2000 Kia Sportage complaints

DT*: WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH THE SMELL OF GASOLINE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTED THAT THERE WAS A MODERATE FUEL LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. UPDATED 01/19/07. *JB THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED.

FUEL SENDING UNIT (FUEL PUMP/GAUGE) AND FUEL TANK FAILED (BEGAN LEAKING) DUE TO PREMATURE CORROSION CONDITION. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A SMELL OF FUEL WAS NOTICED INSIDE AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND EXPRESSED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE FUEL TANK.

ROTORS WERE BAD UPON PURCHASE, DEALER REPLACED THEM FOR FREE ONLY BECAUSE THE SERVICE REP. KNEW MY DECEASED HUSBAND. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 65 MPH, WHEN THE TRUCK DIED AT 87,000 MILES. I WAS ALMOST HIT SEVERAL TIMES. THE TIMING BELT BROKE-SOMETHING THAT WAS REPLACED A COUPLE MONTHS PRIOR BY THE DEALER. MY WATER PUMP AND PULLEYS AND BELT WERE REPLACED FOR ABOUT 700 DOLLARS LESS THEN DEALER ORIGINALLY CHARGED ME. THE DEALER SINCE HAS REPAID FOR THEIR INCORRECT BELT SIZE--BELT WAS INCORRECT FOR MY TRUCK. DEALER INSTALLED STRUTS BROKE AFTER ABOUT 25 MILES OF USAGE--DEALER CLAIMED THAT I DROVE MY TRUCK OVER SPEED BUMPS ROUGH--HAHAHA. THAN, I GUESS IS SUCH A BAD CA SMOG LAW, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR 2 YEARS PLUS STILL WILL NOT GO OFF. I PASSED ALL EMISSIONS FOR MY SMOG CHECK, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS FAILING ME. I HAD THE HEAT PLATE REMOVED AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND IT FROZE MY UPPER O2 SENSOR--REPAIR DONE BY PERSONAL MECHANIC WITH PARTS THAT I PURCHASED ONLINE FOR ABOUT 1/3 THE PRICE OF THE DEALER PARTS AND WORK DONE. OK, I THOUGHT THE LIGHT WOULD COME OFF..IT DIDN'T. I HAVE TO CHANGE THE OTHER O2 SENSOR. ALSO MY BRAKE SENSOR FOR ABS BRAKES--THAT I DON'T HAVE--WENT OUT AND NOW I HAVE TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM WITH AN ICE-PICK. YOU WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE A PROBLEM BUT IT ISN'T. THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SENSOR CAUSES NOT ONLY FOR THE GEAR BOX TO LOCK, IT IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TURN SIGNALS--THEY ARE ON THE SAME FUSE SYSTEM. MY

FUEL TANK IN 2000 KIA SPORTAGE HAS MULTIPLE LEAKS DUE TO HEAVY CORROSION IN BACK LOWER HALF OF TANK. PROTECTIVE OUTER SHELL IS ALSO CORRODED BEYOND REPAIR. *NM

SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. FOUND FUEL TANK RUSTED AND FUEL SEEPING OUT OF TANK. ALSO FOUND TANK PROTECTIVE PAN THAT HOLDS TANK UP RUSTED AND READY TO FALL OFF, WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO FALL DOWN. THIS WOULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. CALLED LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS BUT THE HEAD SERVICE MANAGER WOULD GIVE ME A CALL. SO FAR NO CALL BACK. THIS WILL HOPEFULLY TURN INTO A RECALL, BUT ONLY AFTER SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL WAS NOTICED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK. THE PARTS WERE NOT IN AND WHEN THE CONTACT RETURNED TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE HOLE REPAIRED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE HOLE HAD DETERIORATED EVEN MORE. UPDATED 9/13/006 - THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND PUMP. THE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE CORROSION. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THERE WAS A SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE FUEL LINE HAD CRACKED AND DISINTEGRATED. A REPLACEMENT FUEL LINE WAS ORDERED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. UPDATED 9/13/2006 - THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE METAL PIECE BOLTED ONTO THE FUEL TANK, WHICH HELD THE FUEL PUMP, WAS MADE OF POOR METAL. THE METAL RUSTED AND ALLOWED FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. *NM

