2005 Kia SPORTAGE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
68 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
78,600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 51 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 68 complaints (16.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 20.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 16.2% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 10.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 11 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
Air Bags: 11; Electrical System: 7; Unknown Or Other: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Structure:Body: 6; Suspension: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Steering: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2005: 7; 2006: 6; 2007: 4; 2008: 3; 2009: 3; 2010: 5; 2011: 5; 2012: 5; 2013: 6; 2015: 4; 2016: 5; 2017: 4; 2018: 5; 2019: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10121973 · 2005-05-23 (May 23, 2005)
CONTINOUS FAILURES IN THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (EPS) THAT CAUSES PERIODIC BRAKING DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. FAILURE CAUSES CAR TO PULL IN THE DIRECTION OF BRAKING WHEEL, OFTEN CAUSING THE CAR TO ENTER OTHER LANES OF TRAFFIC. AT THIS POINT, ONLY THE ELECTRONIC SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED, WHICH HAS NOT CORRECTED PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121973 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10191615 · 2007-05-24 (May 24, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL # 05V120000 (SUSPENSION:AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL (ASC)). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKES ARE NOW SQUEALING AND THAT THE BRAKES SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSPECTED WHEN THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROTOR HAS GLAZED OVER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10191615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10118253 · 2005-04-22 (April 22, 2005)
WHEN GAS TANK IS FILLED, GAS LEAKS OUT OF PIPE LEADING TO GAS TANK. WHICH IN MY OPINION COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10118253 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10125462 · 2005-06-16 (June 16, 2005)
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR FUEL LEAK ON 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. LETTER SAID REPAIR TAKES TWO HOURS. TOOK VEHICLE IN AND AFTER 5 HOURS, WAS TOLD THEY NEED TO ORDER PARTS AND KEEP VEHICLE. 2 DAYS LATER WAS GIVEN A RENTAL CAR AND TOLD IT WOULD BE A WEEK TO GET THE PARTS. 9 DAYS AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE IN, WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD BE 4 WEEKS TO GET PARTS BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE AND TO COME GET IT. CALLED MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. UNACCEPTABLE THAT THE 2 HOUR REPAIR SHOUDL TAKE OVER 5 WEEKS!
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10125462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10168564 · 2006-09-18 (September 18, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER EACH INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168564 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201300 · 2007-08-30 (August 30, 2007)
WHILE FINDING A PARKING SPOT MY VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SUDDENLY QUIT. AFTER RESTARTING IT, I FOUND A PARKING SPOT AND JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN PARK, IT STALLED AGAIN. APON LEAVING TO GO HOME, A 10 MILE TRIP,EACH TIME I CAME TO A STOP THE VEHICLE STALLED ON ME AN ADDITIONAL 5 TIMES. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST INTANCE OF THIS PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN THE SHOP PREVIOUSLY FOUR OTHER TIMES. EACH TIME SAYING THAT IT WAS DUE TO A LOOSE AIR INTAKE VALVE. I ACTUALLY ALMOST HAVE PANIC ATTACKS NOW WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON A BUSY INTERSECT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10201300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10344121 · 2010-07-19 (July 19, 2010)
WHEN ACCELERATING WITH LOAD ON ENGINE GOING UP HILL, JUST BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO GEAR THE POWER STEERING WILL LOCK-UP. THE MOMENTARY LOSS OF STEERING WHILE ON MOUNTAINOUS ROADS MAKES FOR A VERY DANGEROUS JOURNEY HOME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 129,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10344121 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10407613 · 2011-06-20 (June 20, 2011)
WHEN DRIVING, USUALLY ON FREEWAY, AS YOU BEGIN TO BRAKE AND EXIT THE FREEWAY, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST STOPS FUNCTIONING, AND STEERING BECOMS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE PROBLEM LASTS MAYBE 2 TO 4 SECONDS, AND THEN EVERYTHING SEEMS FINE. NUMEROUS TRIPS TO DEALERSHIPS (THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS, FIVE REPAIR TRIPS) AND THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE "THERE IS NO PROBLEM". PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECURRING FOR OVER 1 1/2 YEAR PERIOD. DATE OF INCIDENT USED HERE IS ONLY MOST RECENT. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 48,235 miles reported. Look up ODI 10407613 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10368244 · 2010-11-29 (November 29, 2010)
BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR LEAK. DEALER STATES TRANSMISSION PAN LEAKING DUE TO IMPROPER SEALING. SUPPOSED REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. BRING BACK DEALER SAY NOT LEAKING ANYMORE MUST BE RESIDUAL FLUID ON ENGINE. BROUGHT BACK AGAIN SAID NOW THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKING. NOT COVERED PAID FOR NEW COOLER. BROUGHT HOME . NOTICED STILL HAVE A LEAK BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER. NOW THEY SAY IT IS A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR. WANT TO REPLACE THAT AT MY COST. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 65,311 miles reported. Look up ODI 10368244 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10320360 · 2010-03-17 (March 17, 2010)
DURING ALL OF THE 5 INCIDENTS IN 2009 THE ENGINE MISFIRED VIOLENTLY. AT TIMES 35MPH WAS MAX SPEED. CRONIN KIA HAD MY VEHICLE OVER 30 DAYS IN 5 VISITS IN 2009. THEY HAVE REPLACED; TWO CAT. CONVERTERS, THE IGNITION COIL PACK AND SPARK PLUGS, A LEAKING FUEL INJECTOR AND ASSOCIATED WIRING. PLEASE NOTE THE ERROR CODES FOR VISITS 1 AND 5 (3/17/09 AND 7/14/09); P0300-P0303-P0305-P0273. VISIT NUMBER1 ALSO HAD CODES; P0420-P0430 AND P0170. THE DUPLICATE CODES INDICATE THE PROBLEM AFFECTS "BANK 1 ONLY. CODE P0170 SPELLS OUT THE PROBLEM; "FUEL TRIM MALF…
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10320360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11153051 · 2018-11-21 (November 21, 2018)
WIRING HARNESS PLUGS JOINING AT RESISTOR & BLOWER MOTOR ARE MELTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11153051 at NHTSA ↗