2001 Kia Sportage complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS AND CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS LEAKING COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

THE FRAME, BEHIND THE REAR WHEELS, RUSTED TO THE POINT OF NOT PASSING INSPECTION IN 2009. IT COULD HAVE LED TO A PROBLEM IN AN ACCIDENT WITH COLLAPSE AND CRUSHING THE GAS TANK. *TR

PURCHASED A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE WITH 55200 MILES. WENT TO KIA DEALER BECAUSE OF FUEL LEAK. TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME WAS SO ROTTED ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT IF I HIT A POT HOLE THAT THE REAR END COULD LET GO. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT FROM 1995 TO 2001 KIA USED LOW GRADE MATERIAL ON THE FRAMES OF THEIR VEHICLES AND POSSIBLY DID NOT COAT THEM. HE TOLD ME WHEN HE PUT MY CAR ON THE LIFT THAT THERE WAS PIECES OF THE FRAME DROPPING ON THE GROUND. HE SAID HE SLIGHTLY TAPPED A HAMMER AGAINST THE FRAME AND IT MADE HOLES. HE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD JUNK THE VEHICLE AND GAVE ME PAPERWORK STATING THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I ALSO HAD SPOKEN TO THE OWNER OF A USED CAR DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA PRIOR TO THIS AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE COULD NOT SELL THE 1999 KIA SPORTAGE THAT HE PURCHASED AT AUCTION WITH APPROX. 73,000 DUE TO THE FRAME ROTTING OUT. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY IF I HAD NOT HAD THAT FUEL LEAK. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW KIA COULD PRODUCE A VEHICLE LIKE THIS. LOWER QUALITY COSMETICS ARE ONE THING BUT A FRAME ON A VEHICLE IS ANOTHER. *TR

GAS TANK IS LEAKING WHEN TANK IS FILLED FULL. *TR

POLYPROPYLENE COOLING FAN BLADE BROKE OFF WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON MY WAY TO WORK, THE FAN PROCEEDED TO PUNCTURE MY RADIATOR AND COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO WRECK SINCE IT OVER HEATED AND SHUT OFF AND I HAD NO CONTROL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE PURCHASED ON AUGUST 25, 2009. THERE WAS A NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED BY A PIPE THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO STATED THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT CONTINUED TO LEAK WATER FROM THE VENTS AND ONTO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS ALLERGY IN THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,200.

ON TWO OCCASIONS, MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE HAS SUFFERED A RUPTURED GASOLINE TANK FROM ROCKS BEING TRAP BETWEEN THE GASOLINE TANK AND THE GASOLINE TANK GUARD PLATE, MAKING MY VEHICLE A ROLLING BOMB UNTIL I DISCOVERED THE GASOLINE LEAK. THE GASOLINE GUARD PLATE WAS DESIGNED WITH 8, CIRCULAR HOLES IN THE GUARD APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH IN DIAMETER WHICH ALLOWS SMALLS ROCKS FROM THE ROAD TO ENTER THE SPACE BETWEEN THE GUARD PLATE AND THE GASOLINE TANK AND GRINDING A HOLE IN THE GASOLINE TANK, ALLOWING THE FUEL TO LEAK WHICH CREATES AN ALMOST CERTAIN RECIPE FOR A DISASTER IF THE GASOLINE WAS TO CONTACT A HOT TAILPIPE, OR IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN A ACCIDENT. IN BOTH CASES I HAD TO REPLACE A VERY EXPENSIVE GASOLINE TANK. I WILL BE INJECTING FOAM INTO THE SPACE BETWEEN GASOLINE TANK AND THE GUARD PLATE LATER THIS WEEK TO HOPEFULLY, KEEP THIS EXPLOSIVE PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. THIS A DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW IN MY OPINION AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. WHEN I CONTACTED KIA OF AMERICA YESTERDAY AND EXPLAINED THIS SITUATION, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WAS IN MY OPINION, LESS THAN RECEPTIVE ABOUT KIA LOOKING INTO THIS SITUATION. WHEN SOMEONE GETS CREMATED BECAUSE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW, IT WILL BE TOO LATE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU. *TR

MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE SEEMS TO HAVE THE SAME RECALL DEFECT AS THE 2001-2004 OPTIMA. THE CAR ONLY HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS JUST DECLARED UNFIXABLE AT THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO THE REAR SUSPENSION ROTTED OFF THE FRAME. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS THE SECOND ONE HE SAW TODAY, SAME MODEL/YEAR. *TR

GASOLINE SMELL COMES IN THROUGH THE VENTS INTO THE WINDOWS. THE SMELL IS SO STRONG THAT I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE DURING COOL OR COLD WEATHER. FIRST MENTIONED IT TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR A NEW VEHICLE AND THAT THE SMELL WOULD GO AWAY. 8 YEARS LATER THE SMELL HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND HASN'T GONE AWAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER TRENDSETTER SE TIRES, SIZE P 20575R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, BUT WHEN HE DROVE OFF FOR A FEW MILES, HE HEARD A SLAPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND NOTICED MAJOR TREAD SEPARATION; HOWEVER, THERE WAS STILL AIR INSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE FAILURE CRACKED THE REAR BUMPER, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE LENS, AND THE BULB. HE EMAILED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 192,000.

