KIA SPORTAGE · model year

2006 KIA SPORTAGE

169 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006KIASPORTAGE carries 169 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 9 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 SPORTAGE is air bags with 37 filings, followed by electrical system (20) and engine (15). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2006 SPORTAGE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

169
Complaints
12
Crashes
9
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

169 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS37
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM20
ENGINE15
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5
POWER TRAIN5
SUSPENSION5
SERVICE BRAKES5
WHEELS4
SEAT BELTS4
STRUCTURE:BODY4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3

Recalls (1)

09V13000017/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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 TH

Recent Complaints

20240502ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20230525FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

Mileage: 65,000

20230525FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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.

Mileage: 65,000

20230108SUSPENSION

July 14, 2020 To whom it may concern I [XXX] is owner of Kia Sportage 2006 [XXX] I purchase this vehicle 12/2005 from Kia in Paramus NJ. This vehicle now has 137,296 miles also what make note it has not never been in accident or given me big issues. In May 2018, I received a recall on this vehicle for application of additional anti- corrosion material (SC104) which I brought my vehicle to Tenafly NJ (which is now closed) •Only July 2, 2020 appropriately 5:20 pm I was driven home to pick up my mother, I heard a weird sound coming from left back wheel. And continuing driving the sound got louder, I taken the vehicle to my mechanic and left there. •July 3, 2020, I went to pick up the vehicle and the mechanic showed me underneath the vehicle how the vehicle corrupted (photos include). The mechanic advises me not to drive the car that it is very hazardous to me and others on the road and I should notify the dealership. •July 5,2020, I called the customer relation of Kia which t

20220426ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 115,000

20220426SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

Mileage: 115,000

20211004FireENGINE

I purchased this vehicle from a private seller in August 2021 and attempted to obtain records of the vehicle Kia America Case ID #14353653 which Kia America has yet to provide me any information. I had a full diagnostic done by a certified mechanic at Borst Automotive in the state of Arizona on 09/18/21 where several concerns were reported to me that Kia failed to report. There is a new and concerning grinding with the engine on my 2006 Kia Sportage LX that sounds like it might be an exhaust leak. I hear loud grinding sounds now when turning on the car that immediately sound when it is fired up, and when accelerating is the worst, but the sound starts loud and is immediate when I turn on the vehicle and fire up the engine. Two days ago on 10-01-21 which was the last night I drove it as it feels unsafe to drive now, I did not get far before the front driver's tire closest to the engine completely blew out/ and exploded coming off of it's wheel and cap hinting at a potential engine prob

20211004FireWHEELS

I purchased this vehicle from a private seller in August 2021 and attempted to obtain records of the vehicle Kia America Case ID #14353653 which Kia America has yet to provide me any information. I had a full diagnostic done by a certified mechanic at Borst Automotive in the state of Arizona on 09/18/21 where several concerns were reported to me that Kia failed to report. There is a new and concerning grinding with the engine on my 2006 Kia Sportage LX that sounds like it might be an exhaust leak. I hear loud grinding sounds now when turning on the car that immediately sound when it is fired up, and when accelerating is the worst, but the sound starts loud and is immediate when I turn on the vehicle and fire up the engine. Two days ago on 10-01-21 which was the last night I drove it as it feels unsafe to drive now, I did not get far before the front driver's tire closest to the engine completely blew out/ and exploded coming off of it's wheel and cap hinting at a potential engine prob

20211004FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I purchased this vehicle from a private seller in August 2021 and attempted to obtain records of the vehicle Kia America Case ID #14353653 which Kia America has yet to provide me any information. I had a full diagnostic done by a certified mechanic at Borst Automotive in the state of Arizona on 09/18/21 where several concerns were reported to me that Kia failed to report. There is a new and concerning grinding with the engine on my 2006 Kia Sportage LX that sounds like it might be an exhaust leak. I hear loud grinding sounds now when turning on the car that immediately sound when it is fired up, and when accelerating is the worst, but the sound starts loud and is immediate when I turn on the vehicle and fire up the engine. Two days ago on 10-01-21 which was the last night I drove it as it feels unsafe to drive now, I did not get far before the front driver's tire closest to the engine completely blew out/ and exploded coming off of it's wheel and cap hinting at a potential engine prob

20201228AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 146,367

20201228ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 146,367

20201125ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SPEEDING UP AND SLOWING DOWN ON ITS OWN, AT THIS POINT IT SHUT OFF ANY TIME I WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A LIGHT OR STOP. IT CUT OFF MULTIPLE TIMES ON A HIGHWAY GOING 75 MPH. VERY SCARY WITH KIDS IN CAR. WAS ABLE TO GET HOME AND IT WILL NOT TURN OVER OR START BACK UP GETTING DIAGNOSED TODAY, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, I HAVE READ 100S OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS! KIA YOUR PUTTING OUR LIVES IN DANGER, PREGNANT WITH 2 KIDS AND CAR SHUTTING OFF ON HIGHWAY, OR SPEEDING UP AND SLOWING DOWN BY IT SELF IS TRAUMATIZING. DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS BADLY HURT!! ALSO I AM BIG AND PREGNANT AND DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN I AM ASSUMING THAT TOO IS AN ELECTRIC ISSUE EITHER WAY I HAVE TO CLIMB OVER SEATS, THIS CAR LOOKED GREAT AFTER 1 DAY DOOR STOPPED WORKING AND WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF OWNING IT NOW SPEED! KIA YOU REALLY NEED TO FIX ALL THESE ISSUES SEEMS TO ME THERE IS ELECTRIC PROBLEMS ALL THROUGHOUT THE CAR. PLEASE HELP

