2006 Kia SPORTAGE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10154500 · 2006-04-04 (April 4, 2006)
THE REAR WIPER ARM OF THE KIA SPORTAGE IS MADE OF WEAK PLASTIC AND CANNOT WITHSTAND GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE FIRST CAR WASH IT WENT THROUGH RIPPED OFF THE WIPER BLADE AND COVER OVER THE INSTALLATION NUT. THE SECOND CAR WASH THEN BROKE THE ARM. THIS RESULTS IN THE INABILITY TO CLEAR THE REAR WINDOW OF DIRTY/SNOW/RAIN RESULTING IN REDUCED VISIBILITY AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS. THE MANUFACTURER/DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS NOT THERE PROBLEM AND REQUIRE THAT I PAY OVER $100 TO REPAIR AFTER WHICH I MUST HAND WASH THE CAR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10154500 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 10186631 · 2007-03-31 (March 31, 2007)
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR INOPERATIVE DURING A STORM WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BROKE LEAVING ME WITH NO WIPERS THE DEALERSHIP HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ABOUT 10 OF THE SAME CARS DURING THE SAME STORM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10186631 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10192421 · 2007-06-04 (June 4, 2007)
I HAVE A 2006 KIA SPORTAGE. FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT ,IT'S MADE A BOILING SOUND IN THE DASH BROAD WHEN I TURN MY CAR OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND DROPPED IT OFF TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. WHEN I PICKED IT UP I WAS TOLD THAT MY COOLING SYSTEM HAD NOT BEEN BURPED RIGHT. SO THEY DRAINED THE SYSTEM AND RE-FILLED IT. AND THAT AT SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. WELL IT DIDN'T !!!!!!! IT'S WORSE NOW THAN BEFORE. AND TO ADD TO IT, IT LOOKS LIKE I'M GROWING MAGIC ROCKS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE RADIATOR. IT'S SO GREEN IN COLOR PLUS IT LO…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10192421 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 10208792 · 2007-11-13 (November 13, 2007)
MY DAUGHTER HIT THE REAR OF A LARGE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 KIA SPORTAGE. THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER AND THE BODY SHOP REPAIRMAN BOTH TOLD ME THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE SO HEAVILY DAMAGED FAIL TO DEPLOY ITS AIR BAGS. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10208792 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 ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
09V130000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2009-04-17 (April 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