YearToAvoid

2006 Kia Sportage Engine Problems

NHTSA has 30 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2006 Kia Sportage, 27% of all 111 complaints for this model year. That is #12 highest engine complaint count among 21 Sportage model years. These complaints report 1 crash and 1 fire. Median mileage at failure: 91,000 miles.

Engine complaints
30
27% of 111
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
91,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2006 Kia Sportage engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 4, 2007, latest Oct 4, 2021.

2006 Kia Sportage engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2007Mar 2010Nov 2012Nov 2014Dec 2016Jun 2019Nov 2020
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2007 to Oct 2021; peak Aug 2019 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2006 Kia Sportage

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Sportage model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20058 (12%)
  2. 200630 (27%)
  3. 200717 (22%)
  4. 200822 (22%)
  5. 200911 (14%)
  6. 20103 (15%)
  7. 201189 (49%)
  8. 2012331 (84%)
  9. 2013314 (82%)
  10. 201474 (61%)
  11. 201586 (59%)
  12. 201665 (50%)
  13. 2017234 (59%)
  14. 2018100 (61%)
  15. 201940 (57%)
  16. 202085 (53%)
  17. 202126 (51%)
  18. 202222 (48%)
  19. 202346 (24%)
  20. 202413 (18%)
  21. 202511 (22%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Kia Sportage have engine problems?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints about the engine in the 2006 Kia Sportage, 27% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 91,000 miles.
Which Kia Sportage year has the most engine complaints?
The 2012 Kia Sportage has the most engine complaints (331), compared with 30 for the 2006.
Is there a engine recall for the 2006 Kia Sportage?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Kia Sportage is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.