2005 Kia Sportage: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2005 Kia Sportage: 3 recalls, 68 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electronic Stability Control Vehicle recall #05V120000 · 2005 · 7,619 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Brake application caused by inadvertent esp activation May result in loss of control and a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the esp hydraulic electronic control unit free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2005.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #05V212000 · 2005 · 10,360 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank and replace the charcoal canister free of charge. The recall began on May 31, 2005.
Parking brake Vehicle recall #05V318000 · 2005 · 3,672 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the parking brake lever assembly. The recall began on August 1, 2005.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (12): the most common themes are fails to deploy (4), warning light on (4).
- Body & structure (8): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (5).
- Electrical (8): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), fire / smoke (2), electrical failure (2).
- Fuel system (7): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2005 Kia Sportage has 68 owner complaints, ranking #23 of 31 Sportage model years for complaints (well below the 152 average). Complaints peaked in 2005 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 78,600 miles. Neighboring years: 2006 (111 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 Kia Sportage.
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FAQ
Does the 2005 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2005 Kia Sportage. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2005 Kia Sportage problems?
Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (12), body & structure (8), electrical (8).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Kia Sportage get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2005 Kia Sportage repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.