Page 4 of 4 · complaints 151–181 of 181

2011 Kia Sportage complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2011 record →

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 21, 201447,000 milesAZ

THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT START DUE TO A FAULTY BRAKE SENSOR SAFETY SWITCH. *TR

Suspension
Filed Mar 6, 201432,000 milesOH

CAR PULLS TO RIGHT CONSTANTLY. A RATTLING NOISE IN FRONT OF CAR UNDERNEATH. WAS TAKEN TO KIA AND THEY STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW RATTLE NOISE IS WORSE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 10, 201423,000 milesPR

MY SPORTAGE 2011 WAS STUCK IN 4TH GEAR AND DID NOT SHIFT BACK TO FIRST, SO I DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 4TH AND NOW I DONT HAVE A SUBSTITUTE CAR SINCE A WHOLE WEEK I KNOW I GONNA TAKE FOR LONG. MY CAR WAS 23K MILES AT THE TIME. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 20, 20135,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000. ...UPDATED 02-28-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AT 10,000 MILES THE RUBBER BUSHINGS WHICH HELD THE EXHAUST ON THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE HAD WORN OUT. THE BUSHINGS BECAME SO FLEXIBLE THAT THE EXHAUST WOULD CONSTANTLY HIT THE FRAME. 4 OUT OF 5 OF THE BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED. 5,000 MILES LATER THE FAILURE RECCURED. UPDATED 03/19/2014 *JS

Steering
Filed Aug 10, 201350,550 milesCA

WHEN DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP, DIP OR UNEVEN ROAD YOU FEEL A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL LIKE A SPRINGY FEELING AND YOU FEEL LIKE SOMETHING IS KNOCKING AGAINST SOMETHING UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALING FOR INSPECTION. THE TECH CLAIMED HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE TECH AND I TOOK A ROAD TEST TOGETHER, WITH ME IN THE CAR POINTING OUT WAS I WAS FEELING, IT WAS THEN THE TECH COULD FEEL IT UNDERSTOOD WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. HIS FIRST THOUGHT WAS A BOLT CAME LOOSE ON THE RACK AND PINION. AFTER INSPECTION THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM AND SAID THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED FURTHER INSPECTION. A NEW RACK AND PINION WAS INSTALLED AND REMOVED DUE TO IT NOT BEING FAULTY. AFTER THE CAR BEING IN THE SHOP 9 DAYS WE STILL HAVE NO CONCLUSION. THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. I HAVE TO WAIT UP TO 35 DAYS FOR A KIA ENGINEER TO COME AND INSPECT MY CAR. WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP I ALSO HAD THE REGULAR SERVICE DONE AND NEW FRONT BRAKES PUT ON. THE TECH TOOK MY CAR ON ANOTHER ROAD TEST BEFORE GIVING IT BACK TO ME. WHILE ON THAT ROAD TEST, MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE TECH TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE SHOP AND HAD TO REPLACE A CLOCK SPRING. AFTER PICKING UP MY CAR YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING HOME I WAS DEALING WITH THE CAR PULLING TO ONE SIDE. FIRST IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT, THEN FOR THE REST OF THE RIDE HOME IT CONTINUED TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE BRAKES DON'T FEEL RIGHT EITHER. YOU HAVE TO PUSH HARD AND EVEN WHILE YOUR PUSHING ON THE BRAKE ITS LIKE THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO STOP. I TH

