NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Kia Sportage. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
ON APRIL 24, 2005 COLUMBUS OHIO HAD POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS ;SNOW AND ICY RAIN. I WAS TRAVELING ON S.R. 104 EXITING ON HIGH ST. I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND FISH TAILED MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. I HIT THE GUARD RAIL AND THE CAR ROLLED OVER. THE FRONT BUMPER HAD HIT THE GUARD RAIL AND WAS ACTUALLY OFF THE CAR BY THE TIME I UPRIGHTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE KIA SPORTAGE IS EQUIPPED WITH 3 AIRBAGS;THE FRONT DRIVER FRONT PASSENGER AND A DRIVER KNEE AIRBAG, NONE OF WHICH DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS OFF THE CAR AS WELL WHEN I UPRIGHTED, AND AGAIN, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS, INCLUDING THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. MY 2 YEAR OLD SON WAS ALSO IN THE CAR, IN A CARSEAT IN THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. HE THANKFULLY SUFFERED NO INJURY, BUT THAT PART OF THE CAR RECIEVED THE LEAST DAMAGE.
2001 KIA SPORTAGE, STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET A FULL ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE IDLER WAS DEFECTIVE, ON 2 OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED, WHICH WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE BATTERY TERMINALS, THE RADIO, FONT BRAKES EXHAUST SYSTEM, AIR CONDITION VALVE COVER GASKET, FRONT WHEEL BEARING, CRUISE CONTROL WERE ALL INOPERATIVE, THE VEHICLE HAS HAD 2 ENGINE REPLACEMENTS, AND THE DRIVE BELTS WERE OUT OF TENSION. *JB
2001 KIA SPORTAGE SUFFERED TWO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURES.*MR ALONG WITH THE ENGINE FAILURES, THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIO, BATTERY AND THE TERMINALS, FRONT BRAKES, A SENSOR KNOCK, EXHAUST SYSTEM, AIR CONDITION, VALVE COVER GASKET, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, FRONT PADS AND ROTORS, CRUISE CONTROL, AND A DEFECTIVE IDLER ARM. *JB
WHEN PUMPING FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE, FUEL SPRAYS OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER STATES THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE BACK PRESSURE WAS CAUSING THE GASOLINE TO SPLASH BACK AND THE PUMP NOZZLE WOULD SHUT OFF. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ICE AND SNOW HAD BUILT UP ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK AND CAUSED THE ORVR VALVE TO STICK. THE ICE AND SNOW WAS REMOVED AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR A WEEK BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE SCREWS HOLDING THE PUMP ONTO THE FUEL TANK WERE BREAKING THEREFORE THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ORVR. *SC
DT: THE CONTACT STATED ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE RPM GAUGE WAS READING INCORRECTLY, EITHER VERY HIGH OR NOT READING AT ALL WHEN THE SAME AMOUNT OF PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ALSO, THE EXHAUST WAS GLOWING RED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP EIGHT TIMES, AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. *AK
MY KIA SPORTAGE 4WD JUST RECENTLY TRIPPED 100,000 AND NOW EVERYTHING APPEARS TO BE GOING WRONG. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN LOSING POWER. THE FIRST DAY IT STRUGGLED ONLY AT START OFF ACCELERATION AND UP HILLS. THE SECOND DAY IT STALLED WHILE BEING STARTED AND STRUGGLED AT ACCELERATION EVEN ON FLAT HIGHWAY. NOW, JUST 5 DAYS LATER, IT WON'T GO ABOVE 40MPH AND LOSES POWER WHEN YOU APPLY THE GAS PEDAL. THERE IS A STRONG BURNT RUBBER SMELL THAT WE'VE NOTICED FOR SOME TIME. THE FIRST TIME WE NOTICED IT, THE DEALERSHIP SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW WE ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. NOT ONLY IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, BUT TODAY, THE HOLD LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. ACCORDING TO THE BOOK, THIS DEPICTS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON, BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A PHONE CALL IN RETURN. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR TO WORK, WHICH PUTS STRAIN ON MY FAMILY AND MY SELF. BEING PREGNANT, I NEED MY OWN VEHICLE.*AK
