2002 Kia Sportage Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL REGARDING THE ENGINE FAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE BEGAN WHEN THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, WHICH CAUSED THE FAN TO CRACK AND STRIKE THE RADIATOR. THE HEAT ALSO CAUSED THE HEAD OF THE VALVES TO WARP. THE FAN WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE. THE RECALL NUMBER THAT WAS REFERENCED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN). THE KIA DEALER IS NOT ACCEPTING ANY NEW APPOINTMENTS UNTIL OCTOBER OF 2007 FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS INAPPLICABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: FANS). THE LETTER STATED THAT IF THE BELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS PART OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THEN THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND LABOR FEE OF $100 PER HOUR. PRESENTLY, NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE POWERTRAIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 71,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE BLADES ON HIS COOLING FAN BEGAN TO COME OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THIS WAS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO; RECENTLY A SAFETY RECALL (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM FAN - 07V161000) WAS RECIEVED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS 93,314. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN.

TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES FROM HOME, 96 DEGREES OUTSIDE, AND HEARD LOUD NOISE. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TURNED VEHICLE OF. -PICKED UP PIECES OF WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE FAN BLADE FROM MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. AFTER LOOKING INSIDE THE HOOD DISCOVERED LARGE HOLES IN RADIATOR-SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED VEHICLES FOR REPAIR OF FAN, BLADES,CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND RADIATOR-VEHICLE STILL NOT OPERABLE. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FROM KIA 2 WEEKS LATER. VEHICLE THEN TOWED TO DEALER, WHERE IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD ASSEMBLY BECAME WARPED DUE TO THE RADIATOR BEING DAMAGED BY THE FAULTY FAN. KIA MOTORS CLAIMED CASE WA S CLOSED, NO RESOLUTION RECEIVED. VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE AT THIS TIME.*AK

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. I HEARD A LOUD BOOM AS IT SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FAN BLADE WAS IN 5 PIECES. THE PIECES HAD GONE INTO THE RADIATOR AND BROKE THE FAN SHROUD. STEAM WAS COMING OUT OF THE HOLES IN THE RADIATOR. *TR

2002 KIA SPORTAGE ENGINE COOLING FAN BUSTED INTO PIECES AND ONE OF THE BLADES SHOT THROUGH MY RADIATOR. I CONTACTED KIA AND THEY RAN MY VIN NUMBER THROUGH THEIR SYSTEMS AND IT IS NOT PART OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN 07V161000, EVEN THOUGH IT APPEARS TO BE EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

I OWN A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE THAT HAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. I SEE THAT 2005 KIA'S HAD A RECALL ON FUEL LEAKS FROM THE O-RING INTO THE INTERNAL VAPOR CHAMBER IN THE FUEL TANK, I BELIEVE THE 2002 KIA'S ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

CAR OVERHEATED ON HIGHWAY AND STALLED. CALLED 911 FOR HELP. GOT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. OUTCOME ENGINE REPLACED. *TR

CRACKED COOLING FAN MADE THE VEHICLE STOP RUNNING. *AK

AN OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN, OVER THE YEARS HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING INCLUDING KIA DEALERS THAT COULD NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE UNTIL NOW. A FEW WEEKS AGO (APRIL 2015) AS I TRIED TO FILL THE CAR IT WOULD NOT ACCEPT FUEL SO I DETERMINED THE VENTING SYSTEM WAS FAULTY, I DISMANTLED IT AND FOUND THE CARBON FILLED BOX AT THE END OF THE VENT TO BE PLUGGED. AS I COULD NOT REPLACE IT I FORCED COMPRESSED AIR INTO IT AND CLEARED THE OBSTRUCTION (REPLACED IT LATER). THE STRONG SMELL HAS CEASED AND I CAN FILL WITH FUEL AGAIN. THIS COMMENT IS FOR THOSE THAT HAVE FILLED COMPLAINTS BUT HAVE NOT BEEN SATISFIED BY YOUR ORGANIZATION.