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 10, 201310,000 milesCA

SINCE BUYING THIS CAR 12/26/10 I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF SENSORS AND SWITCHES MALFUNCTION AND NEEDING REPLACEMENT. WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON AND GOING OFF AND DEALER COULD NOT PULL UP CODES TO WHY THEY CAME ON. I HAD PROBLEMS WHERE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I'M HAVING STEERING AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW. WAITING ON KIA ENGINEERS TO COME INSPECT THE CAR SINCE DEALER CAN'T FIND OR FIX THE PROBLEM. CAR TENDS PULLS TO ONE SIDE. SINCE BRAKES WERE REPLACED THE CAR IS HARD TO STOP. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE GPS. GAS GAGE STICKING. THE CAR AT TIME HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO GET UP TO SPEED TO GET ON THE FREEWAY, LIKE IT HAS NO POWER. RIGHT NOW I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR. THE FRONT END JUST FEELS UNSTABLE. ALL WORK DONE ON MY CAR IS DONE THRU THE DEALER. IT SEEMS MY CAR IS BACK AT THE DEALER FOR ONE REPAIR OR ANOTHER SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR. SOMETIMES DAYS AT A TIME. LONGEST ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP WAS 9 DAYS. I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS MANY ISSUES WITH A NEW CAR. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 23, 20132,500 milesTX

WHEN I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, IT FELT LIKE THE CAR LUNGED STOPPED AND LUNGED AGAIN. THE CAR DID NOT MOVE, BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE STILL ENGAGED. THE REVIEW CAMERA DID NOT TURN ON. I BACKED OUT AND PULLED BACK INTO MY SPOT, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, PUT IT INTO REVERSE AGAIN, AND THE LUNGING OCCURRED AGAIN. I CHECKED THE REVERSE LIGHTS, AND THEY WERE NOT ON. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE TO MY DESTINATION. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR REVVED TO A HIGH RPM, AND THEN ENGAGED THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TIRES TO CHIRP. I ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO ACCELERATE TO PROPER SPEEDS, AND THE HIGH REV PRIOR TO ENGAGING THE TRANSMISSION OCCURRED EVERY TIME. I NOTICED THE GEAR INDICATOR ON THE ODOMETER DISPLAY WAS MISSING. WHEN I GOT TO MY DESTINATION, I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THEN I TURNED IT BACK ON, AND THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY.CAMERA, REVERSE LIGHTS, AND GEAR INDICATOR WAS WORKING. I STARTED DRIVING AND ATTEMPTED A PASSING ACCELERATION, WITH NO ISSUES. I DID NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NOT HAVING THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 23, 201312,500 milesNE

THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I POPPED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS NO SMOKE PRESENT UNDERNEATH. THE CAR THEN STARTED ITSELF WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE BACK REAR LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE REAR WINDOW WIPER STARTED GOING. AFTER ABOUT FIVE MINUTES THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF. THE SMOKE WAS GETTING WORSE. THE RADIO WAS TURNED ON AND AGAIN THERE WAS NO KEY IN THE IGNITION. I HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY DISCONNECTED MY CAR BATTERY ALONG WITH SPRAYING WATER ON THE FUSE PANEL TO GET IT TO STOP SMOKING. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE FUSE PANEL WHICH STARTED THE INCIDENT. I WAS TOLD BY THE TOW COMPANY THAT MY VEHICLE WAS THE FOURTH KIA SPORTAGE THAT THEY HAD TO TOW FOR THE EXACT SAME REASON, A SHORT IN THE FUSE PANEL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 18, 201381,535 milesNC

PUSH BUTTON START WOULD NOT ENGAGE - CAR WAS IN PARK- AFTER GETTING SHIFTER TO MOVE - CAR STARTED - TOOK IT TO DEALER REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH - I SEE WHERE UK HAS RECALLED 25K VEHICLES FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM INCLUDING SPORTAGE NHTSA SHOULD ALSO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS MODULE WHILE WAITING ANOTHER CONSUMER REPORTED SAME PROBLEM BUT HAD A RECALL ON THEIRS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 10, 201332,243 milesNJ

PUSH BUTTON START WOULD NOT WORK DUE TO FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THIS MODEL YEAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AS MOST OTHER YEAR MODELS FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT SHOULD BE. PROBLEM CLEARLY EXTENDS PAST 2010 YEAR MODELS. *TR

Tires
Filed Mar 12, 201323,340 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO SOLUS TIRES, SIZE 225/60 R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRE BELTS WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES AND THE VEHICLE WAS 23,340.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 8, 201322,000 milesIL

THE CAR HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION FROM ZERO TURNING INTO TRAFFIC. IT IS VERY SCARY AND HAPPENS OFTEN.. THE DEALER (EVERGREEN KIA) WAS NOTIFIED ON NOV. 29, 2012. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jun 29, 201213,500 milesNH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SPOTRAGE.THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE TOOK APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED LATER THAT DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,500.

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Jun 22, 201231 milesMI

THIS VEHICLES ONLY REAR TURN SIGNALS ARE TWO SMALL RECTANGLES DOWN IN THE REAR BUMPER. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER, THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS DON'T SIGNAL IN THE TAIL LIGHT AREA LIKE ALMOST EVERY (IF NOT EVERY) OTHER VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. *TT

Electrical System
Filed Jun 16, 20127,800 milesTX

I BEGAN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY 2011 KIA SPORTAGE NOT STARTING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I DIDN'T PUSH THE BRAKE AND PUSH CORRECTLY. BUT THIS BECAME MORE AND MORE FREQUENT AS TIME WENT ON. IN APRIL 2012, IT DIDN'T START 3 TIMES IN ONE DAY. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THAT MORNING IT STARTED FOR THEM TO MOVE IT INTO THEIR GARAGE AND IT DIDN'T START AGAIN FOR THREE WEEKS. THE DEALERSHIP NOR TECH SUPPORT HAD ANY IDEA OF WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, SO THEIR NEXT STEP WAS TO BEGIN REPLACING PARTS, FIRST THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE DASH, THEM SEVERAL DIFFERENT COMPUTER PARTS. THEY ENDED REPLACING 5 DIFFERENT PARTS IN THE CAR BEFORE THEY GOT IT STARTED. WHEN I ASKED WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM, THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW AND WOULD BE TURNING ALL THE "REPLACED" PARTS OVER TO THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT DEPT TO INVESTIGATE THE PARTS. I ASKED IF THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WHEN THE TECH FOLKS COMPLETED THEIR INVESTIGATION. THE SERVICE MGR TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT EVER BE NOTIFIED BY KIA TECH ABOUT WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I ASKED WHY, THEY SAID THAT KIA JUST NEVER TELLS THEM. SO IF THE PROBLEM HAPPENS AGAIN, THEY HAVE NO WAY OF IDENTIFYING THE ISSUE FOR ME OR ANY OTHER CUSTOMER. I HAVE NO FAITH IN KIA MOTORS NOR THEIR DEALERSHIPS. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 16, 2012504 milesTX

I PURCHASED A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE MAR 2011 W/ 12 MILES ON IT. THE MPG RANGE ON THE WINDOW STICKER WAS 22 CITY/27 HIGHWAY (18 MIN/32 MAX). SHORTLY AFTER THE GAS MILEAGE WAS POOR. I DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR 500 MILES FIGURING THAT SHOULD BREAK IT IN AND HOPED THE GAS MILEAGE WOULD IMPROVE. IT DIDN'T, BUT GOT WORSE. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER IN MAY, THE VEHICLE HAD 504 MILES ON IT AND WAS GETTING 12 MILES PER GALLON. DEALER RAN A FUEL CONSUMPTION TEST AND ECM UPGRADE STATING THAT SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. I DROVE IT ANOTHER 700 MILES BUT THE MILEAGE DIDN'T' GET BETTER. THE SERVICE MGR STATED THAT A BCM UPGRADE WAS PERFORMED AND THAT IT WAS GETTING 29.3 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY AND 24.5 MPG IN THE CITY. I HAVE NEVER MPG IN THE 20 RANGE. IT HAS BEEN IN THE TEEN RANGE ON THE COMPUTER & IN ACTUAL CALCULATIONS. THE SERVICE DEPT MGR TOLD PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE COMPUTER ON THE CAR, YET IT HAS BEEN ACCURATE W/ THE ACTUAL MILEAGE. WE DROVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF STATE, THE MPG WAS NOT CONSISTENT. UPON OUR RETURN FROM OUR HIGHWAY TRIP THE MPG DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY TO RANGE FROM 13.3 TO 15.70 DRIVING IN CITY. WE RETURNED THE CAR A 3RD TIME IN AUG 2011, THE DEALER DID A FUEL CONSUMPTION TEST AGAIN. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR 11 DAYS. THE ONLY THING THEY DID WAS REPLACED THE COMPUTER ON THE 2ND TO THE LAST DAY NOT KNOWING WHAT ELSE TO DO. CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE CAR, THE HIGHEST MPG I GOT WAS 16.89 MPG. WHEN I FILL UP THE GAS TANK, THE COMPUTER ON THE CAR SHOWS THAT I SHOULD BE GETTING 308 OR 309 MILES ON THE TANK

