2000 Kia Sportage Complaint Log

ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER I BEGIN SMELLING A SLIGHT GAS ODOR WHEN I GET OUT THE CAR. ABOUT THE 9TH OF NOVEMBER THE SMELL WAS EXTREMELY LOUD, I TRANSPORT MY GRANDCHILD AND I'M AFRAID -- I HAD THE CAR CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TANK WAS RUSTED OUT AND THE GAS WAS LEAKING OUT. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE TANK AND THE ASSEMBLY - AND THIS IS NOT AN INEXPENSIVE JOB. WHERE IS THE RECALL - I SEE THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH KIA SPORTAGES. *TR

FRAME RUSTED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. SHE SMELLED AN ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION SHE NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. SHE SPECULATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER, BUT BECAUSE THEY WILL CHARGE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE ,THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

WHILE MY 2000 KIA SPORTAGE WAS ON THE LIFT FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION THE MECHANIC NOTICED MAJOR FRAME RUST. SAID IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND A POTENTIAL HAZARD IN AN ACCIDENT IF NOT NOTICED PRIOR. WOULD LIKE KIA TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR

FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT FROM UNDER, ONE SIDE IS COMPLETELY BROKEN AT THE REAR AND IT WILL NOT BE LONG UNTIL THE OTHER BREAKS. THIS IS SO SHOCKING BECAUSE THERE IS NO RUST ON THE BODY OF THE CAR THAT I CAN TELL. *TR

FRAME ON MY 2000 KIA SPORTAGE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. IT COST ME 1,300.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I SHOULD HAVE CALLED KIA FIRST BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AND HAD TO GET IT DONE ASAP. I HAVE PUT ABOUT 4,000 DOLLARS INTO THIS CAR IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF FROM IT ROTTING OUT. *TR

MY KIA BEGAN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. LONG STORY MADE SHORT: THE DEALER WANTED ME TO PAY $3000 PLUS FOR IT HAD ALL ITS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MELTED DOWN. I FOUND A RECALL AND AFTER A BATTLE WITH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER I GOT IT FIXED WHEN I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL. NEXT NIGHTMARE: JULY 2008 NO ONE DIED LUCKILY. I LEND MY CAR TO A FRIEND AND HE IS DRIVING HIS 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND THE CAR FALLS TO THE GROUND. AXLE BROKE DOWN, WHEELS SPUN INWARDS AND KIA IS NOT WORKING AGAIN. LUCKILY THESE FRIENDS WERE GOING AT 20 MILES AN HOUR OTHERWISE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TOLD THE STORY. GOT IT FIXED COST ME $$ APPARENTLY IT WAS A DEFECTIVE KIA PART CENTER LINK REPLACED. HAVE THE PART STILL IN MY CAR AS A NICE MEMORY. FINAL NIGHTMARE: APRIL 2009 I WAS THE MAIN CHARACTER: AGAIN THE AXLE FEELS WEIRD AND CLICKS WHEN I TURN. PROBLEM: TIE ROD IS BROKEN. DIFFERENT THAN THE PREVIOUS TIME BUT RELATED TO THE PREVIOUS PROBLEM. LUCKILY WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEED OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE TELLING THIS STORY. IN SHORT: THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD! KIA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS DEFECT URGENTLY. MY FRIEND AND KID AND I COULD HAVE GOT KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT LITERALLY. FORTUNATELY WE BOTH WERE DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS AND COULD MANAGE THIS PROBLEM WITH NO ONE GETTING INJURED? KIA NEEDS TO MAKE THESE CARS SAFER AND PREVENT FUTURE ACCIDENTS PLEASE!! BE RESPONSIBLE NOT ONLY WITH YOUR NEW CARS, TAKE PRIDE ON YOUR BRAND AND FIX THE OLD JUNK YOU CREATED!! *TR