POWER LOCKS GO ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. POWER WINDOWS DON'T WORK , THEN SUDDENLY WORKS. COMPUTER FAILURE WITH BRAKES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES STARTING, AND AN ODOR WAS NOTICED AFTER PARKING. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK CORRODED WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL TO LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. UPDATED 8/15/2006 - *NM

GAS TANK LEAK AND DANGEROUS FUMES - 2000 KIA SPORTAGE LEAK OCCURED AFTER LONG TRIP JULY 2006. CORROSION AND LEAK IS EVIDENT ON FRONT END OF PROTECTIVE PLATE UNDER TANK. REPAIR APPOINTMENT MADE FOR JULY 10, 2006. NO RECALL EXISTS ON THIS YEAR, BUT DOES ON 2005 KIA SPORTAGE. *NM

I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH FUEL SYSTEM ON MY KIA SPORTAGE. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL FILTERS (3 NOW), LINE CLEANED ETC. MECHANIC HAS NOW HAD TO REMOVE TANK AND CLEAN IT ALONG WITH REST OF SYSTEM. GASKETS WON'T SEAL WHILE TRYING TO FINISH THE REPAIR WORK. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST YEAR. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS DONE LAST YEAR. IT KEPT SHORTING OUT RELAYS ALL THROUGH THE VEHICLE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP ON 06/23/06 WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER AGREED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT AT COST.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY A FUEL LEAK WAS NOTICED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE TANK HAD DETERIORATED AND THE TANK WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 07/05/06. *JB

GAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK ON A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. GAS TANK RUSTED AND LEAKING, SENDING UNIT BAD. CONTACTED LOCAL KIA TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE 1000.00 IN REPAIR COSTS FOR NEW REPLACEMENT PARTS. PURCHASED USED PARTS FOR 400.00. WRONG SENDING UNIT SENT STILL WAITING ON UNIT/PARTS. NO FIRE YET. *NM

WAS GOING OFF TO WORK ON 3 DIFFERENT SNOW DAYS ENGAGED VEHICLE 4X4 (AT LEAST ACCORDING TO THE IDIOT LIGHT I WAS ) PROCEEDED TO WORK SO I SLID ALL OVER THE ROAD AND GOT STUCK IN 2 INCHES OF SNOW. AFTER 3RD ATTEMPT CONTACTED DEALER TO ASK IF IT WAS A KNOWN CAUSE AND THEY TOLD ME YES THAT THERE WAS A TSB FOR A NEW HUB ASSEMBLY. CAUSE THE INNER SEALS ARE FAILING DUE TO THE MANUFACTURES DESIGN OF THE 4X4 VACUUM /SEAL SYSTEM , I ASKED THAT IF THIS IS A FAILURE IN THE DESIGN SHOULD THE KIA MANUFACTURES HAVE MADE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT IN THEIR WORKMANSHIP, AND WAS TOLD "NO" THERE IS A FIX FOR IT BUT MY 4X4 IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE IT WAS A CONVENIENCE ISSUE AND IT WOULD COST ME $1000 DOLLARS TO FIX , WHEN I ASK WHY WASN'T IT FIXED IN 2001 WHEN I HAD IT IN FOR A 4X4 CONCERN THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TSB WASN'T ISSUED THEN BUT HAVE FOUND ON DIFFERENT WEB SIGHTS THAT IT WAS ..SO TO SOLVE MY OWN PROBLEM I ASK THE HEAD TECHNICIAN AT WHAT USE TO BE LYNNFIELD KIA "WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE AND IS THERE A BETTER SOLUTION" HIS RESPONSE WAS WE DON'T REPAIR WE JUST REPLACE ...I FEEL IF ITS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN DESIGN IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JB

(1) HEADLIGHTS WOULD TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING (2) WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED & MELTED (3) REPLACEMENT OF WIRING HARNESS & LAMPS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. SEVERAL VEHICLE'S MADE EMERGENCY STOPS IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AS A RESULT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE'S. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALL FOUR OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. THE CONTACT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THE POLICE AND INSURANCE COMPANY WERE PRESENT AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT AND PROVIDED WRITTEN REPORTS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THERE WAS ALSO ADDITIONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE'S INVOLVED. UPDATED 5/2/2006 - *NM

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED IT LOSES POWER AND STALLS. THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE, BUT NO INDICATION OF A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTS BACK, BUT STILL HAS NO POWER TO ACCELERATE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOSS OF POWER AND/OR STALLING. THE VEHICLE IS WAITED TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A DIAGNOSIS AT THIS TIME. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON A WET ROAD, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND STRUCK A PARKED VEHICLE AT 35MPH AND THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY UNLOCKED. ALTHOUGH THE SEAT BELT WAS PROPERLY LOCKED, THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY RELEASED ALLOWING THE CONTACT TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V305000, REGARDING THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THERE WERE NO OBVIOUS ROAD HAZARDS OR CRASH. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL HE RECEIVED. *AK

TIRES BECAME BALD THREE MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR NEEDED REPLACING. THE GAS LEVER HAS BEEN AND IS BROKE AGAIN. HUBS WERE REPLACED THE FIRST TIME, SEALS WERE REPLACED SECOND TIME. THE HEAT SHIELD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED RIGHT NOW. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOVES VERY SLOW. TIMING BELT REPLACED EARLY. BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHENEVER I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I WENT TO AN AUTO DEALER AND HAD THEM CHECK OUT THE BRAKES. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER WAS LEAKING BADLY. *NM

ON THE WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 22-23, 2005, A GASEOUS ODOR WAS OBSERVED AROUND MY 2000 KIA SPORTAGE (PURCHASED DECEMBER 4, 1999; VIN: [XXX]). PUDDLES OF GAS WERE LATER SPOTTED UNDER MY VEHICLE, SO THE FOLLOWING MORNING (OCTOBER 24, 2005), I BROUGHT IT TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALER FOR INSPECTION. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE GAS TANK HAD "ROTTED/RUSTED" OUT (ADDITIONALLY, THE BOLTS FOR THE GAS TANK AND THE HOSE CONNECTING THE GAS TANK AND FILLER TUBE WERE RUSTED AND DISINTEGRATED, RESPECTIVELY, BEYOND REPAIR AND MUST BE REPLACED), CREATING A HOLE THROUGH WHICH GAS WAS ESCAPING. THE VEHICLE WAS USED ONLY MINIMALLY IN WI PRIOR TO AUGUST 2000, AND ITS LOCATION SINCE THEN HAS BEEN CHAPEL HILL/DURHAM, NC (ALL REPAIR WORK AND OIL CHANGES HAVE BEEN DONE BY MILLENNIUM KIA IN DURHAM, NC, WHICH ALSO SUGGESTS WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN SINCE AUGUST 2000). THUS, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO SALT OR OTHER ELEMENTS WHICH MAY LEAD TO THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE. IT CURRENTLY HAS FEWER THAN 55,000 MILES ON IT, WHICH FURTHER LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT THE DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF OVER- OR MISUSE. MY FATHER [XXX] AND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, CONTACTED THE KIA CORPORATION AND SPOKE WITH TOM MORALES (800-333-4542, EXT: 45262) REGARDING THIS ISSUE, AND A CASE HAS BEEN OPENED WITH REGARD TO IT (CASE #[XXX]). WE BELIEVE THIS DAMAGE IS NOT ONLY EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS, BUT ALSO PREMATURE AND THE RESULT OF A FAULTY PRODUCT. KIA CLAIMS THEY CAN DO NOTHING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, BUT BECAUSE OF ITS SERIOUS POT

