1999 Kia Sportage complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SMELL OF GAS AND A FUEL LEAK OBSERVED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL LINES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN ALERTED. THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL LINES HAD RUSTED AND WERE LEAKING GASOLINE. UPDATED 08/25/06. *JB

DRIVING 75 MPH ON I-74 IN ILLINOIS, TURN SIGNAL UNIT ON PASSENGER FRONT SIDE FELL OUT OF PLACE AND INTO FRONT TIRE. IT THEN SHREDDED CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE AS WELL AS MAKING IT HARD O STEER PROPERLY. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AND LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. *NM

NOTICED SMELL OF GAS. REPLACED GAS TANK AND FUEL PUMP/SENDER UNIT. *JB

I HAVE A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE WITH LESS THAN 35,000 MILES ON IT AS OF JULY 5, 2006. IN NOVEMBER OF 2005 I STARTED NOTICING A REALLY STRONG FUEL SMELL. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. I TOOK IT IN AROUND THANKSGIVING TO FIND OUT THAT THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAD TO PAY ALMOST $1,000 FOR THIS REPAIR. ALSO, IN MAY OF 2006 POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED ALL OVER MY GARAGE WHILE THE CAR WAS IN SUMMER STORAGE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT IS DUE TO THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE DAMPING PIPE RUSTING OUT. THIS CAR HAS ALSO ALREADY HAVE TO GET NEW FRONT BRAKE ROTORS (RUSTED/WARPED) AS WELL AS A NEW EXHAUST PIPE SINCE THE PREVIOUSLY ONE RUSTED OFF THE MUFFLER. WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE YEARS ONE OF THE BEARINGS WENT BAD AND THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE WHOLE FRONT AXLE UNIT. THIS CAR HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND WITH LESS THAN 35,000 MILES ON IT BASICALLY MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH. I AM REPORTING THIS TO YOU AFTER READING ON WWW.KIA.COM TECHNICAL/OWNERS SECTION ABOUT A "SERVICE CAMPAIGN" FOR THE LEAKING FUEL TANKS IN MAY 2006. NOBODY HAS NOTIFIED ME AND I JUST HAPPENED TO RUN INTO MYSELF AS I WAS RESEARCHING INFORMATION RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM SINCE THAT STARTED LEAKING IN MAY 2006. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLES GAS TANK WAS LEAKING. A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE A DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TA KEN INTO DEALERS FOR CONFIRMATION.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO A LOSS OF CIRCUIT CONTINUITY. THERE IS A RECALL, #99V325000, PERTAINING TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS AS LISTED IN THE RECALL HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

1999 KIA SPORTAGE SEAT BELT LOST ALL TENSION AND BECAME LOOSE. INERTIA REEL BROKE AND DISCONNECTED WHERE IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE BODY OR A HARD POINT. *TS *JB

THE CONTACT HAS A KIA SPORTAGE 1999 AND IT HAS A SEAT BELT PROBLEM. WHEN THE REAR DRIVER SEAT BUCKLE IS LATCHED IT DOES NOT LOCK OR MAKE A CLICKING SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED 2 MONTHS AGO. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE LOCAL KIA SERVICE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE NOT PART OF A RECALL AND IF THEY NEEDED REPAIR THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO INSTALL NEW ONES AT HIS COST. WHEN THE DEALER WAS INFORMED THE CONTACT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SEAT BELT THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WILL BE REPAIRED AT NO COST. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION ON THE REAR SEAT BELTS *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRAYED. THE FRAYING WAS SO BAD THAT THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD NOT SLIDE DOWN CORRECTLY. HE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH KIA, AND THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS FUMES APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AGO. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, AND HE FOUND THE SKID PLATE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK HELD MOISTURE AGAINST THE TANK, AND CAUSED IT TO RUST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *AK

