Page 8 of 8 · complaints 351–381 of 381

2013 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 2013 record →

Electrical System
Filed Aug 10, 2017FL

ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO MY 2013 KIA SPORTAGE STARTED ACTING UP AS FAR AS THE AIR CONDITIONER GOES. IT INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. IF I AM STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE CAR WILL BLOW HOT AIR. WHEN DRIVING IT WILL NOT BLOW COLD AIR UNLESS I'M GOING AT LEAST 60 MPH. LIVING IN FLORIDA THIS IS HORRIBLE. I HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES FOR THEM TO TELL ME IT'S FINE. THEY "TEST DRIVE" IT TO SEE AND SUPPOSEDLY THE TSTAT THEY PUT IN THE CAR SAID IT WAS BLOWING AIR 63 DEGREES. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $110 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. LUCKILY THE MECHANIC UNDERSTOOD WHERE I WAS COMING FROM AND DIDN'T END UP PAYING. THEN AS SOON AS I LEFT IT WASN'T WORKING. I THEN TODAY TAKE IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME THE COMPRESSOR IS BAD AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED! I HAVE READ WHERE SEVERAL OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE.

Engine
Filed Jul 26, 201766,000 milesGA

VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 66,000 MILES AND THE ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING AND THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING WHILE DRIVING. ALTHOUGH THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON MANY OF THE KIA AND HYUNDAI VEHICLES, WE WERE TOLD THIS PARTICULAR MODEL IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS EXHIBITING THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALLED ENGINES. NOW WE ARE GETTING THE RUNAROUND FROM KIA NORTH AMERICA, THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY.

Engine
Filed Jul 4, 201784,530 milesCA

AT 85K MILES AND AFTER REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. THE CAR ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 35 MPH FROM ABOUT 10 MPH AND THEN JUST DIED, REQUIRING A NEW ENGINE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION OF ANY ENGINE ISSUES. THE CAR HAD JUST COMPLETED A 400 MILE ROUND-TRIP ROAD TRIP THE PREVIOUS WEEKEND WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. WE BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME ENGINE ISSUE CURRENTLY UNDER RECALL AND THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED.

Engine
Filed May 31, 2017112,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (KEMPER KIA, 300 FINDERNE AVE, BRIDGEWATER, NJ 08807 (732) 469-4500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Engine
Filed May 17, 201788,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A CLUNKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DEALER WOULD BE CONTACTED SO THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). ON THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CASE WAS REASSIGNED AND THE APPROVAL OF THE REPAIR WAS DENIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO COST. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.

Electrical System
Filed May 9, 2017PA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS SHORTED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SHORT IN THE LIGHTS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER (A DOWNPOUR) AND WAS UNCERTAIN IF WIRES HAD BEEN AFFECTED AS WELL OR ANY OTHER COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 21, 201725,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN AND WILL NOT GO BACK UP

Electrical System
Filed Apr 17, 201737,000 milesLA

CAR SHUTS DOWN RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING, RANDOM ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LIGHTS ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH WHILE DRIVING AND STAY LIT AFTER STOPPED, BLUETOOTH WON'T CONNECT AND WON'T ALLOW YOU TO PRESS THE BUTTONS TO CONNECT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. STARTED AT ABOUT 37,000 MILES, FEBRUARY 2017 AND IS CONTINUALLY HAPPENING RANDOMLY.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 11, 201745,000 milesNJ

FROM PARK UNABLE TO TURN KEY TO START VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. AAA WAS ABLE TO START IT BY TURNING KEY AT SAME TIME TRYING TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL.

