2000 Kia Sportage

Above average

Owners filed 304 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
71,000 milesMedian miles at failure

154 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel System, Gasoline30
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly20
000
Structure › Frame and Members12
000
Fuel/Propulsion System11
000
Air Bags › Frontal10
808
Service Brakes, Hydraulic8
000
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls7
000
Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)7
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission7
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump7
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly04V305000
Filed Jun 24, 2004251,594 vehiclesKia Motors America, Inc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND EMITTED WHEN A BUCKLE IS BEING LATCHED, WHEN IT IS NOT.

Risk. THE LATCH CAN THEN PULL OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN TENSION IS APPLIED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Electrical System00V205000
Filed Jul 27, 200066,482 vehiclesKia Motors America, Inc.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE. THESE VEHICLES WERE DISTRIBUTED WITH OWNERS MANUALS WITH AN INCORRECT JUMP START DIAGRAM. THE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS FOR JUMP STARTING ARE ACCURATE. HOWEVER, THE DIAGRAM DEPICTS THE JUMPER CABLES ATTACHED TO THE WRONG POLARITY TERMINALS. IF THE DIAGRAM WERE FOLLOWED WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE INSTRUCTIONS, THE RESULTING IMPROPER CONNECTIONS COULD CAUSE THE BATTERY TO RUPTURE AGGRESSIVELY DUE TO INCREASED INTERNAL PRESSURES.

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE POTENTIAL SERIOUS INJURY TO BYSTANDERS.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADHESIVE LABEL WITH THE CORRECT ILLUSTRATION TO PERMANENTLY AFFIX TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS MANUALS.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 6, 2020TX

FUEL TANK LEAKING GAS I BELIEVE THE FUEL TANK IS NO GOOD ANYMORE I PURCHASE A VEHICLE FILL UP THE TANK AND START TO LEAK GAS I THOUGHT IT WAS A GASKET SO GASKET WAS PLACED AND IT'S STILL LEAKING

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 12, 2017133,000 milesAK

NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL, LOOKED UNDER CAR AND NOTICED GAS DRIPPING FROM UNDER CAR. UPON FURTHER LOOKING I NOTICED THE GAS TANK PROTECTIVE PLATE IS ROTTING OUT WHICH MAKES ME BELIEVE THE GAS TANK IS TOO.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 3, 2017SC

NO AIRBAG IN STEERING WHEEL, BRAKES GOES DOWN TO FLOOR, OXYGEN SENSOR BAD IN BANK ONE, POPPING IN TIRES. MY FRAME CAN BREAK FROM CAR AT ANY TIME, DEALER KNEW I HAD KIDS, WE COULD GET SERIOUSLY HURT RIDING IN THIS CAR.

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 12, 2016AL

2000 KIA SPORTAGE RECALL - HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT

Engine
Filed May 3, 2016128,477 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED WATER LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR. THE FAN BLADE DETACHED AND WENT THROUGH THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,477.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 25, 2016MA

2000 KIA SPORTAGE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, RIGHT FRAME HAS A HUGE HOLE, MY CHILD IS AT RISK CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ALSO LOCKS DON'T WORK, BATTERY DIES, SEATBELTS SUCK, RADIO GOES OFF ...

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 12, 2015NC

FRAME RUSTED

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 14, 2014141,500 milesOH

GAS TANK IS LEAKING GASOLINE. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 22, 2014123,041 milesVA

FUEL TANK/PAN RUSTED OUT. STRONG GAS ODOR. RECALL FOUND ONLINE. NEITHER DEALER NOR KIA WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE. RECEIVING NUMEROUS MISFIRE MESSAGES AND HAVE CHANGED PLUGS, COILS, AND WIRES. MISFIRE CODE STATES FUEL/AIR RATIO IS WRONG. THERE IS NO HISS WHEN OPENING GAS CAP AND NO PRESSURE REGISTERING FROM TANK. SAFETY AND FIRE ISSUE. WAS WARNED NOT TO DRIVE UNTIL FIXED DUE TO GAS LEAKAGE. VERY UPSET AT KIA FOR TELLING ME THAT RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO MY 2000 SPORTAGE, HOWEVER SHE STATED IT WAS FOR 1996-2002 SPORTAGES. WAS INFORMED I COULD PAY $92/HOUR FOR IT TO BE INSPECTED BUT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CHARGES. VERY DISTURBING, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS VEHICLE USED TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY AND NOW I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 4, 2014179,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL GUARD WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 179,000.

Suspension
Filed Mar 6, 2014160,000 milesCA

THE STRUCTURE IS ROTTEN AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPORTS OF THIS AND CANNOT BELIEVE THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 3, 2014WV

THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING. I NEED TO HAVE KIA TO REPLACE THIS TANK. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO KEEP DRIVING. I HAVE CHILDREN AND I AM CONCERN FOR THEIR SAFETY AS WELL AS MY OWN. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 24, 2013101,066 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,066.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 15, 2013152,033 milesNJ

BRAKES FAILED DUE TO RUSTED FRONT BRAKE LINES. WHILE VEHICLE WAS ON THE LIFT THE FRAME WAS FOUND TO BE COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU IN MANY PLACES MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 27, 2013179,000 milesWA

