NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Kia Sportage. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. NO WARNING SIGNS WERE AVALIABLE AT THAT TIME. *AK
WHEN APPLYING GAS PEDAL VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE. DEALER STATES OIL AND GAS MIXED, CAUSING THE FAILURE. *AK
I AM NOT SURE IF YOU CAN HELP ME BUT I FEEL THAT I NEED TO VENT IN REFERENCE TO KIA. I PURCHASED A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE IN NOVEMBER OF 1999. AT THAT TIME THE WARRANTY WAS 3 YEARS OR 36000 MILES WHICH EVER CAME FIRST. I SERIOUSLY THOUGHT THAT I PURCHASE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THEY ARE SAYING I DIDN'T. MY CARE ONLY HAS 30050 MILES. THE ISSUE IS THAT SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR I HAVE HAD IN THEIR SERVICE SHOP AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR FOR SEVERAL PROBLEMS. NOW IT IS BACK IN FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR TWO PROBLEMS THAT THEY CLAIM HAD BEEN FIXED TWO TIMES PRIOR. I HAVE A STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG THAT KEEPS DISAPPEARING WHICH CAUSES A PROBLEM FOR ME WHEN I NEED TO HONK THE HORN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. NOW THE 3 YEARS HAVE PASTED, NOT THE 36000 MILES BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX THESE PROBLEMS WITHOUT ME PAYING FOR IT UPFRONT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I JUST FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD HONOR THE 36000 NOT THE 3 YEAR IT IS NOT LIKE THIS IS A NEW PROBLEM. I WOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD IF I NEVER BROUGHT THE CAR IN BEFORE FOR THESE PROBLEMS BUT THIS IS SUPPOSEDLY A NEW CAR AND IT HAS ALREADY BEEN IN TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT PROTECTS THE CONSUMER FROM THIS KIND OF TREATMENT OR IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO OTHER THAN TRADING IT IN FOR A BETTER CAR? PLEASE YOUR RESPONSE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS, PATTI TOMASINO 2318 SUNDROP DRIVE GLENVIEW, IL 60025 847-913-2126 CELL 847-486-1979 HOME . *AK
I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE ROTORS REPALCED OR RESURFACED 4 TIMES NOW. VEHICLE HAS RECURRING PROBLEM OF BRAKE PULSATION DUE TO WARPED ROTORS. ORIGINALLY I WAS TOLD THE ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND KIA WAS REPLACING ALL ROTORS. NOW AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR I AM TOLD THIS IS NOT A DEFECT BUT "NORMAL WEAR". I BELIEVE THE FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM IS SUB-STANDARD AND IS PRONE TO OVERHEATING WHICH CAUSES WARPING.*AK
MY CAR HAS ONLY THIRTY THOUSAND MILES AND THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER IS BROKEN. I SPOKE TO MANY AUTOMACHENICS AND THEY ALL SAID THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAVE HAPPEN TO THE CAR AT WITH ONLY 30K. KIA WILL FIX IT BUT ONLY IF I PAY FOR IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE I KEEP MY CAR IN GOOD CONDITION AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY SAFETY WITH A CAR THAT ONLY HAS 30000. *AK
ENGINE FAN HAS A GAP CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL STALL ,AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE STRUT BROKE WHICH CAUSED A LOUD NOISE AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *CB *NLM
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLES MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE FELL OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL LINE FAILED AND THE CONSUMER HAD THE TIMING BELT REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MAKE NOISE. *AK *NLM
WHILE DRIVING MY SPORTAGE, I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GEAR CONTROL ON THE FLOOR. TO MY SURPRISE, IT MOVED FORWARD FROM THE DRIVE POSITION TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. I FOUND AN ISOLATED STREET AND TESTED IT AGAIN AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE GEAR HANDLE DOES NOT PROPERLY LOCK INTO EACH POSITION AS IT SHOULD. THE SAFETY BUTTON ON THE GEAR LEVER DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY SORT OF PROTECTION. I DID NOT WANT TO DAMAGE MY CAR BY TESTING TO SEE IF I COULD SHIFT FROM DRIVE INTO REVERSE USING THIS NEWLY-FOUND PROBLEM. I'LL LEAVE THAT ONE TO THE AUTOMOTIVE PROFESSIONALS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND DETERMINE IF THIS IS AN ISOLATED CASE OR A VEHICLE DESIGN FLAW. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP! *NLM
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, BUT THE VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE WHOLE TIME PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIR DEPARTMENT DEEMED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND HAD BECOME A TOTAL LOSS. (RECALL #00V205000) *SCC
ALL POWER DOORS, WINDOWS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK IN MY 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. AFTER INSPECTING ALL FUSES AND LIGHT BULBS, I BELIEVE BAD WIRING OR BAD CONNECTORS TO BE THE CULPRIT. *JB
THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH. THE VEHICLE HIT A EMBANKMENT AND FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL DUE TO INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND BODY. *JB *TC
