2001 Kia Sportage Complaint Log

ON TWO OCCASIONS, MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE HAS SUFFERED A RUPTURED GASOLINE TANK FROM ROCKS BEING TRAP BETWEEN THE GASOLINE TANK AND THE GASOLINE TANK GUARD PLATE, MAKING MY VEHICLE A ROLLING BOMB UNTIL I DISCOVERED THE GASOLINE LEAK. THE GASOLINE GUARD PLATE WAS DESIGNED WITH 8, CIRCULAR HOLES IN THE GUARD APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH IN DIAMETER WHICH ALLOWS SMALLS ROCKS FROM THE ROAD TO ENTER THE SPACE BETWEEN THE GUARD PLATE AND THE GASOLINE TANK AND GRINDING A HOLE IN THE GASOLINE TANK, ALLOWING THE FUEL TO LEAK WHICH CREATES AN ALMOST CERTAIN RECIPE FOR A DISASTER IF THE GASOLINE WAS TO CONTACT A HOT TAILPIPE, OR IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN A ACCIDENT. IN BOTH CASES I HAD TO REPLACE A VERY EXPENSIVE GASOLINE TANK. I WILL BE INJECTING FOAM INTO THE SPACE BETWEEN GASOLINE TANK AND THE GUARD PLATE LATER THIS WEEK TO HOPEFULLY, KEEP THIS EXPLOSIVE PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. THIS A DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW IN MY OPINION AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. WHEN I CONTACTED KIA OF AMERICA YESTERDAY AND EXPLAINED THIS SITUATION, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WAS IN MY OPINION, LESS THAN RECEPTIVE ABOUT KIA LOOKING INTO THIS SITUATION. WHEN SOMEONE GETS CREMATED BECAUSE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW, IT WILL BE TOO LATE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER TRENDSETTER SE TIRES, SIZE P 20575R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, BUT WHEN HE DROVE OFF FOR A FEW MILES, HE HEARD A SLAPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND NOTICED MAJOR TREAD SEPARATION; HOWEVER, THERE WAS STILL AIR INSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE FAILURE CRACKED THE REAR BUMPER, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE LENS, AND THE BULB. HE EMAILED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 192,000.

KIA 2001 SPORTAGE / GAS TANK LEAK /PLATE GUARDING TANK RUSTED AWAY/FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. RECALL DATE 2007 FOR KIA SPORTAGES ALREADY INACTED / GARAGE SAID DIDN'T APPLY TO KIAS IN OHIO????? COST 1200 TO REPAIR . WHY NOT OHIO????? GARAGE TELLING TRUTH??? *TR

JUST BPURCHASED A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE ,THE GAS TANK IS ALL RUSTED AND LEAKING. *TR

THE FRAME, BEHIND THE REAR WHEELS, RUSTED TO THE POINT OF NOT PASSING INSPECTION IN 2009. IT COULD HAVE LED TO A PROBLEM IN AN ACCIDENT WITH COLLAPSE AND CRUSHING THE GAS TANK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL RELATED ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL WHILE TRAVELING UPHILL OR A SLOPE. THE FUEL PUMP, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, TWO FUEL FILTERS, AND ADDITIONAL UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THERE WERE NO RECALLS LISTED FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 63,398.

FUEL LEAK UNDER HOOD. FUMES COME INTO VEHICLE THROUGH AIR VENTS WHEN OUTSIDE AIR IS COLD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TANK WAS LEAKING DUE TO A LOOSE SEAM. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CANNOT FILL UP THE GAS TANK IN THE VEHICLE. SHE DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE WERE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 05/13/09*LJ UPDATED 05/13/09. *JB

DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK LEAKS AND IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE AND YET KIA CORPORATION AND THE DEALERSHIP IN CANTON MICHIGAN WHERE I PURCHASED VEHICLE WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE TAKEN OUTSTANDING CARE OF MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE-IT WAS ALWAYS GARAGED AND AWAY FROM THE ELEMENTS. I EVEN HAVE COVERED PARKING AT WORK. I WANT KIA TO COMPENSATE ME BY 1) REPLACING THE FUEL TANK FREE OF CHARGE; 2) GIVING ME MY $ BACK $11K--THAT I SPENT ON PURCHASING THIS CARE; OR 3)GIVING ME $ TO PURCHASE A TANK AND COVER LABOR. DO YOU KNOW THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A NEW OR USED 2001 KIA SPORTAGE FUEL TANK. THIS IS TERRIBLE AND AN INCREDIBLE SAFETY VIOLATION. I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR YEARS TO GET AN ANSWER AND I JUST GET THE RUN AROUND. I AM WRITING KIA, THE DEALERSHIP, MY MICHIGAN ATTORNEY GENERAL AND PRESIDENT OBAMA. I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED THAT A COMPANY CAN PRODUCE THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE WITH A KNOWN DEFECT AND NOT BE HELD LIABLE. *TR

