Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Kia Sportage. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗PARKING BRAKE RATCHET PAWLS
- Summary
- 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 TO RELEASE AFTER IT HAS BEEN ENGAGED.
- Consequence
- THE INABILITY TO ENGAGE, OR THE INADVERTENT RELEASE OF, THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER MAY ALLOW YOUR VEHICLE TO ROLL WHILE IT IS PARKED AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH.
- 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.
FUEL LEAK O-RING/FUEL TANK
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- THE ENGINE MAY STALL WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT WILL BE HARD TO FILL THE GAS TANK AND EXTERNAL FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE EVAPORATIVE AIR FILTER INLET. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- 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.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MODULE
- Summary
- 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 INAPPROPRIATELY.
- Consequence
- BRAKE APPLICATION CAUSED BY INADVERTENT ESP ACTIVATION MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH.
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (68)
68 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 68 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 12 | 17.6% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 11.8% |
| Fuel system | 8 | 11.8% |
| Structure | 8 | 11.8% |
| Suspension | 7 | 10.3% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 10.3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 8.8% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 8.8% |
| Steering | 5 | 7.4% |
| Electronic stability control | 4 | 5.9% |
How 2005 compares with other Sportage years
Best and worst Sportage years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 304 | 2 |
| 2001 | 228 | 0 |
| 2002 | 234 | 1 |
| 2003 | 4 | 0 |
| 2005 | 68 | 3 |
| 2006 | 111 | 1 |
| 2007 | 77 | 2 |
| 2008 | 98 | 3 |
| 2009 | 80 | 3 |
| 2010 | 20 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,050
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 404 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 25 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 24 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 21 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2005 Sportage for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2005 Kia Sportage FAQ
How many recalls does the 2005 Kia Sportage have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 05V318000 (brake), 05V212000 (fuel system), 05V120000 (electronic stability control). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2005 Kia Sportage problems?
Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (12), Electrical system (8), Fuel system (8) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2005 Kia Sportage get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 19 city, 25 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2005 Sportage compare with other years?
Among the 2000–2010 Kia Sportage model years at least five years old, the 2003 drew the fewest complaints (4) and the 2000 the most (304). The 2005 drew 68. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.