KIA 2001 SPORTAGE / GAS TANK LEAK /PLATE GUARDING TANK RUSTED AWAY/FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. RECALL DATE 2007 FOR KIA SPORTAGES ALREADY INACTED / GARAGE SAID DIDN'T APPLY TO KIAS IN OHIO????? COST 1200 TO REPAIR . WHY NOT OHIO????? GARAGE TELLING TRUTH??? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL RELATED ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL WHILE TRAVELING UPHILL OR A SLOPE. THE FUEL PUMP, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, TWO FUEL FILTERS, AND ADDITIONAL UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THERE WERE NO RECALLS LISTED FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 63,398.

JUST BPURCHASED A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE ,THE GAS TANK IS ALL RUSTED AND LEAKING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TANK WAS LEAKING DUE TO A LOOSE SEAM. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CANNOT FILL UP THE GAS TANK IN THE VEHICLE. SHE DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE WERE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 05/13/09*LJ UPDATED 05/13/09. *JB

I HAVE A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND I AM SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN EXTENDED 10 YEAR, 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. I ONLY USE THE 4WHEEL DRIVE WHEN IT SNOWS. TWO YEARS AGO I DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW VACUUM LINES TO THE FRONT HUBS. WITHOUT VACUUM TO THE HUBS THEY WON'T ENGAGE. I HAD NO OPPORTUNITY TO VERIFY THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. IN 2008 WHEN IT SNOWED AGAIN I AGAIN FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. NOW I AM TOLD THAT I HAVE TO BUY $1500.00 WORTH OF PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX THE FRONT HUBS SO THAT THEY WILL MAINTAIN A VACUUM. THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY FIX AND BECAUSE THE PARTS NECESSARY TO FIX THE PROBLEM ARE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS ON THE VEHICLE THEY DON'T HAVE TO WARRANTY THEM. THE SAFETY DEFECT INVOLVED HERE IS THAT WHEN THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS ENGAGED THE DASH HAS AN INDICATOR THAT SAYS THE VEHICLE IS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN IN FACT IT IS NOT. THIS CAN LEAD TO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH LOSS OF CONTROL ON SNOW OR SLICK SURFACES. *TR

FUEL LEAK UNDER HOOD. FUMES COME INTO VEHICLE THROUGH AIR VENTS WHEN OUTSIDE AIR IS COLD. *TR

I HAD A LEAK IN MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE FUEL TANK LAST YEAR. I DISCOVERED THAT WHILE I WAS VISITING CANADA AND FIXED IT THERE. THIS WEEK, I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. HE FINDS THAT THERE IS ANOTHER LEAKAGE AROUND THE FUEL PUMP. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDS THAT I REPLACE BOTH THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL TANK. I FILE THE COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE LEAKAGE PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THE MECHANIC INDICATES THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE KIA SPORTAGE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS FEWER THAN 59,000 MILES AND HAD FEWER THAN 50,000 MILES WHEN THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED. SO, I PRESUME THAT THE PROBLEM IS LIKELY RELATED TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. ON NOVEMBER 21, 2006, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE SMOKE ENTERING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED HER LOCAL KIA DEALER TO INQUIRE IF SHE COULD BRING HER VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO BRING IT IN THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED, BUT THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/13/08 *BF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED

THE FUEL TANK BEGAN LEAKING DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. KIA PROVIDES A SERVICE CAMPAIGN (SC059) TO INSPECT 1996-2002 SPORTAGE MODELS TO VERIFY THIS FAILURE IS COVERED BY THAT CAMPAIGN. HOWEVER, KIA ONLY PROVIDES REPAIR BULLETIN ASSISTANCE FOR 1996-2000 MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM - SO EVEN THOUGH THEY VERIFIED IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR IT UNDER THE REPAIR BULLETIN BECAUSE IT IS A 2001 MODEL. WHY IS THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR INSPECTION ENCOMPASSING 1996-2002 MODELS IF THEY ARE ONLY REPAIRING 1996-2000 MODELS WITHOUT CHARGING? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AND THE FUEL GAUGE WENT FROM A FULL TANK TO HALF A TANK. SHE FOUND A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VIN, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, ENGINE SIZE, AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.

MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE IS GARAGE PARKED, AND I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS IN MY GARAGE ONE DAY LAST WEEK. I PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY THAT NIGHT AND NOTICED A LARGE GAS STAIN THE NEXT MORNING. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO CALLED A PARTS DEALER TO FIND OUT THE COST OF A USED ONE. HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT KIA HAD A RECALL ON THESE GAS TANKS. HE THEN CALLED KIA AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME TO TAKE IT IN TO THEM THAT AFTERNOON. AFTER KIA'S INSPECTION, THEY SAID I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS MANY OTHERS WERE HAVING WITH THESE GAS TANKS. THE SERVICE TECH RAN MY VIN NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS "TWO MONTHS OUT OF THE RECALL DATE." HE SAID HE FELT THAT SINCE IT WAS THAT CLOSE TO THE DATE, THAT KIA SHOULD COVER IT. HE CALLED KIA AND SPOKE TO A COUPLE OF "HIGHER UPS" THERE AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE IN MY AREA, AS WELL AS COLUMBUS AND CINCINNATI, ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING...THAT THE VIN NUMBERS ARE 2 MONTHS NEWER THAN THE RECALL THAT KIA HAS ISSUED, AND THEREFORE ARE BEING DENIED. I HAD TO PAY $443.92 TO GET THIS FIXED AT THE KIA DEALER AND FEEL THAT KIA SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE PROBLEM WITH THIS GAS TANK. *TR

DURING COLD WEATHER GAS LEAKS FROM UNDERNEATH THE MANIFOLD FROM A RUBBER HOSE IN LINE WITH FUEL LINE CAUSING GAS LOST AND FUMES TO EMIT INSIDE VEHICLE. *TR

FUEL TANKS RUST OUT QUICK. I NOTICED SMELL OF GAS, AND REPLACED TANK IMMEDIATELY. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE, JUST CONCERN FOR OTHERS. POOR DESIGN CAPTURES MOISTURE BETWEEN FUEL TANK AND SKID PLATE. THIS HAS COST ME 250.00 FOR THE TANK, A HALF DAY OF LABOR, AND I'M CONCERNED WITH PUTTING SKID PLATE BACK ON. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WERE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THERE WERE SEVERAL EXACT AND OTHERS FOUND WITH THE FUEL TANKS. NO CARS HAVE CAUGHT FIRE YET. *TR

2001 KIA SPORTAGE GAS TANK IS LEAKING FROM SEAM IN GAS TANK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE GAS CAP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE ODOR REMAINED. HE HAD TO FILL UP THE TANK WITH GAS EACH DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP AND A GAS LEAK, HOLES, AND CORROSION WERE FOUND. THE TANK WAS REPLACED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

2001 KIA SPORTAGE WITH NO AIRBAG. CUSTOMER STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP TOOK THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG OUT BEFORE THEY SOLD THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER REALIZED THE AIR BAG WAS MISSING WHEN SHE WENT TO USE THE HORN AND FOUND THE LEATHER WAS NOT FIRM, AND WHEN SHE PRESSED HARDER, IT LEFT A CIRCULAR INDENTATION WHERE THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE BEEN. *JB

WHEN I TURNED THE EXHAUST ON IN THE CAR THERE WAS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL TO THE POINT I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AND OPEN THE WINDOWS. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FILED ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL SINCE THIS COULD BE A FIRE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH THE MANUFACTURERS OF THE AUTO AND A RECALL GIVEN . ALSO THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WRITTEN CONCERNING LEAKS EARLY ON WITH THE GAS TANK ITS SELF. *TR

IN JANUARY, 2007, MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE WAS MAKING A LOUD, STRAINING ENGINE SOUND. TOOK THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD I NEED A COOLING FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY. MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO I DIDN'T TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL THIS PART. I PLAN TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FROM KIA. *TR

MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE HAD A STRONG GAS ODOR FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER TO GET A NEW GAS CAP. THE ODOR BECAME STRONGER AND I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR AT AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATION. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW GAS TANK. THE TANK WAS CORRODED AND LEAKING. I HAD THE GAS TANK INSTALLED IN OCTOBER, 2007. THE CAR HAD 61,000 MILES. *TR

THE FUEL TANK ON MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK CAUSED BY CORROSION. THIS LEAK HAPPENED ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND I MADE A TEMPORARY REPAIR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A POPPING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT TWO CYLINDERS AND FOUR SPARK PLUGS WERE BURNT AND DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CONTINUOUS LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. HE ALSO SMELLED GAS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,104.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. WHEN THE HEAT IS ACTIVATED, A STRONG GASEOUS ODOR COMES THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP, BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE VENTS WERE NOT CLEANED AND NO COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HAS TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN DUE TO THE INTENSE ODOR. UPDATED 1/24/08 *TR

I OWN A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE EX, IT IS LEAKING GAS FROM THE GAS TANK AREA. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT GAS TANK. UPDATED *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS COMING FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED TWO HOLES IN THE FUEL TANK. THERE IS AN OPEN DEFECT INVESTIGATION FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM TANK ASSEMBLY (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER EA06007). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 09/06/07 *TR

GASOLINE LEAK; FUEL CONTAINMENT

THE POLYPROPYLENE COOLING FAN BLADE BROKE OFF WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, PUNCTURING THE RADIATOR, BREAKING THE COWLING, AND PUNCTURING A HOSE. THE RESULTS BEING THE SPORTAGE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE REPAIRS ARE COSTING $500 - $600. THE SPORTAGE IS STILL IN THE SHOP BEING FIXED AS I AM WRITING THIS. THE REPAIR SHOP WILL SAVE THE OLD PARTS FOR ME. I CONTACTED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY RESEARCHED MY VIN NUMBER, WHICH IS OUTSIDE THE WINDOW FOR THE PRESENT RECALL (07V161000). THE SAME PROBLEM THAT IS OCCURRING WITH THE 2002 MODELS IS ALSO HAPPENING WITH THE EARLIER MODELS. I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD TO HAVE THESE REPAIRS MADE.

MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE'S ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THERE IS NO LOGIC TO THE INCIDENTS: WAITING AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC, DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR TO NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL USUALLY RESTART THE ENGINE IN ONE TRY, BUT NOT ALWAYS. I HAVE REPLACED TWO EMISSION CONTROL SOLENOID VALVES, THE FUEL TANK AND THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE KIA DEALER AND ON-LINE CHATTERS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS QUITE A FEW OF THEM. A RECENT VISIT TO THE KIA DEALER FOUND O CODES STORED IN THE ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. THE DATE LISTED BELOW WAS AN INCIDENT WITNESSED BY MY PARENTS, ACTUALLY THE FOURTH SUCH OCCURRENCE IN AS MANY DAYS.*AK

I BOUGHT MT 2001 KIA SPORTAGE IN 2003. IT WAS A 2 DOOR AUTOMATIC SOFT TOP. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STARTED WITHIN MONTHS. FIRST THE "HOLD" LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN WHILE DRIVING THE CARE WOULD STICK IN ONE GEAR. I COULD NOT SLOW DOWN WITH OUT IT STALLING ONCE THE GEARS GOT STUCK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM B/C IT STILL HAPPENS EVEN TO THIS DAY AND EVERY PLACE I TAKE IT TO SAYS THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM. IN 2005 EVERYTHING STARTED GOING DOWNHILL. THE POWER WINDOWS DONT WORK THE CD PLAYER EATS YOU CDS AND I GET NO RESEPTION ON THE RADIO. NOT TO MENTION THE SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME AND CONTINUES TO FLASH AND BEEP EVEN WITH YOUR SEAT BELT IS ON. THE PASENGER SEATBELT DOES NOT STAY CLASPED. THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IF I TURN ON THE AIR. THE AIR ONLY BLOWS ON YOUR FEET. MY CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY IT I GO ABOUT 50 MPH. THE CAR MAKES A WIERD CHATTERING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. AND THE BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP FOR NO REASON. ALL OF THESE THINGS I HAVE STATED ARE TRUE AND I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS OF TIMES AND SEEM TO GET IT "FIXED" BUT SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS BEFORE THE MONTH ENDS. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR MORE THAN 3 MONTHS TOTAL, AND IT STILL DOESNT RUN PROPERLY. SO FAR I HAVE HAD THE TRAMISSION REPLACED, THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS, THE MASTER AND REAR CYLINDER(2X), WHEEL BARRING, ALTERNATER, STARTED , BATTERIES(4X),AIR VENTS, AD MANY OTHER THING BUT I CANT KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTH

2001 KIA SPORTAGE 4WD DOES NOT ENGAGE. IT WORKED GOOD IN WINTER OF 2005, BUT THIS YEAR FINALLY HAVING SNOW IN JANUARY, I TRIED THE 4WD WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT SPINS, SO THE TRANSFER CASE WORKS, HOWEVER THE DRIVE ISN'T BEING INITIATED TO THE FRONT WHEELS. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH, I NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEMS OCCURRED TO SAME MAKE AND MODEL, BUT IN A DIFFERENT YEAR. IT IS ALSO STATED THAT THE DOUBLE SEALED HUBS WAS APPARENTLY SUPPOSED TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM WITH THE HUBS BECOMING FROZEN DUE TO RUST. COULD IT BE POSSIBLE THAT THIS REMEDY DIDN'T ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. BRAKE FLUID WAS ADDED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND A LEAK.

NOTICED A BAD SMELL COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED AT TIRES PLUS IN WAUSAU. THEY INDICATED TO ME THE SMELL WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE WITH THE FUEL CONTAINMENT AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. *JJB

I OWN A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE, 4DR, 4X4, WITH 38,000 MILES. I AM REPORTING THAT THE FUEL TANK HAS CORRODED AND HAS A LEAK. I WILL BE CALLING THE DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE, IF I DO NOT RECEIVE THE PROPER ASSISTANCE, I WILL BE FILING MORE COMPLAINTS. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF ONE, WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR MANY TIMES PER WEEK, THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE SAFE FOR EVERYONE IN THE VEHICLE. I FEEL WITH A VEHICLE WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE AND JUST 5 YRS.OLD. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING SO SOON. *NM

WE HAVE A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE CONVERTIBLE WE BOUGHT FOR OUR 16 YEAR OLD SON TO DRIVE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THE CAR GETS BELOW A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS IN IT WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN OR STOP TO MAKE A TURN THE CAR CUTS OFF. THIS HAS POSED A DANGER TO HIM ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. *JB

2001 KIA SPORTAGE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, MECHANIC NOTICED LEAK FROM GAS TANK. RESEARCH SHOWS INVESTIGATION INTO FUEL TANK LEAKAGE. HAVE APPT. TO REPLACE GAS TANK AT LIA KIA, SCHENECTADY,NY ON 7/25/06. ADD MY CAR TO THE LIST. *NM

THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING FROM BOSTON ON THE MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE TOWARD NEW YORK STATE. AS SHE APPROACHED THE NEW YORK STATE TOLL BOOTHS, BRAKES, STEERING, AND ACCELERATION SUDDENLY FAILED AND THE VEHICLE, A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE WITH 66,018 MILES BEGAN SMOKING. THE DRIVER MANAGED TO TURN SLIGHTLY TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE TOLL BOOTHS AND FOUND HERSELF HEADED FOR A LARGE PROPANE TANK ON THE GROUNDS. SHE PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND MANAGED TO STOP WITHIN A FEW FEET OF THE TANK. BELIEVING THE CAR TO BE ON FIRE, SHE EXITED QUICKLY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO LIA KIA IN SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK. THE ALLSTATE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR AND THE MECHANIC AGREED THAT THE FAN CLUTCH HAD BROKEN OFF AND MOVED THROUGHOUT THE AREA UNDER THE HOOD, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE ALLSTATE INVESTIGATOR HAS PICTURES OF THE FAN CLUTCH AND DAMAGE. INSURANCE DID NOT PAY BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR WAS $4500.00. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT LIA KIA WHILE THE NATIONAL KIA HEADQUARTERS WAS CONTACTED. MR. RYAN CHRISTIANSON WAS THE CONTACT THERE. HE MAINTAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO KIA HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY. HE SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND WANTED ALL PAST RECORDS SENT TO HIM, UNTIL HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE PICTURES AT ALLSTATE. VERBAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION ARE AVAILABLE. THE FACT THAT THERE WAS VERY NEARLY A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT WHICH WOULD HAVE INVOLVED MANY VEHICLES AND INDIVIDUALS WAS POINTED OUT TO HIM. THE VE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10MPH IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL DISLODGED FROM THE AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. IT WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION, AND HAD PASSED STATE INSPECTION IN JUNE 2005 AT 32,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIRS.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATING AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD FAILURES IN SHIFTING GEARS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE ECT CONNECTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE SENSOR HAS BEEN REPROGRAMMED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS DESPITE THE REPAIRS. THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 02/13/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ONE YEAR AGO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE , AND AN ODOR OF GAS APPEARED WHEN THE HEATER WAS SWITCHED ON. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE CORRODED AND FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE INJECTORS, FUEL LINE, AND THE PRESSURE REGULATOR. AND REPLACED. THEM. THE REPLACEMENTS WERE TEMPORARY BECAUSE THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE RPM GAUGE WAS READING INCORRECTLY, EITHER VERY HIGH OR NOT READING AT ALL WHEN THE SAME AMOUNT OF PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ALSO, THE EXHAUST WAS GLOWING RED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP EIGHT TIMES, AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. *AK