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Engine coolingPart report

2005 Kia Sportage Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
6%of 68 total for the year
Median mileage
38,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 Kia Sportage, 6% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,500 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Brought to dealer for leak. Dealer states transmission pan leaking due to improper sealing. Supposed repaired under warranty. Bring back dealer say not leaking anymore must be residual fluid on engine. Brought back again said now the transmission cooler leaking. Not covered paid for new cooler. Brought home . Noticed still have a leak brought back to dealer. Now they say it is a leak in the radiator. Want to replace that at my cost.”

NHTSA complaint #10368244, filed 2010-11, 65,311 miles

“During all of the 5 incidents in 2009 the engine misfired violently. At times 35mph was max speed. Cronin Kia had my vehicle over 30 days in 5 visits in 2009. They have replaced; two cat. Converters, the ignition coil pack and spark plugs, a leaking fuel injector and associated wiring. Please note the error codes for visits 1 and 5 (3/17/09 and 7/14/09); p0300-p0303-p0305-p0273. Visit number1 also had codes; p0420-p0430 and p0170. The duplicate codes indicate the problem affects bank 1 only. …”

NHTSA complaint #10320360, filed 2010-03, 41,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2005 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that whenever the brakes were applied, the vehicle would suddenly shut off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer but the failure could not be duplicated. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000. The current mileage was approximately 61,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10328863, filed 2010-05, 36,000 miles

“The contact stated the check engine light illuminated. The dealership inspected the vehicle a total of eight times. Each time the engine light has been reset however, the light illuminated again. The dealership has been unable to determine why the engine light continues to illuminate.”

NHTSA complaint #10157639, filed 2006-05, 15,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202512%
202311%
202212%
2021713%
202095%
201923%
201853%
201782%
201632%
201511%
201422%
2013144%
201221%
201174%
200855%
200723%
200687%
200546%
20026929%
20014520%
20004515%
19997928%
19987926%
19975631%
19961018%
19951425%

Other parts of the 2005 Kia Sportage

Fuel system
14 complaints
Air bags
12 complaints
Electrical system
8 complaints
Body and structure
8 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Suspension
7 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Electronic stability control
4 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 Kia Sportage

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology