MYRModel Year Report

2005 Kia Sportage

▲ Better than typical
2005 Kia Sportage
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:03:08.867Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Kia Sportage Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1995: 56 complaints 1995 1996: 57 complaints 1997: 181 complaints 1998: 303 complaints 1999: 284 complaints 1999 2000: 304 complaints 2001: 228 complaints 2002: 234 complaints 2003: 4 complaints 2003 2005: 68 complaints 2005 2006: 111 complaints 2007: 77 complaints 2008: 98 complaints 2008 2009: 80 complaints 2010: 20 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 392 complaints 2012 2013: 380 complaints 2014: 122 complaints 2015: 146 complaints 2016: 131 complaints 2016 2017: 399 complaints 2018: 163 complaints 2019: 70 complaints 2020: 160 complaints 2020 2021: 50 complaints 2022: 46 complaints 2023: 190 complaints 2024: 68 complaints 2024 2025: 50 complaints 2026: 26 complaints 2026
2005: 68 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199556
199657
1997181
1998303
1999284
2000304
2001228
2002234
20034
200568
2006111
200777
200898
200980
201020
2011181
2012392
2013380
2014122
2015146
2016131
2017399
2018163
201970
2020160
202150
202246
2023190
202468
202550
202626

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 22%

22% of complaints: air bags — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS INVOLVED IN 2 LOW IMPACT CRASHES WITH THIS KIA SPORTAGE 2005 MODEL. ONE WAS A REAR END COLLISION AT 20 MPH AND THE OTHER I WAS HIT FROM THE SIDE IN A PARKING LOT. BOTH TIMES THE OTHER DRIVER DROVE AWAY WITHOUT DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20060711

Also filed under STRUCTURE

THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE 2005 KIA .

NHTSA ODI report, 20171104

Also filed under EXTERIOR LIGHTING and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing horn.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, A PASSERBY ALERTED THE CONTACT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, THE DRIVER SIDE TAILLIGHT WAS REMOVED, AND THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20060920

STRUCTURE 12%

12% of complaints: structure — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

CRASH INJURY
SUSPENSION 10%

10% of complaints: suspension — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing spindle and front.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 10%

10% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and storage.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20050413 — electronic stability control

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 C

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.

Campaign 05V120000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050531 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

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.

Campaign 05V212000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050801 — parking brake

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 T

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.

Campaign 05V318000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Kia Sportage — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 05V120000 (electronic stability control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V212000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V318000 (parking brake) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2022 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2017 ■ 2012 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Kia Sportage reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Kia Sportage is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Kia Sportage?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Kia Sportage have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.