2002 Kia Sportage complaints

NOTICED A SMALL HIGH PITCHED WHINE TOWARD THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC CHECKED AND SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A PINION BEARING IN THE DIFFERENTIAL GOING BAD AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR A DETERMINATION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED REPLACED AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY SINCE THE FLUID HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED EVERY 20000 MILES ALONG WITH A BILL FOR $126.00. WAS NOT ABOUT TO PAY THEM THE $1000 THEY WANTED TO REPLACE A DIFFERENTIAL THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. STILL DRIVING THE CAR WHICH NOW MAKES A LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND DRAWS ALOT OF ATTENTION WHICH ALLOWS ME TO DISCOURAGE ANY KIA PURCHASES FROM PROSPECTIVE BUYERS. THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAS QUIT WORKING ALSO LEAVING ONLY SINGLE WHEEL DRIVE MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY UNSTABLE ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE LINING FRACTURED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME WHERE THE OWNER REPLACED THE BRAKE SHOES AND CYLINDERS ON THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,290.

THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IS ENGINE HEATING, ENGINE OVER HEATING, ENGINE COOLING FAN ( FAN BLADES BRAKE OFF CUT INTO MY RADIATOR, CUT MY FUEL LINES, WATER HOSES, AIR INTAKE LINES. SINCE THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE LIGHT ON I.E. MISFIRE ON CYLINDER NUMBER 3 THE CAR BASICALLY RUNS ON THREE CYLINDERS, WHICH COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH ENGINE HEATING BECAUSE THE FAN IS BELT DRIVEN, THUS LEADING TO OVER HEATING. THIS USUALLY LEAD TO COSTLY ENGINE REPAIRS, VEHICLE BECOMES DISABLED ANYWHERE AND ANYTIME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. SINCE OWNING, MY 2002 KIA( PURCHASED IN JUNE 2005, 32728 MILES) I HAVE REPLACED 5 RADIATORS, 5 ENGINE COOLING FANS, TOWED 8 TIMES. THE ENGINE COOLING FAN HAS BROKEN OFF AND CUT INTO MY RADIATOR IN 2005, 2009, 2010, AND 2011. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2007 AND I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER IN 2007 FOR THE RECALL. IT HAS BROKE OFF THREE TIMES SINCE THE RECALL. THIS IS DANGEROUS!!! *TT

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A WELL TAKEN CARE OF, 59,000 MILES, 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. I TOOK THE CAR FOR INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THE RIGHT FRAME RAIL AT THE MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED SO BAD THAT YOU CAN PUT YOUR FIST THROUGH THE HOLE. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR AND HAVE TO DRIVE IT TO WORK. I HAVE TAKEN TO AVOIDING ANY BUMPS OR POT-HOLES IN THE ROAD AND HAVE BEEN KEEPING MY SPEED UNDER 40 MPH. I AM A LITTLE SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT HAVE NO CHOICE. I AM DEALING WITH KIA MOTORS AMERICA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER CURRENTLY, HOPING THEY WILL RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *KB

2002 KIA SPORTAGE *TT

I JUST REPAIRED MY EXHAUST ON MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4X4 TODAY AS IT KEEPS RUSTING OUT ON ME. TODAY I NOTICED THE ENTIRE FRAME ON THE BACK END IS EXTREMELY RUSTED TO THE POINT IT'S LITERALLY FALLING APART BRACKETS HAVE DETACHED FOR THE EXHAUST AS WELL AS HOLES IN IT. I WAS SHOCKED! THE METAL IS LITERALLY SPLITTING AND FALLING APART! THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND GOING TO BE DANGEROUS TO EVEN DRIVE THE CAR. I AM SURE THE CAR WON'T EVEN PASS INSPECTION IF THEY SEE THIS! IF YOU EVEN TOUCH IT YOUR FINGERS GO THROUGH THE FRAME! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS I FEEL KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES! THERE IS ONLY 40K MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS WITH ANY OF MY OTHER VEHICLES EITHER THAT ARE OLDER AS WELL AS HAVE MANY MORE MILES ON THEM! SOMETHING MUST BE DONE!!!!! *TR

THE FRAME IS ROTTED AWAY ABOVE THE REAR SPRING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE (BROKEN IN TWO). *TR

THE FRAME ON MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE HAS RUSTED THROUGH. I CAN STICK MY FINGER THROUGH IT LITERALLY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND NOT ABUSED. NOW THE FRAME IS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES!!!!!!!!! *TR

FRAME ROTTED OUT. *TR

WELL MAINTAINED, DAILY DRIVEN, VEHICLE WITH 145,000 MILES HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT PASSENGER SIDE RAIL OF FRAME. SUB STANDARD QUALITY OF STEEL MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ( WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE, HAS ANYONE PERFORMED A CHEMICAL ANALYSIS TO VERIFY THE MATERIAL PROPERTIES IN THESE SIDE RAILS MATCH THE MATERIAL SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENTS PER THE BLUE PRINT)? NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR SAME ISSUE WITH LACK OF ATTENTION FROM THE GOVERNMENT FOR SUCH A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED WITH THERE BEING SO MANY REPEAT COMPLAINTS OUT THERE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED AS A RESULT OF DEGRADATION TO THE FRAME STRUCTURE. AMERICAN AUTO-MAKERS ARE HELD TO A MUCH HIGHER STANDARD AND ARE FORCED INTO RESOLVING THESE ISSUES WITH THE CONSUMER. HOWEVER, THE FOREIGN CARMAKERS APPEAR TO BE GETTING AWAY WITH "MURDER" BY PLACING THE AMERICAN WORKERS AT HIGH RISK FOR THEIR SAFETY AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF EVERY OTHER DRIVER ON THE ROAD. I CAN PICTURES OF SUPPORT OR BETTER YET, LACK OF AS THERE IS VERY LITTLE STEEL LEFT AND BY NO MEANS, ANY STRUCTURAL SUPPORT TO THE FRAME ON THIS SIDE.

I BOUGHT MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE BRAND NEW. THE PAST FEW YEARS I HAD NOTICED A GAS SMELL AND TRIED TO IGNORE IT. AND EVER SO OFTEN WHEN I PUMP GAS IT SHOOTS BACK OUT EVERYWHERE. IT HAPPENS MOSTLY IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

AT 245K,ONLY RIGHT SIDE FRAME ROT INSIDE OUT. THEREFORE SHOWING NO NOTICE OF DETERIORATING WITH ORIGINAL ENGINE AND ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADD FUEL TO HER VEHICLE, THE GASOLINE WOULD SPILL OUT. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ALSO DIM, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AT NIGHT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE BEGAN LEAKING GASOLINE FROM ABOVE THE GAS TANK BY THE FUEL PUMP THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS ABOUT 106,000. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE GAS WASN'T EVEN GETTING UP INTO THE FUEL PUMP IT WAS SPRAYING OUT AT THE TOP OF ONE OF T HE PARTS HE NAMED, THIS WAS KEEPING MY VEHICLE FROM EVEN STARTING, AND I NOW KNOW THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN KIA SPORTAGES STARTING WITH THE 2001 MODEL. *TR

THIS 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IN THE WINTER TIME HAS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL. TO THE POINT YOU HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS . LOOKING ONLINE CAN SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SMELLING RAW GAS CAN NOT BE GOOD FOR YOU. SEEMS THAT IS COMMON TO THE CLAMPS USED ON THE FUEL LINES. ALL KIA MECHANICS KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND WILL BE HAPPY TO FIX IT FOR THERE REGULAR FEES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED AT MANUFACTURERS EXPENSE BECAUSE OF SUB STANDARD PARTS. *TR

AFTER FILLING GAS TANK 1 WEEK BEFORE, STARTED NOTICING STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS OUTSIDE OF IT. HAD FRIEND LOOK AT IT, THERE WAS NO DISCERNIBLE LEAKS, JUST EXTREMELY STRONG GAS SMELL. SMELL IS SO STRONG IT MAKES PEOPLE NAUSEOUS, LIGHT HEADED, HAS GIVEN ME MIGRAINE HEADACHE. CANNOT RIDE IN CAR WITHOUT WINDOWS DOWN. THIS IS PREDOMINATELY NOTICED WITH THE COLD WEATHER SETS IN, BELOW 40 DEGREES. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY/HEALTH HAZARD. FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF SAME PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY KIA AS IT IS MOST DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. CANNOT SEEM TO FIND WHAT IS CAUSING THIS, IT IS PROBABLY THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE 2005 SPORTAGE RECALL STATES. I AM TERRIFIED THAT IT IS GOING TO CAUSE A FIRE AND I AM GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. I AM DISABLED ON A FIXED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP JUST CHANGING THING UNTIL WE FINALLY, IF EVER, LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A EXTREMELY SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IT MUST BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. I DID NOTICE THAT IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN HALF-HEARTEDLY LOOKED INTO PREVIOUSLY, PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. THERE ARE MANY OF THESE ON THE ROAD AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

MY DAUGHTER OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE THAT RECENTLY BROKE DOWN DUE TO A FUEL LEAK ON TOP OF THE GASTANK. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY. TURNS OUT A PLASTIC NOZZLE HAD CRACKED OFF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SUPPLY LINE COMING OUT OF THE GASTANK ITSELF RESULTING IN PUMPING FUEL EVERYWHERE! LUCKILY,VEHICLE DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE! PART WAS FINALLY REPLACED 4TH TIME BACK TO REPAIR FACILITY, BUT WAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME PLASTIC NOZZLE INSTEAD OF A METAL NOZZLE?THIS IS MY SAFETY CONCERN WITH THIS VEHICLE, AFRAID THE SAMETHING WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN AGAIN. HAD THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, MY 17YR OLD DAUGHTER WOULD PROBABLY NOT HAD ENOUGH TIME TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF FUEL UNDERNEATH IT? NOT SURE IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT I FEEL THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

I RECENTLY FILED A COMPLAINT ON A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, FOR A FUEL LEAK CONDITION FROM GASTANK AREA,(PLASTIC FITTING), MY DAUGHTER HAS RECENTLY ADVISED ME SHE HAS BEEN HAVING TROUBLE FILLING THE GASTANK AND SMELLING AN ODOR OF FUEL ON OCCASIONS AND BAD FUEL MILEAGE. APPARENTLY, WHEN PUMPING FUEL, THE FUEL WILL BLOW BACK OUT ON HER, IF NOT PUMPED SLOWLY! SEEMS TO BE ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THIS CERTAIN VEHICLE?????? VEHICLE ALSO HAS AN INTERMITTENT CHK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON?? CODE # PO13A?? ANOTHER SAFETY CONCERN! ???????? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE DROVE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. ALSO, WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAN BELT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE WOULD ATTEMPT TO FILL THE FUEL TANK, GASOLINE WOULD BEGIN TO SPEW OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD ROARING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

COOLANT GAUGE NOT READING OR REGISTERING THERMOSTAT TEMPERATURE THEREFORE RENDERING IT UNFIT FOR CLEARING AN INSPECTION. IT CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON EVEN IF COOLANT AND/OR THERMOSTAT, SENSORS,HARNESS WIRING WIRES AND OTHER THINGS/PARTS CONNECT TO IT HAS BEEN REPLACED OR CHECKED FOR PROBLEMS IT STILL GIVES A FALSE READING THAT THE SAME PROBLEM IS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. COOLANT THERMOSTAT NOT REACHING TEMPERATURE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE YESTERDAY, I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO INVESTIGATE. I NOTICED ANTIFREEZE COMING FROM UNDER MY CAR. I OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR FAN HAD EXPLODED AND WAS MISSING ALL IT'S BLADES AND THE SHROUD WAS IN PIECES ALSO. ONE OF THE PIECES PUNCHED A HOLE IN THE RADIATOR. PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OVERHEATING OR HAVING ANY NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS. I DISCOVERED LAST NIGHT THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT KIA MOTORS CLAIMS THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AND I AM PAYING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. I THINK MAYBE THE PROBLEM MAY BE PRESENT IN OTHER VEHICLES NOT "LISTED" IN THE RECALL. I FEEL LUCKY THAT I DID NOT HAVE MY HEAD UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

2002 KIA SPORTAGE. CONSUMER EXPRESSES DISCONTENT REGARDING NOT BEING ABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP HAVING MAJOR ENGINE WORK DONE AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL APPOINTMENT. THE CONSUMER ALSO SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE THE WORK SHE WAS HAVING DONE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. *JB

OUR 2002 KIA SPORTAGE WAS DUE FOR A NEW TIMING BELT SO WE HAD IT REPLACED, SUBSEQUENTLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER WE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FAN BLADE AND HAD IT REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 5 WEEKS LATER THE FAN BLADE CAME OFF AND WENT THROUGH THE RADIATOR AND THE ENGINE SEIZED UP, SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEIR ASSESSMENT WAS THAT IT WASN'T THEIR FAULT BUT THAT THE FAN CLUTCH LET GO, WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE FAN BLADE, AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY HADN'T TOUCHED THE FAN CLUTCH WHEN THEY REPLACED THE BLADE. AFTER TALKING TO THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AND ASKING ABOUT THE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE BLADE I WAS FINALLY TOLD, "IT WAS DONE BY MAGIC". CONTACTED THE KIA REPRESENTATIVE WHO SAID HE'D LOOK INTO IT, BUT TO DATE HAVE NEVER HEARD FROM HIM, ONLY THE DEALERSHIP WHO WANTED ME TO GET THE CAR OFF THEIR LOT. THEY WERE WILLING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE FOR $3000, BUT FORTUNATELY I HAD ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND GOT IT DONE FOR HALF THE PRICE. WOULDN'T DO BUSINESS WITH THIS DEALER AGAIN AFTER BEING TREATED THIS WAY, AND TO THINK WE'D PURCHASED 4 VEHICLES FROM THEM. *TR

2002 KIA SPORTAGE. DEALER AND KIA ADMITTED THE CAR HAD THE PART RECALLED. THE PLASTIC FAN BROKE AND PIECES WENT INTO THE RADIATOR AND HOSES. THE DEALER GAVE ME A PRICE OF 660 DOLLARS TO FIX THE REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THEY SAID I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHARGES SINCE THEY SENT OUT A REPAIR NOTICE APPROX 3 YEARS AGO WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED. I HAD TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THAT IF THE PART WAS RECALLED AND CAUSED THE DAMAGE THEY WOULD PAY FOR IT. THEY WERE GONNA CONTACT THE DEALER SO WHEN I CALLED AGAIN THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T PAY. *TR

2002 KIA SPORTAGE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE ENGINE COOLING FAN. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE INCURRED AN EXPENSE TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE COOLING FAN PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE MAILED THE REPAIR RECEIPT ALONG WITH A COVER LETTER EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE FAN BROKE AND HAD TO STOP AT THE FIRST REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FAN BLADE BLEW INTO PIECES. HE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR, ANTIFREEZE RESERVE TANK, ALL THREE SERPENTINE BELTS, AIR INTAKE, AND THE INTAKE HOSE HIMSELF, TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. HE THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V161000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM: FAN) AND PETITIONED FOR REIMBURSEMENT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER ADVISED HE WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR REIMBURSEMENT UNTIL HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. HE SOON NOTICED THE SMELL OF BURNING ANTIFREEZE CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE BECAME UNUSUALLY WARM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAN BELT UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. AFTER REPAIRS, HE CONTINUED TO SMELL BURNING ANTIFREEZE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND HE WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,835 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,838.

PURCHASED A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE FROM A USED CAR DEALER ON MARCH3,2010 AFTER A WEEK OR SO NOTICED A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR NO DRIPS OR PUDDLING UNDER CAR CALLED TO WAGNER KIA A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD COST ABOUT $500.00 TO TAKE CARE OF THE O RING AND FUEL LINE. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHY IS IT NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF BY KIA. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IT HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND I WAS DRIVING IT CAME UP ON A RED LIGHT AND THE CLUTCH WOULDN'T DISENGAGE THE PEDAL WOULD GO DOWN BUT THE CLUTCH WOULDN'T RELEASE SO I DROVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT WITH NO ABILITY TO STOP THERE WAS ALOT OF CARS COMING AND THEY BARELY MISSED T-BONING ME THERE WHERE KIDS ALSO PLAYING ON THE SIDE WALK I HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OF AND COAST TO A STOP THE GEAR SHIFT WOULDN'T COME OUT OF GEAR AS LONG AS THE ENGINE WAS TURNING OVER. IT WILL START AND RUN ALL DAY AS LONG AS ITS IN NEUTRAL. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND IT HAS SAT FOR TWO YEARS NOW ( I DEPLOYED FOR 15 MONTHS THAT'S WHY ITS SAT SO LONG) I REPLACED THE SLAVE AND MASTER CYLINDER AND IT HASN'T CHANGED ANYTHING I WAS IN A PARTS STORE AND HEARD ANOTHER GUY TALKING ABOUT HIS 2002 SPORTAGE IT DONE THE SAME THING AND HE REAR ENDED SOMEONE TOTALING IT. ITS IN A JUNKYARD NOW AND I HAVE TALKED TO COUNTLESS OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ONE GUY PAID THE DEALERSHIP 1700$ TO FIX HIS THEN THE PROBLEM CAME BAD A WEEK LATER. I JUST WANT MY CAR TO BE FIXED. THE LAST PROBLEM I HAD WITH IT WAS THE FAN EXPLODED WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND CUT MY RADIATOR THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAN BUT JUST CRIMPED MY RADIATOR I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH KIA I CALLED AND THE GUY HUNG UP ON ME WHEN I EXPLAINED MY PROBLEM SO IM NOT THE ONLY ONE IM SURE. *TR

PRIOR,AT 97K THE REAR WAS MAKING NOISE. BROUGHT TO DEALER,THEY SAID REAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BECAUSE I HAD NO RECEIPTS FROM A GARAGE STATING THE OIL WAS REPLACED,IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $900. TO REPLACE REAR AND AXLE. PART CHANGERS.HAD REAR REBUILT $400. RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AT 100K. AFTER OVER YEARS,COOLING FAN WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL. VACUUM HUB WAS REPLACED TO MANUAL. FUEL SMELL, WAS RUBBER RETURN LINE FROM FUEL PSI REGULATOR TO METAL RETURN LINE LEAKING. KEPT UP ON ALL MAINTENANCE SINCE NEW,A RELIABLE CAR WITH ORIGINAL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, AT 222K. *TR

2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4WD HAS A VACUUM-HUB SYSTEM, I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS A HISTORY OF FAILURE, HOWEVER THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT THE 4WD IS NOT ENGAGED,BECAUSE THE INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WHETHER OR NOT THE 4WD IS WORKING. THIS IS A COMMON ONGOING PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES, THE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO INSTALL MANUAL HUBS,HOWEVER KIA DOES NOT OFFER TO PAY FOR THIS OPTION TO ITS CONSUMERS. I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND DEPEND UPON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE TO GET ME THROUGH THE WISCONSIN WINTERS, NOW THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT WORKING I GET STUCK IN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF SNOW, AND FEEL LIKE A IDIOT CALLING AAA TO TOW ME OUT ALL THE TIME. I THINK THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE MADE INTO A RECALL ESPECIALLY SINCE I ONLY HAVE 56,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IN 2003 & IT WAS ALMOST 2 YEARS BEFORE I STARTED HAVING A PROBLEM PUTTING GAS IN MY GAS TANK, I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS VERY SLOW & EVEN THEN THE GAS SPURTS BACK OUT & GETS ON MY CAR, CLOTHS, ETC., IT TAKES A VERY LONG TIME TO FILL MY GAS TANK, IT SEEMS THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS MORE OFTEN IN THE WINTER, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER AS WELL, I HAVE JUST NOW IN THE LAST WEEK BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SMELLING A STRONG GAS SMELL IN MY KIA JUST AFTER I START GOING, I AM GOING TO GO TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY INTENTIONS OF FIXING THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT APPEARS THERE ARE ALOT OF 2002 KIA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO FIGURE OUT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR

WE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE GAS PROBLEM. FIRST WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TANK LEAKING (WAS TOLD BY KIA THAT 2002 SPORTAGE MODEL WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL/CHECK, WHICH IT WAS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR THE $500 PROBLEM). SECOND, THE GAS SHOOTS OUT WHEN YOU TRY TO FILL, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THIS (WE WERE TOLD) IS A BAD OXYGEN SENSOR, ANOTHER $350 AND STILL NOT COVERED. *TR

2002 KIA SPORTAGE SHOOTS GAS BACK OUT OF TANK WHILE FUELING. AFTER FUELING (TANK IS EMPTY)FOR A FEW SECONDS PUMP SHUTS OFF AND FUEL SHOOTS BACK OUT OF TANK. GAS SHOOTS OUT AT A RATE THAT CAUSES IT TO SPILL OVER TO THE GROUND. CAN NOT FILL ORE THAN $5.00 DOLLARS WORTH OF GAS WITHOUT AN OVERFLOW. *TR

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL MARKER. WHEN I PUMP GAS IT WILL GUSH OUT EVEN WITH JUST $2.00 IN THE TANK I WOULD HAVE TO PUMP IT VERY SLOW IN ORDER TO FILL MY TANK UP. I HAVE A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE AND FROM WHAT I HEAR THIS IS GOING ON WITH OTHER KIA'S. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURE ERROR OR IS IT TIME. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN THE GAS COMES OUT AND GETS ALL OVER MY CLOTHES I THINK IT'S HAZARDOUS. *TR

VEHICLE IS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. DRIVER NOTICED SLIGHT ODD NOISE COMING FROM CAR WHEN CHANGING DIRECTIONAL GEARS, OR TAKING OFF FROM STOPS. 2ND FROM REAR CROSSMEMBER RUSTED OUT, BUT WAS CAUGHT EARLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN CAUGHT EARLY AXLE COULD HAVE SHIFTED CAUSING SERIOUS ACCIDENT. CROSSMEMBER SUPPORTS GAS TANK AND KEEPS REAR DRIVE AXLE IN PLACE. OLD CROSSMEMBER WILL BE CUT OUT AND NEW WELDED BACK IN. *TR

MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE SURGES FORWARD WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2002. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALLS ON A REGULAR BASIS, WHILE AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH. *TR

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ON 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. IT LOCKS UP AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS IS TO UNHOOK HOSES WHEN NOT IN USE AND TO HOOK THE HOSES UP WHEN NEEDED. *TR

FAN BLADES ON 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. *TR

2005 KIA SPORTAGE HAS A FAULTY HARMONIC BALANCER. *NJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN, IT WOULD CHANGE TO 4-WHEEL DRIVE WITHOUT THE DRIVER MOVING THE LEVER. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD, EVEN WHEN IT WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,445 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

VEHICLE: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4 DR. 4X4; PURCHASED BRAND NEW & PD. IN FULL. IN 2008, WE LEFT AN AMUSEMENT PARK, HOT DAY. 4 PASSENGERS INCLUDING 1 BABY. UPON GOING HOME NEEDED TO RUN A/C. I <DRIVER> NOTICED THE TEMP. GAUGE GOING FROM APPROX. MIDRANGE TEMP. TO HOT. A/C WAS SHUT OFF & WE ROLLED DOWN WINDOWS & MADE IT HOME. TOOK VEHICLE TO BE CHECKED OUT & WAS TOLD THAT THE COOLING FAN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE TECH. SAID THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK VEHICLE TO KIA DEALERSHIP WHO CLAIMED AFTER APPROX. 30 - 40 MINS, IN HIS CARE, THAT THE RECALLED COOLING FAN PROBLEM WAS NOW REPLACED @ NO CHARGE TO ME. I AM NOW FINDING OUT THAT REPLACEMENT WAS NOT DONE DUE TO ANOTHER, SEPARATE TECHNICIAN. 2 TECH'S INVOLVED. 1ST TECH TOLD ME OF RECALL; 2ND TECH SAID RECALLED ITEM WAS NOT REPLACED. WHAT SHOULD I DO? PLEASE TELL ME. I NEED YOUR ADVICE. I AWAIT YOUR REPLY AS TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. *TR

MY SISTER-IN-LAW HAS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE THAT HAS BEGUN LEAKING FUEL OUT OF A CRACKED FUEL TANK. APPARENTLY THIS IS SO COMMON THAT A KIA RECALL (RECALL SC059) WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, A DEALERSHIP IN SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA TOLD US THAT HER VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. YET, THE VERY REASON FOR BRINGING IT IN WAS FOR THE EXACT FOCUS OF THE RECALL. THE RECALL SPECIFICATIONS DO NOT EXCLUDE/INCLUDE SPECIFIC VINS. HOW CAN WE GET KIA TO HONOR THEIR RECALL? *TR

I READ A FORUM ABOUT DEFECTIVE 2002 KIA SPORTAGE FUEL TANKS,,, AND I WANTED TO ADD MY NAME TO THE LIST OF DEFECTIVE TANKS..... *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. SECONDLY, A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AVAILABLE FOR THAT COMPONENT; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 UPDATED 03-30-09 *BF UPDATED 03/31/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 40 DEGREES OUTSIDE, HE SMELLS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR IS NOTICEABLE WHEN WALKING UP TO THE VEHICLE AND ALSO WHEN IT IS BEING DRIVEN. THE SCENT IS SO STRONG THAT PASSENGERS BEGIN TO COUGH INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, MECHANIC, OR DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE. THE ISSUE ONLY OCCURS IN THE WINTER DUE TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 07/28/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHEN IT RAINED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT TO NO AVAIL. UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB

2002 KIA SPORTAGE HAS SEVERE AND DANGEROUS GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE AFTER COLD WEATHER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FAINT SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HE ONLY NOTICED THE SMELL WHEN THE GAS TANK WAS FULL. THE FAILURE LASTED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS AND THE SMELL GREW STRONGER. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATING TO HIS VEHICLE; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE SAME FAILURE WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,900. UPDATED 1/8/09 *CN UPDATED 01/14/09. *JB

PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN FEBRUARY 2008. WHEN FILLING WITH GAS, THE GAS HAS TO BE PUMPED EXTREMELY SLOW OR IT SPURTS OUT. THE CAR HAS AN ODOR OF GAS ALSO. THIS PROBLEM IS WORSE IN THE WINTER, ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY IN WARMER WEATHER, BUT THE MINUTE THE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW 40 F, I CAN COUNT ON THIS HAPPENING EVERY TIME I PUT GAS IN THE CAR. I'VE RUINED CLOTHES, SHOES, AND HAVE ENDED UP WITH GAS ALL OVER MY HANDS AND LEGS (AND I'VE COME CLOSE TO GETTING IT IN MY FACE!!). THE GAS PUMP WILL SHUT OFF AS IF THE TANK IS FULL AND THE GAS JUST SPURTS RIGHT OUT OF THE TANK. IF I PUMP THE GAS EXTREMELY SLOW, (TONIGHT IT TOOK ME ALMOST 10 MINUTES TO PUMP ABOUT 6 GALLONS OF GAS), I CAN USUALLY MANAGE TO GET MOST OF THE GAS IN THE TANK, BUT AGAIN, I HAVE TO GO EXTREMELY SLOW AND THE PUMP STILL KEEPS SHUTTING OFF. IT WOULD KEEP STOPPING AS STATED ABOVE, BUT ONLY A LITTLE GAS WILL SPURT OUT WHEN IT STOPS. IF I TRY TO PUMP AT A NORMAL SPEED, IT ONLY TAKES A FEW SECONDS AND THE GAS STARTS SPURTING AND I END UP COVERED WITH GAS BY THE TIME I'M DONE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST A FLUKE, BUT ONE OF MY FELLOW EMPLOYEES ALSO HAD A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEN JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO ON THIS SITE, I READ SOMEONE ELSE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS DANGEROUS SINCE YOU END UP WITH GAS ALL OVER YOUR CAR, THE GROUND, AND YOURSELF! *TR