DANGEROUS FUEL LEAK CLOSE TO EXHAUST PIPE AND HARMFUL FUMES BEING LEAKED INTO PASSENGER CABIN VIA FUEL PUMP DOOR UNDER REAR SEAT. EXTENSIVE EXTERNAL FUEL TANK CORROSION. CORROSION UNWARRANTED, DANGEROUS, AND COSTLY TO REPAIR. MAJOR HIGHWAY AND URBAN DANGER IF NOT FIXED PROPERLY. FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP, AND FUEL LINES IN NEED OF INVESTIGATION AND PROMPT RECALL. *TR

EXTERNAL CORROSION AND LEAKING OF FUEL TANK. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AFTER TALKING TO KIA THEY STATED THAT THE SPORTAGE HAD OVER 100,000 MILES AND THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. *TR

MY 2000 KIA SPORTAGE HAS BEEN LEAKING GAS. REPAIRS, AS I CAN'T AFFORD. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THE GAS TANK IS COMING A LOOSE AT THE SEAM. FUMES IS VERY STRONG IN THE CAR. I CAN'T FILL THE TANK UP WITH GAS BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. I CALLED THE DEALER AND BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL I HAVE TO REPAIR IT MYSELF. I ONLY HAVE 70,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. THE FUMES ARE SO STRONG I CAN'T RIDE MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. FUMES FROM THE GAS TANK IS DANGEROUS IF YOU LIGHT A MATCH OR USE A LIGHTER ETC... PLEASE HELP DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED. MUST THERE BE INJURIES BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. PLEASE HELP. *TR

MY COMPLAINT IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN SMELLING A STRONG ODOR OF GAS IN OUR KIA SPOARTAGE WE TOOK IT IN TO A SHOP AND FOUND OUT THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS NO GOOD AND NEEDS REPLACE THAT A HOSE BROKE ON IT AND THEN TO FIND OUT THAT THE TANK IS SO RUSTED IT CANT HOLD THE NEW ONE ON THE CAR IS ONLY 8 YRS OLD I THINK THIS IS UNREAL THAT ONLY 8 YRS OLD AND WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SYSTEM THIS IS JUST UNHEARD OF ANYTHING YOU CAN PROVIDE ME WITH WOULD HELP. *TR

MY 2000 KIA SPORTAGE HAS BEEN LEAKING GAS. WE HAVEN'T HAD IT REPAIRED, AS WE CANT AFFORD IT. SOMEONE SUGGESTED LOOKING FOR RECALLS, THAT'S WHEN I FOUND THIS SITE. THE "HEAT SHIELD" (?) HAS ALWAYS RATTLED BADLY. IN ADDITION TO THE RATTLING AND BAD GAS LEAK, THE MOTOR BLOWER FAN IS NOT WORKING, MY 4WHEEL DRIVE ISN'T WORKING. UNDERNEATH IT IS A RUST BUCKET! THE BACK DOORS WONT LOCK/UNLOCK. SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE!!! PLEASE, SOMEONE STAND UP FOR THE LITTLE GUY AND MAKE KIA FIX THESE PROBLEMS!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 11,000.

GAS TANK LEAKS. LEAKS FAST WHEN THERE IS 7 TO 8 GALLONS OF GAS IN THE TANK. STRONG ODOR, ALWAYS .NEVER STOPS LEAKING. REPLACE THE WASHER. DID NOT WORK. USED EPOXY DID NOT WORK. WELDING DID NOT AFTER A FEW DAYS. BUFFED THE RUST OFF, BUT IT STILL LEAKS. HOLES EVERY WHERE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAS PAID FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS. BEFORE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OFF THE LOT, SHE NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE. THE FOLLOWING WEEK, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE SEVERELY. THE DEALER ROTATED THE TIRES, BUT THE SHAKING PERSISTED. THIRDLY, A TIRE BLEW OUT AND HAD TO BE CHANGED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND A NEW TRANSMISSION LINE WAS INSTALLED. LASTLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING AND THE ENTIRE DRIVER'S SIDE GLASS CAVED IN ON THE CONTACT, BUT DID NOT BREAK. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. CURRENTLY, THE GLASS WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 1/5/09 *CN THE GAS TANK WAS FALLING APART. A SHIELD WAS NEEDED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE DRIVERS WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE. THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE CABLE HAD MELTED. UPDATED 01/09/09*JB

MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE KIA LEAKING FUEL. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM KIA ABOUT THE FUEL TANK RUSTING OUT IN STATES WHERE SALT IS USED ON THE ROADS. THE RUST IS MORE ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK NOT THE BOTTOM. FROM PEOPLE I'VE SPOKEN WITH, THAT'S WHERE IT LEAKS FROM AND CORRODES THE TOP NOT THE BOTTOM. KIA WILL ONLY REPLACE IF THE CORROSION IS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE GAS TANK. THE WHOLE FUEL PUMP AND TANK NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MAINTENANCE PEOPLE I'VE SPOKEN TO HAVE SAID I'M LUCK THE CAR HASN'T BLOWN UP. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK.

REPLACED LEAKING FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP AND SENSOR ON 2000 KIA SPORTAGE WITH 55,106 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WE ARE SECOND OWNERS. *TR

GAS LEAK FROM THE TOP OF MY GAS TANK WHERE THE SENDING UNIT IS ATTACHED. BOTH THE TANK AND SENDING UNIT (WITH FUEL PUMP) NEEDED REPLACED. 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. *TR

ON 11/14/07 I CHECKED MY SPORTAGE INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, BECAUSE OF A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. I HAD NOT NOTICED THE LEAK, BUT THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A VERY STRONG PROBABILITY OF A FIRE BECAUSE OF ALL THE GAS. I REPLACED THE GAS TANK. IN JANUARY OF 2008 I RECEIVED NOTICE THAT KIA WOULD COVER THE REPAIRS NHTSA # 10024232. I SENT IN MY RECEIPTS IN FEBRUARY. ON SEPT 10TH KIA HAVE 9 MONTHS OF WAITING DECIDED THEY DID NOT NEED TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS BECAUSE MY PAPERWORK DID NOT NOTE WHERE EXACTLY THE TANK WAS LEAKING FROM. HOWEVER, THEY BROUGHT ME OUT TO THE CAR BEFORE THEY REPAIRED IT AND THE REAR SHIELD OF THE TANK WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE TANK WAS LEAKING IN THE REAR. THE TANK WAS NOT SECURE ON THE VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD CERTAINLY BE A FULL SCALE RECALL! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK ON THE VEHICLE. THIS ALSO INCLUDED THE FUEL TANK, FENDING UNIT, AND FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR. HIS DAUGHTER SMELLED A LEAK IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,140. UPDATED 3/4/08 *CN

I BOUGHT A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AND HAVE ALWAYS NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS AROUND IT. MY BROTHER IN LAW CRAWLED UNDER IT AND SAID THE SKID PLATE UNDER THE GAS TANK WAS WET WITH GAS, ALTHOUGH IT WAS APPARENTLY EVAPORATING BEFORE IT COULD LEAK TO THE GROUND. AFTER READING ONLINE, I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

KIA SPORTAGE 2000 FUEL TANK LEAKAGE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE ODOR INTENSIFIED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. A PRIVATE MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED, CAUSING GAS TO LEAK FROM TWO HOLES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SHIELD WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE FUEL TANK WAS DRIED, WHICH CAUSED WATER TO SIT ON THE TANK AND CORRODE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $472.13. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER SC059 AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT DETECTED A STRONG GAS ODOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. HE LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE COST TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK WOULD BE $900. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO DEFRAY THE COST. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,078. UPDATED 11/15/07

TL*THE CONTACT HAD A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V325000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING) BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS WERE IDENTICAL, HOWEVER, KIA STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 49,150.

