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2006 Kia Sportage

The Verdict

71 Solid Pick

The 2006 Kia Sportage has 111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (51 complaints) and engine (26 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 71/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Kia Sportage, consider the 2003 model year which has 96% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2003 has 96% fewer complaints

View the 2003 Kia Sportage dashboard →

71

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200081423912930
200162163210716
200250162413314
200310030
200525519190
200622951263
2007221230112
2008212026247
2009241527122
201065522
20113517268913
20122391633210
20132516153147
201419177741
2015162213883
2016142915633
201773205223216
201832919908
20191567373
2020451213831
20211704232
20221714200
2023632637489
202434511113
2025253984

By Category

Electrical
51
Engine
26
Body
22
Brakes
9
Transmission
3

By Severity

1
42
2
56
4
13

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2006 Kia Sportage stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Electrical 2

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.

26mo ago
Engine 1

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.

38mo ago
Body 1

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 they stated that they will look at it and have vehicle towed to nearness Kia, which is Jack Daniels Motors, Inc Kia in Fairlawn NJ. The vehicle arrived 9:30 am. I received phone at 3:30 pm from Service Advisor [XXX], who actual ask me to come in and sign papers. I could not come on July 5,2020 •On July 6, 2020 I arrived at Kia Jack Daniels Motors, Inc at 5:30 pm to talk to Service Advisor [XXX], he stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and it was out of his hands and someone will get back to me. •On July 10, 2020 I received a phone call from Service Advisor [XXX] that the vehicle pass the warranty and they cannot help me with the issue. I should call customer relation. Then I called customer relation again, I talk to [XXX] ext. [XXX]. The customer servant, [XXX] stated that I should call my insurance company to pay for repairs, (out pocket). I told him that this issue is not my insurance company issue. The issue is Kia, which ha INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

42mo ago
Brakes 1

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.

51mo ago
Engine 4

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 problem or recalled defect. I had to immediately pull over and call AAA to come put the spare donut on my car to get it back home to park. The engine appears to have something wrong with the exhaust system and it sounds bad. I reported this today to Kia America case ID #14407655. I always make it a point to to check fluids and something is not right here. The car is overheated but Radiator is fine and coolant, and all other engine fluids are full but could be an engine issue that is dangerous. This engine sounds like it will burst at any minute its grinding and stalling so bad. Made an appointment with Royal Kia in my hometown Tucson, AZ for October 12, 2021 to have the fuel tank straps replaced and towed as apparently they are faulty and this was the soonest this dealership could perform this. I know the 2010-2021 Sportage models were recalled under Safety Recall 20V-750 but since this recall is somewhat new and yet to discover other Kia Sportage’s that might also be affected. Consumer also noticed malfunctioning of brake and tail lights when pushing the brake pedal and without pushing on it. Taillight bulb had to be replace immediately when purchasing the vehicle. Headlight/lamps were also faulty and replacement on the driver's side as well as replacement of the tire on the driver's side already occurred in the few short weeks consumer owned the vehicle.

58mo ago
Engine 2

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.

67mo ago
Engine 2

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

68mo ago
Electrical 4

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.

68mo ago
Engine 1

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.

69mo ago
Brakes 1

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.