Electrical System
Filed Mar 24, 2012HI

WE HAVE HAD OUR CAR IN TO BE SERVICED FIVE TIMES AND THE PROBLEMS ARE STILL NOT FIXED. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THAT IT WAS RANDOMLY HESITATING AND THERE WERE A FEW TIMES WE ALMOST WERE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. ON ONE OCCASION THE CAR WOULD NOT GO PAST 40MPH WITH THE GAS PEDAL FLOORED, WE TOOK IT IN AND WERE EVENTUALLY TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, AFTER MY HUSBAND PROVIDED A FEW SERVICE BULLETINS TO THE ALOHA KIA SERVICE DEPT. (ON OUR SECOND TRIP IN) EACH TIME WE HAVE HAD OUR CAR "FIXED" THE PROBLEMS HAVE RETURNED WITH MORE PROBLEMS SOMETIMES IMMEDIATELY AFTER, SOMETIMES IN A DAY OR TWO. WE HAVE YET TO BE TOLD WHAT IS WRONG. THE FOLLOWING ARE PROBLEMS WE ARE EXPERIENCING: RANDOMLY NOT ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE LOCKING UP IN PARK, LOSS OF POWER, A ROLLING FEELING WHILE DRIVING, WHINING NOISE, GRATING FEELING IN STEERING AND GAS PEDAL, SHIFTING IS REALLY LOUD AND TAKES LONGER THAN IT SHOULD, BRAKES ARE NOT RELIABLE SOMETIMES THERE IS LITTLE RESISTANCE IN THE PEDAL, WE ARE GETTING 200 MILES TO THE TANK, YOU CAN FEEL A PATTERN OF BUMPS WHILE DRIVING IT IS LIKE SMOOTH BUMP SMOOTH BUMP BUMP SMOOTH BUMP ETC... ( I DO NOT KNOW HOW ELSE TO DESCRIBE IT AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD WHAT IS WRONG) ON THE LAST OCCASION MY CAR WAS SERVICED I WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS FIXED AND ALL OF THE PROBLEMS TIED INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM, THE COMPUTER HAD TO "RE-LEARN" WHAT IT SHOULD KNOW. I DROVE FOR THREE MILES BEFORE EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEMS AGAIN, AND THEY ARE GETTING WORSE.

Power Train
Filed Mar 22, 201218,200 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD, SLIP GEARS AND REMAIN IN FOURTH GEAR SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO PERFORM NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, BUT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,265.

Steering
Filed Mar 18, 201213,200 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON LEVEL ROADWAY, VEHICLE VEERS SLIGHTLY TO LEFT OR RIGHT AND TAKES CONSTANT CORRECTIONS TO KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT. THIS CAUSES PROBLEMS BECAUSE OVERCORRECTION BECOMES A PROBLEM. ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN CHECKED AS WELL AS TIRE ROTATION TO NO AVAIL. STEERING PROBLEMS PERSIST! *TR

