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2005 Kia Sportage

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Kia Sportage do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 122.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

51 reports with mileage · 17 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

Structure complaints

8 reports
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106,000 miles · Jun 5, 2018
Structure

THE CLUTCH WENT OUT ON OUR KIA SPORTAGE AND WHEN WE HAD IT AT THE AUTO MECHANIC, HE TOLD US, THE FRAME WAS SO RUSTY IT WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. WE WERE ALARMED TO HEAR THIS CONSIDERING WE USED THIS CAR TO TRANSPORT OUR GRANDCHILDREN SOMETIMES AND THOUGHT ABOUT WOULD COULD HAVE HAPPENED. CURRENTLY WE DO NOT EVEN WANT THE CLUTC…

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THE CLUTCH WENT OUT ON OUR KIA SPORTAGE AND WHEN WE HAD IT AT THE AUTO MECHANIC, HE TOLD US, THE FRAME WAS SO RUSTY IT WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. WE WERE ALARMED TO HEAR THIS CONSIDERING WE USED THIS CAR TO TRANSPORT OUR GRANDCHILDREN SOMETIMES AND THOUGHT ABOUT WOULD COULD HAVE HAPPENED. CURRENTLY WE DO NOT EVEN WANT THE CLUTCH REPAIRED AS WE HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO CONSIDER EVEN DRIVING IT UNLESS THE FRAME SUB RAILS/FLOOR ARE REPLACED. I HAVE SINCE READ OTHER REVIEWS AND HAVE FOUND SIMILAR ALARMING CONCERNS. KIA SHOULD ADDRESS THIS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. WE CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR, CANNOT FIX THE CLUTCH, SO IT IS JUST SITTING AT THE MECHANICS. WHAT DO WE DO, JUST JUNK THE CAR? WHAT A COST INFRINGEMENT. WE WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER KIA, NOR WILL PEOPLE THAT WE INFORM OF THIS ISSUE. I SHUDDER WHEN I THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED, ESPECIALLY DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE ADVISE...

NHTSA ODI #11100004

145,000 miles · Sep 10, 2017
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

REAR SUBFRAME ROTTED OUT. (,UNSAFE TO DRIVE). KIA SPORTAGE 2005 LOOK LIKE 30 YEARS OLD.

NHTSA ODI #11022529

117,000 miles · Apr 4, 2016
Structure

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 MANUFAC…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10853382

119,000 miles · Aug 5, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE GETTING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, THE INSPECTOR NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE CROSS MEMBER WAS BEGINNING TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ODI #10746401

78,600 miles · May 3, 2013
StructureInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCESSING THE REAR LIFTGATE, ONE OF THE TWO HINGES FRACTURED, CAUSING IT TO RELEASE ABRUPTLY ONTO HIS LEFT ARM. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM LACERATIONS AND BRUISING TO THE LEFT ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH LIFTGATE HINGES WERE R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCESSING THE REAR LIFTGATE, ONE OF THE TWO HINGES FRACTURED, CAUSING IT TO RELEASE ABRUPTLY ONTO HIS LEFT ARM. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM LACERATIONS AND BRUISING TO THE LEFT ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH LIFTGATE HINGES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,600.

NHTSA ODI #10510531

200,000 miles · Apr 13, 2013
StructureSuspension

PURCHASED 2005 (NEW) RIGHT FROM THE SHOWROOM. EIGHT YEARS LATER FIND OUT THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. AND THAT'S PUTTING IT MILDLY. BROUGHT IT TO KIA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. SAID THEY NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. TOLD ME IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, THAT IF THE FRAME BROKE IN HALF THE BAC…