2001 KIA SPORTAGE. CONSUMER STATES REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED BRAKE WORK HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE 12 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER, THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE WEATHER AND SALT AND ALSO NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND ALLOWING IT TO SIT FOR WEEKS AT A TIME. THE ROTORS, CALIPERS, PADS AND DRUMS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. *JB
UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, FORTUNATELY HAPPENED AT A PARKING LOT, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. INITIAL INVESTIGATION REVEALED LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THIS HOSE, NON-REINFORCED IN ANY WAY HAD SPLIT AT BOTH ENDS OF CONNECTION TO METAL TUBE. TUBE IS APPROXIMATELY 1/8" OD MAKING ID OF HOSE APPROXIMATELY 1/8". WALL OF HOSE IS VERY THIN PERHAPS 1/16" OR LESS. THIS HOSE IS VERY FLEXIBLE BEING QUITE SIMILAR TO VACUUM HOSE AND MUST BE UNDER HIGH PRESSURE FROM THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS.HAD THIS VEHICLE BEEN TRAVELING ON THE ROAD AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED AND THE BRAKE PETAL GONE TO THE FLOOR AS IT DID WHEN LEAVING A PARKING SPACE A DANGEROUS ACCIDENT COULD EASILY AND MOST PROBABLY WOULD HAVE OCCURED. WHEN CHECKING THE SAME HOSE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE THE HOSE ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE IS SPLIT ALSO. THERE IS NO CLAMP HOLDING THIOS HOSE IN PLACE. IT MERELY SLIPS ONTO METAL TUBE ON BOTH ENDS AND IS SPLIT AT THE END OF THE CONNECTION SITH EACH TUBE-THATS FOUR HOLES (TWO TUBES). I CANNOT EVEN BEGIN TO IMAGINE THE REPERCUSSIONS OF THIS POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN. STEP ON THE PETAL AND BRAKE FLUID POURS OUT OF THE SPLITS. THIS COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. VERY, VERY POOR DESIGN. THIS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ACTION. *AK
I PURCHASED A KIA SPORTAGE FROM A DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THE VEHICLE STILL HAD ITS FULL POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BUMPER TO BUMPER FOR 7 YEARS. THE KIA HAS LOW MILEAGE AND STILL DOES DUE TO THE FACT IT HAS BEEN SETTING AT THE KIA GARAGE AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH PROBLEMS FROM THE EXHAUST, FRONT SUSPENSION, MOTO, AND THE 4WD TRANSFER SYSTEM. I CANNOT GET THE KIA DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE VEHICLE SAYING THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD TO PAY MY LOCAL MECHANIC $100.00 TO FIND THE PROBLEMS AND SAID THEY DEFINITELY NEEDED FIXING OR THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN INTO MORE EXPENSE AS TIME LINGERS ON. THE HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN AND LEAKING OIL, LOOSING COMPRESSION AND EVENTUALLY THE MOTOR WILL FAIL TO OPERATE. MY WIFE HAS A QUADRIPLEGIC DAUGHTER WHO NEEDS AROUND THE CLOCK ATTENTION AND SHE NEEDS THE VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT HER BACK AND FORTH TO THE HOSPITAL TWICE MONTHLY, AND SHE ATTENDS CHURCH WITH HER DAUGHTER SEVERAL TIMES PER MONTH AS WELL. I AM AFRAID THAT THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO MALFUNCTION WITH HER DAUGHTER INSIDE AND IF SHE GETS COLD THEN SHE FACES POSSIBLE SOCK, PNEUMONIA AND IS EXTREMELY SUSPECTIBLE TO ANY KIND OF SICKNESS. KIA MOTORS HAS FOUGHT ME AS WELL AS THEIR SAFETY HOOK, LINE AND SINKER TRYING TO SAVE THEM A BUCK. IF THERE IS SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO WILL LISTEN TO MY COMPLAINT PLEASE CONTACT KIA AND TELL THEM TO FIX THIS VEHICLE OR RECOMMED SOMEONE WHO WILL TAKE THEM TO COURT TO BRING JUSTICE INTO THIS ISSUE. *JB
WHEN IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE REAR WHEEL SLIPPED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
