2005 Kia Sportage Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 12%of 68 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 118,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the body and structure of the 2005 Kia Sportage, 12% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 118,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11100004, filed 2018-06, 106,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10162163, filed 2006-07“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 complaint #10853382, filed 2016-04, 117,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10232780, filed 2008-06“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 complaint #10746401, filed 2015-08, 119,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
- 10055496Jun 4, 2014Some kia sportage models vehicles are affected by corrosion which needs anti corrosion protection. 06/04/14
- 10109639Apr 30, 2014Q AND A - SC104 ? 2005-2010 MY Sportage - Application of Additional Anti-Corrosion Material to Underbody of Vehicle Voluntary Service Campaign
- 10109638Apr 30, 2014OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER - Dear Kia Sportage Owner: Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to add additional anti-corrosion wax and undercoating to…
- 10109637Apr 30, 2014DEALER PARTS & SERVICE MANAGER MEMO: Attention: All Kia Parts & Service Managers - Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain 2005-2010 MY…
- 10109636Apr 30, 2014DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO: Attention: All Dealer Principals - Kia Motors America, Inc. will be conducting a voluntary service campaign, as a preventative measure, to apply additional…
- 10109629Apr 30, 2014VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL (SC104) - To improve customer satisfaction, Kia is launching this bulletin to apply additional…
- 10034495Sep 1, 2010Kia: application of additional anticorrosion treatment for rear floor members. Provides information relating to certain vehicles for procedure to apply additional anticorrosion…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 14% |
| 2025 | 5 | 9% |
| 2024 | 8 | 11% |
| 2023 | 5 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 2% |
| 2020 | 10 | 6% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2018 | 6 | 4% |
| 2017 | 24 | 6% |
| 2016 | 4 | 3% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 6 | 2% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 5% |
| 2009 | 4 | 5% |
| 2008 | 13 | 13% |
| 2007 | 4 | 5% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
| 2005 | 8 | 12% |
| 2002 | 23 | 10% |
| 2001 | 24 | 11% |
| 2000 | 31 | 10% |
| 1999 | 29 | 10% |
| 1998 | 26 | 9% |
| 1997 | 10 | 6% |
| 1996 | 3 | 5% |
| 1995 | 5 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2005 Kia Sportage
14 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsVisibility (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 30, 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