Complaints
169
per 10K Sold
45.6
US Sales
37,071
Crashes
12
Fires
9
Injuries
7
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2006 Kia Sportage Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#137 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:92,122 mi
Crash-related:6
#220 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:98,808 mi
Fires:2
#315 complaints
Engine Problems
Avg mileage:126,840 mi
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2006 Kia Sportage.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 37 | 6 | — | 92,122 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 20 | — | 2 | 98,808 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 15 | — | 1 | 126,840 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 9 | — | — | 87,990 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | — | — | 104,719 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | 113,667 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | — | — | 146,919 mi | |
| Brakes | 5 | — | — | 103,781 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | 1 | — | 75,910 mi | |
| Fuel System | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 | — | — | — |
Airbags
37
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,122
Electrical Faults
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
98,808
Engine Problems
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
126,840
Electronic Stability Control
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
87,990
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
104,719
Headlight/Taillight Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
113,667
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
146,919
Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
103,781
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,910
Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Child Seat
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2006 Kia Sportage. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Kia Sportage Years
2006 Kia Sportage — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2006 Kia Sportage reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2006 Kia Sportage has 169 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 37 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2006 Kia Sportage?
Top reported problems: Airbags (37 complaints, avg 92,122 mi); Electrical Faults (20 complaints, avg 98,808 mi); Engine Problems (15 complaints, avg 126,840 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2006 Kia Sportage?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 102,003 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2006 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA complaints for the 2006 Kia Sportage include 12 crash-related reports, 9 fire reports, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2006 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2006 Kia Sportage as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2006 Kia Sportage?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Kia Sportage reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2006 Kia Sportage
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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