MY 2002 KIA STARTED LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID, I WENT TO KIAS REPAIR SHOP FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES IN THREE DIFFERENT STATES AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. AFTER THE FOURTH TIME OF BEING IN THE SHOP THE ONE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT I HAVE A BENT OR DENTED DRIVE SHAFT, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR SIX MONTHS. AND I HAVE NEVER HIT ANYTHING, TAKEN THE VEHICLE OFF ROAD OR RAN OVER ANYTHING TO DENT OR BEND THIS DRIVE SHAFT. THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME THIS WAS AN IMPACT PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY. $800. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR SIX MONTHS. AGO AND I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES THAT WERE NOT CAUSED BY MYSELF. MY DOORS ALSO LOCK BY THEMSELVES REPEATEDLY AND ALL FOUR DEALERS SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT THEY STILL LOCK BY THEMSELVES. THE ENGINE RUNS LIKE THE CAR IS ABOUT SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS OLD. *JB
THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHILE BRAKING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CALIPER AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. *JB
THE BRAKES FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. *JB
THE VEHICLE ONLY GOT 80 MILES TO A HALF TANK OF GAS, AND THE BRAKES COLLECTED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF BRAKE DUST.*JB
SMOKE HAD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THE WIRES IN STEERING COLUMN CAUSED FRICTION. *AK THE MECHANIC STATED THAT EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE WOULD BURN TO THE GROUND. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE DUE TO A CORRODED CABLE WHICH LEAD TO THE ENGINE. THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNSURE IF THE AIR BAG(S) WOULD DEPLOY. *SCC *JB
THE 4WD OF MY VEHICLE HAS STOPPED WORKING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT NOTICED UNTIL AFTER I HAD BEEN IN A CIRCUMSTANCE WHEREAS THE 4WD WAS NEEDED SUCH AS SNOW AND ICE. ONE ONCE OCCASION I NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT AND BECAME STUCK. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SUBMITTED FOR REPAIRS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND SUBSEQUENTLY INFORMED THE REPAIRS WERE REQUIRED DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONED VACUUM LINE. THE REPAIRS WERE REQUIRED THREE TIMES BEFORE I FINALLY RETURNED THE VEHICLE AND DEMANDED A MORE THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THE PROBLEM. I WAS THEN INFORMED PARTS WOULD NEED TO BE ORDERED FOR CORRECTION OF THE DEFICIENCY. I HAVE STILL NOT RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK FROM REPAIRS.
KIA SPORTAGE WAS MAKING A METAL ON METAL BANGING SOUND INTERMITTENTLY WHILE NORMAL OPERTION IN 2 WHEEEL DRIVE. KIA DEALER FOUND ONE FRONT WHEEL HUB AND VACUMM LINE WERE LOCKED TO ENGAGE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. HUBS AND LINE WERE REPLACED HOWEVER THERE IS A NATIONAL STOCK OUTAGE ON UPDATE KIT FOR A RECALL BY KIA. ALREADY HAVE WAITED 3 WEEKS FOR PARTS. CAN NOT GET INFORMATION FROM KIA ON WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS ALSO ON WAITING LIST FOR PARTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AT BRENNER DEALERSHIP IN HARRISBURG, PA. CAN NOT USE 4 WHEEL DRIVE UNTIL PARTS ARE INSTALLED.
THE SEATBELT ON MY 2000 KIA SPORTAGE ON THE DRIVERSIDE ALWAYS OPENS. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF I WAS EVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I DO NOT TRUST THE SAFTEY BELT WILL HOLD ME IF I EVER HAD AN ACCIDENT. I WEIGH ONLY 125 LBS.*EA04007*
NO SUMMARY. DT
DASH LIGHTS INDICATED VEHICLE WAS IN 4WD, VEHICLE SLID BACKWARDS. *TS
REPLACED 4 WHEEL DRIVE WITH UPDATE AND REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS. *NLM
MY RADIATOR CONTINUALLY LEAKS, WHEN I BROUGHT TO NEAREST DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTEE EVEN THOUGH IT HAS 5YR/60K ON POWER TRAIN AND BECAUSE I WAS NOT A CUSTOMER ON GOOD FAITH THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT (PRIDE DEALERSHIP, NO. ATTLEBORO, MA. -SERVICE MGR. RICHARD): WHEN I CALLED KIA - THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE RADIATOR EVEN WITH 40K MILES LIMITED WARRANTEE ON RADIATOR-NO MATTER WHAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER REPLACING BECAUSE I USE AN INDEPENDANT SERVICE PERSON, MY HUSBAND, HE EXPLAINED IN DETAIL. THE PROBLEM BUT THEY TOLD HIM THEY WAS NOT ONE ELSE TO TALK TO AND IT WAS TO BAD, THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING AT ALL NO MATTER WHAT. I CAN NOT GO ON LONG DISTANCE BECAUSE IT LEAKS WHEN I USE THE HEAT/DEFROST/AC, OR WHEN THE TEMP. GOES UP AT ALL. I HAVE USED 2 ANTIFREEZE CONTAINERS. THE LOWER LEAKS AND IT IS GETTING HARDER TO GET THE CAR OUT OF GEAR AND THE CAR IS PULLING AND BUKING BEFORE GETTING INTO GEAR. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP WITH THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU. DT
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH HAD EXTENDED STOPPING, CONTACTED THE DEALER THE DEALER REPLACE THE ROTORS, CONSUMER STATES THAT LESS THAN 10,000 MILES THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. MR
VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN AND WILL NOT RESTART DUE TO LOST OF POWER. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