FUEL PUMP MOUNTING PLATE AND GAS TANK LEAKING FUEL. *TR

VEHICLE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL, PROBABLY FOR QUITE SOME TIME BEFORE IT BECAME VISUALLY APPARENT. I COULD SEE GASOLINE DRIPPING ON THE PAVEMENT IN MY PARKING SPOT AT WORK. THE KIA DEALER TOLD ME THE GAS TANK HAD RUSTED THROUGH ON THE BOTTOM, AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE BOTTOM OF THE GAS TANK HOLDER HAS HOLES IN IT FOR VENTILATION. THESE HOLES ALLOW ROAD DEBRIS TO LODGE BETWEEN THE HOLDER AND THE TANK, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE CORROSION. DEALER ALSO TOLD ME THE FUEL PUMP AND SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, BEFORE THEY EVEN DROPPED THE TANK. DEALER TOLD ME THE ALTHOUGH THERE HAD BEEN SOME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THERE WAS NO RECALL AND I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CHARGES. *TR

I OWN A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE, THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TANK RUSTED OUT ON THE BOTTOM, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SENSOR UNIT ALSO NEED REPLACEMENT. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL SO I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 KIA SPORTAGE I STARTED SMELLING GAS I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND GAS LEAKING I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE INFORMED ME GAS WAS COMING OUT OF THE TOP OF MY GAS TANK BY WHERE THE FUEL PUMP AND GAS GAUGE WIRING GOES IN. I THEN WENT ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL FROM KIA FOR THE SAME REASON. I THE CONTACTED A KIA DEALER IN MY AREA TO GET IT FIXED AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL DOESN'T PERTAIN TO MY VEHICLE AND HE BUT ME IN TOUCH WITH KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THE NEXT DAY (TODAY) THEY TOLD ME THAT MY SPORTAGE IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU PEOPLE CAN DO OR I'M I OR SOMEONE ELSE GOING TO HAVE TO DIE IN THIS VEHICLE TO MAKE THEM HONOR THEIR SCREW UP. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP. IF NEED BE I'LL GO TO THE PRESS WITH THIS PROBLEM. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, TWO OF HIS FAN BLADES FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BOUGHT NEW PARTS TO PERFORM THE REPAIR HIMSELF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,708. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING. THE COOLING FAN WAS BENT, BUT THERE WERE NO LEAKS.

ON 07-03-07 AT APPROXIMATELY 0700 HOURS I WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON 1-10 IN AZ. AT 75 MPH IN KIA SPORTAGE WHEN I EXPERIENCED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS BLOW OUT. I CAME TO A FULL STOP AND OBSERVED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A FULL TREAD SEPARATION . THE TREAD SEPARATION DESTROYED MY BACK BUMPER, REAR DOOR, AND TAIL LIGHT. INSURANCE COMPANY ESTMATED THE DAMAGE AT OVER $2,200.00. THE TIRE WAS HANKOOK DYNAMIC 4X4 , P205R75 15. THE TIRE WAS THE SPARE ON THE VEHICLE, AND APPEARED TO BE BRAND NEW. IT LASTED NO MORE THAN 3, 000 MILES. I REPORTED THIS CASE TO HANKOOK, AND THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH NO RESPONSE I AM PURSUING LITIGATION AND COMPENSATION.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A HUGE PUDDLE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND SAW THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK WAS WET WITH FUEL AND WAS DRIPPING. THERE IS A FUEL LEAKAGE WHICH HE SUSPECT IS SPILLING A GALLON OF FUEL PER DAY. THE PROTECTIVE COATING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE GAS TANK WAS COMPROMISED RESULTING IN CORROSION. THE OWNER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK HIMSELF. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000.

