1998 Kia Sportage complaints

THE CAR HAS BEEN THE SHOP MORE THAN IT HAS BEEN OUT. THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPTARTMENT HAS INFORMED ME, THAT SINCE THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM I HAVE DISCRIBED TO THEM,THEY CAN'T FIX THE CAR. WHEN I PICK THE CAR BACK UP FROM THE SERVICE DEPTARTMENT, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES FOR ME. TIME AFTER TIME, THE SERVICE DEPT. IS INFORMED OF THIS PROBLEM AND AS OF THIS DATE 2/27/00 THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP UNFIXED. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD VIBRATION WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END. ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. AT 16,000 MILES THE ROTORS AND BRAKES PADS NEEDED REPLACING AGAIN. VEHCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO DRIVER'S ERROR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR CRASH SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CAME UNHOOKED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER INFORMAITON. *AK

ALL THE NUT, BOLTS, CLAMPS, BRACKETS AND SOME PARTS IN MY KIA ARE BADLY CORRODED/RUSTED....ECT. NONE OF THESE PARTS ARE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IT LOOKS AS IF THEY USED THE CHEAPEST PARTS THEY COULD FIND. I'M SCARED THAT THE WHOLE THING MIGHT FALL APART DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. ANOTHER COUPLE OF YEARS UP HERE IN NEW ENGLAND AND IT JUST MIGHT!

VEHICLE SOMTIMES ACCELERATES WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY

THE TRNAMISSION FAIL TWICE ONCE AFTER THE CAR WAS CHECKED BEFORE WE LEFT ON VACATION, THE DEELER WILL NOT HELP MY AND WE HAVE ENDED UP HAVING A RESTRAINING ORDER DRAW UP BECAUSE OF THE THREATS FROM HIS STAFF. KIA IT'S SELF HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND HAV OFFERED A REDICULUS TRAID IN OF $7000. THE CAR WAS OVER $18000. THE HUBS HAVE NEARLY COST ME MY LIFE I WENT OFF THE INTERSTATE HITTING ICE I WAS NOT IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE AT THE TIME BUT I WENT IN TO A DITCH,WHEN I TRIED TO PUT IT IN TO 4 WHEEL I WOULD NOT GO I HAD TO TRAVEL IN A DITCH ON A BUSY INTERSTATE FOR 5 MILE TILL I COULD REACH THE EXIT. THE WASHER MOTOR FAILED ON THE INTERSTATE IN SMOWING CONDITIONS, I HAD TO EMPTY WATER ON THE WINDOW AS I WAS DRIVING TO SEE. THIS THE WORST CAR EVER AND THE DEALER AND KIA WILL NOT HELP WITH ANY OF THESE MATTERS. THE DATES OF THESE INCIDENTS MIGHT NOT BE THE CORRECT DATE MY ATTORNEY HAS ALL THE PAPER WORK FROM THE DEALER. *AK

BRAKES CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS, SEVERAL REPAIRS (ROTORS,PADS,VALVE, ETC.), HOWEVER BRAKES OVERHEATED ON ONE OCCASION AND CAUGHT FIRE, POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW. *MJS