IN JUNE OF 2004 MY HUSBAND WAS ON HIS WAY TO DROP SOMETHING OFF TO ME AT WORK. HIM AND MY SON MADE A RIGHT ONTO ONE OF THE BACK ROADS. THEY HAD TO COME AROUND A BIG CORNER HE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN GOING 25 MPH. THE REPLACEMENT TIRES I HAD PURCHASED AT SEARS, AMERITRAC SUV TIRES P20575R15 THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT A HOLE THE SIZE OF A FIST ON THE FRONT SIDE OF THE TIRE BOTH MY SON AND HUSBAND HEARD THE BANG. THE VEHICLE WAS THROWN OUT OF CONTROL WENT INTO A DITCH DID A HALF ROLL ON ITS SIDE TOOK OUT 6 MAILBOXES CONTINUED ON ALL FOUR WHEELS FOR ABOUT A HUNDRED FEET CAME TO STOP ON OTHER SIDE OF ROAD. THE VEHICLE JUST HAD BEEN SERVICED AND TIRES ROTATED FROM BACK TO FRONT A WEEK BEFORE AND LOOKED GREAT THE POLICE OFFICER AT THE SCENE SAID THERE WAS NO OBJECTS IN THE ROAD TO CAUSE FAILURE AND MY SON AND HUSBAND DID NOT FEEL ANYTHING OR SEE ANYTHING IN THE ROAD. MY SUV WAS A TOTAL LOSS. MY SON HAD A HOLE IN HIS KNEE WERE THE SEAT CAME UP AND JAB HIM BUT WAS NOT TAKEN TO HOSPITAL I HANDLED IT AT HOME. I HAVE THE TIRE AND PICTURES OF THE SCENE AND SUV. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND SOMEBODY TO MAKE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE I HOPE I FINALLY DID. I DID HAVE THE TIRE LOOKED AT BY THREE MECHANICS I WAS TOLD POSSIBLE BEADED BLOWOUT. THERE WAS STILL A GREAT DEAL OF TREAD LEFT ON TIRES. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL STAY ON WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. A FUSE KEPT BLOWING, OUT, BUT SHE WAS NOT SURE WHICH FUSE. SHE HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR, AND HE SAID THE PROBLEM WAS DEFINITELY ELECTRICAL. SHE STARTED HAVING THIS PROBLEM AT THE END OF AUGUST. THE CONTACT SAW RECALL 99V325000 ON THE INTERNET BUT WAS NOT SURE IF THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. SHE DID NOT TO A DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT PLANNED TO DO SO WHEN SHE FINISHED THIS CALL. SHE STILL WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT.*AK UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB

DT: THE VEHICLE TAKES ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES TO START, IT WILL TURN OVER. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND IT WILL SHAKE RIGHT BEFORE STALLING.. FOUND RECALL 99V325000 FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING BUT KIA SAID MY VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO MECHANIC SHOPS, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. THIS STARTED ON APRIL 15, 2005. *AK

VEHICLE DOES NOT WANT TO START, HOWEVER, THE RADIO AND POWER WINDOWS ARE STILL WORKING SO IT IS NOT A BATTERY ISSUE. ONCE THE VEHICLE DID START IT WOULD DIE WHEN YOU STARTED UP FROM A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND/OR SOMETIMES WOULD SIMPLY DIE WHEN PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY INDICATED IT WAS A FUEL PUMP ISSUE. THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING. THE SHOP THEN INDICATING THERE HAD BEEN A WIRING RECALL SO THEY CHANGED OUT THE WIRING HARNESS. TWO DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE ALMOST DIED ON THE WAY TO THE AIRPORT, IT WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN IDLING AND THERE WAS VERY LIMITED POWER WHEN I WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE SHOP LOOKED AT IT AGAIN AND THE AIR MANIFEST INDICATOR CAME ON SO THEY CLEANED OUT THE AIR FLOW. TWO DAYS LATER IT WAS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. THE SHOP THEN INDICATING THAT THEIR SENSOR INDICATED A DIFFERENT PART OF THE SYSTEM WAS FAILING. THE SHOP CONTACTED A KIA FACILITATED AND WAS TOLD IT SOUNDED LIKE A COMPUTER ISSUE, HOWEVER, EVEN IF THE COMPUTER WAS CHANGED OUT, IT COULD BE A SENSOR ISSUE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO DIE WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND/OR PULLING FROM A STOP. A VEHICLE THAT DIES IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, AND IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE IT CAN BE EASILY FIXED AND/OR KIA DOES NOT WANT TO DO THE WORK. *NM