VEHICLE'S ENGINE AND A/C FAILED. *NM THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE TWO ENGINES WITHIN A 40000 MILE USAGE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED DEAD ON A VERY BUSY US ROUTE 1 HWY. THE SUDDEN STOP CAUSED A TRAFFIC TIE UP AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED BY A AIR CONDITIONING, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT, VALVE COVER GASKET, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, DRIVE BELTS OUT OF TENSION, CRUISE CONTROL, V BELTS REPLACED, BRAKES AND ROTORS, EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TC *JB
CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE COIL BECAME DEFECTIVE, AND BROKE INTO TWO PARTS. DEALER CONTACTED THE CONSUMER TO INFORM HIM THAT THEY REPLACED THE COIL WITH THE SAME ONE THAT CAME OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
I BOUGHT MT 2001 KIA SPORTAGE IN 2003. IT WAS A 2 DOOR AUTOMATIC SOFT TOP. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STARTED WITHIN MONTHS. FIRST THE "HOLD" LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN WHILE DRIVING THE CARE WOULD STICK IN ONE GEAR. I COULD NOT SLOW DOWN WITH OUT IT STALLING ONCE THE GEARS GOT STUCK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM B/C IT STILL HAPPENS EVEN TO THIS DAY AND EVERY PLACE I TAKE IT TO SAYS THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM. IN 2005 EVERYTHING STARTED GOING DOWNHILL. THE POWER WINDOWS DONT WORK THE CD PLAYER EATS YOU CDS AND I GET NO RESEPTION ON THE RADIO. NOT TO MENTION THE SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME AND CONTINUES TO FLASH AND BEEP EVEN WITH YOUR SEAT BELT IS ON. THE PASENGER SEATBELT DOES NOT STAY CLASPED. THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IF I TURN ON THE AIR. THE AIR ONLY BLOWS ON YOUR FEET. MY CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY IT I GO ABOUT 50 MPH. THE CAR MAKES A WIERD CHATTERING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. AND THE BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP FOR NO REASON. ALL OF THESE THINGS I HAVE STATED ARE TRUE AND I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS OF TIMES AND SEEM TO GET IT "FIXED" BUT SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS BEFORE THE MONTH ENDS. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP FOR MORE THAN 3 MONTHS TOTAL, AND IT STILL DOESNT RUN PROPERLY. SO FAR I HAVE HAD THE TRAMISSION REPLACED, THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS, THE MASTER AND REAR CYLINDER(2X), WHEEL BARRING, ALTERNATER, STARTED , BATTERIES(4X),AIR VENTS, AD MANY OTHER THING BUT I CANT KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING THAT GOES WRONG WITH THIS CAR. IM A COLLEGE STUDENT THAT HAS A VERY LIMITED INCOME, AND I CANT WASTED ANY MORE TIME AND MONEY DEALING WITH THIS CAR THAT SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN I IS. MY FIRST CAR WAS BETTER THA THIS ONE AND IT WAS MADE IN THE 80'S.
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STARTING UP AS WELL AS STALLING. *MR THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO START AND THE GAS MILEAGE WAS DROPPING WAY DOWN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR A TUNE UP BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE CONSUMER HIT A BUMP AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE SERVICED. THE FILLER NECK RUSTED AND THE FUEL CAP WAS LEAKING. THE FILLER NECK WAS REPLACED, BUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS WORN AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED. *SC *JB
ON JULY 7TH, MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HARRIS KIA IN LANSDALE BECAUSE THE 2001 KIA SPORTAGE WAS VIBRATING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WAS FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AFTER ONLY 19,000 MILES. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, ROTORS SHOULD LAST 60,000 MILES. KIA HAS SERIOUS PROBLEM, THESE ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY.*AK