Engine
Filed Mar 29, 201759,000 milesNJ

1ST INCIDENT ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED RPM'S WERE RUNNING TO HIGH AND AUTOMATIC TRANS SHIFTED ONLY WHEN BACKING OFF ACCELERATOR PETAL AND A "PAAP" SOUND WAS EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE, ENGINE TURNED OVER BUT FAILED TO START BEFORE BATTERY DIED AFTER 3 TURNOVER, DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY AND FOUND NO OTHER ISSUES, CUSTOMER WAS CHARGED $180.00. BUT, "OVER THE NEXT 14 DAYS DRIVER NOTICED ENGINE MOMENTARY RAN ERRATICALLY WITHOUT ANY PATTERN, THEN ABOUT 13 DAYS A CLACKING SOUND BEGAN, AND BECAME INCREASINGLY LOUDER, VEHICLE STALLED TWICE WHEN RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PETAL, AFTER THE 2ND STALL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, A CODE P0014 WAS NOTED, ENGINE RESTARTED BUT WAS MAKING LOUD CLACKING SOUNDS, TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER, STATED CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURE RESULTED IN CLOGGING THE OIL CONTROL VALVE STARVING THE TOP OF THE ENGINE OF OIL. DEALER ALSO STATED THE TIMING CHAIN HAD JUMPED. COVERED BY KIA WARRANTY A NEW ENGINE IS TO BE INSTALLED AT NO CHARGE, WERE HOPING, FAILURE OCCURRED AT 59,000 MILES, OIL WAS CHANGED AT REGULAR INTERVALS..

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 29, 201673,000 milesMN

TIRE VALVE STEM RUSTED AND BROKE OFF WHEN I TRIED TO REMOVE CAP TO FILL WITH AIR.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 25, 201668,587 milesTX

MY 2013 SPORTAGE CONTINUES TO STALL/SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THIS IS VERY SCARY. HAD IT TOWED DEALERSHIP. IS THERE A RECALL? *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 23, 201630,000 milesKS

REMOTE SMART. USED TO WARM VEHICLE. DRIVING ON TURNPIKE 75 MILES AN HOUR THE VEHICLE QUIT ABRUPTLY IN THE PASSING LANE. ALL INTERIOR SYSTEMS STOPPED. ABLE TO GUIDE TO MEDIAN . TURNOFF KEY,PLACE IN PARK. STARTED IGNITION. VEHICLE STARTED ABLE TO DRIVE. PREVIOUS TIME AFTER USING REMOTE VEHICLE STOPPED BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. PREVIOUS TIME STOPPED ON RESIDENTIAL STREET. SAME ISSUE. ALSO, ONE OCCURRENCE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP RUNNING AFTER USING REMOTE START. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 28, 201657,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND APPROACHING A RAMP, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 9, 201618,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE ROTORS. WHILE HAVING AN INSPECTION PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, AND CALIBERS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000.

SeatsFire
Filed Apr 18, 201628,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND FLAMES ERUPTED UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND EXITED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED, BUT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

Engine
Filed Mar 31, 2016FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES WERE MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND WERE RUSTING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS NEEDED AND THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 25, 2016SC

EVERY TIME IT RAIN OR IF I WASH THE CAR, LOTS OF WATER AND SITTING IN THE DOOR BASE WHEN YOU OPEN IT AND SOME ARE COMING IN THE CAR, I HAVE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON FOUR TO FIVE TIMES AND THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT SOLVE. IT'S MORE WATER IN THE TWO FRONT DOORS THAN THE BACK DOORS.

