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2006 Kia Sportage

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 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

93 reports with mileage · 18 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 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports5 fire reports5 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

22 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 2, 2024
Electrical 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 real…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11586671

115,000 miles · Apr 26, 2022
Electrical SystemService 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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11462278

130,000 miles · Nov 25, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

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, TH…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11376365

68,000 miles · Dec 6, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService 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.

NHTSA ODI #11287543

137,723 miles · Nov 19, 2019
Electrical 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 216…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11280983

240,000 miles · Nov 5, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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 LIGH…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11278272

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2018
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPX. 40 MPH. VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART, AND WILL NOT RESTART. MECHANICS HAVE PROBLEM CONNECTING SCANNERS TO PMC AND EFFECTING REPAIRS. SEVERAL SCANNERS, INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL SCANNERS ARE UNABLE TO RETRIEVE VEHICLE'S DATA. SCANNERS, SAYS "CHECK CONNECTION TO VEHICLE COMPUTER" AND "WAI…

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VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPX. 40 MPH. VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART, AND WILL NOT RESTART. MECHANICS HAVE PROBLEM CONNECTING SCANNERS TO PMC AND EFFECTING REPAIRS. SEVERAL SCANNERS, INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL SCANNERS ARE UNABLE TO RETRIEVE VEHICLE'S DATA. SCANNERS, SAYS "CHECK CONNECTION TO VEHICLE COMPUTER" AND "WAITING FOR RESPONSE FROM VEHICLE". VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DISABLED. TOTAL OPERATING MILAGE OF VEHICLE IS 38,500 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11164234

70,000 miles · Dec 21, 2018
Electrical SystemVisibilityFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN FAILED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR FAN WIRING HAD MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOM AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V015000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN FAILED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR FAN WIRING HAD MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOM AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V015000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11162934

130,000 miles · Mar 26, 2018
Air BagsElectrical System

TAKATA RECALL I JUST PURCHASED MY KIA SPORTAGE ON 3/15/2018 AT A DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO THE DEALER AND AM TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT DOESN'T MATTER. AS I'M READING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS AND THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENTS THE AIRBAGS DO NOT DEPLOY, MY SAFETY IS AN IS…

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TAKATA RECALL I JUST PURCHASED MY KIA SPORTAGE ON 3/15/2018 AT A DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO THE DEALER AND AM TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT DOESN'T MATTER. AS I'M READING ALL THESE COMPLAINTS AND THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENTS THE AIRBAGS DO NOT DEPLOY, MY SAFETY IS AN ISSUE HERE. I AM CERTAIN THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. IT WILL BE SENT TO THE DEALER TO BE LOOKED AT. ALSO, I HAVE GOOGLED AS TO WHY MY BLOWER MOTOR WILL NOT SHUT OFF. THAT'S THE BLOWER RESISTOR THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THOSE COMPLAINTS ARE ON HERE ALSO, ALMOST CATCHING FIRE. I'VE NEVER FELT SO UNSAFE BEING IN A VEHICLE. THESE 2 MAIN FACTORS NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI #11081225

129,000 miles · Apr 27, 2015
Electrical SystemVisibility

VEHICLES HEATING AND COOLING UNIT STARTED WORKING SPORADICALLY. THEN STOPPED AND YOU COULD SMELL A BURNING SMELL. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD WE WERE LUCKY THE VEHICLE HAD NOT CAUGHT FIRE. THE WIRE AND CONNECTOR TO THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER WERE MELTED AND FALLING APART. THE CONNECTOR ITSELF WAS MELTED. HE DISCONNECTED THE UNI…

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VEHICLES HEATING AND COOLING UNIT STARTED WORKING SPORADICALLY. THEN STOPPED AND YOU COULD SMELL A BURNING SMELL. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD WE WERE LUCKY THE VEHICLE HAD NOT CAUGHT FIRE. THE WIRE AND CONNECTOR TO THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER WERE MELTED AND FALLING APART. THE CONNECTOR ITSELF WAS MELTED. HE DISCONNECTED THE UNIT TO PREVENT IT FROM CATCHING FIRE. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD, BEING THAT MY DAUGHTERS FEET WERE DIRECTLY BELOW THE AREA THAT WAS SMOKING AND MELTING, ABOUT TO CATCH FIRE. IT IS JUST BELOW THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT SIDE. THIS APPEARS TO HAVE HAPPENED MANY TIMES WITH THIS VEHICLE MODEL BY READING ONLINE REPORTS. I HOPE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT IT BEFORE SOMEONE IS BURNT OR WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713222

Official recalls

1

09V130000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 17, 2009

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

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.

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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