Model year
2005 Kia Sportage
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 68 complaints for the 2005 Kia Sportage (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (11), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,050–$3,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 304 complaints
- 2001 228 complaints
- 2002 234 complaints
- 2005 68 complaints
- 2006 111 complaints
- 2007 77 complaints
- 2008 98 complaints
- 2009 80 complaints
- 2010 20 complaints
- 2011 181 complaints
- 2012 392 complaints
- 2013 381 complaints
- 2014 125 complaints
- 2015 146 complaints
- 2016 134 complaints
- 2017 403 complaints
- 2018 164 complaints
- 2019 71 complaints
- 2020 162 complaints
- 2021 54 complaints
- 2022 46 complaints
- 2023 193 complaints
- 2024 75 complaints
- 2025 55 complaints
- 2026 27 complaints
- 2027 1 complaints
Recalls
05V318000 · Jul 8, 2005
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 TEETH MAY PREVENT THE PARKING BRAKE FROM ENGAGING OR MAY ALLOW THE PARKING BRAKE…
05V212000 · May 3, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
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.
05V120000 · Mar 29, 2005
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)
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…
Complaints
68 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 6, fire flag on 2, injury field 5, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage 2WD · 2L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 25 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Sportage 2WD · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 25 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Sportage 2WD · 2.7L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 23 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Sportage 4WD · 2L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 24 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Sportage 4WD · 2.7L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 21 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2005 Kia Sportage at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.