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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

Wheels complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemWheelsFire

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 we…

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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 lig

NHTSA ODI #11435323

37,000 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Wheels

TL ' THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPORTAGE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. JCC

NHTSA ODI #10605181

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringWheels

RIDING DOWN CHADDS FORD PA ROUTE ONE 6/12/14 ( THURSDAY) WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE OUT OF CONTROL HAD PULLED OVER IN THE MIDDLE OF AFTERNOON TRAFFIC . ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK TIE ROD CAME APART.. THE OUTER THREADS WERE STRIPPED. I HAVE A PICTURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10598989

42,000 miles · Jan 18, 2011
EquipmentWheels

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPORTAGE WITH AN ULTRA 578510 DOLLY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND TOWING THE VEHICLE WITH THE DOLLY THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING FROM ONE SIDE TO ANOTHER. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGERS SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF OF THE DOLLY. T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPORTAGE WITH AN ULTRA 578510 DOLLY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND TOWING THE VEHICLE WITH THE DOLLY THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING FROM ONE SIDE TO ANOTHER. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGERS SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF OF THE DOLLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE TIRES AND THE NUTS CAME OFF OF THE DOLLY. THERE WAS ALSO INDENTATION IN THE LOWER PART OF THE WHEEL WELLS OF THE FRONT TIRES. THE HUB AND TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED TO REIMBURSE THE CONTACT FOR THE DAMAGE. THE CONTACT DID NOT AGREE WITH THE AMOUNT AND NO FURTHER OFFERS WERE MADE BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10377005

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.

Go deeper into Kia Sportage problems