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Feb 11, 2012CA

I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, BECAUSE THE HORN OF THIS VEHICLE IS VERY LOW AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL> I WAS READING ONLINE AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER SIMILAR CASES, WHERE PEOPLE JUST CAN'T HEAR THE HORN. BY THE CALIFORNIA LAW, THE HORN HAS TO BE HEARD BY A MINIMUM DISTANCE, I HAVE NOT TESTED, BUT I DON'T THINK THE HORN IN THIS CAR MEETS SPECIFICATIONS. VERY DANGEROUS. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THE HORN 'VOLUME' IS NORMAL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 29, 201117,832 milesPA

CHECK ENGINE IS ON LIGHT. NO POWER WHEN YOU APPLY THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. PREVIOUSLY DEALERSHIP SCANNED FOR CODES. CODES THAT WHERE PRESENT INDICATED TURBO BOOT CONTROL/POSITION SENSOR AND ADJUSTED EWGA ROD.B. *KB

Power Train
Filed Oct 24, 2011TX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFT LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ONCE CORRECTED BUT RECURRED RECENTLY. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM BEING PLACED IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SHIFT LOCK PRESSURE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE HE STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE PART WOULD MOST LIKELY FAIL AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Steering
Filed Oct 15, 2011AZ

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ON MY 2011 SPORTAGES CAUSES A PROBLEM DURING TRAVEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ALL CARS WILL SLOWLY DRIFT TO THE SIDE WHEN DRIVING ON A FLAT STRAIGHT ROAD BUT NORMALLY IT ONLY REQUIRES A SLIGHT PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO CORRECT AND IT IS ACCOMPLISHED SO EASILY AND SEAMLESSLY THAT YOU DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING ON MY 2011 SPORTAGE IS IN HOW IT REACTS TO THESE SUBTLE STEERING WHEEL CORRECTIONS AT EXPRESSWAY SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM IS NOT APPARENT IN CITY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AS YOU ARE DISTRACTED BY OTHER DRIVING ACTIONS WHILE NEGOTIATING TRAFFIC. WHEN HOWEVER YOU DRIVE ANY SIGNIFICANT DISTANCE ON AN EXPRESSWAY THE PROBLEM BECOMES VERY APPARENT. WHILE DRIVING YOU CAN GENTLY MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL ABOUT INCH IN EACH DIRECTION (1/2 INCH TOTAL) BEFORE A HIGHER RESISTANCE IS FELT AND THE TIRE CHANGES DIRECTION. IN OTHER WORDS WHEN THE CAR BEGINS TO DRIFT A SLIGHT PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY TRANSLATE TO TIRE MOVEMENT. IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS EXCESSIVE STICKING SOMEWHERE IN THE STEERING SYSTEM THAT RELEASES AS YOU INCREASE PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. BECAUSE THE INITIAL TIRE MOVEMENT IS A SMALL STEP RATHER THAN SMOOTH LINEAR MOVEMENT, IT OFTEN IS TOO MUCH, AND YOU HAVE TO CORRECT WITH OPPOSITE STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENT. THE AFFECT IS THAT ON A LONG DRIVE YOU SPEND AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF TIME MAKING STEERING WHEEL CORRECTIONS TO KEEP THE CAR GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY A NUMBE

Steering
Filed Sep 15, 201120 milesAZ

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ISSUE. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TRACK VEHICLE STRAIGHT AT SPEEDS OVER 30 MPH. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE WILL DRIFT TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE ONLY WAY TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE IS TO CONSTANTLY MAKE CORRECTIONS WHILE DRIVING. IN EUROPE WERE THIS VEHICLE IS ALSO SOLD KIA HAS ISSUED A CAMPAIGN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND KIA USA IS NOT TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THIS DEFECT. THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTS ON THE WEB OF OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. KIA WILL NOT FESS UP TO THIS DEFECT UNLESS IT IS FORCE BY A GOVERNMENT AGENCY. IT IS VERY UNSAFE TO OPERATE A VEHICLE THAT CONSTANTLY DRIFTS AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS. *KB