2000 KIA SPORTAGE. NOTICED AN ODOR OF GAS UPON EXITING VEHICLE, BUT NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF A LEAK. NO ODOR OF GAS WHEN INSIDE VEHICLE. HAVE NOTICED HIGHER GAS CONSUMPTION, STUTTERING ,AND STALLING. FEAR OF POSSIBLE FIRE. I WILL TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE IT PROPERLY DIAGNOSED. READ THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2005 MODELS, BUT NO RECALL ON 2000 MODELS WITH SAME SYMPTOMS. AK

I OWN A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY GAS TANK LEAKING AND I WAS READING THAT THERE WERE INVESTIGATIONS GOING ON DUE TO THE CORROSION ETC..I CALLED A KIA DEALER AND TALKED TO THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL AND IT WOULD COST ME OVER $500.00 TO GET IT FIXED. THEY DID NOTHING TO HELP. *JB

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. HI, I'M REALLY NOT SURE WHAT CATEGORY MY SITUATION FALLS INTO BUT I'M REALLY UPSET. MY WIFE AND I SMELLED GAS COMING FROM THE REAR OF OUR KIA. I THOUGHT IT WAS FROM A FAULTY GAS CAP WHICH I REPLACED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR IT'S NEXT OIL CHANGE I HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE GAS TANK AND THE SHIELD WERE CORRODING. HE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT KIA HAS HAD THIS ON GOING PROBLEM FOR SOMETIME AND THAT THE TANK WITH IT'S PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND TO CONTACT KIA. FIRST I WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND THERE IS. I THEN CONTACTED KIA HEADQUARTERS AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT.THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. I DID JUST THAT.. I BROUGHT IT TO LOMAN FORD KIA IN WOODBRIDGE NJ. HERE'S WHERE IT GETS CONFUSING. I LEFT MY KIA THERE AND LATER ON THAT DAY THEY CALLED ME. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TANK AND SHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT IT WASN'T COVERED. BEING VERY CONFUSED I SAID THAT I SPOKE TO KIA AND I WAS TOLD OF THE RECALL PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME THAT I WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL BECAUSE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED WHICH WAS 100,000 MILES OR TEN YEARS. I HAVE 173,000 MILES. HE SAID THAT THE RECALL IS ONLY ACKNOWLEDGED IF THE CAR IS IN WARRANTY. I TOLD HIM THATS A BUNCH OF CRAP. I SAID IT'S BEEN RECALLED BY THE DEALER AND THE DEALER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT FREE OF CHARGE REGARDLESS OF WARRANTY THATS THE PURPOSE OF A RECALL. HE AGAIN SAID IT'S NOT COVERED. HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME. VERY TRULY YOUR'S.. [XXX] FROM NHTSA WEB SITE. CLOSE WINDOW PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*CC

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE GAS TANK OF THE 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEAKING HAPPENED WHETHER SHE WAS DRIVING OR THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP, AND STATED THAT THEY WERE REPAIRING VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THIS VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK

FUEL TANK LEAKS GAS. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT CLAIMED TO SMELL AND WITNESS GAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 76,000.*AK THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM LISTED ABOVE. THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED THE INVOICE OF REPAIR. UPDATE 04/30/07*TR

2000 KIA SPORTAGE FUEL LEAK. *NM

I OWN A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. I HAD GONE TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM, USED LAST AUGUST AND HAD MANY OF THE RECALL ITEMS REPAIRED. I SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION FOR REPAIR ON A GAS FUMES ISSUE. I WAS ADVISED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, DESPITE THE OVERPOWERING GAD SMELL EMITTING FROM MY VEHICLE. I SEE THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL "RECALL" YET ESTABLISHED, BUT FIND THAT AN INVESTIGATION IS BEING HEADED UP BY NHTSA FOR ALL 199 & 2000 KIA SPORTAGES. THE COST OF THE REPAIRS THAT THIS MAY ENTAIL APPEAR AT THIS POINT TO BE WELL OVER 500 TO 1000.00 DOLLARS. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE IS ANY CHANGE TO THE INVESTIGATION, AND WHETHER THERE WILL BE ANY RECALL NOTICE INITIATED SOON.