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PURCHASED 2005 (NEW) RIGHT FROM THE SHOWROOM. EIGHT YEARS LATER FIND OUT THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. AND THAT'S PUTTING IT MILDLY. BROUGHT IT TO KIA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. SAID THEY NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. TOLD ME IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, THAT IF THE FRAME BROKE IN HALF THE BACK TIRES WOULD FALL OFF. ONLY THING HOLDING IT ON IS THE TRAILING ARMS. CLAIM WAS FILED BUT KIA WONT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND SAID THAT IT WAS FROM THE SALT ON THE ROAD IN THE WINTER. ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT'S THE ONLY PART UNDER THE VEHICLE THAT'S ROTTED AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS SOLID WITHOUT RUST. HMMMM!!!! I HOPE THAT AN INVESTIGATION IS OPENED BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER AND KIA DOESN'T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. IVE TAKEN PICTURES AND EVERYONE THAT I'VE SHOWN CANT BELIEVE THERE EYES, SAYING THERE'S NO WAY A VEHICLE OF THIS YEAR SHOULD THE SUBFRAME LOOK LIKE THAT. KIA SAID THEY'VE HAD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT RUST BUT THIS CAN'T EVEN BE CONSIDERED RUST THE HOLES ARE SO...OOOO BIG I COULD PUT MY FIST THROUGH IT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. THIS IS NO LAUGHING MATTER!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508118

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2008
Structure

I HAVE A 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. THE HEADLINER AND SUN VISORS AND THE BACK ARE A CLOTH MATERIAL - THE REST IS LEATHER. THE PROBLEM IS LITTLE TINY BLACK FIBERS ARE COMING THROUGH THE TAN COLORED HEADLINER ETC. THERE FIBERS ARE COMING THROUGH IN ABUNDANCE, LAYING ON THE DASH BOARD AND CONSOLE. IT CAN BE CLEANED ONE DAY AND THE FIBE…

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I HAVE A 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. THE HEADLINER AND SUN VISORS AND THE BACK ARE A CLOTH MATERIAL - THE REST IS LEATHER. THE PROBLEM IS LITTLE TINY BLACK FIBERS ARE COMING THROUGH THE TAN COLORED HEADLINER ETC. THERE FIBERS ARE COMING THROUGH IN ABUNDANCE, LAYING ON THE DASH BOARD AND CONSOLE. IT CAN BE CLEANED ONE DAY AND THE FIBERS ARE THERE AGAIN THE NEXT. THESE FIBERS ARE VERY VERY SMALL. THEY ARE ALSO GETTING ON MY SKIN - THEY ITCH AND STICK TO MY SKIN. THE PRIMARY CONCERN IS THAT THESE FIBERS ARE SO SMALL, AND I KNOW THAT I AM BREATHING THEM IN. HAVE YOU HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. I HAVE CONSULTED THE DEALER AND THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE MAIN WARRANTY DEPT TO GET BACK TO THEM - IN THE MEAN TIME I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY HEALTH - PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232780

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2006
Air BagsStructureCrash

I WAS INVOLVED IN 2 LOW IMPACT CRASHES WITH THIS KIA SPORTAGE 2005 MODEL. ONE WAS A REAR END COLLISION AT 20 MPH AND THE OTHER I WAS HIT FROM THE SIDE IN A PARKING LOT. BOTH TIMES THE OTHER DRIVER DROVE AWAY WITHOUT DAMAGE. I SUFFERED 3500 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE FROM THE FIRST INCIDENT AND 7500 FROM THE SECOND. THE VEHICLE …

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I WAS INVOLVED IN 2 LOW IMPACT CRASHES WITH THIS KIA SPORTAGE 2005 MODEL. ONE WAS A REAR END COLLISION AT 20 MPH AND THE OTHER I WAS HIT FROM THE SIDE IN A PARKING LOT. BOTH TIMES THE OTHER DRIVER DROVE AWAY WITHOUT DAMAGE. I SUFFERED 3500 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE FROM THE FIRST INCIDENT AND 7500 FROM THE SECOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE BOTH TIMES. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS ARE OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO WITNESSED THE INCIDENTS THAT IF THE SPEED HAD BEEN ANY GREATER THE PERSONAL INJURY WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE SUSTAIN SO MUCH DAMAGE FROM WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FENDER BENDERS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10162163

Official recalls

3

05V318000 · Parking Brake

Jul 8, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE INABILITY TO ENGAGE, OR THE INADVERTENT RELEASE OF, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER MAY ALLOW YOUR VEHICLE TO ROLL WHILE IT IS PARKED AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH.

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.

05V212000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

May 3, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE ENGINE MAY STALL WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT WILL BE HARD TO FILL THE GAS TANK AND EXTERNAL FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE EVAPORATIVE AIR FILTER INLET. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

05V120000 · Electronic Stability Control:automatic (asc)

Mar 29, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BRAKE APPLICATION CAUSED BY INADVERTENT ESP ACTIVATION MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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