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT 2001 KIA SPORTAGE WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS LINE. WHEN THE CONSUMER PUT GAS INTO THE GAS TANK THE GAS WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CHARCOAL BOX HAS BEEN CHANGED. THE GAS WAS SHOOTING OUT BACK TOWARD THE PERSON PUTTING THE GAS IN THE TANK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES OVER THE SAMETHING. THE OTHER TWO TIMES THAT THE CONSUMER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS OKAY FOR A FEW DAYS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS TRYING TO FIX THE VEHICLE. IT WILL RUN FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, AND WHEN GOING TO GET GAS THE VEHICLE WILL ONLY HOLD $4 WORTH OF GAS. AFTERRWARDS THE GAS WOULD SHOOT OUT OF THE FILLER PIPE. THE VEHICLE I STALLED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE DIED AND THEN STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. KIA SAID THAT SHE MAY BE OVERFILLING THE TANK. KIACHECKED VARIOUS PARTS AND THE VEHICLE WILL STILL NOT RUN CORRECTLY. TH ECONSUMER REMOVED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE SHOP LAST WEEK, AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED LAST NIGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK
I REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR ON THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROX. 10-15 MILES AN HOUR. THE AIRBAG SENSOR WAS SMASHED AND NEITHER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS TOLD IN THE BEGINNING THAT THE AIRBAG MISFIRED AND WENT OFF INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. NOW THEY ARE UNABLE TO TELL ME WETHER THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED OR NOT AND THEY DO NOT KNOW IF THEY ARE EVEN GOING TO FIX THEM. I AM LIVID!*AK
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH PASSENGER REAR SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHIMMIED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE BY A VEHICLE GOING 55 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN ANGLE, A SPRAINED WRIST, AND POSSIBLE HEAD INJURIES. *AK
MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE HAS A DEFECT IN ITS DESIGN. THE SOLENOID, & HOSES THAT CONNECT TO IT ARE PLACED IN AN AREA ON THE VEHICLE WHERE THEY ARE SUBJECTED TO THE ELEMENTS-&-IN HARMS WAY OF BEING DAMAGED FROM NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I DO NOT HAVE THE SERVICE PAPER WORK ON ME, AT THE MOMENT (I AM AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY-DOING RESEARCH ON KIA'S MANY SAFETY ISSUES)-IF YOU NEED COPIES OF MY SERVICE RECORDS, OR ANY FURTHER INFO-PLEASE CONTACT ME BY MAIL. WHEN SOLENOID/HOSES FAILED - I WAS UNAWARE THAT MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS INOPERABLE. THERE WERE MANY TIMES, IN THE WINTER MONTHS- WHERE MY KIA WOULD SLIP/SLIDE-HANDLE ERRATICALLY IN THE SNOW/RAIN. I HAVE LOST TRACK OF THE TIMES I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE DURING THIS TIME FRAME (2001-2004). NOW I REALIZE THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE MALFUNCTIONING. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE JUST SPUN OUT-WITH NO ONE ELSE HITTING ME; THANK GOD FOR THAT. THE SPORTAGE IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE-WHEN IT IS RAINING/SNOWING-IT'S WHEEL BASE MAKES IT DANGEROUS. THE FIRST SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER KIA'S 10 YEAR/ 100,000 COVERAGE-SO I HAD TO PAY $85 TO FIX IT. IT WORKED TWO MORE TIMES, AND NOW THE HUBS ARE SHOT (AFTER A MERE 29,000 MILES). I WAS NAIVE ABOUT KIA'S RECORD AT THE TIME. I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT KIA NOW- AND I WANT THE TRUTH ABOUT THEM TO COME OUT. I HAVE CONTACED KIA ABOUT MY PROBLEM(S) MANY TIMES. THEY ARE VERY SMUG, AND KNOWLEGEABLE ABOUT WHAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO DO FOR YOU. IF THEY SPENT 1/2 THE MONEY THAT THEY DID ON HAVING A SLICK LAW FIRM WRITE THEIR 10 YEAR COVERAGE PLAN-AS THEY DID MAKING A SAFE/RELIABLE VEHICLE-MANY PEOPLE WOULD BE MUCH SAFER FOR IT. *AK
THE LAST DRIVER SIDE WINDOW ON THE CORNER OF THE TRUCK SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING AND FELL ONTO THE HIGHWAY. *AK
