The 2005 Kia Sportage has 6 recalls, the most serious being a fuel leak that can occur when the tank is full and, in the presence of an ignition source, create a fire risk.
The fuel system defect involves a faulty o-ring seal inside the tank that can allow fuel to escape into the evaporative system, making the tank hard to fill and causing fuel to seep from the evaporative air filter inlet. The engine can also stall when coming to a stop. On vehicles equipped with the optional electronic stability program, a yaw rate sensor can become overly sensitive and misread the vehicle's motion, causing the system to cut engine power and apply a single wheel's brake without any input from the driver. This can alter the vehicle's path during cornering and raise the risk of losing control. The parking brake is the subject of two related filings describing the same issue: a worn ratchet pawl can strip the teeth in the lever mechanism, preventing the brake from engaging fully or allowing it to release on its own, which can let the vehicle roll while parked.
At a glance
What can fail
The parking brake ratchet pawl is undersized and can wear out too quickly, causing the parking brake to fail unexpectedly.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the parking brake engagement assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The parking brake lever ratchet pawl may be improperly manufactured and damage the ratchet teeth, preventing the parking brake from engaging or causing it to release unintentionally.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the parking brake lever assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A seal inside the fuel tank can wear, allowing fuel to leak into the vapor chamber when the tank is full. This makes the tank hard to fill and fuel may leak from the air filter, creating a fire risk.
What the fix does
Kia fixed all affected vehicles before they reached dealers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The O-ring in the fuel tank can fail, allowing fuel to leak into the vapor chamber when the tank is full.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank and charcoal canister at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Electronic Stability Program may activate unnecessarily during cornering, causing the engine to reduce power and apply the brake to one wheel without the driver pressing the brake pedal. This can slow the vehicle and alter its path.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Electronic Stability Program control unit to correct the sensitivity issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The yaw rate sensor in the electronic stability system may become overly sensitive and recalibrate incorrectly, causing the system to unexpectedly reduce engine power or apply brakes to individual wheels while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the electronic stability control unit at no charge to correct the sensor calibration.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