2002 KIA SPORTAGE, IN FEBRUARY '07 WHILE DRIVING THE RADIO WENT OUT, & WITH THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS FAILING. PULLED OVER, TURNED CAR OFF. ATTEMPTED V TO RESTART, THE CAR DID NOT START. HAD CAR TOWED & MANUALLY CHECKED BATTERY THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. NEXT DAY CAR STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY, AND TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER CHECK-UP. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $248 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST & THEN PLACEMENT OF A NEW BATTERY, WHICH WAS SAID TO BE THE CAUSE. WEEKS LATER ON MARCH 31 CAR DID THE SAME WITH THE RADIO AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS. THE CAR JERKED ABOUT 30 MILES. WHEN I WOULD PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IT SEEMED TO REGAIN ITS STRENGTH, BUT ONCE I CONTINUED TO DRIVE ,IT STARTED TO JERK AGAIN, WITH THE OIL ODOMETER WENT UP/DOWN! TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP, IT JERKED IN THERE. WHEN THE SERVICE WORKERS WENT TO THE CAR, I WAS TOLD, NO PROBLEMS DRIVING THE CAR, & THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE CAR STAYED AT THE DEALERSHIP SATURDAY-THURSDAY, WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE SERVICE MANAGER ASKED IF SHE COULD DRIVE IT HOME. SHE SAID THE CAR DROVE FINE AND PUT 40 MILES ON CAR. IT WAS FINE ON THURSDAY WHEN I PICKED IT UP. DROVE SATURDAY AND CAR HAD SAME PROBLEMS. HEADLIGHTS & DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. AT 5 AM THIS WAS SCARY & UNSAFE, SOME CARS DIDN'T SEE ME, EVEN WITH THE HAZARDS ON. WITH RADIO OUT & CAR JERKING ALL THE WAY HOME. ON MONDAY, WENT TO LEAVE AND CAR DID NOT START. TOWED TO KIA FOR THE 3RD TIME IN A MONTH. CAR STARTED, BUT SOME 2001 & 2002 SPORTAGE MODELS HAD A MAIN ENGINE WIRING TEAR AND "THE WHOLE HARNESSED HAD TO BE ORDERED . IT WILL TAKE ABOUT 6 HOURS TO INSTALL . IT WOULD BE IN ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 11, 2007. THIS WAS THE 3RD TIME IN A MONTH THE CAR HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP, I PAID FOR A BATTERY & THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I IT WAS A COP-OUT FOR THE ACTUAL PROBLEM. WAS INCONVENIENCED WITHOUT A CAR & A HARD TIME GETTING A LOANER. DID NOT HAVE A CAR FOR OVER 7 DAYS. I WANT FAIR TREATMENT ON A CAR THAT I' WAS PAYING AMPLE AMOUNT OF MONEY. *AK

TL * THE CONTACT DETECTED A GASOLINE ODOR ON HER 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, CONTACT STATED THAT LATELY THE ODOR HAS BEEN STRONGER POSSIBLY DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. WHEN THE HEATER WASTURNED ON ODOR GETS STRONGER IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY TO HAVE THE ODOR DIAGNOSED. *AK

2002 KIA SPORTAGE. VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CAB OF VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER (<32 DEGREES). EVENTUALLY DISSAPATES WHEN ENGINE WARMS UP. TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC LAST WINTER (2006), COULDN'T LOCATE PROBLEM. SO WE LIVED WITH IT. SMELL EVEN STRONGER THIS WINTER. FOUND THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTED FIX ONLINE (NOT AVAILABLE LAST WINTER). "RUBBER RETURN LINE FROM FUEL PSI REGULATOR TO METAL RETURN LINE IS LEAKING WHEN COLD. "THE SPRING CLAMPS DO NOT STAY TIGHT WHEN COLD, AND WHEN THE RUBBER (RETURN LINE) EXPANDS WHEN HOT IT SEALS. "REMOVE THE UPPUER PART OF THE INTAKE AND REPLACE THE SPRING CLAMPS WITH SCREW TYPE CLAMPS..." SOME ONLINE FORUMS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT DEALERSHIP MAY SAY IT IS A FUEL INJECTOR PROBLEM, $800 FIX. MY LOCAL MECHANIC SAID THE SAME. MANY HAVE SAID THAT THE SUGGESTION ABOVE ACTUALLY FIXES THE ISSUE. I AM CURRENTLY IN BETWEEN THE TWO. I DON'T HAVE THE INCLINATION TO TRY THIS MYSELF, SO I'M AT THE MERCY OF MECHANICS. WHAT'S THE DEAL? *CN

FILLING THE KIA WITH GAS TAKES FOREVER. IT IS LIKE THE VENTING SYSTEM WON'T LET THE GAS IN, IN A MATTER OF SECONDS THE GAS SPEWS OUT OF TANK. WE HAVE TO KEEP CLICKING THE HANDLE OFF AND ON TO FILL THE TANK. THIS FIRST STARTED OUT JUST IN THE WINTER MONTHS, NOW IT IS ALL THE TIME. WE TRIED TO SEE IF SOMETHING WAS BLOCKING IT, BUT COULDN'T GET INTO IT. WITH THE THINGS GOING ON IN OUR LIFE RIGHT NOW, WE HAVEN'T TAKEN THE TIME TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. PLUS WE DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA MONEY TO SPEND ON IT. WE JUST KNOW THAT WHEN WE GO TO FILL THE KIA IT WILL TAKE A LONG TIME. WAS JUST WONDERING IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHERS? *TR

BOTH DRIVER & PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES ARE DEFECTIVE. PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT HAS BEEN INOPERABLE SINCE SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT IN 2005. DRIVER-SIDE SEAT BELT HAS HAD SPORADIC PROBLEMS IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS & WITHIN THE LAST WEEK HAS BEEN INOPERABLE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE HOSE ATTACHED TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 40 DEGREES; THERE WAS AN ODOR OF GASOLINE. PRIOR TO THE CONTACT'S PURCHASE, THE FUEL INJECTOR PORTS AND RINGS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. UPDATED 12/28/2006 - THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THE FUEL ODOR IS STILL PRESENT. THE PREVIOUS OWNER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS HAD BEEN ON ONGOING PROBLEM WHEN HE OWNED THE VEHICLE. *NM