I'VE HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR SINCE PURCHASING IT, IT HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO THE SHOP FOR THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMING ON 2 TIMES, THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR, BUT THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED 2 DAYS LATER , THEY THEN SAID IT WAS A HARNESS, THAT WAS REPLACED THEN I'VE TAKEN IT IN FOR TWO RECALLS ON THE BRAKES AND A HUB PROBLEM, I'M CURRENTLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR HANDLES STICKING SO IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOORS WITH THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE, DEALER STATES THAT THEY CAN'T GET IT TO HAPPEN WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE SHOP BUT IT OCCURES CONTINUALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MY POSSESSION, BACK HATCH DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY UNLESS YOU SLAM IT SEVERAL TIMES, DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG, ENGINE ALWAYS SMELLS LIKE IT IS BURNING AND NOW THE CAR WILL ONLY START WHEN IT WANTS TO, DEALER SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY BUT THE CAR IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD, I'VE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER SPORTAGE OWNERS WHO ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS, I FEEL THE MANUFACTERER NEEDS TO BUY ALL THESE CARS BACK, I'VE TRIED TO TRADE THIS CAR AND NONE OF THE DEALERS WANT IT THEY TELL ME THAT IT IS NOT WORTH WHAT I'VE PAID FOR IT SO I'M STUCK WITH IS PIECE OF JUNK, I'M AT MY WITTS END...I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I'M AFRAID TO GET STUCK SOMEWHERE. THE CAR IS LITTERALY FALLING APART IN MY HANDS AND THERES NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT, I'VE TALKED TO A LAWYER IN REGARD TO THE LEMON LAW BUT THEY SAY THAT IT HAS TO BE A REOCCURING PROBLEM OF THE SAME ORIGIN BUT THERES APPARENTLY HELP FOR THE

FAILED WEATHER STRIP CAUSING LEAKAGE INTO FRONT DOOR. MJS

WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP IN DRIVEWAY OF HOME, I WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT JUST TOOK OFF, I TRIED BRAKING , BUT IT CONTINUED TO GO FORWARD STRAIGHT THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR AT A VERY HIGH SPEED, FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM, HAD CAR TOWED TO THEM. THEY STATED THEY HAD NEVER HAD ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS . CONTACTED THE 1-800-4KIA HELP LINE AND WAS TOLD I WAS THE THIRD COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS. DEALER IS NOW TRYING TO TELL ME THIS WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM, IT IS NOT A BRAKE PROBLEM, FRONT BRAKES HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED BY AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR ESTABLISHMENT USING CERTIFIED PARTS FROM THE KIA DEALER. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING THE SOUND OF AIR IS COMING IN MAKING ME THINK A WINDOW IS DOWN , BUT NO WINDOWS ARE DOWN. THE CAR FAILED TO START ONE DAY AND WE CKECKED THE BATTERY, WHICH BY THE WAY THE MANUAL STATES IS MAINTENCE FREE, BUT IS NOT, YOU HAVE TO PUT WATER IN IT. I HAVE NEVER BEEN INFORMED OF ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE , BUT KNOW THERE ARE SOME. THE KIA DEALER IS TRYING TO PUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR ON EVERYTHING FROM THE BRAKES TO MY MISTAKE, I KNOW WHAT THE CAR DID AND THERE IS A PROBLEM SOMEWHERE THAT SOMEONE SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF. *AK

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE JAN OF 1999, IT HAD 18,000 MILES. APRROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE I NOTICED THE FRONT HUBS AND RIMS LINED WITH GREASE AND OIL. I INFORMED BOTH THE DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM, AND THE KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICAL. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT TAKE CARE OF IT. FROM THAT POINT ON I HAVE BEEN HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS KIA. I TOOK THE VEHICAL IN AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THE CALIPERS, ROTORS, AND DRUMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STARTED TO WEAR OUT THE PADS OF ALL THESE PARTS, AND NOW IS GRINDING THEM AWAY. THIS PROBLEM IS A DEFECT IN THE PARTS USED BY THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY SHOULD BUY MY KIA BACK FROM ME, AND OR REPAIR IT TO NEW CONDITION. THIS IS JUST THE MAJOR ISSUE I HAVE WITH KIA THERE ARE MANY OTHER VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH IT SUCH AS THE WINDOW MOTOR KEEPS GOING OUT(I THINK THERE IS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE REAR TIRE CARRIER KEEPS GETTING STUCK, ETC ETC ETC. PLEASE HELP ME I AM AT A LOSE AS TO WHAT I SHOULD DO. I CAN'T AFFORD $2500 TO FIX THE BRAKES, THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER GONE BAD, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICAL (1998 KIA SPORTAGE).

