2006 Kia Sportage: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 111 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (31% of complaints); the 2005 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The fan for my car worked intermittently. I took the car to the dealership and they said it was the fan. I replaced the fan myself. While replacing the fan, I noticed that one of the connectors was melted. After changing the fan, nothing changed. After that, I decided to remove the bad looking connector. When I did, I realized the damage was much worse than I realized. Some of the casing from the wiring was totally melted off. My radio also started changing stations randomly and my GPS was getting hot when I used it. After I replaced the connector, everything worked perfectly.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2023
“The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V256000 (Fuel System, Other). The contact stated that neither the VIN nor the year, make, or model was not included in the recall. Additionally, the recall was state-specific. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for inspection, who informed the contact of the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2023
“The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being inspected, the vehicle failed due to the autolocking brakes and Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was riding down the road and the airbag light came on. Two days later the check engine light came on. My mechanic thinks it is a sensor for the check engine light. Having trouble with covid-19 getting the part, been waiting for over a week. My mechanic has recommended me taking the car to a kia dealer ship with the airbag light coming on. He though for sure it would have a recall but I do not see one listed.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2020
“My friend and I were driving home at 55 mph when my sportage starting speeding up on its own. Then when I tried to stopped for a red light it wanted to cut off. So when the light changed it started speeding up and slowing on it's own. This went on for about 15 miles. I have never had a car do this. It was really scary. At one point it cut out in the middle of the highway. Thank god there was noone else behind me. I did make it home and it died pulling in the drive.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia sportage. The contact stated that the electric control harness failed. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle decelerated to 30 mph and then accelerated back to normal. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to hertrich kia (6546 ocean gateway, easton, md 21601, (410) 200-9784) where it was diagnosed that the electric control harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,723. *bf*jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 kia sportage. The contact stated that the brake lights remained illuminated independently when the vehicle was turned off and stationary. In addition, the esc warning indicator remained illuminated and the cruise control was not working. The contact also stated that in order to turn off the brake lights, he had to disconnect the vehicle's battery. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 09v130000 (exterior lighting), but the VIN was excluded. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2019
“I previously complained of repeated stuck accelerator pedal. At 179,510 miles accelerator pedal began twisting out of its standard position. An inspection revealed the bolt securing the accelerator pedal and the threaded hole in floor cracked and separated from the floor”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2019
“Previously reported engine surges / erratic idle at 177800 miles, and throttle body cleaned at 177900 miles. At 178345 the idle air control valve was cleaned as a precaution, due to the previous symptoms. At 178377 while driving on the highway I found the throttle stuck in the full open position. After safely stopping the vehicle, I had to manually return the throttle to the normal position. Upon restarting the vehicle I began experiencing erratic idling 3000 to 4000 rpm. Once parked at 178382 the idle air control valve was rechecked, and engine idle rpm returned to normal. I checked the obdii and found no previous or pending codes. I will replace the idle air control valve.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2019
“I previously reported at 177,800 miles that I was experiencing engine surges. While driving if I depressed the clutch engine would rise to 2000 rpms. If I pulled the accelerator pedal up with tip of my foot, the engine rpms would return normal. At 177, 900 miles the throttle body assembly was cleaned, and I am no longer experiencing engine surges.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 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 2006 Kia Sportage reliable?
NHTSA has 111 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2006 Kia Sportage. The most complained-about area is air bags (31% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Kia Sportage problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 72,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Kia Sportage have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. 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.