There are 5 owner-reported tires & wheels complaints for the 2006 Kia Sportagein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I purchased this vehicle from a private seller in August 2021 and attempted to obtain records of the vehicle Kia America Case ID #14353653 which Kia America has yet to provide me any information. I had a full diagnostic done by a certified mechanic at Borst Automotive in the state of Arizona on 09/18/21 where several concerns were reported to me that Kia failed to report. There is a new and concerning grinding with the engine on my 2006 Kia Sportage LX that sounds like it might be an exhaust leak. I hear loud grinding sounds now when turning on the car that immediately sound when it is fired up, and when accelerating is the worst, but the sound starts loud and is immediate when I turn on the vehicle and fire up the engine. Two days ago on 10-01-21 which was the last night I drove it as it feels unsafe to drive now, I did not get far before the front driver's tire closest to the engine completely blew out/ and exploded coming off of it's wheel and cap hinting at a potential engine problem or recalled defect. I had to immediately pull over and call AAA to come put the spare donut on my car to get it back home to park. The engine appears to have something wrong with the exhaust system and it sounds bad. I reported this today to Kia America case ID #14407655. I always make it a point to to check fluids and something is not right here. The car is overheated but Radiator is fine and coolant, and all other engine fluids are full but could be an engine issue that is dangerous. This engine sounds like it will burst at any minute its grinding and stalling so bad. Made an appointment with Royal Kia in my hometown Tucson, AZ for October 12, 2021 to have the fuel tank straps replaced and towed as apparently they are faulty and this was the soonest this dealership could perform this. I know the 2010-2021 Sportage models were recalled under Safety Recall 20V-750 but since this recall is somewhat new and yet to discover other Kia Sportage’s that might also be affected. Consumer also noticed malfunctioning of brake and tail lights when pushing the brake pedal and without pushing on it. Taillight bulb had to be replace immediately when purchasing the vehicle. Headlight/lamps were also faulty and replacement on the driver's side as well as replacement of the tire on the driver's side already occurred in the few short weeks consumer owned the vehicle.
TL ' THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPORTAGE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. JCC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SPORTAGE WITH AN ULTRA 578510 DOLLY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND TOWING THE VEHICLE WITH THE DOLLY THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING FROM ONE SIDE TO ANOTHER. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGERS SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF OF THE DOLLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE TIRES AND THE NUTS CAME OFF OF THE DOLLY. THERE WAS ALSO INDENTATION IN THE LOWER PART OF THE WHEEL WELLS OF THE FRONT TIRES. THE HUB AND TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED TO REIMBURSE THE CONTACT FOR THE DAMAGE. THE CONTACT DID NOT AGREE WITH THE AMOUNT AND NO FURTHER OFFERS WERE MADE BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
TIRE FAILURE. TOTAL TREAD SEPARATION. TRAVELING 65MPH ON A CLEAR, STRAIGHT STATE HIGHWAY I HEARD A LOUD BAND AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW AND THE TREAD SEPARATED ENTIRELY, I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER THE ENTIRE PIECE OF TREAD FROM THE ROADWAY. THE TIRE HAD ONLY 12,000 ON IT AND 10 DAYS EARLIER THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AND PRESSURE CHECKED. RIKEN RAPTOR DOT# Y94CYNRO. *TR
KUMHO TIRE E4 0225645-S I BOUGHT A KIA SPORTAGE 06. I HAVE 15400 MI. ON MY ODOMETER. I PUT AIR IN THEM RECENTLY AND THE GUY AT THE AUTO SHOP SAID I SHOULD AVOID LONG DRIVES DUE TO THE TIRES CRACKING. WITH THE LACK OF MILEAGE ON THE CAR, WHY IS IT THAT THE TIRES ARE CRACKING. THEY AREN'T OLD. THE TREADS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. IS THERE A RECALL ON THEM? I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF I AM PUTTING IN THE RIGHT MODEL NUMBER. *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