DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN ON THE VEHICLE WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED.
2005 Kia Sportage electrical problems
severe 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
WIRING HARNESS PLUGS JOINING AT RESISTOR & BLOWER MOTOR ARE MELTED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, A PASSERBY ALERTED THE CONTACT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, THE DRIVER SIDE TAILLIGHT WAS REMOVED, AND THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE POWER CONVERTER SHORTED, CAUSING THE FIRE. THIS WAS A HIDDEN HITCH POWER CONVERTER, PART NUMBER 31828.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER EACH INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. *AK
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2005 Kia Sportage?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.