THE FUEL TANK BEGAN LEAKING DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. KIA PROVIDES A SERVICE CAMPAIGN (SC059) TO INSPECT 1996-2002 SPORTAGE MODELS TO VERIFY THIS FAILURE IS COVERED BY THAT CAMPAIGN. HOWEVER, KIA ONLY PROVIDES REPAIR BULLETIN ASSISTANCE FOR 1996-2000 MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM - SO EVEN THOUGH THEY VERIFIED IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR IT UNDER THE REPAIR BULLETIN BECAUSE IT IS A 2001 MODEL. WHY IS THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR INSPECTION ENCOMPASSING 1996-2002 MODELS IF THEY ARE ONLY REPAIRING 1996-2000 MODELS WITHOUT CHARGING? *TR

MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE IS GARAGE PARKED, AND I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS IN MY GARAGE ONE DAY LAST WEEK. I PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY THAT NIGHT AND NOTICED A LARGE GAS STAIN THE NEXT MORNING. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO CALLED A PARTS DEALER TO FIND OUT THE COST OF A USED ONE. HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT KIA HAD A RECALL ON THESE GAS TANKS. HE THEN CALLED KIA AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME TO TAKE IT IN TO THEM THAT AFTERNOON. AFTER KIA'S INSPECTION, THEY SAID I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS MANY OTHERS WERE HAVING WITH THESE GAS TANKS. THE SERVICE TECH RAN MY VIN NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS "TWO MONTHS OUT OF THE RECALL DATE." HE SAID HE FELT THAT SINCE IT WAS THAT CLOSE TO THE DATE, THAT KIA SHOULD COVER IT. HE CALLED KIA AND SPOKE TO A COUPLE OF "HIGHER UPS" THERE AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE IN MY AREA, AS WELL AS COLUMBUS AND CINCINNATI, ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING...THAT THE VIN NUMBERS ARE 2 MONTHS NEWER THAN THE RECALL THAT KIA HAS ISSUED, AND THEREFORE ARE BEING DENIED. I HAD TO PAY $443.92 TO GET THIS FIXED AT THE KIA DEALER AND FEEL THAT KIA SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE PROBLEM WITH THIS GAS TANK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AND THE FUEL GAUGE WENT FROM A FULL TANK TO HALF A TANK. SHE FOUND A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VIN, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, ENGINE SIZE, AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.

2001 KIA SPORTAGE GAS TANK IS LEAKING FROM SEAM IN GAS TANK. *TR

FUEL TANKS RUST OUT QUICK. I NOTICED SMELL OF GAS, AND REPLACED TANK IMMEDIATELY. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE, JUST CONCERN FOR OTHERS. POOR DESIGN CAPTURES MOISTURE BETWEEN FUEL TANK AND SKID PLATE. THIS HAS COST ME 250.00 FOR THE TANK, A HALF DAY OF LABOR, AND I'M CONCERNED WITH PUTTING SKID PLATE BACK ON. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WERE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THERE WERE SEVERAL EXACT AND OTHERS FOUND WITH THE FUEL TANKS. NO CARS HAVE CAUGHT FIRE YET. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND I AM SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN EXTENDED 10 YEAR, 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. I ONLY USE THE 4WHEEL DRIVE WHEN IT SNOWS. TWO YEARS AGO I DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW VACUUM LINES TO THE FRONT HUBS. WITHOUT VACUUM TO THE HUBS THEY WON'T ENGAGE. I HAD NO OPPORTUNITY TO VERIFY THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. IN 2008 WHEN IT SNOWED AGAIN I AGAIN FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. NOW I AM TOLD THAT I HAVE TO BUY $1500.00 WORTH OF PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX THE FRONT HUBS SO THAT THEY WILL MAINTAIN A VACUUM. THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY FIX AND BECAUSE THE PARTS NECESSARY TO FIX THE PROBLEM ARE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS ON THE VEHICLE THEY DON'T HAVE TO WARRANTY THEM. THE SAFETY DEFECT INVOLVED HERE IS THAT WHEN THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS ENGAGED THE DASH HAS AN INDICATOR THAT SAYS THE VEHICLE IS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN IN FACT IT IS NOT. THIS CAN LEAD TO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH LOSS OF CONTROL ON SNOW OR SLICK SURFACES. *TR

