KiaSportage2006Overview/kia/sportage/2006/base/

2006 Kia Sportage

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Sportage.

Body SUV

The 2006 Kia Sportage is an SUV that, according to the data, received 111 owner complaints overall, with air‑bag issues leading the list and a single recall recorded. These figures place it well below the model‑year high of 394 complaints seen in 2017 but noticeably above the low of just four complaints reported for the 2003 model. Spanning the vehicle’s history from 1995 through 2026, the 2006 example sits in the middle of the reliability spectrum, indicating a moderate level of owner‑reported problems. This positions the 2006 Sportage as a relatively typical year for the nameplate, neither the most troubled nor the most trouble‑free.

Model year202620252023202220212020201920182006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque66-81 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Curb weight3527 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sportage of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.2–10.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.20 sec — 2005 EX V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2005EX V6 2.7L V610.20 sec17.60 sec173 hpAWD
2005EX V6 2.7L V610.40 sec17.80 sec173 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 66-81 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4.7

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs10-11 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs10-11 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings35-38 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts123-130 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts123-130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87-94 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts66-81 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug22.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug22.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub148-206 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub148-206 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.52-.64 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance7,480-10,120 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.86-1.0 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,625-14,375 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.07-1.18 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.0 L
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number124R

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-182 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-19 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)50.0 psi
Engine Compression185-206 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0002 in / 0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in / 0.0012 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.024 in / 0.393 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.024 in / 0.393 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
112-14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-94 degrees12–14 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120-23 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-6420–23 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 25,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 37,500 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 Kia Sportage recorded 111 federal complaints, 1 recall, and 31 TSBs, placing it above the 2005 (68 complaints, 3 recalls, 40 TSBs) and 2007 (77 complaints, 2 recalls, 32 TSBs) figures. This level of complaints is higher than the immediate prior years but still far below the peak complaint years of the early 2010s, indicating a modest increase within a generally low‑complaint stretch of the model’s lifecycle. The dominant complaint categories — Air Bags (27), Electrical System (8), Engine & Engine Cooling (6), and Engine (5) — reflect no single identified defect, as the data does not specify root causes. Compared with the broader generation, 2006 sits on the rising edge of complaint activity that later culminated in high‑volume years such as 2011‑2013. Consequently, while the 2006 model is not among the worst‑performing years, the upward trend suggests caution, making it a marginal choice for purchase without thorough verification.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
31
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
111
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 5 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 111 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags27
Electrical System8
Engine & Engine Cooling6
Engine5
Suspension4
Visibility4
Electrical System,Visibility3
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09V130000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 17/04/2009

HUYNDAI-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 MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 31 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_TRA046_R52025-04-17Power TrainTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been…
TSB_TRA046_R42024-05-16Power TrainThis bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and…
TSB_TRA046_R32022-11-18Power TrainTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides…
TSB_BOD055_R12021-09-13StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This…
PI1801_QA2018-03-26EquipmentQA - Listing of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers regarding the Product Improvement…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sportage. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2006 Sportage have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.