DT: THE C OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORADIC. ON 10-14-05 THEIR CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE CONTACT SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS, AND THEN SHE SAW BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED. ONCE SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF THE CAR FINISHED SMOKING FOR A WHILE, AND WHEN IT QUIT SMOKING THE CONTACT TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. SHE WAS NOT YET SURE OF THE DAMAGE DONE BECAUSE THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT LOOKED AT IT. . SHE REPORTED HAVING NO PROBLEMS AT ALL WITH THE CAR PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE INCIDENT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. HER HUSBAND THOUGHT IT WAS OF ELECTRICAL NATURE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED ,A KIA DEALER AND THEY WERE NOT VERY HELPFUL. THEY REFERRED HER TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. SHE HAS NOT SPOKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER.*AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS A RUSTED GAS TANK AND A BAD FUEL PUMP. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE MANAGER STATED THAT TOYOTA NO LONGER DOES REPAIR ON KIA VEHICLE. THE OIL PAN RUSTED CAUSING AN OIL LEAK. OIL LEAKED FROM THE SPEED SENSOR AND OIL SEAL. THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO AN OUTDATED HUB KIT. THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE #3 CYLINDER WAS MISFIRING. *NM PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE (OCT 31, 2005): THE REPAIR SHOP PERSONNEL (DAVE @ THETFORD'S AUTO CENTER @ 607-433-0319) INDICATED THAT THE TANK WAS RUSTED AND WAS LEAKING FROM THE SEAM. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL SUPPLY OR RETURN LINE WAS ROTTED AT THE FUEL TANK CONNECTION; FUEL WAS LEAKING WHE THE FUEL PUMP WAS TURNED ON.

INCIDENTS: 2000 KIA SPORTAGE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE - I (AND AT LEAST TWO OTHER KIA SPORTAGE OWNERS I HAVE TALKED WITH) HAVE EXPERIENCED SLIPPAGE IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WE WERE ALL TOLD THAT NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND BUT WE HAVE ALL CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM FROM TIME TO TIME. *NM

DT: A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE STATION WAGON. THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE RUSTED. THE FUEL TANK HAD A HOLE IN IT. WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE FUEL HAD SLOWLY LEAKED OUT. THE CONSUMER WAS UNAWARE OF THIS UNTIL SHE DROVE VEHICLE HOME AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FUEL UNDER IT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL FUEL STATION; THEY TOLD CONSUME RBECAUSE THERE WAS NO ONE TO WORK ON IT TO BRING IT BACK THE NEXT DAY. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEM THE NEXT DAY. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, TANK, LINES, AND EVERYTHING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL HAD LEAKED ALL OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE AND MADE IT HARD TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER KIAES CONCERNING THIS. THE CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THIS. THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAD NO TROUBLE GETTING THE TANK, HE FIGURED THAT IT MIGHT BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THEM. PREVIOUSLY THEY REPLACED THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE UNIT. *AK

2000 KIA SPORTAGE WITH 70,000 MILES CAR ALWAYS STORED IN GARAGE FUEL SENDER UNIT RUSTED OUT DURING 200 MILE TRIP GASOLINE LEAKING OUT ONTO VEHICLE AND GROUND - POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD HAD TO REPLACE SENDER UNIT, FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP DUE TO RUSTED CONNECTIONS RUINING EACH PIECE OF EQUIPMMENT.

DT: CONTACT STATED THE ROTORS WARPED EVERY 5,000-6,000 MILES, . THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. THE SERVICE MECHANIC SAID THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE HOT AND WATER WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES THE ROTORS WARPED. THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED BUYING ANOTHER BRAND OF ROTORS. *AK

HEAT SHIELD BROKE AWAY, MUFFLER AFFECTED AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT DUE TO HEAT SHIELD. I CONTACTED THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN RENO, NV AND THE ATTENDANT STATED MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I INFORMED HIM OF MY CAR, DAUGHTER'S AND FRIENDS VEHICLES ALL HAVING HEAT SHIELD/MUFFLER ISSUE. I ASKED WHO I SHOULD INFORM OF THE POSSIBLE ASSEMBLY LINE ISSUE? HE STATED "THE DEALERSHIP". MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE AND A FRIEND HAS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE (ALL 4X4). WITHIN 5 MONTHS ALL THREE VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE IDENTICLE FAILURE. AM CONCERNED THE MUFFLER AND/OR HEAT SHIELD CAN HARM OCCUPANTS IN OR OUT OF VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELING IN THE EVENT ANY PARTS SHOULD DROP OFF.

