There are 3 owner-reported steering complaints for the 2006 Kia Sportagein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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.
RIDING DOWN CHADDS FORD PA ROUTE ONE 6/12/14 ( THURSDAY) WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE OUT OF CONTROL HAD PULLED OVER IN THE MIDDLE OF AFTERNOON TRAFFIC . ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK TIE ROD CAME APART.. THE OUTER THREADS WERE STRIPPED. I HAVE A PICTURE. *TR
2006 KIA SPORTAGE EX WITH V-6 HAS A HABIT OF COMPLETELY SHUTTING DOWN ELECTRICALLY, KILLING THE ENGINE AND THUS ALL LIGHTS, POWER ASSIST TO STEERING/BRAKES, ETC. PREVIOUSLY THIS OCCURRED ONLY WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP (PREVIOUSLY REPORTED). THIS TIME OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT NIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF UTAH WHEN THIS OCCURRED AGAIN. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE HIGHWAY SAFELY WITHOUT INCIDENT IN COMPLETE DARKNESS AND NO POWER ASSISTS. CAR WAS RUNNING ON CRUISE CONTROL SO NO DRIVER FUNCTION COULD HAVE CAUSED THE INCIDENT. NO WARNING SUCH AS ENGINE STUMBLE, FLICKERING LIGHTS, ETC,, IT JUST SHUT OFF!!! ONCE SAFELY STOPPED, OUR DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND GET TO THE DESTINATION WITHOUT INCIDENT. DEALER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT IS UNABLE TO FIX IT. ONLY HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026