Seats
Filed Aug 24, 20117,852 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ADJUSTMENT HANDLE FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT FRACTURED UPON ENGAGING. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,852. UPDATED 09/21/11*LJ UPDATED 2/23/12 *CN

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 18, 20111,100 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WERE EXTREMELY SMALL, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR OTHER DRIVERS TO SEE WHEN THE SIGNAL LIGHT WAS FLASHING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,100. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Power Train
Filed Aug 4, 20117,453 milesPA

DEALER CLAIMS THEY REFERRED TO PREVIOUS SERVICE HISTORY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. WHEN DEPRESS GAS PEDAL CAR DOES NOT RESPONDED. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD ON JULY 13, 2011. DEALER SCANNED FOR CODES. DID NOT STATE IN WORK ORDER WHICH CODES WHERE PRESENT. CALLED KIA TECH LINE. ADJUST TURBO, INSPECT AND ADJUST EWGA ROD ON TURBO. ROAD TESTED. CLEARED CODES AND ROAD TESTED AGAIN OK. CAR WAS OUT OF COMMISSION FROM AUGUST 1, 2011 AT ROUGHLY 8:00 AM UNTIL AUGUST 4 2011 AT 3:30 PM WHEN DEALER CALLED AND SAID CAR WAS READY FOR PICKUP. CONSUMER E-MAILED INVOICE AND TSB. 08/08/11

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed Aug 3, 2011UT

KIA SPORTAGE 2011 THE SIDE MIRRORS ARE SO LARGE THEY OBSTRUCT VIEW ON TURNS. TWICE I HAVE MISSED CORRECT LANE WHEN MAKING LEFT TURN ONTO MULTIPLE LANE ROADS. *KB

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 1, 20116,322 milesPA

ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND NO POWER WHEN YOU APPLY GAS PEDAL. DEALER PULLED CODES FOR OB2 AND FOUND P2562 TURBO BOOT CONTROL/POSITION SENSOR. REST BOTH ADPAT VALUES. AFTER RESTING AND REBOOTING ECM DRIVERS WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO UP. ASKED DEALER IF CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVER. DEALER STATED YES AND SAID THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THE WINDOW. AFTER PULLING OUT ON TO A MAJOR BUSY 6 LANE HIGHWAY I DISCOVER I HAD NO TURNS SIGNALS. PULLED CAR OFF THE ROAD AND CHECKED TO IS WHAT OTHER LIGHTS WHERE NOT WORKING. I DISCOVERED I HAD NO DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS AND POWER DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK. DEALER STATES BAD BCM AND REPLACED IT.

Steering
Filed Apr 30, 2011750 milesCA

2011 KIA SPORTAGE SX ALL-WHEEL DRIVE . . . THE VEHICLE SHOWS AN INABILITY TO TRACK STRAIGHT WHILE DRIVING. MOST NOTABLE ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY. VEHICLE REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTION AND WHEN CORRECTED VEERS SLOWLY BACK THE OTHER WAY. IT IS NOT UNCONTROLLABLE, BUT DOES REQUIRE CONSTANT CORRECTION AND COULD LEAD TO DRIVER FATIGUE. KIA SPORTAGE FORUMS ONLINE HAS SEVERAL OWNERS WITH SAME ISSUE. HAS NOT RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. *TR

Structure › Body1 injured
Filed Apr 13, 20111,300 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE REAR PASSENGER DOOR PROTRUDED OUTWARD DUE TO THE ANGLE AND IT CAUSED THE DOOR TO HIT HIM IN THE FACE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SWOLLEN NOSE AND LOST A LARGE AMOUNT OF BLOOD. THE DEALER ALLOWED THE CONTACT TO TRADE IN THE VEHICLE FOR A NEW ONE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO LIABILITY FOR THE INCIDENT AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1300. UPDATED 05/16/11 *BF UPDATED 2/8/12 *CN

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2011 Kia Sportage → · Every Sportage year → · How the figures are calculated →