Power Train
Filed Sep 10, 201590,000 milesLA

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT TO PARK AND MY SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO TO PARK POSITION. I TRIED TO PRESS IN THE BUTTON THE SIDE OF THE SHIFTER TO PUT IT INTO PARK BUT IT WOULDN'T PRESS IN AS IT NORMALLY DOES TO CHANGE THE GEARS. THE ONLY POSITION IT WOULD GO INTO WAS NEUTRAL OR PARK AND I WAS IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT WHERE I NEEDED TO REVERSE TO GET BACK OUT OF THE SPACE. I PUT IT INTO NUETRAL WHICH WAS THE ONLY OPTION AND WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE CAR BUT MY KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. I HAD TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IN NUETRAL TURNED OFF. I PUT MY EMERGENCY BREAK ON HOPING THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING. I WAS ABLE TO GET A SCREWDRIVER FROM MY CHILDS SCHOOL TO RELEASE THE LOCK SWITCH ON THE SHIFTER SO THAT IT WOULD ALLOW ME TO REVERSE THE CAR OUT OF THE SPACE BUT WHEN I GOT HOME AND PUT IT IN PARK, THE SHIFTER BUTTON WAS STILL STUCK "PRESSED IN" AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I PARK ON A HILL SO I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BREAK WITH KEY STILL STUCK IN THE IGNITION AGAIN TO HOPEFULLY KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS INTO THE STREET. MY CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND ACQUIRED A LOT OF MILES FROM MOVING FROM NORTHERN PART OF THE U.S TO SOUTHERN PART OF THE U.S AND BECAUSE OF THIS MOVE CAUSED MY MILEAGE TO GO OVER THE 60,000 MILE STANDARD WARRANTY. I DO HAVE THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY COVERAGE UP TO 100,000 MILES BUT THE DEALER IS SAYING THIS ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly1 injured
Filed Jul 13, 20158,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE EYE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Jul 10, 201514,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURBO VOLTAGE REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. THE TURBO VOLTAGE REGULATOR WAS ADJUSTED BUT THE FAILURE LATER RECURRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 8, 201519,932 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER ENGINE OIL PAN AND SEAL WERE LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,932.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 14, 201516,000 milesCA

THE DESIGN OF THE IGNITION KEY IS FAULTY. THIS VEHICLE ONLY STARTS WITH A PROXIMITY INTERFACE BETWEEN THE INTERIOR STARTER BUTTON AND THE REMOTE KEY WHICH IS ATTACHED TO A MANUAL KEY FOR THE DOORS. THE MANUAL DOOR KEY ATTACHES TO A KEY RING AND THE EXPENSIVE REOMTE KEY ATTACHES TO THE MANUAL KEY. ON 5 DIFFERENT OCASIONS WHILE WALKING OR EXITING MY CAR THE REMOTE KEY HAS SEPERATED FROM THE MANUAL KEY AND FALLEN TO THE GROUND. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AND BEEN AWARE OF THIS WHEN IT HAS HAPPENED. THIS COULD EASLIY LEAVE ME STRANDED AND IN DANGER DUE TO THIS DESIGN. THE KEY RING HOLDER SHOULD BE ATTACHED THE REMOTE DEVICE AND NOT THE MANUAL KEY. THE DEALER OFFERED NO SOLUTION.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 23, 201521,300 milesAK

I WAS DRIVING 50MPH ON A WINDY DAY. A SEMI PASSED US AND THE AIR PRESSURE IMPLODED THE FRONT SUNROOF. THERE WAS NO DEBRIS OTHER THAN SHATTERED GLASS IN THE INTERIOR. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 28, 201516,928 milesSC

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

Service BrakesCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 16, 201400

KIA SPORTAGE 2013 PLATE. COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE ON APPROACH TO JUNCTION DESPITE PUMPING BRAKE PEDAL. RESULTED IN CRASH AND INJURIES SUSTAINED. MALFUNCTION OF ABILITY TO DEACTIVATE CRUISE CONTROL BY APPLYING BRAKE IN ADDITION, ON ONE OCCASION. CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION. HAVE INFORMED MANUFACTURER. AWAITING INVESTIGATION OUTCOME. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 7, 201414,250 milesGA

AFTER AROUND 13/14K MILES, THE FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO MAKE EXTREME NOISES LIKE VERY LOUD SANDPAPER AGAINST METAL WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE. AFTER THE CAR RAN A LITTLE BIT, THEY WOULD STOP BUT THEN IT PROGRESSED TO A CONSTANT EMBARASSING NOISE. I HAVE HAD IT BACK THREE TIMES IN WHICH THEY EITHER CLEANED OR SPRAYED THE ROTORS. THIS LAST VISIT THEY HAVE EVEN PUT A GRAPHITE BASE ON THEM. TWO WEEKS SINCE THEY DID THAT APPLICATION, HERE I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY TELL ME THE BRAKES ARE STILL GOOD. THEY WANTED TO GIVE ME A GOODWILL REPLACEMENT ON THE ROTORS AND PADS BUT WANTED ME TO SIGN OFF THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE FURTHER CLAIMS. WHAT IF MY PROBLEM IS NOT THE PADS OR ROTORS? I HAVE OWNED 5 KIA'S SINCE 2009 AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM ON ANY OF THEM. WHEN I NOW APPLY THE BRAKES HARD, I GET AN INTERNAL GRINDING NOISE. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed May 1, 20146,000 milesWV