1999 KIA SPORTAGE HAS HAD TIMING BELT REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT CAR NEW IN 1999. WHILE TRAVELING ON NJ TURNPIKE, WHAT WE BELIEVED WAS THE TIMING BELT YET AGAIN WAS THE CRANK SHAFT AT THE HARMONIC BALANCE (WHICH HOLDS THE TIMING BELT IN PLACE) COMPLETELY SNAPPED INTO TWO PIECES INSIDE THE ENGINE. I SPOKE TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENTS WHO ADVISED ME THAT THIS WAS NOT A NORMAL THING AND WAS IN NO WAY DUE TO SOMETHING WE COULD HAVE DONE. I WAS TOLD BY MY KIA DEALER THAT THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED LAST YEAR AND THAT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT IN THE KIA. THE FIRST THREE TIMES THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED THE WARRANTY COVERED. NOW I AM TOLD I MUST PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE. BE ADVISED THAT EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENED THE CAR WAS GOING 55 M.P.H. OR OVER. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THAT KIA SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY COLLISION OR ANY OTHER EVENT THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE FOR THIS TO OCCUR. WE ARE JUST LUCKY THAT WE HAVE NEVER BEEN HURT OR KILLED IN THIS CAR!*JB

IN DECEMBER OF 2000 I PURCHASED A KIA SPORTAGE 1999 FROM MCGRATH IN ELGIN, IL. FROM THE BEGINNING THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE DID NOT ALWAYS LOCK AND THE INTERIOR & EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND WHY THE LIGHTS FLICKERED. ON AUGUST 2, 2005 MY VEHICLE DIED IN FRONT OF A MARATHON GAS STATION/REPAIR SHOP IN ROLLING MEADOWS, IL. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME AND TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW FUEL PUMP. I TOLD HIM TO DO THE REPAIR. THE NEXT DAY, THE MECHANIC CALLS ME TO TELL ME THAT THE FUEL TANK IS SO RUSTED IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND HE HAS ALREADY CALLED THE KIA DEALER AND THE FUEL TANK IS IN "STOCK". I TOLD HIM TO DO THE REPAIR. (PLEASE REFERENCE COMPLAINT #10131393). WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE, IT KEPT BLOWING THE FUSES AND DYING. I NEVER GOT OUT OF THE GAS STATION PARKING LOT. I LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THEM. ON AUGUST 4, I HAD THE VEHICLE WITH THE ORIGINAL FUEL PUMP AND FUEL TANK TOWED TO THE MCGRATH KIA DEALER IN ELGIN, IL. IN THE MEANTIME, I GOT ON THE INTERNET AND DID A SEARCH FOR KIA RECALLS. MY VEHICLE HAS 3 RECALLS- ONE FOR THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAMPAIGN #04V305000, ONE FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING CAMPAIGN #99V32500, AND ONE FOR SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING AND FITTINGS CAMPAIGN #98V222000. ALL OF THESE RECALLS WERE IN EFFECT BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ASKED THE MCGRATH KIA DEALER TO FAX ME COPIES OF THE REPAIRS FOR THE RECALLS, BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY

DT: THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ,AND THE BOLTS BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. MARATHON TOLD CONSUMRER THE NEED OF A NEED A NEW FUELPUMP. CONTACTED A COUPLE OF KIA DEALERS THEY SAID THERE WERE AFRAID SOMEONE ELSE MAY BREAK THE BOLTS. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 2, 2005. *AK

LAST YEAR I HAD A FRONT END ALIGNMENT DONE ON MY 1999 KIA SPORTAGE AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THE LOCKDOWN NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY CAUSING WATER TO GET IN AND CORRODING THE LINKAGE BETWEEN THE TIE ROD ENDS. I HAPPENED TO BE MOVING THE CAR THIS WEEKEND AND HEARD AN AWFUL KLUNKING SOUND, UPON SOME INVESTIGATING I NOTICED THE TIE ROD END JUST ABOUT READY TO BE SEPERATED FROM THE ADJUSTER LINK. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY MY WIFE WHO IS PRIMARY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT AND HURT SOMEONE ELSE.

