RECALIBRATE INACCURATELY. WHILE DRIVING THE ESP PROGRAM MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO REDUCE POWER AND MAY CAUSE A BRAKE AT ONE OF THE WHEELS TO BE INAPPROPRIATELY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ESP HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER RATCHET PAWL WAS NOT PROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND MY DAMAGE THE TEETH OF THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER RATCHET. DAMAGED PARKING BRAKE LEVER RATCHET TEETH MAY PREVENT THE PARKING BRAKE FROM ENGAGING OR MAY ALLOW THE PARKING BRAKE TO RELEASE AFTER IT HAS BEEN ENGAGED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sportage by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Kia Sportage reliable?
NHTSA has 68 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Kia Sportage. The most complained-about area is air bags (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Kia Sportage problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,600 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Kia Sportage have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.