DT: FIRST GOT CAR SEEMED TO DRIVE GOOD, BUT IN THE WINTER THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE DIDN'T WORK. KIA FIXED IT, AND THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, KIA FIXED IT AGAIN. THIS SEEMED TO HAPPEN WHEN IN HIGH SPEEDS AND THEN SLOWING, THE WHEELS WOULD SHAKE. AT THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO FIX IT, KIA DEALER SAID THEY CHANGED THE KIT THAT PUTS IT INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE. ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT TO FIX IT, THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY DID, BUT IT HAD TO DO WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE. AT THIRD ATTEMPT KIA SAID THE HOSES WERE CLOGGED. TOOK HOSES OFF AND CLEANED THEM AND PUT THEM BACK ON. ALSO, SAID THERE WAS A NEW KIT INTO THE CARS, BUT HE DID NOT PUT IT INTO CONSUMER'S CAR. HE ASSURED CONSUMER THAT THE CAR WOULD BE FINE. ABOUT THREE MONTHS LATER THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND TRANSMISSION IWERE NOT WORKING RIGHT. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE FRONT WHEELES LOCKED UP AND SLID.*AK *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATES THAT SHE HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS, PADS, AND BEARINGS TWICE ON THE VEHICLE. SHE DID REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON HER VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH KIA BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES FAILING. THE FIRST TIME SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE PARTS WAS ON AUGUST 20 2002. SHE HAS HAD TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN ON MAY 16, 2005.*AK

CONTACT STATES: FUEL TANK IS LEAKING, THE SKID PLATE THAT PROTECTS THE TANK IS CONFORM THE WRONG SHAPE THEREFORE IS TO CLOSE IN CERTAIN AREAS AND IT HOLDS DEBRIE AND MOISTURE.

PROBLEMS WITH WINDOWS ICING UP DURING THE COLD SEASONS ON 2000 KIA SPORTAGE.*MR AN AIR LEAK CAUSED THE WINDOWS TO ICE SHUT. THE ENGINE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONENTS BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE FUEL TANK, SENDER UNIT AND PRESSURE SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM

I OWN A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE EX THAT HAS REPEATEDLY STALLED WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR WHEN SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN. THIS HAS RESULTED IN MY BEING STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTIONS/PART OF THE WAY ACROSS A ROAD, DESPERATELY TRYING TO RESTART MY CAR BEFORE BEING HIT. IT HAS ALSO LOST POWER WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE, DROPPING FROM 65MPH WITH NO WARNING. IF I DO NOT GET OFF THE HIGHWAY IMMEDIATELY I RISK LOSING TOTAL POWER. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN DURHAM,NC MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM ON THEIR COMPUTERS. INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE DONE ON THIS CAR.*AK

I PURCHASED THIS KIA SPORTAGE IN NOVEMBER OF 2004 WITH 36000 MILES. NOTICED TRANMISSION SLIPPING DURING COLD START UP. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. JANUARY 2005 CARS IDLE AND HANDLING IS BECOMING A HAZARD. CAR FISHTALES REGARDLESS OF DEGREE OF TURN OR AMOUNT OF DAMPNESS ON THE ROAD. CAR IS ALSO SHUDDERING WHEN PUT INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. MARCH OF 2005 WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 50 WHEN I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WHICH GOT LOUDER AS I DROVE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AS I PULLED OVER THE WHEELS LOCKED AND I HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND AS I SKIDDED TO A STOP. I COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR, TRIED A FEW TIMES AND FINALLY DID GET THE CAR HOME. BROUGHT TO ATLANTIC KIA AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A WHOLE HUB ASSEMBLY. THE INNER SEALS WERE ROTTED AND THIS ALLOWED WATER AND DUST TO ENTER THE ASSEMBLY AND CAUSE IT TO FAIL. THIS IS A PROBLEM KNOWN TO KIA AS I CALLED AND HAD WORDS WITH THEM ABOUT THERE KNOWLEGE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT AS LONG AS IT IS NOT A RECALL THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OF DEFECTIVE SEALS. I ALSO ASKED IF SOMEONE HAD TO DIE BEFORE THEY MADE THIS A RECALL. HE DIDNT HAVE AN ANSWER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING. AND UPON PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO CRUISE CONTROL VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH. THEN, VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK *NM

