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2005 Kia Sportage

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 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

51 reports with mileage · 17 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 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

68 reports
106,000 miles · Jun 5, 2018
Structure

THE CLUTCH WENT OUT ON OUR KIA SPORTAGE AND WHEN WE HAD IT AT THE AUTO MECHANIC, HE TOLD US, THE FRAME WAS SO RUSTY IT WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. WE WERE ALARMED TO HEAR THIS CONSIDERING WE USED THIS CAR TO TRANSPORT OUR GRANDCHILDREN SOMETIMES AND THOUGHT ABOUT WOULD COULD HAVE HAPPENED. CURRENTLY WE DO NOT EVEN WANT THE CLUTC…

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THE CLUTCH WENT OUT ON OUR KIA SPORTAGE AND WHEN WE HAD IT AT THE AUTO MECHANIC, HE TOLD US, THE FRAME WAS SO RUSTY IT WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. WE WERE ALARMED TO HEAR THIS CONSIDERING WE USED THIS CAR TO TRANSPORT OUR GRANDCHILDREN SOMETIMES AND THOUGHT ABOUT WOULD COULD HAVE HAPPENED. CURRENTLY WE DO NOT EVEN WANT THE CLUTCH REPAIRED AS WE HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO CONSIDER EVEN DRIVING IT UNLESS THE FRAME SUB RAILS/FLOOR ARE REPLACED. I HAVE SINCE READ OTHER REVIEWS AND HAVE FOUND SIMILAR ALARMING CONCERNS. KIA SHOULD ADDRESS THIS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. WE CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR, CANNOT FIX THE CLUTCH, SO IT IS JUST SITTING AT THE MECHANICS. WHAT DO WE DO, JUST JUNK THE CAR? WHAT A COST INFRINGEMENT. WE WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER KIA, NOR WILL PEOPLE THAT WE INFORM OF THIS ISSUE. I SHUDDER WHEN I THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED, ESPECIALLY DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE ADVISE...

NHTSA ODI #11100004

128,000 miles · Nov 13, 2017
Air BagsSeat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KIA OF MCCOMB IN MCCOMB, MS, 601-250-1005) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KIA OF MCCOMB IN MCCOMB, MS, 601-250-1005) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED THE SETTLEMENT NOTICE FROM TK HOLDINGS, INC. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 128,000.

NHTSA ODI #11045680

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2017
Air BagsExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE 2005 KIA . FIRST THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND HAS BEEN ON FOR THE LAST THREE TO FIVE YEARS, THE AUTO MECHANIC THAT I USE AT FIRST SAID THAT IT WAS JUST THE LIGHT INDICATOR AND WAS NOT PROBLEMATIC EXCEPT THAT THE LIGHT WAS ON BUT NOW IS SAYING THAT SINCE THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY , …

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THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE 2005 KIA . FIRST THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND HAS BEEN ON FOR THE LAST THREE TO FIVE YEARS, THE AUTO MECHANIC THAT I USE AT FIRST SAID THAT IT WAS JUST THE LIGHT INDICATOR AND WAS NOT PROBLEMATIC EXCEPT THAT THE LIGHT WAS ON BUT NOW IS SAYING THAT SINCE THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY , AND THAT OF COURSE IS A BIG PROBLEM. SECONDLY, WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK AND WHEN COMPLETED THE CAR STALLS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE STARTING, PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR AGAIN UNTIL THE NEXT REFILL. THIRD REOCCURRING PROBLEM IS THAT ONE OF THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS SHORT OUT ON A REOCCURRING BASIS.

NHTSA ODI #11043184

145,000 miles · Sep 10, 2017
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

REAR SUBFRAME ROTTED OUT. (,UNSAFE TO DRIVE). KIA SPORTAGE 2005 LOOK LIKE 30 YEARS OLD.

NHTSA ODI #11022529

124,000 miles · Mar 28, 2017
Unknown Or Other

FRAME CORROSION/PERFORATION IN REAR END. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND CAN'T PASS SAFETY INSPECTION AS REAR AXLE COULD BREAK OFF AT ANY TIME. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL FINANCIAL LOSS FOR ME NOW.