80mo ago
Electrical 2

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

81mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

81mo ago
Electrical 2

AIR BAG NOT ENGAGED LIGHT IS ON

82mo ago
Engine 1

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

83mo ago
Engine 2

BACK IN MAY OF THIS YEAR, I HEARD OF A RECALL FOR GAS TANK STRAPS ON MY CAR - SO CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID TANK STRAPS HAD BEEN RECALLED AND CORROSION PROTECTION (UNDERCOATING) WAS ALSO A REMEDY THAT WAS COVERED BY THE RECALL. I ARRANGED RECALL SERVICE AT CLOSEST DEALER (1 1/2 HOURS AWAY) WHO ORDERED THE TANK STRAPS FOR ME. UNFORTUNATELY, ONCE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE TECH SAID THAT HE COULD NOT REPLACE THE STRAPS BECAUSE HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE GAS TANK "WOULD FALL APART DUE TO CORROSION ALONG THE WELDED SEAM OF THE TANK" A COMMON PROBLEM KNOWN TO KIA. BECAUSE THE TECH DID NOT HAVE A NEW TANK IN STOCK, I ASKED HIM IF HE COULD GET ONE FROM A JUNK YARD, HE SAID THAT SUCH A USED TANK "WOULD LIKELY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM." I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET KIA TO REPLACE THE STRAPS AND TANK AT THEIR EXPENSE AND TO FOLLOW-UP WITH UNDERCOATING AS THEY ARE OBLIGATED TO DO - FOR MONTHS! I HAVE CALLED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND KIA AMERICA MANAGEMENT IN IRVINE CA MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST MONTHS. THE ONLY RESPONSE I HAVE HAD THUS FAR WAS FROM JESSICA WEAVER OF KIA'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPT (520 772 4714) MS WEAVER HAS REPEATEDLY REQUESTED THAT I GIVE HER MORE TIME AND SHE REPEATEDLY FAILS TO FOLLOW-THROUGH ON HER COMMITMENTS TO CALL BACK. MY LATEST CONTACT FROM HER WAS TWO WEEKS AGO WHERE SHE AGAIN REQUESTED MORE TIME (FIVE DAYS) TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE - - I AGAIN NEVER HEARD BACK FROM MS WEAVER. WHAT MS WEAVER HAS CONVEYED TO ME IS THAT THE REGIONAL PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER NEEDS TO APPROVE THE REPAIR AND REVIEW THE PHOTOS THAT WERE TAKEN OF THE GAS TANK ...AND SHE CANNOT GET TO HIM. I HAVE REPEATEDLY RESPONDED THAT THERE MUST BE SOMEONE AT KIA WHO CAN APPROVE THE REPAIR. MY SENSE IS THAT THIS POOR WOMAN HAS BEEN TOLD TO JERK ME AROUND UNTIL I GIVE UP ...THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP IN GETTING KIA TO MEET THEIR OBLIGATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

83mo ago
Engine 1

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.

84mo ago
Engine 1

WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE PICKING UP SPEED. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH THE ENGINE SURGED PAST 2000 RPM. WHILE DRIVING ON A DOWNGRADE THE VEHICLE WAS PICKING UP SPEED, AND I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND THE ENGINE RPM WENT 2000 RPM FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. FROM MY EXPERIENCES WITH OTHER VEHICLES I THOUGHT: MAYBE THE DRIVER'S MAT SHIFTED, OR SOME OTHER OBJECT MAY HAVE FALLEN AND WAS INTERFERING WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I FELT AROUND THE PEDAL WITH MY FOOT, BUT FOUND NO FOREIGN OBJECTS. I USED THE TIP OF MY FOOT TO MAKE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS UP ALL THE WAY, AND THEN ENGINE RPM APPEARED TO GO TO NORMAL. WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION I TAPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL A FEW TIMES TO RE-CREATE THE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE WENT TO 2000 RPM FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS, AND CAME BACK DOWN. I CHECKED FOR ANY CODES USING AN OBD II SCANNER, HOWEVER NONE WERE FOUND.

84mo ago
Engine 2

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.

84mo ago
Electrical 2

I HAD THIS ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES. AND THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM SO THEY ONLY DELETE THE ERROR. THE FIRS ISSUE IS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG (AIRBAG LIGHT ERROR) THE ERROR SEEMS TO BE THE SENSOR INSIDE THE SEAT.. AND THE SECOND ERROR THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT SHOWING THE CORRECT SPEED. THE SPEEDOMETER IS READING ABOUT 5 MILE OFF.

86mo ago
Brakes 1

ABS MODULE FAILURE. CAR WAS TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT APPEARED TO LOOSE POWER. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL AND THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL HAD LOCKED UP DUE TO THE FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OFF THE MAIN ROAD WE WERE ON.

89mo ago

111 total

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