2006 Kia Sportage Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 5%of 111 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2006 Kia Sportage, 5% of the 111 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“Brake lights stay on after turning off the ignition and shutting off the lights. Have to turn lights on off depress the brake pedal, turn on and off the lights and keep doing it until they go off.. Has been happening for over a year. Read online that there's a history of this but no recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11287543, filed 2019-12, 68,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10358922, filed 2010-10, 33,000 miles“I believe this topic has never been addressed and this issue has caused many accidents in the past because of visibility. This is in reference to all vehicles with plastic headlight covers. They become very cloudy and diminish the brightness to the point where visibility is greatly impaired. In the past they were made of glass and were always bright and clear. I believe they should be bright and clear for the life of the car. There are after market cleaners and polishes that don't really work. They need to be made of glass or plastic that doesn't get cloudy.”
NHTSA complaint #10576295, filed 2014-04“The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the brake lights remained illuminated independently when the vehicle was turned off and stationary. In addition, the ESC warning indicator remained illuminated and the cruise control was not working. The contact also stated that in order to turn off the brake lights, he had to disconnect the vehicle's battery. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 09v130000 (exterior lighting), but the VIN was excluded. …”
NHTSA complaint #11278272, filed 2019-11, 240,000 miles“The contact owns a 2006 Kia Sportage. While the contact was driving approximately 35 MPH, the ESC off warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The warning indicator remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The cruise control would not engage and both rear brake lights failed to function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they replaced the brake light switch. The failure continued to occur after the vehicle was repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10398154, filed 2011-04, 71,000 milesRelated recalls
- 09V130000Apr 17, 2009Huyndai-kia is recalling 139,844 my 2006-2007- sedona, sportage, sorento and my rondo and amanti vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may…Covers: Kia Sportage 2006–2007, Sedona 2006–2007, Sorento 2006–2007 +2 more
Related 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…
- 10026726Aug 28, 2008Kia: all models. Article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple kia…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 2 | 4% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 3 | 4% |
| 2018 | 6 | 4% |
| 2017 | 15 | 4% |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 12 | 7% |
| 2010 | 1 | 5% |
| 2009 | 7 | 9% |
| 2008 | 7 | 7% |
| 2007 | 12 | 16% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 2% |
| 1999 | 5 | 2% |
| 1998 | 6 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 2% |
| 1995 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2006 Kia Sportage
38 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsElectronic stability control
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Kia Sportage
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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