DT: FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT ALTHOUGH AIR WAS STILL IN TIRE. BUT, THE TREAD COMPLETELY COME OFF, AND TOOK ALL THE WIRING TO THE FUSE BOX WITH IT. VEHICLE WILL NOT START. ALSO, TOOK SOME OF THE BUMPER AND TURN SIGNAL OFF . *AK

MY 1999 KIA SPORTAGE WILL NOT START OCCASIONALLY. I LOOKED ON THE WEB TO FIND THE ERROR AND FOUND RECALL NUMBER 99V325000 THAT IS FOR AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING RECALL. I TOOK MY SPORTAGE INTO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED THAT THE SPORTAGE OCCASSIONALLY WOULD NOT START, EVERYTHING ELSE WOULD WORK PERFECTLY. I HAD MY STARTER AND BATTERY TESTED BEFORE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BOTH CHECKED OUT FINE. AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR 1 DAY THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ONLY THING THAT THEY COULD FIND IS THAT THE STARTER WIRE HAD LOST TENSION AND THAT MAY BE THE PROBLEM. I ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL AND THEY STATED WHEN THEY PUT MY CAR ID NUMBER ONLY TWO RECALLS SHOWED ONE FOR EMISSIONS AND THE OTHER FOR SEAT BELT BUCKLES. I CALLED THE KIA MANAUFACTURER HOTLINE AT 800.3333.4542 AND THEY STATED THE SAME. I THEN LOOKED ON THE NHTSA SITE TO FIND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I DO REMEMBER GETTING LETTERS REGARDING THE OTHER TWO RECALLS BUT NOT FOR THE WIRING RECALL.

UPON BEING AT A STOP ENGINE REVVED, AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED, LANDING IN AN INTERSECTION; WHICH CAUSED A COLLISION. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT A SEMI TRUCK. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DUE TO A PREVIOUS INCIDENT VEHICLE WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE. HOWEVER, VEHICLE ACCELERATED, AND TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING HOME AT THE END OF NOVEMEBER WITH MY 4 CHILDREN 13,12, 2 AND18 MONTH OLD TWINS MY CAR BEGAN TO ROCK FROM SIDE TO SIDE OUT OF CONTROL. I PULLED OVER AND FIGURED IT WAS A FLAT TIRE. IT WAS NOT. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE HOME AND THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS MY POWER STEERING. IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME I HAD TO DRIVE ABOUT 2 MILES AN HOUR. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY A FEW MILES AWAY .. AFTER I HAD A FRIEND COME BY TO CHECK OUT THE CAR AND THAT IS WHEN WE REALIZED THAT THE BACK SWAY BAR WAS HANGING TO THE GROUND. IT HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF THE FRAME AT THE BRACKET WHERE IT WAS WELDED TO THE FRAME. THERE WAS ABOUT A 10-12 INCH HOLE IN THE FRAME AND BOTH THE BRACKET AND THE FRAME WHERE BROKEN WERE COVERED INSIDE AND OUT WITH RUST. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT MY WARRANTY WAS UP. I ASKED THEM TO REFERENCE WHERE IN THE HANDBOOK THEY WOULD WARRANTY THE FRAME. AFTER GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THEM FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING FOR ME. THEY KEEP SAYING THAT IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. I HAD MY INSURANCE COMPANY COME LOOK AT THE CAR. THEY TOOK DIGITAL PICTURES AND HE SAID THAT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND A TERRIBLE INSUFFICIENT WELD JOB AND IT WAS NOT SEALED WOULD EXPLAIN THE RUST. NO ONE WILL FIX IT NOT EVEN THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO FIX. THE INSURANCE COMPANY ALSO SAID THAT THE OTHER SIDE IS BEGINNING TO RUST AS WELL. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED 5 MINUTES PRIOR WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A H

I AM THE OWNER OF A 99 KIA SPORTAGE WITH ONLY 60043 MILES. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW. THE VEHICLE STALLED AT 40 MPH, LUCKILY, IT DID NOT STALLED AT 75 MPH WHILE I WAS TAKING ONE OF MY DAILY TRIPS TO OK CITY BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. THE CRANKSHAFT SHEARED OFF FLUSH WITH THE ENGINE HOUSING LEAVING THE MAIN AND TIMING BELT PULLEYS DISCONNECTED FROM THE ENGINE. AS CONSEQUENT, THE ENGINE STALLED LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. NO ONE WAS HURT OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS. CONTACTED THE KIA DEALER AND THEY WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPOSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART. THIS IS THE KIND OF SAFE PRODUCT THAT MAKES KIA CUSTOMERS NOT TO BE REPEAT CUSTOMERS.