ON APRIL 12, 2013 I GOT INTO MY 2000 KIA SPORTAGE TO GO TO WORK. AS SOON AS I GOT INTO THE CAR I HIT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO GET THE DEW OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD AND INSTEAD OF JUST GOING ONCE THEY WENT OFF EXTREMELY FAST WITH OUT STOPPING FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS. ONCE I GOT THEM TURNED OFF I WENT UP THE ROAD AND TURNED TO HEAD TO WORK VIA THE BACK ROADS. I DROVE ABOUT 1 MILES WHEN OUT OF THE BLUE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED GOING OFF AGAIN THEN A SECOND LATER I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND 2 OF MY AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED AND I FELT A THROBBING PAIN IN MY RIGHT SHIN. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND THE LOWER AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED. MY CAR WAS THE ONLY CAR INVOLVED AND HAS A CLEAR CARFAX. THE ROAD I WAS DRIVING ON WAS SMOOTH AND I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE WHERE IT SITS. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 30, 2013PA

THE GAS TANK SHIELD IS RUSTING TO PIECES. NOTICED A PIECE HANGING DOWN AND CHECKED UNDER THE CAR. IT IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. *TR

EngineFire
Filed Apr 8, 201365,500 milesWV

THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN 2 DAYS. MY DAUGHTER STARTED THE CAR, DROVE IT ABOUT 1/4 - 1/2 MILE WHEN SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE CONSOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE, GOT OUT AND RAN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TO SEE IF SHE COULD TELL WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND COULD SEE FIRE THROUGH THE CRACK IN THE CONSOLE WHERE THE COVER OVER THE CONSOLE WAS JOINED TOGETHER. WITHIN SECONDS, THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A GASOLINE LEAK. SHE WAS IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD WITH VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC. HAD SHE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TRAFFIC, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DIFFERENT SCENARIO. SHE AND OTHERS WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR WORSE. HER POCKETBOOK HAD FALLEN ON THE FLOOR AND SHE REACHED OVER TO PICK IT UP AND THAT IS WHEN SHE SAW THE SMOKE. SHE HAD TIME TO GET OUT BEFORE THE CAR IMPLODED. THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WAS GUTTED AND THE PAINT WAS BURNED OFF THE DRIVERS SIDE AND ROOF OF THE CAR. ALL THAT IS LEFT OF THE INSIDE IS SOOT, METAL AND CHARCOAL FROM FRONT TO REAR. WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALER ON DECEMBER 21, 2012. IT RAN GREAT, WAS IN GOOD SHAPE AND WE HAD NO PROBLEMS OR WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I AM GOING TO NOTIFY KIA, BUT AM NOT VERY HOPEFUL OF ANY RESOLUTION WITHOUT SOME INTERVENTION FROM NHTSA. *TR

Suspension
Filed Dec 27, 2012MA

THE CHASSIS, AND THE AUTO BODY FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE DETERIORIZE AND COMPLETE HODEN I JUST TALK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC WHEN WAS FIND OUT. WE BELIEVE THAT IS MANUFACTURE PROBLEMS. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 22, 201260,008 milesPA

I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A SHOP TO GET THE OIL CHANGED AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR OF THE FRAME IS SEVERELY RUSTED OUT AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. ALSO THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AT ONE OF THE SEAMS IN THE CORNER OF THE TANK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY PEOPLE IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE KIA SPORTAGE. I HAVE ALSO SEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL. IT'S ONLY A 12 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD PLENTY OF OTHER VEHICLES MUCH OLDER WITHOUT ALL OF THIS KIND OF RUST ISSUE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT WITH THE MATERIALS BEING USED. I SURELY HOPE THE NHTSA WILL MAKE KIA MOTORS RECALL THESE VEHICLES. BECAUSE IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 15, 2012120,005 milesDE

(1) NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK SHIELD IS SEVERELY ROTTED OUT AND IS BARELY CONNECTED. (2) SMELL FUEL VAPORS PERIODICALLY WHILE IN THE VEHICLE. (3) FUEL TANK APPEARS TO BE RUSTING, AFRAID TO MESS WITH TANK IN FEAR OF DISTURBING THE RUST AND RUPTURING A HOLE IN TANK. (4) BRAKE LINES WERE SO SEVERELY RUSTED IN ONE AREA THAT IT BLEW A HOLE IN THE LINE AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STOPPING AND REQUIRED THE PROMPT ACTION FOR REPAIR. OTHER BRAKE LINES LOOK LIKE THEY MAY FAIL IN NEAR FUTURE. (5) STEEL PORTION OF POWER STEERING LINE RUSTED OUT AND BLEW FLUID EVERYWHERE PREVENTING THE ABILITY TO TURN THE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. (6) THE FRAME HAS HEAVY RUST SCALE AND APPEARS TO BE ROTTING IN SEVERAL PLACE. (7) PAINT IS STARTING TO BUBBLE WHICH IS INDICATING BODY IS RUSTING UNDER PAINT JOB. THIS IS A 12 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH VERY BAD ROTTING OF METAL FROM SALT CORROSION. HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS MUCH RUST ON 20+ OLD VEHICLES THAT ARE IN THE SAME NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE US. *TR

20 of 304 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2017
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202627100Routine
202551100Routine
202469300Routine
2023191610Routine
202246120Routine
202151270Routine
20201602120Routine
201970230Routine
20181633120Routine
20173994270High concern
2016131250Routine
20151462110Routine
2014122310Routine
20133813220High concern
20123925160Above average
2011181680Routine
201020201Fatalities reported
200980380Routine
2008983240High concern
200777250Routine
2006111150Routine
200568320Routine
20034000Routine
2002234360Above average
2001228240Above average
2000 — this page304470Above average
1999284531Fatalities reported
1998303560Above average
1997181351Fatalities reported
199657330Routine
199556210Routine

Compare every Sportage year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.