Mileage: 130,000

20201125ENGINE

THIS CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SPEEDING UP AND SLOWING DOWN ON ITS OWN, AT THIS POINT IT SHUT OFF ANY TIME I WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A LIGHT OR STOP. IT CUT OFF MULTIPLE TIMES ON A HIGHWAY GOING 75 MPH. VERY SCARY WITH KIDS IN CAR. WAS ABLE TO GET HOME AND IT WILL NOT TURN OVER OR START BACK UP GETTING DIAGNOSED TODAY, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, I HAVE READ 100S OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS! KIA YOUR PUTTING OUR LIVES IN DANGER, PREGNANT WITH 2 KIDS AND CAR SHUTTING OFF ON HIGHWAY, OR SPEEDING UP AND SLOWING DOWN BY IT SELF IS TRAUMATIZING. DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE IS BADLY HURT!! ALSO I AM BIG AND PREGNANT AND DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN I AM ASSUMING THAT TOO IS AN ELECTRIC ISSUE EITHER WAY I HAVE TO CLIMB OVER SEATS, THIS CAR LOOKED GREAT AFTER 1 DAY DOOR STOPPED WORKING AND WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF OWNING IT NOW SPEED! KIA YOU REALLY NEED TO FIX ALL THESE ISSUES SEEMS TO ME THERE IS ELECTRIC PROBLEMS ALL THROUGHOUT THE CAR. PLEASE HELP

Mileage: 130,000

20201119CrashAIR BAGS

I HIT THE SIDE OF A CAR I DIDN'T SEE WHILE PULLING OUT OF A CAR PARK ONTO THE ROAD, SO I WAS MOVING SLOWLY FORWARD. A CAR HAD APPEARED FROM BEHIND 2 TURNING CARS AND I HIT THE SIDE OF IT. NEITHER THE AIR BAG OR THE SEAT BELT IN MY CAR STOPPED MY HEAD FROM MAKING CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS VERY SHAKEN AT THE TIME AS ANYONE WOULD BE. THE FOLLOWING DAY I NEEDED TO REST, AND 2 DAYS LATER WENT TO ER WHERE I HAD A SCAN AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION. OVER 2 WEEKS LATER, I AM MUCH BETTER BUT NOT YET FULLY RECOVERED. I RECEIVED A CITATION FROM THE ATTENDING POLICE OFFICER FOR CARELESS DRIVING. I HAVE CONTACTED CORPORATE KIA TO ASK WHY BOTH THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT FAILED TO HELP ME AVOID INJURY. I ATTACH A PHOTO OF THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND THE POLICE REPORT.

Mileage: 88,993

20201119CrashSEAT BELTS

I HIT THE SIDE OF A CAR I DIDN'T SEE WHILE PULLING OUT OF A CAR PARK ONTO THE ROAD, SO I WAS MOVING SLOWLY FORWARD. A CAR HAD APPEARED FROM BEHIND 2 TURNING CARS AND I HIT THE SIDE OF IT. NEITHER THE AIR BAG OR THE SEAT BELT IN MY CAR STOPPED MY HEAD FROM MAKING CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS VERY SHAKEN AT THE TIME AS ANYONE WOULD BE. THE FOLLOWING DAY I NEEDED TO REST, AND 2 DAYS LATER WENT TO ER WHERE I HAD A SCAN AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION. OVER 2 WEEKS LATER, I AM MUCH BETTER BUT NOT YET FULLY RECOVERED. I RECEIVED A CITATION FROM THE ATTENDING POLICE OFFICER FOR CARELESS DRIVING. I HAVE CONTACTED CORPORATE KIA TO ASK WHY BOTH THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT FAILED TO HELP ME AVOID INJURY. I ATTACH A PHOTO OF THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND THE POLICE REPORT.

Mileage: 88,993

20201019ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 122,000

20191206SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND SHUTTING OFF THE LIGHTS. HAVE TO TURN LIGHTS ON OFF DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, TURN ON AND OFF THE LIGHTS AND KEEP DOING IT UNTIL THEY GO OFF.. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR. READ ONLINE THAT THERE'S A HISTORY OF THIS BUT NO RECALL.

Mileage: 68,000

20191206ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND SHUTTING OFF THE LIGHTS. HAVE TO TURN LIGHTS ON OFF DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, TURN ON AND OFF THE LIGHTS AND KEEP DOING IT UNTIL THEY GO OFF.. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR. READ ONLINE THAT THERE'S A HISTORY OF THIS BUT NO RECALL.

Mileage: 68,000

20191206EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND SHUTTING OFF THE LIGHTS. HAVE TO TURN LIGHTS ON OFF DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, TURN ON AND OFF THE LIGHTS AND KEEP DOING IT UNTIL THEY GO OFF.. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR. READ ONLINE THAT THERE'S A HISTORY OF THIS BUT NO RECALL.

Mileage: 68,000

20191119ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 137,723

Compare 2006KIASPORTAGE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 KIA SPORTAGE have?
The 2006 KIA SPORTAGE has 169 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 9 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 KIA SPORTAGE?
Yes, the 2006 KIA SPORTAGE has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 KIA SPORTAGE?
The most-complained component for the 2006 KIA SPORTAGE is AIR BAGS with 37 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ENGINE.
Is the 2006 KIA SPORTAGE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.