RoadVitals

2005 Kia Sportage Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Jun 5, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 68 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Kia Sportage submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structure
Filed Jun 5, 2018

THE CLUTCH WENT OUT ON OUR KIA SPORTAGE AND WHEN WE HAD IT AT THE AUTO MECHANIC, HE TOLD US, THE FRAME WAS SO RUSTY IT WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. WE WERE ALARMED TO HEAR THIS CONSIDERING WE USED THIS CAR TO TRANSPORT OUR GRANDCHILDREN SOMETIMES AND THOUGHT ABOUT WOULD COULD HAVE HAPPENED. CURRENTLY WE DO NOT EVEN WANT THE CLUTCH REPAIRED AS WE HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO CONSIDER EVEN DRIVING IT UNLESS THE FRAME SUB RAILS/FLOOR ARE REPLACED. I HAVE SINCE READ OTHER REVIEWS AND HAVE FOUND SIMILAR ALARMING CONCERNS. KIA SHOULD ADDRESS THIS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. WE CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR, CANNOT FIX THE CLUTCH, SO IT IS JUST SITTING AT THE MECHANICS. WHAT DO WE DO, JUST JUNK THE CAR? WHAT A COST INFRINGEMENT. WE WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER KIA, NOR WILL PEOPLE THAT WE INFORM OF THIS ISSUE. I SHUDDER WHEN I THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED, ESPECIALLY DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE ADVISE...

NHTSA ID
11100004
Incident
May 24, 2018
Mileage
106,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Sep 10, 2017

REAR SUBFRAME ROTTED OUT. (,UNSAFE TO DRIVE). KIA SPORTAGE 2005 LOOK LIKE 30 YEARS OLD.

NHTSA ID
11022529
Incident
Sep 9, 2017
Mileage
145,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK LINE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BADLY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ID
10853382
Incident
Jan 22, 2016
Mileage
117,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 5, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE GETTING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, THE INSPECTOR NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE CROSS MEMBER WAS BEGINNING TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ID
10746401
Incident
Jul 25, 2015
Mileage
119,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 3, 2013
1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCESSING THE REAR LIFTGATE, ONE OF THE TWO HINGES FRACTURED, CAUSING IT TO RELEASE ABRUPTLY ONTO HIS LEFT ARM. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM LACERATIONS AND BRUISING TO THE LEFT ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH LIFTGATE HINGES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,600.

NHTSA ID
10510531
Incident
Apr 30, 2013
Mileage
78,600 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Apr 13, 2013

PURCHASED 2005 (NEW) RIGHT FROM THE SHOWROOM. EIGHT YEARS LATER FIND OUT THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. AND THAT'S PUTTING IT MILDLY. BROUGHT IT TO KIA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. SAID THEY NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. TOLD ME IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, THAT IF THE FRAME BROKE IN HALF THE BACK TIRES WOULD FALL OFF. ONLY THING HOLDING IT ON IS THE TRAILING ARMS. CLAIM WAS FILED BUT KIA WONT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND SAID THAT IT WAS FROM THE SALT ON THE ROAD IN THE WINTER. ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT'S THE ONLY PART UNDER THE VEHICLE THAT'S ROTTED AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS SOLID WITHOUT RUST. HMMMM!!!! I HOPE THAT AN INVESTIGATION IS OPENED BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER AND KIA DOESN'T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. IVE TAKEN PICTURES AND EVERYONE THAT I'VE SHOWN CANT BELIEVE THERE EYES, SAYING THERE'S NO WAY A VEHICLE OF THIS YEAR SHOULD THE SUBFRAME LOOK LIKE THAT. KIA SAID THEY'VE HAD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT RUST BUT THIS CAN'T EVEN BE CONSIDERED RUST THE HOLES ARE SO...OOOO BIG I COULD PUT MY FIST THROUGH IT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. THIS IS NO LAUGHING MATTER!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10508118
Incident
Mar 24, 2013
Mileage
200,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 30, 2008

I HAVE A 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. THE HEADLINER AND SUN VISORS AND THE BACK ARE A CLOTH MATERIAL - THE REST IS LEATHER. THE PROBLEM IS LITTLE TINY BLACK FIBERS ARE COMING THROUGH THE TAN COLORED HEADLINER ETC. THERE FIBERS ARE COMING THROUGH IN ABUNDANCE, LAYING ON THE DASH BOARD AND CONSOLE. IT CAN BE CLEANED ONE DAY AND THE FIBERS ARE THERE AGAIN THE NEXT. THESE FIBERS ARE VERY VERY SMALL. THEY ARE ALSO GETTING ON MY SKIN - THEY ITCH AND STICK TO MY SKIN. THE PRIMARY CONCERN IS THAT THESE FIBERS ARE SO SMALL, AND I KNOW THAT I AM BREATHING THEM IN. HAVE YOU HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. I HAVE CONSULTED THE DEALER AND THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE MAIN WARRANTY DEPT TO GET BACK TO THEM - IN THE MEAN TIME I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY HEALTH - PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10232780
Incident
Mar 6, 2008
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Jul 11, 2006
Crash reported

I WAS INVOLVED IN 2 LOW IMPACT CRASHES WITH THIS KIA SPORTAGE 2005 MODEL. ONE WAS A REAR END COLLISION AT 20 MPH AND THE OTHER I WAS HIT FROM THE SIDE IN A PARKING LOT. BOTH TIMES THE OTHER DRIVER DROVE AWAY WITHOUT DAMAGE. I SUFFERED 3500 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE FROM THE FIRST INCIDENT AND 7500 FROM THE SECOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE BOTH TIMES. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS ARE OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO WITNESSED THE INCIDENTS THAT IF THE SPEED HAD BEEN ANY GREATER THE PERSONAL INJURY WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE SUSTAIN SO MUCH DAMAGE FROM WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FENDER BENDERS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10162163
Incident
Jun 29, 2006

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .