2002 Kia Sportage complaints

FILLING THE KIA WITH GAS TAKES FOREVER. IT IS LIKE THE VENTING SYSTEM WON'T LET THE GAS IN, IN A MATTER OF SECONDS THE GAS SPEWS OUT OF TANK. WE HAVE TO KEEP CLICKING THE HANDLE OFF AND ON TO FILL THE TANK. THIS FIRST STARTED OUT JUST IN THE WINTER MONTHS, NOW IT IS ALL THE TIME. WE TRIED TO SEE IF SOMETHING WAS BLOCKING IT, BUT COULDN'T GET INTO IT. WITH THE THINGS GOING ON IN OUR LIFE RIGHT NOW, WE HAVEN'T TAKEN THE TIME TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. PLUS WE DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA MONEY TO SPEND ON IT. WE JUST KNOW THAT WHEN WE GO TO FILL THE KIA IT WILL TAKE A LONG TIME. WAS JUST WONDERING IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHERS? *TR

TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH SHE HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING, RUNNING HOT AND STEAM AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE CLUTCH FAN FRAGMENTED AND BROKE AND WENT INTO THE RADIATOR. THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPAIRED, THE TIMING BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE HEAD RESURFACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A SAFETY RECALL 07V161000 - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. KG UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/23/08. *JB

NY KIA SPORTAGE 2002 4D4X4 COOLING FAN BLEW APART TAKING OUT THE RADIATOR AND OTHER PARTS. IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART FOUND RECALL ON THE INTERNET. CALLED KIA 18003334542 ARGUED WITH THEM FOR A WEEK THEY FINALLY AGREED TO FIX THE DAMAGE. IT WAS TO BE DONE MONDAY THAT'S WHEN THEY ORDERED THE PARTS. THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE A LOANER CAR AS MINE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

I OWN A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE THAT HAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. I SEE THAT 2005 KIA'S HAD A RECALL ON FUEL LEAKS FROM THE O-RING INTO THE INTERNAL VAPOR CHAMBER IN THE FUEL TANK, I BELIEVE THE 2002 KIA'S ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I WOULD LIKE TO START BY SAYING THAT I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE AT THE MECHANIC'S SHOP TWICE WITHIN THE PAST YEAR DUE TO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND GOING OFF SPORADICALLY. MY MECHANIC HAS, BOTH TIMES, HOOKED IT UP TO ALL HIS MACHINERY TO CHECK FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT BOTH TIMES, FOUND NOTHING. NOW, LET ME TELL YOU WHAT JUST HAPPENED... I HAD AN INCIDENT HAPPEN WITH MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE THIS EVENING 8/6/08. THE COOLING FAN BROKE APART AN SEVERED MY POWER STEERING HOSE SPRAYING OIL ALL OVER MY CAR CAUSING IT TO SMOKE AND MY POWER STEERING TO GO OUT. THIS IS WHAT MY HUSBAND SAYS HAPPENED ANYWAY. I WAS STRANDED 30 MILES FROM HOME AND HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO MY USUAL MECHANIC. UPON RETURNING HOME I RESEARCHED THE NET FOR MY VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM IN 2007. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL AND WOULD HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE FIXED HAD I KNOWN. I'M NOT SURE OF THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE, AS THIS JUST HAPPENED TONIGHT, BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT? *TR

I BOUGHT A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IN JUNE 2008 FROM THE KIA DEALER IN REDDING. SINCE THAT TIME THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE STARTED LOCKING ON THEIR OWN AT VARIOUS TIMES. THEY LOCK AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE I AM DRIVING AND AFTER I HAVE TURNED THE CAR OFF. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD NOW THAT I HAVE TO KEEP THE KEYS WITH ME OR LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN WHEN I GET OUT OF THE CAR AND AM GOING TO GET RIGHT BACK IN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR NOW. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A COUPLE OF TIME THE LOCKS HAVE STUCK AND I COULD NOT GET THEM UNLOCKED WHILE I WAS IN THE CAR. I HAD TO PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE AUTOMATIC KEY LOCK TO GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE IT CAN GET OVER 120 DEGREES IN THE CAR IN THE SUMMER AND IF THIS HAPPENS AND I CAN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR OR IF THE DOORS LOCK WHEN ONE OF MY GRANDCHILDREN IS IN THE CAR OR ONE OF MY PETS IT COULD BE DISASTROUS. I AM HAVING IT LOOKED AT NEXT WEEK AT THE DEALERSHIP. MY MOTHER ALSO OWNS A KIA BUT HERS IS A 1995 KIA SEPHIA WHICH SHE BOUGHT NEW. SHE HAS HAD THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH HER DOOR LOCKS AND EVENTUALLY TOOK THE DOOR PANEL OFF SO SHE COULD GET OUT OF THE CAR AS SHE WAS LOCKED IN. SHE HAS MADE THE DOOR SO THAT IT WILL NOT LOCK AT ALL BECAUSE SHE WAS AFRAID SHE WOULD GET STUCK IN OR OUT OF THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND THERE WAS NO DEALERSHIP NEAR WHERE SHE LIVED TO TAKE IT TOO. SHE STILL HAS THE CAR. SHE HAS ALSO MET ANOTHER LADY IN REDDING WHO OWNS A KIA SEPHIA (I BELIEVE A 1990'S MODEL) WHO HAS THE

GAS LEAK. NEEDED TO REPLACE SENDING UNIT, GAS TANK, ETC. COST OVER $900. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FIRE,INJURY, ETC. *TR

DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC LAST WEEK AND CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND THE SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CAR WAS NOT SMOKING, THERMOSTAT WAS NOT SHOWING OVERHEATING. I TRIED TO MAKE IT TO THE OFF RAMP LESS THAN 1.5 MILES. DEALER SAYS THAT THE RADIATOR HAS A HOLE IN IT AND THE HEAD HAS TO BE REBUILT AND THEY SAY THAT I MUST REPLACE THE TIMING BELT AND PULLEY'S . I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT WAS A BAD THERMOSTAT. THE HEAD ASSEMBLY, CYLINDER HEAD, SPARK PLUGS, HOSES WERE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR REPLACED. I ALSO HAVE REPLACED THE TIMING BELT, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND AS OF MAY 15 2008 A NEW FAN CLUTCH. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SHOWS ANY SIGNS OF OVERHEATING ON ANY GAUGES, AND DOES NOT SMOKE. YOU CAN ONLY HERE THE SOUND OF BOILING WATER IN THE RADIATOR. HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS THAT CAN DO OVER $4000 DAMAGE TO A MOTOR WITH 55K MILES AND 5 YEARS OLD . CASE NUMBER --K14040462. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 SPORTAGE AND JUST RECENTLY HAVE BEEN HAVING A VERY BAD SMELL OF GAS WHEN STARTING IT. IT ENTERS THE INSIDE OF CAR WHEN HEATER GETS TURNED AND STAYS STRONG UNTIL CAR HAS WARMED UP. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE FOUND SOME STAINS ON THE METAL PLATE UNDER THE CLAMP BY THE FUEL RETURN HOSE BUT SAID UNLESS I CAN ACTUALLY SEE GAS DRIPPING HE CAN NOT SAY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND OF COURSE IT IS A WARMER DAY, NOT AS COLD AS IT WAS THE FIRST DAY IT STARTED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON LINE AND FOUND THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL RETURN HOSE IN CANADA BUT NOT HERE IN THE US AND THAT THERE ARE QUITE ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM IN THE US. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS PROBLEM AND FEAR THAT IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE AND NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT WHEN THE SMELL IS INSIDE OF CAR IT STARTS TO MAKE ME FEEL SICK. *TR

2002 KIA SPORTAGE. VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CAB OF VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER (<32 DEGREES). EVENTUALLY DISSAPATES WHEN ENGINE WARMS UP. TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC LAST WINTER (2006), COULDN'T LOCATE PROBLEM. SO WE LIVED WITH IT. SMELL EVEN STRONGER THIS WINTER. FOUND THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTED FIX ONLINE (NOT AVAILABLE LAST WINTER). "RUBBER RETURN LINE FROM FUEL PSI REGULATOR TO METAL RETURN LINE IS LEAKING WHEN COLD. "THE SPRING CLAMPS DO NOT STAY TIGHT WHEN COLD, AND WHEN THE RUBBER (RETURN LINE) EXPANDS WHEN HOT IT SEALS. "REMOVE THE UPPUER PART OF THE INTAKE AND REPLACE THE SPRING CLAMPS WITH SCREW TYPE CLAMPS..." SOME ONLINE FORUMS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT DEALERSHIP MAY SAY IT IS A FUEL INJECTOR PROBLEM, $800 FIX. MY LOCAL MECHANIC SAID THE SAME. MANY HAVE SAID THAT THE SUGGESTION ABOVE ACTUALLY FIXES THE ISSUE. I AM CURRENTLY IN BETWEEN THE TWO. I DON'T HAVE THE INCLINATION TO TRY THIS MYSELF, SO I'M AT THE MERCY OF MECHANICS. WHAT'S THE DEAL? *CN

2002 KIA SPORTAGE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND HER SEAT BELT DID NO LOCK CAUSING INJURY TO HER CHEST. MANUFACTURER STATED AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE FORCE WAS NOT SUFFICIENT. *KB

CAR OVERHEATED ON HIGHWAY AND STALLED. CALLED 911 FOR HELP. GOT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. OUTCOME ENGINE REPLACED. *TR

I STARTED TAKING MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE TO THE DEALER AND IT HAD A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE BACK. I TOOK IT IN AND THE TECHNICIAN SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE MUFFLER AND IT WAS LOOSE SO HE KICKED IT WITH HIS FOOT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I GOT A NEW MUFFLER AND IT STILL MADE THE NOISE SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP AND IT WAS THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE. IT ENDED UP COSTING ME OVER 2500. I HAD TO HAVE A NEW DIFFERENTIAL PUT IN AND IT EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN YOU PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR. IF THE TECH WOULD HAVE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY WARRANTY.I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ANY OF THEM. I FEEL LIKE THE KIA PEOPLE SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR MY TIME AND MONEY!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE ROARED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,846 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

ACTION # EA06-007-FUEL TANK LEAKAGE IN 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE ON 7/03/07 COMPLAINING OF GAS ODOR. I WAS CHARGED TO FIX THE ROLL OVER VALVE BECAUSE IT WAS SAID TO BE LEAKING EXTERNALLY. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME ODOR COMPLAINT ON 8/8/07. THEY CLAIMED GAS WAS FOUND ON THE SEAM OF THE TANK. THEY CLEANED THE TANK SEAM WHERE FUEL WAS GATHERED AND SHAMPOOED MY CARPET TO REMOVE ANY OTHER ODOR FREE OF CHARGE. MY CAR STILL HAD THE GAS ODOR. I WITNESSED GAS LEAKING FROM MY CAR ON 9/10/07 AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND I WAS CHARGED TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK REPLACED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND SHUT OFF. HE NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN DISINTEGRATED. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 07V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN) WAS FOUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FAN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DAMAGED RADIATOR CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE FAN SHOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 31,000.

TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES FROM HOME, 96 DEGREES OUTSIDE, AND HEARD LOUD NOISE. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TURNED VEHICLE OF. -PICKED UP PIECES OF WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE FAN BLADE FROM MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. AFTER LOOKING INSIDE THE HOOD DISCOVERED LARGE HOLES IN RADIATOR-SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED VEHICLES FOR REPAIR OF FAN, BLADES,CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND RADIATOR-VEHICLE STILL NOT OPERABLE. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FROM KIA 2 WEEKS LATER. VEHICLE THEN TOWED TO DEALER, WHERE IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD ASSEMBLY BECAME WARPED DUE TO THE RADIATOR BEING DAMAGED BY THE FAULTY FAN. KIA MOTORS CLAIMED CASE WA S CLOSED, NO RESOLUTION RECEIVED. VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE AT THIS TIME.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER CONCERNING THE ENGINE COOLING FAN HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. CONSUMER IS SEEKING ASSISTANCE FOR THIS MATTER . *MC THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF RECALL LETTER PERTAINING TO HIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL REGARDING THE ENGINE FAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE BEGAN WHEN THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, WHICH CAUSED THE FAN TO CRACK AND STRIKE THE RADIATOR. THE HEAT ALSO CAUSED THE HEAD OF THE VALVES TO WARP. THE FAN WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE. THE RECALL NUMBER THAT WAS REFERENCED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN). THE KIA DEALER IS NOT ACCEPTING ANY NEW APPOINTMENTS UNTIL OCTOBER OF 2007 FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS INAPPLICABLE.

CRACKED COOLING FAN MADE THE VEHICLE STOP RUNNING. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: FANS). THE LETTER STATED THAT IF THE BELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS PART OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THEN THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND LABOR FEE OF $100 PER HOUR. PRESENTLY, NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE POWERTRAIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 71,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE BLADES ON HIS COOLING FAN BEGAN TO COME OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THIS WAS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO; RECENTLY A SAFETY RECALL (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM FAN - 07V161000) WAS RECIEVED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS 93,314. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN.

2002 KIA SPORTAGE CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE FAN WAS BROKEN BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT. ONE OF THE BLADES WENT THROUGH THE RADIATOR AND SHOULD KIA PAY FOR IT**CC *TR

2002 KIA SPORTAGE ENGINE COOLING FAN BUSTED INTO PIECES AND ONE OF THE BLADES SHOT THROUGH MY RADIATOR. I CONTACTED KIA AND THEY RAN MY VIN NUMBER THROUGH THEIR SYSTEMS AND IT IS NOT PART OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN 07V161000, EVEN THOUGH IT APPEARS TO BE EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. I HEARD A LOUD BOOM AS IT SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FAN BLADE WAS IN 5 PIECES. THE PIECES HAD GONE INTO THE RADIATOR AND BROKE THE FAN SHROUD. STEAM WAS COMING OUT OF THE HOLES IN THE RADIATOR. *TR

2002 KIA SPORTAGE, IN FEBRUARY '07 WHILE DRIVING THE RADIO WENT OUT, & WITH THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS FAILING. PULLED OVER, TURNED CAR OFF. ATTEMPTED V TO RESTART, THE CAR DID NOT START. HAD CAR TOWED & MANUALLY CHECKED BATTERY THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. NEXT DAY CAR STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY, AND TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER CHECK-UP. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $248 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST & THEN PLACEMENT OF A NEW BATTERY, WHICH WAS SAID TO BE THE CAUSE. WEEKS LATER ON MARCH 31 CAR DID THE SAME WITH THE RADIO AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS. THE CAR JERKED ABOUT 30 MILES. WHEN I WOULD PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IT SEEMED TO REGAIN ITS STRENGTH, BUT ONCE I CONTINUED TO DRIVE ,IT STARTED TO JERK AGAIN, WITH THE OIL ODOMETER WENT UP/DOWN! TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP, IT JERKED IN THERE. WHEN THE SERVICE WORKERS WENT TO THE CAR, I WAS TOLD, NO PROBLEMS DRIVING THE CAR, & THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE CAR STAYED AT THE DEALERSHIP SATURDAY-THURSDAY, WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE SERVICE MANAGER ASKED IF SHE COULD DRIVE IT HOME. SHE SAID THE CAR DROVE FINE AND PUT 40 MILES ON CAR. IT WAS FINE ON THURSDAY WHEN I PICKED IT UP. DROVE SATURDAY AND CAR HAD SAME PROBLEMS. HEADLIGHTS & DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. AT 5 AM THIS WAS SCARY & UNSAFE, SOME CARS DIDN'T SEE ME, EVEN WITH THE HAZARDS ON. WITH RADIO OUT & CAR JERKING ALL THE WAY HOME. ON MONDAY, WENT TO LEAVE AND CAR DID NOT START. TOWED TO KIA FOR THE 3RD TIME IN A MONTH. CAR STARTED, BUT SOME 2001 & 2002 SPORTAGE MODELS HAD

TL * THE CONTACT DETECTED A GASOLINE ODOR ON HER 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, CONTACT STATED THAT LATELY THE ODOR HAS BEEN STRONGER POSSIBLY DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. WHEN THE HEATER WASTURNED ON ODOR GETS STRONGER IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY TO HAVE THE ODOR DIAGNOSED. *AK

I BOUGHT MY KIA SPORTAGE IN 09/19/2006 BY 9/25/2006 I STARTED TO HEAR SQUEALING NOISES IN FRONT OF THE ENGINE AND WHEN I FIRST STARTED IT I WOULD PRESS THE GAS BUT THE CAR WOULD DIE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 5 TIMES WHEN THEY FINALLY FIXED IT. THEN I FOUND OUT 3 WEEKS LATER IN THE RAIN THAT WATER WAS COMING IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE WINDSHIELD. IN 1/04/07 I WAD HEADED TO WORK AND THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY DIE AGAIN SO THE DEALERSHIP TOWED IT BACK. *JB

BOTH DRIVER & PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES ARE DEFECTIVE. PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT HAS BEEN INOPERABLE SINCE SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT IN 2005. DRIVER-SIDE SEAT BELT HAS HAD SPORADIC PROBLEMS IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS & WITHIN THE LAST WEEK HAS BEEN INOPERABLE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH UPHILL ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS WITH THE 4WD ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER CABLE, VACUUM HOSE, WHEEL BEARINGS HAD FAILED. EACH COMPONENT WAS REPLACED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE 4WD WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE SERVICE DEALER EXPRESSED TO THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE MANY VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH 4WD PROBLEMS.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE HOSE ATTACHED TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 40 DEGREES; THERE WAS AN ODOR OF GASOLINE. PRIOR TO THE CONTACT'S PURCHASE, THE FUEL INJECTOR PORTS AND RINGS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. UPDATED 12/28/2006 - THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THE FUEL ODOR IS STILL PRESENT. THE PREVIOUS OWNER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS HAD BEEN ON ONGOING PROBLEM WHEN HE OWNED THE VEHICLE. *NM

2002 KIA SPORTAGE 35K MI. NOTICED DIFFERENT ENGINE SOUND, FOUND THAT LARGE CRACKS HAD FORMED BETWEEN EACH FAN BLADE, MAIN BLADE DRIVEN BY ENGINE. CHECKED INTERNET FOUND THAT OTHERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS INCLUDING BREAKING AND RADIATOR DESTRUCTION. PLAN TO GET FAN FROM DEAL AND INSTALL ALSO ASK ABOUT KIA PARTS BULLETIN 1500-0002 WHICH CONCERNS THIS FAN BLADE. *NM

WHEN CHECKING OIL LEVEL ON AUGUST 13,2006, I NOTICED CRACKS BETWEEN EACH BLADE ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE CRACKS WERE FOUND TO GO FROM FRONT TO BACK ON 6 BLADES. I REMOVED THE FAN, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A BULLETIN. I WAS TOLD NO. BOUGHT NEW FAN AND INSTALLED MYSELF. *JB

FAN BLADE CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION FROM A STOP SIGN AT 5 MPH, A LOUD THUD WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME THE REMAINING TWO MILES WITH THE HAZARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE, THE FAN BLADES WERE SCATTERED ACROSS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND SOME WERE CAUGHT IN THE WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE FAN WAS REPLACED AND THE DAMAGED WIRING TO THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR FAN FRACTURED TO PIECES WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH. A NOISE WAS HEARD PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED. 4 FAN BLADES WERE FRACTURED AND ONE OF THE BLADES HAD FLOWN INTO THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED OF THE INCIDENT ON 08/07/06.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING FROM 5 TO 65 MPH ON A NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, ALL DASH LIGHTS DIMED COMPLETELY. THE HORN WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE ENGINE STARTED TO SHAKE UP AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT UNTIL THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED. THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO WAS APPREHENSIVE TO ACCEPT THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS. BASED ON THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY, THE VEHICLE WAS ACCEPTED FOR INSPECTION.

IN SEPTEMBER 04, MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR COIL ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALLED. TWO WEEKS LATER SAME PROBLEMS. THE CAR WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND STALL SHORTLY AFTER ACCELERATION. STILL CONTINUE TO GET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, (MISFIRES) I AM NOW HAVING TROUBLE WITH POWER OF ENGINE, TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING AFTER SHIFTING. AFTER ACCELERATION CAR SHAKES AND STALLS, WON'T RESTART FOR QUITE SOME TIME. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH A SCRAPPING NOISE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE RADIATOR FAN WAS SCRAPPING AGAINST THE FAN CASING. THERE WAS A STRESS FRACTURE IN THE CENTER OF THE FAN BLADES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP.

BRAKES NEED REPLACING TWICE IN UNDER 18000 MILES. WIVES CAR NEED WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM FROM MASTER CYLINDER ON DOWN UNDER40,00 MILES. *NM

ON DEC. 15, 2005, I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE A MONTH AGO FOR WARRANTEE SERVICE (EMPIRE TOYOTA, ONEONTA NY). I WAS TOLD THAT THEY NO LONGER SELL OR SERVICE UNDER THE KIA WARRANTEE. AT THAT TIME IT HAD 58,000 MILES. NEW DEALER: COUNTRY CLUB KIA, ONEONTA, NY. ON JANUARY 12, 2006 I CALLED THEM TO HAVE THE WARRANTEE SERVICE DONE ON MY CAR. THEY ARE STILL SETTING UP THE SERVICE DEPT. AND ARE WAITING FOR "EMPIRE TOYOTA" TO TRANSFER THE RECORDS OF CUSTOMERS FOR WARRANTEE REPAIRS. NOW THE MILEAGE IS AT 61,000 MILES, AND IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED UNDER THE WARRANTEE. THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING: MY LOCKS KEEP GOING UP AND DOWN ALL DAY AND NIGHT WITHOUT ANY KEYS IN THE IGNITION. TODAY MY CHILDREN AND I GOT LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR AND COULD NOT GET OUT AS THE LOCKS WOULD NOT STOP LOCKING, AND THE HORN BEGAN GOING OFF. THIS HAS CONTINUED EVERYDAY...ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT. WE HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF MY CAR EARLY IN THE MORNING WHILE MY CAR IS WARMING UP TO LEAVE FOR WORK. I REALLY NEED TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED, AND FEEL AS IF I KEEP GETTING THE RUN AROUND. I CALLED THE KIA OFFICE ON MONDAY JANUARY 16, 2006 AND WAS TOLD THAT MY WARRANTEE HAS EXPIRED BY 800 MILES. THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE BEEN TAKE CARE OF BEFORE THE WARRANTEE EXPIRED. WHEN KIA CHANGED DEALERSHIPS CUSTOMERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, SO THAT THEY CAN FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE NEW DEALER IF ANY PROBLEMS SHOULD ARISE. I HAD LOCKS REPARED IN MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, AND THUS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE THE CHECK ENGINE MODULE RESET. THIS REMEDY WORKED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BUT THE LIGHT EVENTUALLY ILLUMINATES AGAIN. THE LOCAL DEALER HAS NOT DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHT. ALSO, THE GAS TANK HAD A LEAK IN THE GAS LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE GAS LINE, HOWEVER A GAS ODOR STILL EXIST INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 2/28/2006 - *NM

2002 KIA SPORTAGE PISTON SEIZED DAMAGING BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. *TS *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR END OF HER VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE AT TIMES. THIS HAPPENED FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE HIT A PATCH OF ICE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 VEHICLE WA SINVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND SIT HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NOT LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD TO INDICATE THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. DEALER DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE AIR BAGS TO HER. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. POLICE CAME AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK

I HAVE A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE 2 DOOR. WE BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW FOR OUR SON THINKING IT WOULD BE A FUN LITTLE CAR FOR HIM. 36,000 MILES LATER IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 15 TIMES FOR VARIOUS THINGS SUCH AS AIR BAG NEEDING REPAIRED TO ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM EXPLODING ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESSERT AND ME ALONE FOR 6 HOURS BEFORE I COULD GET HELP. THIS SUV IF YOU CAN CALL IT THAT IS NOTHING BUT A HEADACHE AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SONS OR IN FACT ANYONE THAT IS IN IT WHEN IT IS ON THE ROADS SAFETY. *NM

DT: THE CALLER SAID H TRANSMISSION SHIFTS GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. IT JERKED AND SHOOK WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IT HAPPENED WHEN DECELERATING. BROUGHT VEHICLE DEALER 5 TIMES, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND WHATS WRONG WITH IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME EXCEPT WHEN HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE LAST TIME HE HAD IT TO DEALER THE LIGHT WENT OFF FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS, AND YESTERDAY THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. DEALER SAID THEY WILL TRY TO GET SOMEONE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE, BUT NO ONE HAS COME YET. DEALER DID A DIAGNOSTIC, AND FIXED WHAT IT SHOWED, BUT THE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME BACK ON AFTER 30 MILES OF DRIVING. *AK

MARCH 30TH I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, A LADY PULLED ACCROSS TRAFFIC AND I HAD NO TIME TO STOP, NEEDLESS TO SAY I SLAMMED INTO HER DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AT ABOUT 30MPH. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY KIA SPRORTAGE WAS DAMAGED WITH ABOUT $6700 IN DAMAGES AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS WERE IN OUR SEAT BELTS BUT BADLY BRUISED AND THROWN ABOUT. I WAS INFORMED BY KIA THAT I DIDN'T HIT THE SENSORS ... OK THE WHOLE FRONT END WAS GONE WHERE EXACTLY ARE THE SENSORS? I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR AND MY CHILDREN ARE IN IT , PLEASE CAN SOME ONE TELL ME WHAT TO DO? I FEEL THAT I'M STUCK WITH A VEHICHLE THAT ISN'T SAFE AND I DON'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY RECOURSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.