NHTSA ODI #10968927

126,000 miles · Nov 3, 2016
SteeringSuspension

THE REAR CROSS MEMBER THAT HOLDS REAR TIE RODS AND REAR CONNECTING ARMS TO WHEELS IS RUSTED SO BAD IT WILL FAIL. MY EMPLOYER HAS SAME YEAR SAME MODEL BUT IN HYUNDAI HERS IS THE SAME AND DRIVERS SIDE REAR JUST SNAPPED HIKE DRIVING IT'S THE EXACT SAME PART AND RUSTED SO BAD WHEEL COLLAPSED. THIS IS WHY I CHECKED MINE. BOTTOM LINE…

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THE REAR CROSS MEMBER THAT HOLDS REAR TIE RODS AND REAR CONNECTING ARMS TO WHEELS IS RUSTED SO BAD IT WILL FAIL. MY EMPLOYER HAS SAME YEAR SAME MODEL BUT IN HYUNDAI HERS IS THE SAME AND DRIVERS SIDE REAR JUST SNAPPED HIKE DRIVING IT'S THE EXACT SAME PART AND RUSTED SO BAD WHEEL COLLAPSED. THIS IS WHY I CHECKED MINE. BOTTOM LINE MAIN SUSPENSION COMPONENT ON KIA AND HYUNDAI SHORTAGE OR DANTE FE FAIL AT 10 YEARS. THERE ARE AS A RECALL TO UNDERCOAT OR REPLACE PARTS UNDER THE CAR DO TO EARLY RUST FAILURE. THIS WAS 6 YEARS AGO. THIS CROSS MEMBER IS BOLTED TO HE FRAME AND I CAN GUARANTEE MOST 2005 HAVE THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRING. IT S ALSO HARD TO LOCATE THE PART AND THEY CHARGE FROM $350- $1000 FOR IT. THE HYUNDAI EXACT SAME PART # FROM KIA IS TWICE AS MUCH AS THE KIA PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10924114

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V212000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V212000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10914271

107,900 miles · Jul 23, 2016
Air BagsSeat BeltsUnknown Or Other

MY AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON JULY 16 2016. I TOOK THE CAR TO SUSSMAN KIA IN JENKINTOWN PA.TO CHECK LIGHT. I WAS TOLD IT IS A FAULTY SEAT BELT .THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY. I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELY ASSEMBLY $715.25. THE WORK ORDER INVOICE #52875--20 JULY 2016.SHOULD THIS NOT BE A RECALL ITEM FOR SAFETY BY KIA MOTORS…

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MY AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON JULY 16 2016. I TOOK THE CAR TO SUSSMAN KIA IN JENKINTOWN PA.TO CHECK LIGHT. I WAS TOLD IT IS A FAULTY SEAT BELT .THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY. I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELY ASSEMBLY $715.25. THE WORK ORDER INVOICE #52875--20 JULY 2016.SHOULD THIS NOT BE A RECALL ITEM FOR SAFETY BY KIA MOTORS?

NHTSA ODI #10887930

64,649 miles · Jul 19, 2016
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT ON CONTINUALLY. NO ACCIDENT OR DEPLOYMENT.

NHTSA ODI #10885945

117,000 miles · Apr 4, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK LINE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BADLY CORRODED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK LINE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BADLY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #10853382

Official recalls

3

05V318000 · Parking Brake

Jul 8, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER RATCHET PAWL WAS NOT PROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND MY DAMAGE THE TEETH OF THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER RATCHET. DAMAGED PARKING BRAKE LEVER RATCHET TEETH MAY PREVENT THE PARKING BRAKE FROM ENGAGING OR MAY ALLOW THE PARKING BRAKE TO RELEASE AFTER IT HAS BEEN ENGAGED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE INABILITY TO ENGAGE, OR THE INADVERTENT RELEASE OF, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER MAY ALLOW YOUR VEHICLE TO ROLL WHILE IT IS PARKED AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

05V212000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

May 3, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE O-RING INTO THE INTERNAL VAPOR CHAMBER LOCATED IN THE FUEL TANK AT FULL TANK CONDITIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE ENGINE MAY STALL WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT WILL BE HARD TO FILL THE GAS TANK AND EXTERNAL FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE EVAPORATIVE AIR FILTER INLET. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE THE CHARCOAL CANISTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

05V120000 · Electronic Stability Control:automatic (asc)

Mar 29, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP), THE YAW RATE SENSOR MAY BECOME TOO SENSITIVE AND MAY RECALIBRATE INACCURATELY. WHILE DRIVING THE ESP PROGRAM MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO REDUCE POWER AND MAY CAUSE A BRAKE AT ONE OF THE WHEELS TO BE INAPPROPRIATELY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BRAKE APPLICATION CAUSED BY INADVERTENT ESP ACTIVATION MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ESP HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA 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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