WENT TO ENGAGE 4X4 IN BAD BLIZZARD AND GOT ONLY GRINDING NOISE AND NO INCREASE IN TRACTION. DEALER STATES HUBS ARE CORRODED AND VACUUM SEALS AND HOSES NEED TO BE REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT. WHAT GOOD IS A 4X4 IF IT IS NOT WORKING WHEN YOU NEED IT? DEALER DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE COMMON COMPLAINT. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT PURCHASED A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. ON 1/1/2007, AFTER DRIVING 1.5 MILES THE CONTACT'S SMELLED GAS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ,AND WHEN THE CONTACT CHECKED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING. THE CONTACT FOUND A SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAK ,AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE LEAK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GAS WAS LEAKING ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE SCREWS THAT HELD THE FUEL PUMP IN THE GAS TASK RUSTED , AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE PUMP WHICH FITTED INTO THE FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED KIA, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING ,AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT A WIRE WAS LO0SE AND IT WAS REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATED DUE TO AN OXYGEN SENSOR FAILURE. *AK

CURRENTLY THERE IS A CANADIAN RECALL FOR THE 2000-2001 KIA SPORTAGE FOR A FUEL LEAK IN THE FUEL PUMP OUTLET SPIGOT, AND THIS IS TO BE REPAIRED BY A DEALER. MY 2000 SPORTAGE IS HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I CALLED THE COMPANY AND SINCE THERE IS NOT A RECALL IN THE US THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY SAID MY WARRANTLY IS UP. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 8749 VEHICLES IN CANADA THAT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL, SO HOW MANY VEHICLES HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM IN THE US OR HOW MANY HAVE ACTUALLY CAUSED HARM BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT LOOKED AT IN THE US. I FEEL THAT A RECALL NEEDS TO BE INSTITUTED IN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AND KIA SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE. ALL THAT THESE VEHICLES NEED IS A SMALL FIX AND IT'S A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR HAPPY CONSUMERS.

THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE ON MY KIA SPORTAGE 2000 HAS STOPPED WORKING. MY MECHANIC IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM WITH THE KNUCKLE/HUB ASSY W/O ABS (PART # QK081-33-020-DQ). IT'S A SYSTEM THAT WORKS BY AIR PRESSURE TO ENGAGE THE 4X4. THE DEFECT WITH THIS PART IS THAT AIR LEAKS OUT OF IT AND CAUSES THE 4X4 TO STOP WORKING. KIA HAS MADE A NEW VERSION OF THIS PART (PART # QK082-33-020-EQ) THAT CORRECTS THE ISSUE BY DOUBLE SEALING THE AIR PRESSURE LEAK. THEY ARE NOT HOWEVER WILLING TO MAKE THE REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE, WHICH I THINK THEY SHOULD. THE REASON WHY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IS BECAUSE THIS CAR HAS REAR WHEEL DRIVE AND WE LIVE IN UTAH WHERE IT SNOWS EVERY WINTER. REAR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES IN SNOW-COVERED ROADS ARE USELESS AND CANNOT BE CONTROLLED. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR THE 4X4 FACTOR THAT MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN SNOWY WEATHER. WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE FACT THAT THE COMPANY IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT THE ISSUE FREE OF CHARGE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN THIS KIND OF WEATHER. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT THIS DEFECT WAS ALSO IN THE 98, 99, 00 AND 01 MODELS OF THIS CAR. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME I DIDN'T FIND OUT ABOUT THIS UNTIL AFTER THE PART BROKE. CURRENTLY WE ARE NOT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE ROADS ARE COVERED WITH SNOW. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY THE $800.00 PART + LABOR FEES. I WAS TOLD BY KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT RECALLS ARE ONLY MADE WHEN YOUR COMPANY DETERMINES THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT. I DON'T KNOW IF MY SINGLE REPORT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE BUT I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THE SITUATION WITH THIS VEHICLE. *JB

DT*: WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH THE SMELL OF GASOLINE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTED THAT THERE WAS A MODERATE FUEL LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. UPDATED 01/19/07. *JB THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED.