SINCE OCT. 2002 UNTIL APRIL 2003, THE POWER LOCKS WOULD OPERATE ERRATICALLY, MAKING THE LOCK AND UNLOCKING SOUND, AND A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH BOARD, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, FIRST THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIMER CONTROL UNIT, AUDIO CIRCUIT, THEY DID FIND FOUR CHAFFERED WIRES IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, AND SOME CORROSION FROM THE MAIN DOOR PIN. TWO DAYS LATER FROM PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ALARM IS WORKING FUNNY WHEN THE VEHICLE LOCKS ARE FREAKING OUT. SERVICE MANAGER WHERE I TAKE MY VEHICLE FOR SERVICE SAID TO ME UPON PICKING UP MY VEHICLE," I HOPE YOU DON'T TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY, OR PERSONALLY, BUT I HOPE I DON'T SEE YOU AGAIN, YOU KNOW THINGS ARE EITHER BLACK, WHITE, OR GRAY AND THIS SITUATION IS VERY GRAY." IMAGINE THAT, THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE THERE FOR, TO FIX YOUR VEHICLE. I HAVE GIVEN THIS PLACE 8 YEARS OF SERVICE BETWEEN THIS VEHICLE AND MY PREVIOUS CAR. WAIT UNTIL I HAVE TO CALL AND SAY IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. IF ANYONE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND HAS FOUND THE ANSWER, PLEASE HELP BETWEEN MARCH 26,2003 AND APRIL 4,2003 VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER THREE TIMES AND ONCE LAST OCT,2002 I GUESS DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *JB
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE EHICLE. *AK
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATES THAT SHE HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS, PADS, AND BEARINGS TWICE ON THE VEHICLE. SHE DID REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON HER VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH KIA BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES FAILING. THE FIRST TIME SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE PARTS WAS ON AUGUST 20 2002. SHE HAS HAD TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN ON MAY 16, 2005.*AK
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL HE RECEIVED. *AK
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIO. *SLC THERE WERE ALSO PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNK NOISE AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE NO BRAKES AS THE CONSUMER PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPLACED. *SCC
THE SAFEGUARD KEEP FAILING ON KEY REMOTE, DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND REPLACE THE SAFEGUARD AND IT KEEP ON FAILING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
VEHICLE WAS GOING 45-50MPH AND HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE. VEHICLE STARTED OVERHEATING AND STALLED. BENEATH THE HOOD COOOLING FAN BROKE AWAY FROM HOUSING AND WAS WEDGED BETWEEN A FITTED SPACE TO KEEP FROM FALLING TO THE GROUND. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT 5MPH OR LESS. MY CAR BUMPED A TREE AND I DID NOT EVEN FEEL IT HIT THE TREE. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND STARTED DOWN THE STREET THE WINDOW SHATTERED, THAT WAS THE FIRST I EVEN REALIZED THAT I HAD BUMPED THE TREE.
WHILE DRIVING 4-WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT FUNCTION.*AK
DEALER REPORTED THAT PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED REPLACED AT ROUTEEN 22,500MI. CHECK-UP. "PADS GONE, ROTORS SCORED AND BEYOND REPAIR."*AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE ICON ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. APPROXIMATELY 7 YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 05/21/08 *BF UPDATED 05/20/08
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HEAD-ON. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SPINNED, AND HIT REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE, LANDING ON A MEDIUM IN THE ROAD. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.CONSUMER FELT IF THERE WAS A PASSENGER, HE/SHE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
FUSE FOR POWER WINDOWS AND A/C BLOWER KEPT BLOWING OUT. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM REOCCURRED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVESHAFT MADE A LOUD NOISE AND BROKE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND CALLED A TOWING COMPANY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT, BUT IT FAILED AGAIN. *AK THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN THREE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE RATTLING SOUNDS THAT WOULD GET LOUDER AND THE VEHICLE BECAME TOO LOUD TO DRIVE. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND THE CENTER BOLT STRIPPED, THE SOP PROPELLER WAS REPLACED FOR NOISE, THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON DUE TO 25% LEFT ON THE PADS AND THE TRANSMISSION SEAL WAS REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING. *SC *JB
WHILE DRIVING 15MPH WAS BROADSIDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 20MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO HER FROM BEHIND AND HER DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF. NLM
THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING SNAPPED, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO WOBBLE. *JB
WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING, ARM BROKE OFF WIPER MOTOR DURING HEAVY RAIN. *NLM
EXHAUST LEAKS AT GASKET, WIRES SHORTING IN HARNESS TO ALTERNATOR BOTH FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. *NLM
WHILE PUTTING VEHICLE INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE ON FOUR WHEEL DRIVE EVEN THOUGH LIGHT INSIDE TURNED ON, SHOWING FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ON. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES. BY THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC. WHEN TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY THERE IS A BUMPING NOISE COMING FROM REAR WHEELS. DEALERSHP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026