Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 purchased this vehicle from a private seller in August 2021 and attempted to obtain records of the vehicle Kia America Case ID #14353653 which Kia America has yet to provide me any information. I had a full diagnostic done by a certified mechanic at Borst Automotive in the state of Arizona on 09/18/21 where several concerns were reported to me that Kia failed to report. There is a new and concerning grinding with the engine on my 2006 Kia Sportage LX that sounds like it might be an exhaust leak. I hear loud grinding sounds now when turning on the car that immediately sound when it is fired up, and when accelerating is the worst, but the sound starts loud and is immediate when I turn on the vehicle and fire up the engine. …
This car continues to have problems with speeding up and slowing down on its own, at this point it shut off any time I was slowing down for a light or stop. It cut off multiple times on a highway going 75 MPH. Very scary with kids in car. Was able to get home and it will not turn over or start back up getting diagnosed today, there needs to be something done about this issue, I have read 100s of similar problems like this! Kia your putting our lives in danger, pregnant with 2 kids and car shutting off on highway, or speeding up and slowing down by it self is traumatizing. Do something before someone is badly hurt!! Also I am big and pregnant and driver door does not open I am assuming that too is an electric issue either way I have to climb over seats, this car looked great after 1 day door stopped working and within a few weeks of owning it now speed! …
While braking the vehicle appeared to be picking up speed. When I depressed the clutch the engine surged past 2000 RPM. While driving on a downgrade the vehicle was picking up speed, and I depressed the clutch and the engine RPM went 2000 RPM for several seconds. From my experiences with other vehicles I thought: maybe the driver's mat shifted, or some other object May have fallen and was interfering with the accelerator pedal. I felt around the pedal with my foot, but found no foreign objects. I used the tip of my foot to make the accelerator pedal was up all the way, and then engine RPM appeared to go to normal. When I reached my destination I tapped on the accelerator pedal a few times to re-create the problem. The engine went to 2000 RPM for about 3 seconds, and came back down. I checked for any codes using an OBD ii scanner, however none were found.
Previously reported engine surges / erratic idle at 177800 miles, and throttle body cleaned at 177900 miles. At 178345 the idle air control valve was cleaned as a precaution, due to the previous symptoms. At 178377 while driving on the highway I found the throttle stuck in the full open position. After safely stopping the vehicle, I had to manually return the throttle to the normal position. Upon restarting the vehicle I began experiencing erratic idling 3000 to 4000 RPM. Once parked at 178382 the idle air control valve was rechecked, and engine idle RPM returned to normal. I checked the obdii and found no previous or pending codes. I will replace the idle air control valve.
Tl* the contact's granddaughter owns a 2006 Kia Sportage. While driving at an unknown speed, the driver heard a banging sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and believed that the harmonic balancer had failed. The contact spoke with glassman Kia (28000 telegraph rd, southfield, mi 48034) who advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The approximate failure mileage was 38,430.
My friend and I were driving home at 55 MPH when my Sportage starting speeding up on its own. Then when I tried to stopped for a red light it wanted to cut off. So when the light changed it started speeding up and slowing on it's own. This went on for about 15 miles. I have never had a car do this. It was really scary. At one point it cut out in the middle of the highway. Thank god there was noone else behind me. I did make it home and it died pulling in the drive.
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.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Kia Sportage. While making a turn at 5 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. When the contact attempted to restart the vehicle, he was rear ended by another vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle is at the body shop and will be taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The current and failure mileages were 25,380. Updated 03-05-08
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia Sportage. While driving at 30 MPH, the power steering failed and the alternator light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine crank shaft pulley detached and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
I previously reported at 177,800 miles that I was experiencing engine surges. While driving if I depressed the clutch engine would rise to 2000 rpms. If I pulled the accelerator pedal up with tip of my foot, the engine rpms would return normal. At 177, 900 miles the throttle body assembly was cleaned, and I am no longer experiencing engine surges.
Engine complaints in other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Kia Sportage, 21% of the model year's 111 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system › radiator assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Kia Sportage engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.