FUEL SENDING UNIT (FUEL PUMP/GAUGE) AND FUEL TANK FAILED (BEGAN LEAKING) DUE TO PREMATURE CORROSION CONDITION. *JB

ROTORS WERE BAD UPON PURCHASE, DEALER REPLACED THEM FOR FREE ONLY BECAUSE THE SERVICE REP. KNEW MY DECEASED HUSBAND. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 65 MPH, WHEN THE TRUCK DIED AT 87,000 MILES. I WAS ALMOST HIT SEVERAL TIMES. THE TIMING BELT BROKE-SOMETHING THAT WAS REPLACED A COUPLE MONTHS PRIOR BY THE DEALER. MY WATER PUMP AND PULLEYS AND BELT WERE REPLACED FOR ABOUT 700 DOLLARS LESS THEN DEALER ORIGINALLY CHARGED ME. THE DEALER SINCE HAS REPAID FOR THEIR INCORRECT BELT SIZE--BELT WAS INCORRECT FOR MY TRUCK. DEALER INSTALLED STRUTS BROKE AFTER ABOUT 25 MILES OF USAGE--DEALER CLAIMED THAT I DROVE MY TRUCK OVER SPEED BUMPS ROUGH--HAHAHA. THAN, I GUESS IS SUCH A BAD CA SMOG LAW, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR 2 YEARS PLUS STILL WILL NOT GO OFF. I PASSED ALL EMISSIONS FOR MY SMOG CHECK, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS FAILING ME. I HAD THE HEAT PLATE REMOVED AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND IT FROZE MY UPPER O2 SENSOR--REPAIR DONE BY PERSONAL MECHANIC WITH PARTS THAT I PURCHASED ONLINE FOR ABOUT 1/3 THE PRICE OF THE DEALER PARTS AND WORK DONE. OK, I THOUGHT THE LIGHT WOULD COME OFF..IT DIDN'T. I HAVE TO CHANGE THE OTHER O2 SENSOR. ALSO MY BRAKE SENSOR FOR ABS BRAKES--THAT I DON'T HAVE--WENT OUT AND NOW I HAVE TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM WITH AN ICE-PICK. YOU WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE A PROBLEM BUT IT ISN'T. THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SENSOR CAUSES NOT ONLY FOR THE GEAR BOX TO LOCK, IT IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TURN SIGNALS--THEY ARE ON THE SAME FUSE SYSTEM. MY TRUCK HAS ABOUT 135K MILES AND FOR THE MOST PART RUNS GREAT, JUST MINOR ISSUES THAT MY PERSONAL MECHANIC HAS FIXED AND REPAIRED FOR FREE BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS A TEST TRUCK FOR THE OTHER KIA'S THAT COME IN FOR WORK AND THE DEALER CAN OR WILL NOT TROUBLE SHOOT. OH AND GET THIS, I TAKE THE TRUCK IN FOR THE SEAT-BELT REPLACEMENT DURING THE RECALL, DEALER TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE WORK AND THE PARTS ARE FREE. THAT WAS NOT PART OF THE PAPERWORK I GOT IN THE MAIL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A SMELL OF FUEL WAS NOTICED INSIDE AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND EXPRESSED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE FUEL TANK.

SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. FOUND FUEL TANK RUSTED AND FUEL SEEPING OUT OF TANK. ALSO FOUND TANK PROTECTIVE PAN THAT HOLDS TANK UP RUSTED AND READY TO FALL OFF, WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO FALL DOWN. THIS WOULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. CALLED LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS BUT THE HEAD SERVICE MANAGER WOULD GIVE ME A CALL. SO FAR NO CALL BACK. THIS WILL HOPEFULLY TURN INTO A RECALL, BUT ONLY AFTER SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *NM