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, AND THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
2001 KIA SPORTAGE 4X4 WITH 76K MILES. WITHIN THE LAST 3 WEEKS I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT BRAKES TOTALLY REPLACED, ALTERNATOR AND 2 BELTS REPLACED, MUFFLER TAILPIPE RUSTED THRU, AND BOTH FRONT BEARING HUBS NEED TO BE REPLACED (WOBBLY).*AK
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *NM
BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED EVERY 12,000 MILES. THE LAST TIME VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED. CONSUMER STATED BRAKES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER CRESTED A HILL TO COME FACE TO FACE WITH A TRUCK MAKING A TURN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER PRESSED THE BRAKES WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE AND THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASED. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP AT LEAST FIVE TIMES. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH FRONT BUMPER FELL OFF. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT NOR DID THE VEHICLE HIT ANYTHING IN THE ROAD. AFTER BUMPER FELL OFF VEHICLE MOVED AT SUCH A RATE OF SPEED THAT THE IT RAN OVER THE BUMPER . MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE. WHEN CONSUMER PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. *AK THE CONSUMER'S ATTORNEY BELIEVED IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE'S STRUCTURE. KIA DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. (CONSUMER ON BEHALF OF GRANDDAUGHTER) *PH
TRANSMISSION LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, ALSO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT. *AK
HAVE HAD RECURRENT PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE PERFORMANCE IDLE AND RUNNING. ENGINE RACING WITH RPM'S TO 3500 AT STOP SIGN. HAVE HAD TO TURN VEHICLE OFF TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. I WAS AFRAID THAT IF I DID NOT TURN ENGINE OFF, IDLE WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO RACE AND "BLOW UP." ENGINE ALSO HAS VERY ROUGH IDLE/ALTERNATING WITH INTERMITTENT MISFIRES MOST OF THE TIME... "BOGGING" DOWN TO ALMOST STALL /THEN RACING TO RPM OF 1500-2500. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN ATTEMPTING ACCELERATION ONTO FREEWAY OR WHEN DRIVING AROUND TOWN AT SIGNALS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES NOW IN ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT MALFUNCTIONS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN HELPFUL BUT UNABLE TO COMPLETELY RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER INSISTS THAT PROBLEM WILL BE RESOLVED, BUT I, THE CONSUMER BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND UNRELIABLE. IT IS ALSO TIME CONSUMING TO REPEATEDLY RETURN THE CAR FOR SERVICE. *LA
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE ON MY KIA WILL SIMPLY STOP. THERE IS NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, AND THIS HAPPENS AT ANY TIME - SHORT TRIPS, LONG TRIPS, HIGHWAYS, BACK ROADS, THERE IS NO COMMON DENOMINATOR WHATSOEVER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP NUMBEROUS TIMES - IT WAS THERE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY LAST WEEK, AND WAS AGAIN TOWED THERE SUNDAY NIGHT WHERE IT IS STILL THERE. EACH TIME THEY GIVE ME MY CAR BACK SAYING THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT, BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURING. I WORK ON THE ROAD AND I'M TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR - AFRAID THAT SOMEDAY I WON'T BE ABLE TO GET TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WHEN IT DIES THE NEXT TIME. THE KIA SERVICE ADVISOR TRIES TO HELP, BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT GETTING FIXED AND I'M TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE IS NO ONE ELSE I CAN TALK TO. AT THIS POINT I DON'T WANT THE CAR BACK UNTIL IT'S REPAIRED, OR REPLACED WITH A SIMILAR VEHICLE. I CURRENTLY OWE MORE THAN IT'S WORTH IN THE BLUE BOOK, OTHERWISE I'D TRADE IT IN.
THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START AT TIMES AND KEPT BLOWING FUSES.. DEALER FOUND PROBLEM TO BE IN THE ENGINE HARNESS CONNECTOR. ALSO IN 10/03, ONE NIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LATE, MY TRUCK STULLED ON ME, AND THE SHIFTER WAS VERY LOOSE, TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT AND REAR MAIN SEAL (X3). THEY HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE CAT.CONVERTOR X3, TIMING BELT DUE TO ABNORMAL STRECHING,AND 2 IGNITION COILS.*AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES BRAKES WILL LOCK UP ,CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
I AM HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH MY 2001 MANUAL KIA SPORTAGE CONVERTIBLE. I FIRST HAVE TROUBLE GETTING IT STARTED IN THE MORNING. AFTER I GET IT STARTED AND DRIVE IT A SHORT WHILE, THE CAR CUTS OUT ON ME. IT DOESN'T STALL, IT CUTS OUT AND THERE IS NO GAS WHEN I STEP ON THE PEDAL. THIS HAS HAPPEN WHILE SHIFTING, WHILE ACCELERATING, WHILE ADJUSTING MY SPEED. AFTER IT CUTS OUT, I THEN HAVE DIFFICULTY GETTING IT STARTED AGAIN. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO STEP ON THE CLUTCH AND GAS PEDAL FOR THE CAR RPMS TO CATCH. AND THEN THE CAR MAY THEN CUT OUT AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE GOTTEN WORSE AND I HAVE BEEN PLACED IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS IN MOVING TRAFFIC.*AK
SEVERAL: LOOSE BOLTS AT HEAT SHIELD, LOOSE MUFFLER BOLTS, PROBLEM WITH FAN PULLEY, MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER DEFECTIVE, T-STAT, ENGINE LIGHT, DEALERSHIP COULD NOT IDENTIFY MOST RECENT PROBLEM, SAID THEY PUT A NEW COMPUTER IN. REFLECTED LAST DATE BELOW........ *NLM
I BOUGHT MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE NEW IN MARCH OF 2001. WITHIN TWO MONTHS IT WAS AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. OVER THE NEXT 2 YEARS IT HAS BEEN BACK 10 TIMES! THE PROBLEM IS ALWAYS RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM, SPECIFICALLY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS.THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES! THE LAST TIME WAS IN JUNE 18TH. ON JULY 13TH THE CONVERTERS PLUGGED AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY WERE RED-HOT. I'M LUCKY THEY DID NOT EXPLODE AND/OR CATCH FIRE. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND UNDRIVABLE. ATTEMPTS FOR RESOLUTION WITH BOTH MY STATE LEMON LAW AND THE BBB AUTO LINE HAVE FAILED. IF OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME KIND OF PROBLEM, SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT. *AK
TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, I HYDROPLANED AND LOST CONTROL OF MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE, IMPACTING A BARRICADE WITH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT KEEP ME RESTRAINED ALLOWING MY HEAD TO IMPACT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. *NLM
THE FUEL SYSTEM DID NOT ACCEPT FUEL, AND DIDN'T SHUT OFF, AND GAS POURED OUT. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS KNOWN FOR FUEL LINE PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WASN'T CONCERNED. *AK *SCC *JB
THE VEHICLE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED. THE FAILED PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED. *MR *CB *NLM
WHILE DRIVING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHICH CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK *CB *NLM
CAR SEEMS TO NOT WANT TO START WHEN IT RAINS, MOISTURE CAUSES SPORTAGE TO STALL NUMEROUS TIMES UNTIL I DRIVE A FEW MILES. *NLM
WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD. DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION COATING IN THE FUEL TANK PEELED AND WAS COMING OFF, CLOGGING THE FUEL FILTER. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. *TC
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *JB
DEALERSHIP CONTENDS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE ALTHOUGH IT OVER HEATED WITH ONLY 34,000 MILES ON IT. I SPOKE TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, INCLUDING ANOTHER DEALERSHIP MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLES DO NOT OVERHEAT WITH JUST A "LITTLE" COOLANT LOSS. KIA CLAIMS I WAS A "LITTLE" LOW, FILLED IT UP & SENT ME ON MY WAY. *NLM
I WAS DRIVING A KIA SPORTAGE 2001 AND WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT IT BROKE THE BACK SUPPORT OF MY SEAT. THE TRUCK FORCED ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SO HARD THAT I CRUMBLED THE TRUNK OF THAT VEHICLE. IN ALL 5 VEHICLES RECEIVED DAMAGE. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MY SEAT BROKE AND MY AIRBAGS INCLUDING A KNEE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I RECEIVED WHIPLASH TO THE NECK AND DAMAGE TO MY RIGHT LEG. I FEEL THAT HAD MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED I WOULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED THE DAMAGE TO MY LEG. ALSO I BELIEVE HAD MY SEAT BACK SUPPORT STAYED UPRIGHT I WOULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED THE INJURIES AS BAD. *NLM
THE VEHICLES FRONT POWER WINDOWS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM
THE SEAT BELT WAS TIGHT AND IT LOCKED UP. PH
RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLTS SHEERED OFF
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026