HEATER COIL WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BRIDGE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND THE HEATER COIL WAS REPLACED. *AK

4 WHEEL DRIVE HUBS WON'T ENGAGE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE STRAINS AS IF IT IS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, AND THE DISPLAY SHOWS IT IS ENGAGED.*AK

CONSUMER NOTICED RED LIQUID ON DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT POWER STEERING HOSE RUSTED AND BROKE. THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE WITH THESE VEHICLES.*AK

THE RETRACTOR TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT JUST FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD. AND WHEN I SAY FELL OFF, I MEAN LITERALLY FELL OFF. MY DAUGHTER HEARD THE RETRACTOR FALL DOWN THE SIDE PANEL. THE SEATBEAT THEN HAD NO RESISTANCE AND WOULD NOT RETRACT, LEAVING THE SEATBELT USELESS. AFTER CLOSER EXAMINATION, I FOUND THE PLASTIC DOWELS HOLDING THE RETACTING MECHANISM TO THE SEATBELT HAD JUST FALLEN OFF OR WORN AWAY. HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED DURING AN ACCIDENT, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS INJURIES. SEEMS THESE PLASTIC DOWELS SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH METAL OR STEEL ONES. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE REPORTED TO KIA ASAP. *AK

CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA RECALL 99V325000. THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE C123 AND C124 CONNECTORS CAN BE PUT UNDER TENSION BY MOVEMENT OF THE ENGINE, THUS PULLING THE WIRES AND CONNECTORS, AND LOOSENING THEM . THIS RESULTS IN A LOSS OF CIRCUIT CONTINUITY. DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS NOT A RECALL PERTAINING TO THE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM ALL DATA 2CMP01C1. *AK THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXHIBITED ALL THE SYMPTOMS OF THE KIA RECALL 99V-32000. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES HER VEHICLE'S VIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE STALLING RECALL. *NM

VEHICLE HAD DRIVESHAFT REPLACED EVERY 20,000 MILES DUE TO WEAR. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON WET ROAD CONDITION, WATER IS GETTING INTO THE SEAL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *LA

VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A GUARD RAIL AND AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *PH ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE CONSUMER HAD A FALT TIRE, AND WHEN SHE REMOVED THE SPARE TIRE, THE DOOR AND GATE WOULD NOT CLOSE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT WIRING AND CONNECTORS FAILED. *AK

HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY SHORT OUT. A FEW MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE CAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES BEFORE THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD STAY ON. THINGS WERE OK FOR A WHILE BUT ON 02/06/04 HEADLIGHTS SHORTED OUT AGAIN. 02/07/04 HEADLIGHTS WERE BACK ON. 02/09/04 HEADLIGHTS OUT. BROUGHT CAR IN TO BE SERVICED, AND CAR WAS FIXED. 02/12/04 HEADLIGHTS OUT AGAIN. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALERSHIP 02/13/04. ON 02/14/04 CAR WAS FIXED. HEADLIGHTS STAY ON. VERY HAPPY...AT LEAST FOR A WEEK. 02/21/04 HEADLIGHTS OUT. AM AFRAID OF CAR.*AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT FUEL LINE WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE BATTERY. ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO A FUEL LINE BROKE AND SPRAYED GAS ALL OVER THE HOOD AND MOTOR, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HAD FUEL LINE REPAIRED. *AK