AFTER PICKING CHILD UP FROM SCHOOL CONSUMER PULLED INTO A CAR WASH AND AUTOMOBILE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. SHE HAD TO PUSH TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE CAR OFF, AND IT STOPPED. SHE IS CURRENTLY AFRAID TO DRIVE AUTOMOBILE. *AK

TURNED OFF VEHICLE TO PUMP GAS, ON ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. BATTERY WAS JUMP STARTED, CAR FUNCTIONED PROPERLY FOR 4 DAYS. AT THAT TIME THE VEHICLE FAILED AGAIN WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START, JUMPED STARTED THE VEHICLE & DROVE TO SERVICE CENTER. DEALER SERVICE CENTER FOUND A CELL IN THE BATTERY HAD FAILED & REPLACED THE BATTERY. VEHICLE FAILED AGAIN, 4 WEEKS LATER, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHEN THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS THOROUGHLY CHECKED BY SERVICE MANAGER & FOUND NO PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START, AGAIN, 3 DAY LATER & DID NOT RESPOND TO A JUMP START. THE DEALERSHIP IS CURRENTLY INSPECTING VEHICLE, I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, I AM NOT RECEIVING ANY COOPERATION. A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED TO ME A CONSUMER REPORT THAT WAS REPORTED BY A LOCAL NEWS STATION, THEY DO NOT RECALL THE COMPLETE DETAILS BUT DO HAVE A RECOGNITION OF THE REPORT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A REPETIVE PROBLEM FOR SPORTAGE OWNERS.

WHEN DRIVING ENGINE STALLS. MOST OF THE TIME IT STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. ALSO, THE ENGINE STUTTERS. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE TWICE, AND HAS NOT FOUND A SOLUTION. *AK

THE PINS THAT HOLD THE CALIPERS BROKE OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ON 2-1-99 REPLACEMENTS WERE DONE TO THE SURGE TANK ASSEMBLY, AIR INTAKE PIPE AND WIRING DUE TO VEHICLE STALLING. HOWEVER, ON 9-1-99 VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN CAUSING LOST OF STEERING POWER WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ON 10-11-99 THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. PRIOR REPLACEMENTS WERE NOT THE CAUSE OF STALLING. *YC

THE FRONT ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES WHILE IN A SLOW TIGHT TURN AND BRAKES APPLIED, WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL AND FRONT END SHAKE AND VIBRATE. THIS HAPPENS WHILE TURNING INTO PARKING SPACES OR MAKING A U TURN EITHER DIRECTION, AND IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. THE DEALER SAID THAT KIA KNOWS ABOUT IT AND THAT IT IS NORMAL. I ALMOST HIT A CHILD IN IN A PARKING LOT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED AT SLOW SPEEDS THE CAR IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU APPLY THE BRAKES. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND KIA SHOULD FIND A WAY TO FIX IT SINCE THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS ON THIS PROBLEM 8 TIMES IN 10 MONTHS. PLEASE HELP. *AK

VEHICLE SHAKES WHILE BRAKING. NLM

VEHICLE WON'T START. NLM

POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. NLM

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UPON IMPACT IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS WOULD UNLATCH WHILE DRIVING; DEALER NOTIFIED AND MADE REPAIRS.MAKING A SAFETY REPORT TO NHTSA. *AK

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH ON HIGHWAY WHEN IT SUDDENLY DIED OUT FOR NO REASON. HAD VEHICLE TO TOWED TO DEALER. UNABLE TO RESTART RIGHT AWAY. *AK

A/C DRAIN HOSE CLOGGED CAUSING LEAKAGE. MJS

WHEN STOPPED THE ENGINE IDLES ROUGH AND IF ON AN INCLINE, IT IS AS THOUGH IT WILL STALL BEFORE IT KICKS IN AND GOES. ALSO THE CAR ENGINE SMELLS LIKE SULFUR.

