Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Kia Sportage owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I hit the side of a car I didn't see while pulling out of a car park onto the road, so I was moving slowly forward. A car had appeared from behind 2 turning cars and I hit the side of it. Neither the air bag or the seat belt in my car stopped my head from making contact with the windshield. I was very shaken at the time as anyone would be. The following day I needed to rest, and 2 days later went to er where I had a scan and was diagnosed with a concussion. Over 2 weeks later, I am much better but not yet fully recovered. I received a citation from the attending police officer for careless driving. I have contacted corporate Kia to ask why both the airbag and seat belt failed to help me avoid injury. I attach a photo of the front of my car and the police report.
I was driving downhill a city street and began to turn right. As I was slowly turning going about 15-20mph using the brakes, another vehicle driving approximately 25-40mph, hit mine on the front drivers side damaging from the headlight to the drivers door. My airbag did not deploy.
Vehicle was involved in a head on collision with another vehicle which was traveling approximately 30 MPH. The vehicle was declared totaled due to the extensive front end damage. The airbag sensor was damaged and the airbags never deployed.
Since 2010 I have had an issue with my airbag light coming on. I was well within warranty when this began with mileage at 35,736. The dealership has repaired it multiple times; replaced buckle tensors, replaced seat, harness, reran the codes, etc. To date, it is still not corrected after multiple attempt. I recently received a letter from Kia corporation offering a final settlement to correct this issue. However, they would not answer my question in writing on whether or not this final fix would would work and if they would warranty this fix. I asked the dealership if the airbags would deploy upon accident. They said they do not know for sure, but it is likely they will not deploy. My airbag light is on again after the most recent repair which replaced the seat. I have paid for a majority of these fixed. Most important to me is our safety. …
Takata recall I just purchased my Kia Sportage on 3/15/2018 at a dealership and have been driving with the airbag light on. I have brought this up to the dealer and am told that the airbag light doesn't matter. As I'm reading all these complaints and those that have been in accidents the airbags do not deploy, my safety is an issue here. I am certain this needs to be looked into. It will be sent to the dealer to be looked at. Also, I have googled as to why my blower motor will not shut off. That's the blower resistor that needs to be replaced. Those complaints are on here also, almost catching fire. I've never felt so unsafe being in a vehicle. These 2 main factors need to be investigated immediately.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Kia Sportage. While driving between 10-35 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver was wearing a seat belt, but sustained bumps and bruises over her entire body caused by the steering wheel and column. There were no prior warning indicators. The vehicle was towed and determined to be destroyed by the insurance company. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer. A police report was filed. The contact has pictures. The current and failure mileages were 6,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated randomly. The failure sometimes occurred while driving and other times when the vehicle was just started. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had been exhibiting the failure for approximately two months. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 121,685.
I was riding down the road and the airbag light came on. Two days later the check engine light came on. My mechanic thinks it is a sensor for the check engine light. Having trouble with covid-19 getting the part, been waiting for over a week. My mechanic has recommended me taking the car to a Kia dealer ship with the airbag light coming on. He though for sure it would have a recall but I do not see one listed.
I had this issue multiple times. And the dealer couldn't find the problem so they only delete the error. The firs issue is the passenger air bag (airbag light error) the error seems to be the sensor inside the seat.. And the second error the speedometer is not showing the correct speed. The speedometer is reading about 5 mile off.
I was parked in a parking lot at a grocery store inside shopping and came out to find my vehicle was hit in the rear bumper and the other driver drove off without leaving there information. I got in the car and started it noticed that my air bag light came on and did not go off.
Airbag complaints in other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2006 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Kia Sportage, 34% of the model year's 111 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Kia Sportage airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2006 Kia Sportage, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Kia Sportage airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.