I AM THE OWNER OF A 99 KIA SPORTAGE WITH ONLY 19000 MILES ON IT BOUGHT NEW WITH ONLY 10 MILES ON IT BACK IN 99. THIS SUV HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE, WITH EVERYTHING FROM THE AC TO THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE NEEDING REPAIRED TWICE IN ONE DAY, TO THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM HAPPENING ON 8-19-02 WHEN MY RIGHT REAR ANTI SWAY BAR BRACKET BREAKS AWAY FROM WHERE IT WAS WELDED ON THE FRAME IN THE FACTORY ( THE ORG. WELDS JUST BROKE ) AS MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE DRIVING THIS SUV HOME ONE EVENING CAUSING THIS SUV TO BE ALL OVER THE ROAD AND UNCONTROLLABLE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS. KIA ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILTY FOR THIS. BUT IT WAS THERE WELDS DONE IN THERE FACTORY WHEN THEY MADE THIS SUV. THIS IS THE KIND OF SAFE PRODUCTS THAT KIA MAKES AND THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF THIS FACT AND HOW MUCH THIS CO. VALUES A HUMAN LIFE.

\T\T\T\T 11/16/02\TGENERAL DIAGNOSTICS AFTER PURCHASE\T NO STORED CODES \T $75.50 \T\TTIMING CHECK - DISCONNECT BATTERY\T\T 11/29/02\TENGINE BUCKS ON ACCELERATION\T NO STORED CODES\T $87.26 \T BROKEN CENTER CONSOLE REPLACED\T\T 01/02/03\TENGINE STALLED - DIED AFTER ONE WEEK'S TIME, NO DIAGNOSIS\T $70.88 * TOWED *\T\T 01/05/03\TEMAIL SENT TO: KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS ADVISED OF POOR RUNNING CONDITION AND \T INFERIOR KIA SERVICE RECEIVED RESPONSE AS TO FOUR \T \T\T MANUFACTURER RECALLS NOT PERFORMED TO\T \T\T DATE ON VEHICLE\T 01/13/03\T*SC014 RECALL - ENGINE WIRING HARNESS\T RECALL PERFORMED\T $102.44 *SC022 RECALL - MANIFOLD CATALYTIC CONVERTER\T RECALL PERFORMED\T \T\T*FRONT WHEEL BEARING SEALS LEAKING/LOOSE REPLACED FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES\T \T\T*COOLANT LEAKING AT BYPASS HOSE\T R&R HOSE AND REPLACED SEALS\T \T\T*DETERMINED FRONT BUMPER REPLACED \T 01/17/03\T*EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUD BROKEN\T REMOVED MANIFOLD/DRILLED OUT BROKEN STUD\T AND REPLACED $77.77 \T\T*STUCK THERMOSTAT\T REPLACED THERMOSTAT\T 05/22/03\T52,500 MILE SERVICE\T\T$123.27 \T\T*WIPER BLADE CHECK - NOT OPERATING PROPERLY\T ADJUSTED WIPER ARMS/REPLACED BLADES\T \T\T\T OPERATING WORSE!\T \T\T*FRONT END SHAKING @ HIGH SPEEDS\T ROTATED TIRES - NO CHANGE!\T \T\T*REPLACE FRONT TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY\T COMPLETED SATISFACTORILY\T 05/23/03\TCAR DIED WHILE DRIVING - STALLED OUT AT IDLE\T WIRING HARNESS TO TCM SHORTING OUT\T $260.13 \T *TOWED* REMOVED TCM/CLEANED/REPAIRED\T TOTAL OUT OF POCKET REPAIRS (NOT INCLUDING WARRANTY ITEMS

IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THIS USED VEHICLE, IT WOULD SPUTTER AND DIE WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE GAS. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. I WOULD TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY WOULD ALLEGEDLY FIX THE PROBLEM THAN THE NEXT DAY IT WOULD DO IT AGAIN. I HAD POCESSION OF THE VEHICLE A TOTAL OF 5 DAYS DURING MY FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. IT WAS IN THE SHOP THE OTHER 25 DAYS. IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS LATER AND IT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS.