WHEN TRAVELING AT 25 MPH AND UPON ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THERE IS HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION, VEHICLE DOES NOT INCREASE SPEED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES FRONT END WILL SHAKE/VIBRATE, RESULTING IN POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. 2. VEHICLE WILL ACCELRATE BY ITSELF WITHOUT APPLYING ACCELERATOR. IN BOTH CASES, DEALER CLAIMS THAT IT IS NORMAL OPERATION. DEFECTS ARE INTERMITTENT. *AK

WHEEL BEARINGS HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC WATER GOT INTO SEALS & WERE NOT SEALING. THIS ALSO AFFECTED 4-WHEL DRIVE LOCKING HUBS. *AK

FRONT END VIBRATION CAUSED EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR (ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS). MJS

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, AND THE ENGINE WASN'T RUNNING PROPERLY. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER'S SHOP FOR REPAIRS SEVEN OR EIGHT TIMS, AND DEALER STILL CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE WAS AT STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, ENGINE IDLED AND THEN WOULD REV UP & DOWN. HAD TAKEN TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED NOTHING WAS FOUND. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. *AK

FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY SEALS(LEAK)RUSTED OUT BEARINGS, UNSAFE TO DRIVE

MY INTIRE AXLE AND ROTORS AND SHOES WERE RUSTED OUT AND SEIZED UP

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH TO 70 MPH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. ALSO, WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKES FAILING. CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE HAS CONSTANT, ANNOYING BRAKE NOISE. SERVICE MANAGER REPLACED ALL THE ROTORS, BOTH FRONT AND REAR, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS ROUTINE MAINTENACE AT UNDER 10,000 MILES. *ET

THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE DUE TO A BAD SEAL, THE SEAL CAUSES THE VACUUM NOT TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. *SLC

WHILE THE VEHCLE WAS DRIVEN BY A SERVICE PERSON FROM THE DEALERSHIP, FRONT RIGHT WHEEL FROZE UP. THE WHEEL HUB WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP WITH ONE FROM A PREVIOUS MODEL. THE OWNER BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A NOISE THAT WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY OTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO A SQUEAKING NOISE MADE BY THE BRAKES WHEN THE WERE APPLIED. ALSO DEALER REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER. ROTORS, ONCE AGAIN, NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

THE DEALER KNEW THE BEARINGS WAS BAD AT 19500 MILES AND THEY TOLD MY WIFE IF THEY STARTED GRINDING TO BRING BACK THE VEHICLE BUT THERE WAS NO WARNING ALL AT ONCE IT PULLED TO THE LEFT AND STARTED GRINDING NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT KIAIS WORKING ON NEW BEARINGS AND HUBS THEY CAN`T GET PARTS THEY HAVE TO GET THE PARTS THE KIA REP. NOW I HAVE TO WAIT FOR HIM AND THEY WOULD NOT GIVE US A LOANER THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THE DEALERS RESPONSIBLITY SO I HAD TO RENT A CAR I COULD SAY MORE BUT THAT IS ENOUGH FOR NOW. *AK

THE 4- WHEEL DRIVE FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY. VEHICLE ALSO MAKES HIDEOUS NOISES & THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VERY BADLY. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. NOISES AND VIBRATIONS ARE GETTING WORSE. *AK

THIS VEHICLE HAS MANY PROBLEMS THE CONSUMER SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF. NO SAFETY DEFECTS LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

POWER MIRRORS FAILED. MJS

REGARDLESS OF THE SETTING ON THE AIR FLOW MODE SELECTION KNOB, HOT DRY AIR IS ALWAYS DIRECTED INTO THE FACE OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER, RESULTING IN VISION PROBLEMS. ALSO, DUST, DIRT AND POLLENS ARE BLOWN INTO DRIVER'S EYES WHEN DRIVING ON DIRT AND GRAVEL ROADS HERE AT THE LAKE OF THE OZARKS . KIA REPRESENTATIVES HAVE RESPONDED THAT ALL KIAS HAVE THIS DEFECT, THAT IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM AND WILL NOT BE CORRECTED UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. WE BELEIVE THIS DEFECT, DESIGN OR OTHERWISE, IS A HEALTH AND SAFETY MATTER AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BY KIA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *AK