DURING COLD WEATHER GAS LEAKS FROM UNDERNEATH THE MANIFOLD FROM A RUBBER HOSE IN LINE WITH FUEL LINE CAUSING GAS LOST AND FUMES TO EMIT INSIDE VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE GAS CAP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE ODOR REMAINED. HE HAD TO FILL UP THE TANK WITH GAS EACH DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP AND A GAS LEAK, HOLES, AND CORROSION WERE FOUND. THE TANK WAS REPLACED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

2001 KIA SPORTAGE WITH NO AIRBAG. CUSTOMER STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP TOOK THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG OUT BEFORE THEY SOLD THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER REALIZED THE AIR BAG WAS MISSING WHEN SHE WENT TO USE THE HORN AND FOUND THE LEATHER WAS NOT FIRM, AND WHEN SHE PRESSED HARDER, IT LEFT A CIRCULAR INDENTATION WHERE THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE BEEN. *JB

WHEN I TURNED THE EXHAUST ON IN THE CAR THERE WAS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL TO THE POINT I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AND OPEN THE WINDOWS. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FILED ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL SINCE THIS COULD BE A FIRE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH THE MANUFACTURERS OF THE AUTO AND A RECALL GIVEN . ALSO THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WRITTEN CONCERNING LEAKS EARLY ON WITH THE GAS TANK ITS SELF. *TR

MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE HAD A STRONG GAS ODOR FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER TO GET A NEW GAS CAP. THE ODOR BECAME STRONGER AND I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR AT AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATION. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW GAS TANK. THE TANK WAS CORRODED AND LEAKING. I HAD THE GAS TANK INSTALLED IN OCTOBER, 2007. THE CAR HAD 61,000 MILES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CONTINUOUS LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. HE ALSO SMELLED GAS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,104.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A POPPING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT TWO CYLINDERS AND FOUR SPARK PLUGS WERE BURNT AND DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

GASOLINE LEAK; FUEL CONTAINMENT

I HAD A LEAK IN MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE FUEL TANK LAST YEAR. I DISCOVERED THAT WHILE I WAS VISITING CANADA AND FIXED IT THERE. THIS WEEK, I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. HE FINDS THAT THERE IS ANOTHER LEAKAGE AROUND THE FUEL PUMP. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDS THAT I REPLACE BOTH THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL TANK. I FILE THE COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE LEAKAGE PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THE MECHANIC INDICATES THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE KIA SPORTAGE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS FEWER THAN 59,000 MILES AND HAD FEWER THAN 50,000 MILES WHEN THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED. SO, I PRESUME THAT THE PROBLEM IS LIKELY RELATED TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

THE POLYPROPYLENE COOLING FAN BLADE BROKE OFF WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, PUNCTURING THE RADIATOR, BREAKING THE COWLING, AND PUNCTURING A HOSE. THE RESULTS BEING THE SPORTAGE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE REPAIRS ARE COSTING $500 - $600. THE SPORTAGE IS STILL IN THE SHOP BEING FIXED AS I AM WRITING THIS. THE REPAIR SHOP WILL SAVE THE OLD PARTS FOR ME. I CONTACTED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY RESEARCHED MY VIN NUMBER, WHICH IS OUTSIDE THE WINDOW FOR THE PRESENT RECALL (07V161000). THE SAME PROBLEM THAT IS OCCURRING WITH THE 2002 MODELS IS ALSO HAPPENING WITH THE EARLIER MODELS. I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD TO HAVE THESE REPAIRS MADE.