EMAIL REGARDING RECENT COMPLAINT SUBMITTED INVOLVING 1999 KIA SPORTAGE ODI# 10023549.*MR THE VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY HAD A RECALL PERFORMED REGARDING THE WIRING HARNESS, NOW THE VEHICLE IS STALLING AND SURGING. THE CONSUMER CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW CAR SO HE WANTS THE VEHICLE HE HAS TO BE SAFE TO DRIVE. *CB *JB

THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUBS ON MY '99 KIA SPORTAGE HAVE FAILED AGAIN. THIS IS 4 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. I HAVE HAD A VACUUM LINE REPLACED AND THE ENTIRE FRONT ASSEMBLY REPLACED. LAST YEAR THEY WOULD NOT WORK DURING A SNOW STORM , CAUSING ME TO ALMOST GET STUCK IN A SNOW DRIFT. HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER A WEEK LATER---AND THEY WERE WORKING. TEMPERATURES WERE WARMER WHEN THE DEALER LOOKED AT THEM. DURING RECENT SNOW STORM (12/5/03) HUBS ONCE AGAIN WOULD NOT ENGAGE. INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON, BUT THE REAR WHEELS SPIN IN THE SNOW. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. WOULD LIKE KIA TO REPLACE WITH MANUAL LOCKING HUBS. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *LA

VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION. FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH

CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED BY THE DEALER IN 2001, RATTLING AND NOT WORKING CORRECTLY SINCE (ENGINE LIGHT ON - DIAGNOSTIC SAYS CONVERTER), RETURN TO DEALER APPROXIMATELY. 2 MONTHS LATER, THEY VERIFIED EVERYTHING WAS OK, WOULD NOT PASS SMOG THE NEXT YEAR, RETURNED TO DEALER THEY SAY IT IS THE CONVERTER AGAIN, WILL NOT PAY TO REPLACE AGAIN. CAR RUNS WITH NO POWER AND IS A DANGER ON THE ROAD. *LA

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH AN IMPACT WAS SUSTAINED AT 50 MPH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH KNEE BOLSTERS UNDERNEATH THE STEERING COLUMN. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY STALL. AFTER A FEW MINUTES SITTING VEHICLE CAN BE RESTARTED. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

ECM NOT OPERABLE (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REOCCURRING AFTER SERVICE VISITS) GOING ON 8 VISIS TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. 2 MISDIAGNOSIS , GAS CAP NOT TIGHT ENOUGH, FUEL CANISTER VALVE. PURCHASED USED 2 MONTHS AGO, PROBLEM OCCURRED 1 MONTH AFTER OWNERSHIP. HAVE WARRANTY WITH DEDUCTIBLE. HAVE RESEARCHED MAKE AND MODEL HISTORY AND FEAR THAT SAFETY IS A FACTOR. FIRST TIME OWNER OF A 4WD AND FEEL THAT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS ROUGH TRAVEL EXPECTED FROM A 4WD IS SOMETHING IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM, WHICH SEEMS TO BE COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE IN MY RESEARCH. HAVE ASKED FOR MY MONEY BACK , DOWN PMT $2000 AND TRADE IN OF $200, AS MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN MORE THAN UNPLEASANT. I RECIEVED "A SLAP IN THE FACE" OFFER WHICH WOULD HAVE COST ME $ 5000 A PENALTY FOR PURCHASING A VEHICLE ONLY 2 MONTHS PREVIOUS. WAS NOT AN AS IS SALE, AND I DID PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH DEDUCTIBLE. IN MY BOOK THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS PRACTICE SHOULD BE OUTLAWED.*AK

SMELL OF EXHAUST COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AGAIN. HAS BEEN IN SHOP NUMBER OF TIMES, CHECK ENGINE CAME ON 50 MILES AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS.RUNS VERY BAD, SAME AS BEFORE REPAIRS. HAS BEEN OUT OF WARRNETY FOR WHILE, PAY FOR REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. *AK

1999 KIA SPORTAGE WIRING HARNESS, THROTTLE BODY POSITION, FUEL PUMP REPLACED, ETC.... NAR 07/28/2003.*MR *CB

GAS PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN, VEHICLE DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE FOR THE LAST PAST TWO YEARS ;REPLACED A NUMBER OF PARTS, AND STILL PROBLEM OCCURS *AK

1999 KIA SPORTAGE 4DR ECM TROUBLE CODE 171 - LEFT BANK LEAN. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR OVER A WEEK AND IS NOT ABLE TO FIX. *AK

DURING VEHICLE OPERATION EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN.*AK

KIA SPORTAGE 1999: BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP EVERY 15000 MILES, ROTORS EVERY 50,000. *JB