TRANSMISSION WILL ABRUPTLEY SHIFT INTO TO A LOW GEAR ON ITS OWN AT 65 MPH. MANUFATURER HAS BEN CONTACTED. *AK

THERE ARE MANY OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AS OF TODAY THER ARE ONLY 1700 MILE ON THE VEHICLEAS WHERE MOR THAN 1/2 THOSE MILES ARE FROM GOING BACK AND FORTH TO THE SERVICE DEPT AS IT IS AN 80 MILE TRIP TO THE SERVICE DEPT. AS FOR KIA THEY ARE TOTALLY IGNORANT AS THEY DO NOT EVER RETURN ANY OF MY PHONE CALLS. THIS SUVIS A LEMON IF I EVER SAW ONE . YOU WOULD THIN. NO SAFET DEFECT (S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

THE HUBS WERE CRACKED AND WHEEL BEARING WAS GONE, CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. KIA HAS DONE NOTHING TO HELP. *AK *ML

AFTER BEING STUCK IN A SNOW STORM CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE 4-WHEEL DRIVE, EVENTHOUGH THE SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

WHEEL BEARING AND HUBS CRACKED, CAUSING THE METAL TO GRIND WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN. ALSO WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSE UNKNOWN. WAS ADVISED BY MIDAS NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE- WHEELE COULD COME OFF. *AK

I PURCHASED A LEFTOVER NEW 1998 SPORTAGE 4X4 ON 4/12/99. THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON 3/31/98. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE FOR AUTOBODY REPAIRS ON THURSDAY 5/13/99 WITH 592 MILES ON IT. WHEN I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE ON MODAY 5/17/99 WITH 594 MILES ON IT THE LIFTERS WERE MAKING A HORRIBLE TAPPING NOISE. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING IN STORAGE FOR OVER A YEAR AND WHEN PURCHASED BY MYSELF THAT A NEW OIL FILTER AND OIL CHANGE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS I FINALLY GOT HIM TO PUT IT IN WRITING AND I NOW HAVE THE DOCUMENT AS PROOF. MY QUESTION IS HOW DOES A LIFTER GO BAD AT 594 MILES AND WHY DIDN'T A LARGE COMPANY SUCH AS KIA HAVE THE INSIGHT TO PROVIDE BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE UPON PURCHASE OF A VEHICLE. I HAVE ACESSED YOUR COMPLAINT FILES FOR THE 1998 SPORTAGE AND IT PRINTED 21 PAGES. CAN ALL THOSE CONSUMERS BE WRONG? I DO NOT THINK SO, I FEEL MY SUV IS ON ITS WAY TO BEING THE LEMON THAT ATTACKED NEW YORK. IF I WAS ADVISED OF YOUR WEBSITE PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE I WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY LOOKED TO OTHER AUTO MAKERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATIVE SITE, BUT I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS JUST THE BEGINNING!!!( DOT NUMBER: )

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS AND THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 8300 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST TIME THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON AND THEY CHANGE THE ENG BRAKE SOLENOID. THE SECONED TIME THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED AND ALL FOUR BRAKES PARCIALLY LOCKED UP. THIS TIME I WAS DONIG 68 ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP. I MISSED HITTING ANOTHER CAR BY LESS THAN AN INCH WHEN IT MADE MY VEHICLE SWERVE INSTANTLY. I AM GETTING SCARED TO DRIVE IT AT ALL!! WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT? "I DON'T WANT TO DIE OR KILL MY FAMILY OR SOMEONE ELSE'S!!!!"