I OWN A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE EX, IT IS LEAKING GAS FROM THE GAS TANK AREA. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT GAS TANK. UPDATED *JB

MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE'S ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THERE IS NO LOGIC TO THE INCIDENTS: WAITING AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC, DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR TO NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL USUALLY RESTART THE ENGINE IN ONE TRY, BUT NOT ALWAYS. I HAVE REPLACED TWO EMISSION CONTROL SOLENOID VALVES, THE FUEL TANK AND THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE KIA DEALER AND ON-LINE CHATTERS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS QUITE A FEW OF THEM. A RECENT VISIT TO THE KIA DEALER FOUND O CODES STORED IN THE ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. THE DATE LISTED BELOW WAS AN INCIDENT WITNESSED BY MY PARENTS, ACTUALLY THE FOURTH SUCH OCCURRENCE IN AS MANY DAYS.*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 30-70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY YET THE FAILURE RECURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THERE WAS A SEPARATE OCCASION WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER EIGHT TIMES WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE PASSENGER SIDE WIRING HARNESS WAS CLEANED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE PERSISTED IN WHICH THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 05/05/11*LJ UPDATED 05/09/11

2001 KIA SPORTAGE 4WD DOES NOT ENGAGE. IT WORKED GOOD IN WINTER OF 2005, BUT THIS YEAR FINALLY HAVING SNOW IN JANUARY, I TRIED THE 4WD WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT SPINS, SO THE TRANSFER CASE WORKS, HOWEVER THE DRIVE ISN'T BEING INITIATED TO THE FRONT WHEELS. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH, I NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEMS OCCURRED TO SAME MAKE AND MODEL, BUT IN A DIFFERENT YEAR. IT IS ALSO STATED THAT THE DOUBLE SEALED HUBS WAS APPARENTLY SUPPOSED TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM WITH THE HUBS BECOMING FROZEN DUE TO RUST. COULD IT BE POSSIBLE THAT THIS REMEDY DIDN'T ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. *NM

IN JANUARY, 2007, MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE WAS MAKING A LOUD, STRAINING ENGINE SOUND. TOOK THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD I NEED A COOLING FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY. MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO I DIDN'T TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL THIS PART. I PLAN TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FROM KIA. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. BRAKE FLUID WAS ADDED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND A LEAK.

NOTICED A BAD SMELL COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED AT TIRES PLUS IN WAUSAU. THEY INDICATED TO ME THE SMELL WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE WITH THE FUEL CONTAINMENT AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. *JJB

I OWN A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE, 4DR, 4X4, WITH 38,000 MILES. I AM REPORTING THAT THE FUEL TANK HAS CORRODED AND HAS A LEAK. I WILL BE CALLING THE DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE, IF I DO NOT RECEIVE THE PROPER ASSISTANCE, I WILL BE FILING MORE COMPLAINTS. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF ONE, WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR MANY TIMES PER WEEK, THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE SAFE FOR EVERYONE IN THE VEHICLE. I FEEL WITH A VEHICLE WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE AND JUST 5 YRS.OLD. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING SO SOON. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. ON NOVEMBER 21, 2006, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE SMOKE ENTERING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED HER LOCAL KIA DEALER TO INQUIRE IF SHE COULD BRING HER VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO BRING IT IN THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED, BUT THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/13/08 *BF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED

WE HAVE A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE CONVERTIBLE WE BOUGHT FOR OUR 16 YEAR OLD SON TO DRIVE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THE CAR GETS BELOW A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS IN IT WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN OR STOP TO MAKE A TURN THE CAR CUTS OFF. THIS HAS POSED A DANGER TO HIM ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS COMING FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED TWO HOLES IN THE FUEL TANK. THERE IS AN OPEN DEFECT INVESTIGATION FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM TANK ASSEMBLY (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER EA06007). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 09/06/07 *TR

2001 KIA SPORTAGE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, MECHANIC NOTICED LEAK FROM GAS TANK. RESEARCH SHOWS INVESTIGATION INTO FUEL TANK LEAKAGE. HAVE APPT. TO REPLACE GAS TANK AT LIA KIA, SCHENECTADY,NY ON 7/25/06. ADD MY CAR TO THE LIST. *NM

THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING FROM BOSTON ON THE MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE TOWARD NEW YORK STATE. AS SHE APPROACHED THE NEW YORK STATE TOLL BOOTHS, BRAKES, STEERING, AND ACCELERATION SUDDENLY FAILED AND THE VEHICLE, A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE WITH 66,018 MILES BEGAN SMOKING. THE DRIVER MANAGED TO TURN SLIGHTLY TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE TOLL BOOTHS AND FOUND HERSELF HEADED FOR A LARGE PROPANE TANK ON THE GROUNDS. SHE PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND MANAGED TO STOP WITHIN A FEW FEET OF THE TANK. BELIEVING THE CAR TO BE ON FIRE, SHE EXITED QUICKLY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO LIA KIA IN SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK. THE ALLSTATE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR AND THE MECHANIC AGREED THAT THE FAN CLUTCH HAD BROKEN OFF AND MOVED THROUGHOUT THE AREA UNDER THE HOOD, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE ALLSTATE INVESTIGATOR HAS PICTURES OF THE FAN CLUTCH AND DAMAGE. INSURANCE DID NOT PAY BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR WAS $4500.00. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT LIA KIA WHILE THE NATIONAL KIA HEADQUARTERS WAS CONTACTED. MR. RYAN CHRISTIANSON WAS THE CONTACT THERE. HE MAINTAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO KIA HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY. HE SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND WANTED ALL PAST RECORDS SENT TO HIM, UNTIL HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE PICTURES AT ALLSTATE. VERBAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION ARE AVAILABLE. THE FACT THAT THERE WAS VERY NEARLY A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT WHICH WOULD HAVE INVOLVED MANY VEHICLES AND INDIVIDUALS WAS POINTED OUT TO HIM. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT LIA KIA UNTIL MAY, WHEN THEY BEGAN TO DEMAND RENT. WITH NO APPARENT REMAINING OPTIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A COST OF $4595.99 AND DRIVEN HOME ON MAY 19, 2006. THERE WAS SOME DIFFICULTY DRIVING HOME AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEGACY KIA IN E. SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE SITE, WHERE THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPAIRED AT A FURTHER COST OF $306.13. ITEMIZED LISTS OF ALL REPAIRS ARE AVAILABLE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10MPH IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL DISLODGED FROM THE AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. IT WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION, AND HAD PASSED STATE INSPECTION IN JUNE 2005 AT 32,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIRS.

I PURCHASED A KIA SPORTAGE EX 2001 ON 12/27/12 FROM FRONT RYAL AUTO GROUP IN FRONT ROYAL VA. I WENT TO THE GAS STATION AFTER FILLING MY GAS TANK I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. AFTER A FEW DAYS I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM , THEY DID NOT KNOW IF IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY TO BRING IT IN MON-FRI 8-5 WELL I CAN NOT MAKE THOSE HOURS TO GO ,SO THE ODOR CONTINUES TO FIND OUT FROM A MECHANIC OF MY OWN CHOICE WHICH AFTER I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK AGAIN BEFORE MY WARRANTY RAN OUT THAT WE DICOVERED I HAVE A FUEL TANK GAS SEAL LEAKAGE.. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATING AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD FAILURES IN SHIFTING GEARS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE ECT CONNECTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE SENSOR HAS BEEN REPROGRAMMED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS DESPITE THE REPAIRS. THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 02/13/06. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. WHEN THE HEAT IS ACTIVATED, A STRONG GASEOUS ODOR COMES THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP, BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE VENTS WERE NOT CLEANED AND NO COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HAS TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN DUE TO THE INTENSE ODOR. UPDATED 1/24/08 *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ONE YEAR AGO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE , AND AN ODOR OF GAS APPEARED WHEN THE HEATER WAS SWITCHED ON. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE CORRODED AND FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE INJECTORS, FUEL LINE, AND THE PRESSURE REGULATOR. AND REPLACED. THEM. THE REPLACEMENTS WERE TEMPORARY BECAUSE THE PROBLEM RECURRED AND THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. *AK

2001 KIA SPORTAGE 4 DR WITH 50,000 MILES FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF BROKEN WHEEL BEARING AND RIGHT IDLER ARM. I HAD THESE REPAIRED, FORTUNATELY, UNDER WARRANTY. I'M DISAPPOINTED AND ANGRY THAT SUCH CHEAP PARTS WERE USED IN MANUFACTURING (DISCOVERED BROKEN AT 50,000 MILES) WHICH GREATLY INCREASES THE RISK FOR AN ACCIDENT. NOT A SAFE VEHICLE AND WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER BASED ON THE QUALITY OF THE MANUFACTURING. *NM

I BOUGHT A KIA 2001 ON 7/13/2005 AND SINCE THEN I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK 4 TIMES. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ONCE THE HOLD LIGHT. THE CAR HAS ONLY 34,500 MILES ON IT! THIS IS A 2001 4X4 SPORTAGE AND ITS VERY STRESSFUL .*JB