AFTER VEHICLE WAS TAKEN OUT OF 4-WHEEL DRIVE, A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, LEFT FRONT WHEEL STARTED TO GRIND. THE GRINDING INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE WOULD REACH SPEEDS OF 35 MPH OR BELOW AND WOULD INTENSIVE AS I WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES. WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THIS WAS A RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *AK

2000 KIA SPORTAGE. 4 WHEEL DRIVE FAILED TO ENGAGE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR *TT *NM

WHEN ENGAGING FROM TWO-WHEEL DRIVE TO FOUR WHEELS DRIVE VEHICLE REMAINS IN TWO WHEELS DRIVE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.*AK

I HAVE A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE EX AND I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE POWER WINDOWS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2000. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY CLAIM THE WINDOWS WERE WORKING AND THEY COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEM, I THEN HAD THE WINDOW TO STOP WORKING AGAIN AND TOOK IT BACK THIS TIME IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRRANTY AND THEY SAID THAT THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW NEEDED NEW MOTOR AND IT WOULD NOT WORK WITHOUT THIS BEING DONE AND THE OTHER THREE WINDOWS THE WIRING WAS LOOSE I HAD THE THREE WINDOWS FIXED AND PAID FOR THEM. I GOT THE VEHICLE HOME AND NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THAT THE LIGHT HAD NEVER BEEN ON AND COULD I BRING IT BACK IN BECAUSE IT HAPPENED WHILE AT DEALERSHIP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THEY TOLD ME THE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT WOULD COST 2000.00 TO FIX IT I COULD NOT AFFORD THIS AND TOLD THEM NOT TO FIX IT. THE WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING A MONTH LATER I CALLED DEALERSHIP TO TELL THEM THAT I HAD JUST HAD THEM FIXED THE MONTH BEFORE AND THE WINDOWS SHOULD STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY AND TOLD THEM THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW DID WORK AFTER THEY TOLD ME IT WOULDN'T AND THEY LOOKED AT THE WINDOWS AND TOLD ME THEY HAD FIXED TH PROBLEM OF A WIRING HARNESS HAD COME LOOSE AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY MORE PROBLEMS WITH THEM. WELL NOW IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND THEY HAVE STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER WINDOWS. *AK

THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH. THE VEHICLE HIT A EMBANKMENT AND FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL DUE TO INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND BODY. *JB *TC

THE CONSUMER HAD MULTIPLES PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *JB THE MECHANIC HAS REPLACED SENSORS BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING LINE BROKE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER CALLED TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, AND WAS TOLD THE OTHER POWER STEERING LINE BROKE. *AK

CONSUMER STATED AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT STAYED ON. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT IN A CRASH AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.*AK

BACK BRAKES LOOK UP AND THERE'S A GRINDING NOISE. TRUCK HAS BEEN LOOKED AT TWICE AND SALERNO DUANE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM . I HAVE BEEN WITH OUT MY TRUCK AS OF 9/14/04 AND TODAY I HAD TOO PAY $95 TOO HAVE A MACHINE FIND THE PROBLEM THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOK INTO FURTHER WITH KIA I AM NOT THE FRIST ONE THAT THIS HAS HAPPEN TOO.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AND PUMP. *NM