2006 Kia SPORTAGE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
111 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
72,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 93 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 111 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 26 | 23.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 8.1% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 2.7% |
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 | 37 |
| Electrical System | 20 |
| Engine | 15 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
Air Bags: 37; Electrical System: 20; Engine: 15; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Exterior Lighting: 5; Power Train: 5; Service Brakes: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 18 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 18 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 19 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 18; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 18; 100,000 to 149,999: 19; 150,000 and above: 8
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 18 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2006: 2; 2007: 8; 2008: 3; 2009: 10; 2010: 4; 2011: 10; 2012: 7; 2013: 13; 2014: 13; 2015: 6; 2016: 3; 2017: 5; 2018: 7; 2019: 11; 2020: 4; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 26 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 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 10198272 · 2007-08-02 (August 2, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE DOWNHILL, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. SHE APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARDS AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL SHIFTED IN PARK. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A TREE TO AVOID MERGING INTO AN INTERSECTION. ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE PASSENGER SEATED IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT SUFFERED A BROKEN NOSE. THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10198272 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10275829 · 2009-07-06 (July 6, 2009)
MY BRAKE LIGHTS KEPT BLOWING. THEN I LOST MY CRUISE CONTROL. THEN MY ESC LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. THEN ALL MY LIGHTS CAME ON! IT WAS A DEFECTIVE BRAKE SWITCH. WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER RECALL, BUT ENDED UP COSTING ME $157.14! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201964 · 2007-09-05 (September 5, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND INSPECTED. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO FAULTY WIRING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND AN INSPECTOR TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY REMAINS AT THE SHOP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 13,000. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10201964 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10289009 · 2009-10-19 (October 19, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPORTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON JULY 18, 2009 AND REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL# 09V130000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). AFTER THE REPAIR SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY SHIFT IN THE REVERSE GEAR. AFTER REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OFF. LASTLY THE VEHICLE SMELLED LIKE BURNT WIRES. THE DEALER CONCLUDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289009 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10319668 · 2010-03-15 (March 15, 2010)
2006 KIA SPORTAGE EX HAS REPEATED PROBLEM WITH ENGINE SHUTDOWN/STALL UPON STARTING FROM A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. BOTH WITH AND WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING, AND IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS ALSO WITH AND WITHOUT LIGHTS. NO CODE HAS SHOWN UP ON THE COMPUTER. NO WARNING. FIRST INDICATION THERE IS A PROBLEM IS WHEN WE TAKE OFF AND STEERING IS STIFF (E.G. NO PS) AND THE CAR DOESN'T MOVE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10319668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10354629 · 2010-09-09 (September 9, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED HE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED MANY FAILURES. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED BUT THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY ADVISED THE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10354629 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208795 · 2007-11-13 (November 13, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED BUMPS AND BRUISES OVER HER ENTIRE BODY CAUSED BY THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DETERMINED TO BE DESTROYED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE CURRENT AND FAIL…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208795 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10444797 · 2012-01-22 (January 22, 2012)
TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. SO I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A TRANS. OK, I BOUGHT A USED TRANS BECAUSE THEY SAID I COULD"NT GET A NEW ONE. WELL AS SOON AS I PULLED OUT ON TO THE ROAD AFTER THEY INSTALLED THE TRANS IT STARTED TO DO THE SAME THING IT WAS DOING WHEN I TOOK IT IN THE FIRST TIME. WELL, THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER TO RESET IT. WELL THAT WORKED. MY PROBLEM IS THAT I ASKED THEM IF THEY COULD RESET IT WHEN I FIRST TOOK IT TO THEM AND THEY SAID NO. WELL WHY DID THEY RESET IT T…
Owner-reported narrative. 146,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10444797 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10171078 · 2006-10-17 (October 17, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HOME, THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL AND FUMES WHICH EMANATED FROM THE INSIDE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DRIVEN HOME AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE. UPON INSPECTION, GAS WAS OBSERVED LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO SAFETY HAZARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE GAS TANK DUE TO CORROSION. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11252159 · 2019-08-29 (August 29, 2019)
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 PROB…
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11252159 at NHTSA ↗