I WAS IN MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON 7/20/05. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE ROCKER ARM OF MY ENGINE SHEARED OFF AND THE ENGINE DROPPED DOWN ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE (DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY VEHICLE) AND FELL ONTO THE DRIVE TRAIN AND AXLE, CRUSHING EVERYTHING IT HIT. I WAS INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT, AS WELL, AND KIA IS BEING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ABOUT FIXING MY VEHICLE. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ANY FASTER, LIKE I HAD BEEN ONLY MINUTES EARLIER, THE ENGINE COULD HAVE BEEN YANKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE SUV AND SEPARATED FROM MY VEHICLE, LEAVING ME STRAPPED INTO THE FRAME OF MY CAR WITH NO ENGINE IN IT AND FREE ROLLING IN THE FRAME. IT IS HIGHLY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT KILLED IN THIS ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT CERTAINLY COULD HAVE BEEN A POSSIBILITY. INITIALLY, THE LOCAL DEALER WENT AHEAD AND REPAIRED THE AXLE, DRIVE TRAIN, AND ENGINE MOUNT REPAIRS; HOWEVER, MY FRAME IS BENT BADLY ON MY VEHICLE AND THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THAT THEY DO NOT REPAIR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. AFTER REPORTING THE ACCIDENT, THEN GOING BACK AND FORTH BEING PUT OFF MULTIPLE TIMES BY KIA CORPORATE, I NOW STILL HAVE NO VEHICLE FIVE WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD THAT SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS HAD MY CASE AND THAT THEY WOULD CALL ME. THEY NEVER DID UNTIL LAST NIGHT WHEN THE KIA CORPORATE NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS MANAGER LEFT ME A MESSAGE AT HOME WHILE I WAS AT DINNER. THIS IS THE FIRST PERSON TO CALL ME IN FIVE WEEKS, ASIDE FROM THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE GOING FORWARD AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY, USAA, IS NOT WILLING TO HELP ME WITH THIS CASE BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I REPORTED THE ACCIDENT WITHIN MINUTES OF IT HAPPENING, THEY DID NOT FOLLOW THROUGH AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING THAT SINCE KIA TOUCHED THE VEHICLE AND MADE REPAIRS BEFORE THEY COULD LOOK AT THE EXACT NATURE OF THE DAMAGES THEY CANNOT HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. CALL LOGS AND ALL RELATED PAPERWORK IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. *JB

THE FUEL TANK ON MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK CAUSED BY CORROSION. THIS LEAK HAPPENED ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND I MADE A TEMPORARY REPAIR. *TR

DRIVER SIDE SUNROOF LATCH HAS BECOME DETACHED FROM THE SUNROOF GLASS TWICE. FIRST TIME HAD IT GLUED BACK ON TO SUNROOF. SECOND TIME THE PART DISAPPEAR (PROBABLY BLEW AWAY WHILE SUNROOF WAS OPEN). CAN'T FIND REPLACEMENT PART.

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TIRE LATCH ON THE BACK OF 2001 KIA SPORTAGE I BROKE. THIS WAS LATCH THAT HELD THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER, IT ALSO HAS TO OPEN IN ORDER FOR THE CONSUMER TO OPEN TRUCK. THE OWNERS MECHANIC HAS OILED AND FIXED THE TIRE CARRIER FOR A TEMPORARY FIX. THE OWNER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND COULDN'T FIX THE LATCH UNTIL IT WAS BROKEN, AND THEN THEY COULD REPAIR IT. THE OWNER HAS NOT CALLED KIA. THE LATCH HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. THE OWNER SUGGESTED THAT THE LATCH COULD HAVE ROTTED OUT. THE OWNER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE LAST YEAR ON JUNE 12, 2004 TO HAVE THE TAIL PIPE FIXED. THE KIA DEALERSHIP BODY SHOP THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THE TAILPIPE, DID NOT REPAIR THE TAILPIPE. THE CAR WAS RATTLING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE OWNER'S MECHANIC REMOVED THE ROTTED EXHAUST SYSTEM, THE KIA DEALERSHIP WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THIS AND DID NOT AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE ON HAD 13,623 MILES ON IT AT THIS POINT. THE DEALER IS NO LONGER WITH THE ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER THEY CLOSED DOWN.*AK

2001 KIA SPORTAGE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEVER REGISTERED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT. THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED.*MR THE COOLANT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED, THE REAR HATCH PANEL INSIDE FELL OFF, NEW CLIPS WERE INSTALLED. REPLACED MANUAL TRANSMISSION CLUTCH, TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED, WIND NOISE FROM FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AREA. *BF