2006 Kia Sportage Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
10/100
#19 most-complained of 21 Sportage years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2006 Kia Sportage has 111 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 10 out of 100 — #19 highest of 21 Sportage model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is airbags (38 complaints, 34% of the total). Complaints report 8 crashes, 5 fires, and 6 injuries.
- Complaints
- 111
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 24 hwy
Top 2006 Kia Sportage problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags38 (34%)
- Engine30 (27%)
- Electrical System25 (23%)
- Brakes17 (15%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (10%)
- Structure & Body7 (6%)
- Fuel System6 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (5%)
- Other4 (4%)
2006 Kia Sportage recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 09V130000Apr 17, 2009Electrical System139,844 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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.
Risk: 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.
2006 Kia Sportage fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Kia Sportage a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Kia Sportage ranks #19 of 21 among Sportage model years (Complaint Index 10/100, verdict: Best). It has 111 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Kia Sportage?
- The most reported problem areas are airbags (38 complaints), engine (30 complaints), and electrical system (25 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 72,000 miles.
- Does the 2006 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2006 Kia Sportage, most recently reported 2009, covering electrical system.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Kia Sportage?
- EPA rates the 2006 Kia Sportage at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.