KnownCarProblems2005 Kia Sportage Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Kia Sportage, most often about the fuel system (21% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is 20th of 26 Sportage model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2005 Kia Sportage problems
Fuel system
14 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle would not hold fuel. On a separate occasion, while adding fuel to the vehicle, gasoline spewed back out from the gas tank. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 05v212000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage). The vehicle has not been…
I was driving and the vehicle would not brake, and steered right while driving 40-50 MPH, hitting the curb and almost collided with another vehicle. Definite defect in the steering/fuel/brakes/electronicstabilitycontrol, and other minor mechanical malfunctions.
Air bags
12 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window, frontal.
Air bag light stays on! Took the car to my mechanic to "fix it" for $72, and only two weeks later, the light went on again. I was told to pull on and jiggle the passengers seat belt to make it go off, however, that doesn't work. Do I want to spend another $72 to "fix it"? The cost to replace the sensor would be…
The contact owns a 2005 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the air bag lights illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the seat belt buckle failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the…
Body and structure
8 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 118,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2005 Kia Sportage. While getting the vehicle inspected, the inspector notified the contact that the cross member was beginning to rust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
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…
Electrical
8 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn.
Vehicle started to shift improperly and the engine "revved" itself while in park with the air conditioning on. A week or so later, car lost power while trying to park without warning. Taken to the dealership who found nothing wrong using the computer. Car continued to do this for over a month, with no pattern, taken…
: the contact stated the vehicle intermittently stalled at various speeds without warning. After each incident, the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they were unable to determine the cause of the problem. The computer was reprogrammed, but the problem persisted.
Suspension
7 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 126,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
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.…
Purchased 2005 (new) right from the showroom. Eight years later find out that the rear subframe is completely rotted out. And that's putting it mildly. Brought it to Kia dealership to have them look at it. Said they never seen anything like it before. Told me it was unsafe to drive, that if the frame broke in half the…
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 10%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…
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.
Brakes
6 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
I was driving and the vehicle would not brake, and steered right while driving 40-50 MPH, hitting the curb and almost collided with another vehicle. Definite defect in the steering/fuel/brakes/electronicstabilitycontrol, and other minor mechanical malfunctions.
The contact owns a 2005 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while applying the brakes at approximately 30 MPH, there was an abnormal grinding sound. The contact inspected the brakes and discovered that the brakes were too large for the front disk brakes. The contact replaced the brakes with the appropriately size…
Steering
5 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system.
I was driving and the vehicle would not brake, and steered right while driving 40-50 MPH, hitting the curb and almost collided with another vehicle. Definite defect in the steering/fuel/brakes/electronicstabilitycontrol, and other minor mechanical malfunctions.
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.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Kia Sportage recalls
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the parking brake lever assembly. The recall began on august 1, 2005. Owners may contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: storage
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Stability control: automatic (asc)
Risk: Brake application caused by inadvertent esp activation may result in loss of control and a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2005 Kia Sportage
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Kia Sportage?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (14 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); air bags (12 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles); body and structure (8 complaints, typically around 118,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Kia Sportage have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 8, 2005 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Kia Sportage?
- It is 20th of 26 Sportage model years by number of complaints, with 68 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.