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH RUNNING BOARD THAT ARE "FLUSH" WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE DOORS. ANY TIME THERE IS SNOW OR ICE, WHILE DRIVING THE SNOW AND ICE WILL BUILD-UP ON THE RUNNING BOARDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS. IF A QUICK EXIT WERE REQUIRED IN POOR WEATHER OR IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED THE DEFECT WITH PHOTOS AND CONTACTED THE DEALER AND AUTO MAKER REPEATEDLY, AND ALWAYS RECEIVE THE SAME MESSAGE, "WE ARE CONTACTING OUR FIELD TECHNICAL ENGINEER." HOWEVER, WE NEVER RECEIVE ANY OTHER CORRESPONDENCE. ON ONE OCCASION, WE HAD OUR GRANDCHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AND LITERALLY COULD NOT GET THE DOORS OPEN TO GET THEM OUT ON A ROUTINE STOP. IMAGINE OUR CONCERN IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Mar 27, 20145,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WHEN AN UNKNOWN OBJECT STUCK THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE SUNROOF GLASS TO SHATTER AND THE SUNROOF AREA WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO INFORM THE CONTACT OF WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN WAITING FOR MONTHS FOR THE REPAIR PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jul 31, 20132,000 milesWA

MY KIA SPORTAGE WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY EMPLOYER HERE IN EVERETT, WA. IT WAS NOT A HOT DAY, ONLY AROUND 78 DEGREES. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY SPORTAGE AROUND 3:30 PM I NOTICED THE FRONT SUNROOF GLASS PANEL WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. IT LOOKED LIKE AN EXPLOSION HAPPENED. NOTHING FELL ON THE GLASS, NO VANDALISM. I HAD THE CLOTH INTERNAL LINER CLOSED AND THAT SAVED THE INTERIOR FROM MILLIONS OF PIECES OF GLASS. THIS SUNROOF (OR PANORAMIC GLASS PANEL) EXPLODED ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANYTHING CONTACTING IT. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. THERE ARE MANY OTHER REPORTS ON THE INTERNET OF SIMILAR EXPLOSIONS ON KIA AND HYUNDAI PRODUCTS. IS THERE ANY SAFETY INVESTIGATIONS HAPPENING ON THIS ISSUE? THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 20, 20131,700 milesMI

WE EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT RAW GASOLINE SMELL IN THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED A FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND HAS PERSISTED EVER SINCE DESPITE 3 REPAIR ATTEMPTS AT KIA DEALERSHIPS (22AUG2012, 07JAN2013, 30JAN2013). BECAUSE IT IS INTERMITTENT (OCCURRING ONCE OR TWICE EVERY COUPLE WEEKS) AND WITHOUT AN OBVIOUS PATTERN, THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE SMELL ON THE DAYS WE'VE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN. ON THE 3RD REPAIR VISIT (30JAN2013), THE TECHNICIAN WAS "UNABLE TO VERIFY SMELL, BUT INSPECTED AND FOUND FUEL AROUND INTAKE AT THE FUEL INJECTOR BASES." THEY REPLACED O-RINGS TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE ISSUE. FOR A WEEK OR SO WE THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS FIXED, BUT SINCE THE 3RD VISIT HAVE ON AT LEAST FOUR OCCASIONS NOTICED A PROMINENT RAW GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CABIN. THE CLOSEST TO A PATTERN THAT WE'VE NOTICED IS THAT ON DAYS WHEN THE SMELL OCCURS, IT IS STRONGEST AND MOST OBVIOUS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLING WITH THE HEATER/AC FAN ON. WE ALSO THINK, BUT ARE NOT SURE, THAT THERE MAY BE A CORRELATION WITH DAYS INVOLVING PRECIPITATION (SNOW/RAIN). *TR

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.

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