2002 KIA SPORTAGE 35K MI. NOTICED DIFFERENT ENGINE SOUND, FOUND THAT LARGE CRACKS HAD FORMED BETWEEN EACH FAN BLADE, MAIN BLADE DRIVEN BY ENGINE. CHECKED INTERNET FOUND THAT OTHERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS INCLUDING BREAKING AND RADIATOR DESTRUCTION. PLAN TO GET FAN FROM DEAL AND INSTALL ALSO ASK ABOUT KIA PARTS BULLETIN 1500-0002 WHICH CONCERNS THIS FAN BLADE. *NM

I BOUGHT MY KIA SPORTAGE IN 09/19/2006 BY 9/25/2006 I STARTED TO HEAR SQUEALING NOISES IN FRONT OF THE ENGINE AND WHEN I FIRST STARTED IT I WOULD PRESS THE GAS BUT THE CAR WOULD DIE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 5 TIMES WHEN THEY FINALLY FIXED IT. THEN I FOUND OUT 3 WEEKS LATER IN THE RAIN THAT WATER WAS COMING IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE WINDSHIELD. IN 1/04/07 I WAD HEADED TO WORK AND THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY DIE AGAIN SO THE DEALERSHIP TOWED IT BACK. *JB

WHEN CHECKING OIL LEVEL ON AUGUST 13,2006, I NOTICED CRACKS BETWEEN EACH BLADE ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE CRACKS WERE FOUND TO GO FROM FRONT TO BACK ON 6 BLADES. I REMOVED THE FAN, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A BULLETIN. I WAS TOLD NO. BOUGHT NEW FAN AND INSTALLED MYSELF. *JB

FAN BLADE CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION FROM A STOP SIGN AT 5 MPH, A LOUD THUD WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME THE REMAINING TWO MILES WITH THE HAZARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE, THE FAN BLADES WERE SCATTERED ACROSS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND SOME WERE CAUGHT IN THE WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE FAN WAS REPLACED AND THE DAMAGED WIRING TO THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR FAN FRACTURED TO PIECES WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH. A NOISE WAS HEARD PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED. 4 FAN BLADES WERE FRACTURED AND ONE OF THE BLADES HAD FLOWN INTO THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED OF THE INCIDENT ON 08/07/06.

I STARTED TAKING MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE TO THE DEALER AND IT HAD A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE BACK. I TOOK IT IN AND THE TECHNICIAN SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE MUFFLER AND IT WAS LOOSE SO HE KICKED IT WITH HIS FOOT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I GOT A NEW MUFFLER AND IT STILL MADE THE NOISE SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP AND IT WAS THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE. IT ENDED UP COSTING ME OVER 2500. I HAD TO HAVE A NEW DIFFERENTIAL PUT IN AND IT EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN YOU PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR. IF THE TECH WOULD HAVE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY WARRANTY.I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ANY OF THEM. I FEEL LIKE THE KIA PEOPLE SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR MY TIME AND MONEY!!! *TR

IN SEPTEMBER 04, MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR COIL ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALLED. TWO WEEKS LATER SAME PROBLEMS. THE CAR WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND STALL SHORTLY AFTER ACCELERATION. STILL CONTINUE TO GET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, (MISFIRES) I AM NOW HAVING TROUBLE WITH POWER OF ENGINE, TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING AFTER SHIFTING. AFTER ACCELERATION CAR SHAKES AND STALLS, WON'T RESTART FOR QUITE SOME TIME. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH A SCRAPPING NOISE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE RADIATOR FAN WAS SCRAPPING AGAINST THE FAN CASING. THERE WAS A STRESS FRACTURE IN THE CENTER OF THE FAN BLADES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP.

NOTICED A SMALL HIGH PITCHED WHINE TOWARD THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC CHECKED AND SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A PINION BEARING IN THE DIFFERENTIAL GOING BAD AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR A DETERMINATION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED REPLACED AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY SINCE THE FLUID HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED EVERY 20000 MILES ALONG WITH A BILL FOR $126.00. WAS NOT ABOUT TO PAY THEM THE $1000 THEY WANTED TO REPLACE A DIFFERENTIAL THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. STILL DRIVING THE CAR WHICH NOW MAKES A LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND DRAWS ALOT OF ATTENTION WHICH ALLOWS ME TO DISCOURAGE ANY KIA PURCHASES FROM PROSPECTIVE BUYERS. THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAS QUIT WORKING ALSO LEAVING ONLY SINGLE WHEEL DRIVE MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY UNSTABLE ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS. *TR

CAR SPIT OUT GAS AS IT IS BEING FILLED. HAS HAPPENED MANY MANY TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE THE CHECK ENGINE MODULE RESET. THIS REMEDY WORKED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BUT THE LIGHT EVENTUALLY ILLUMINATES AGAIN. THE LOCAL DEALER HAS NOT DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHT. ALSO, THE GAS TANK HAD A LEAK IN THE GAS LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE GAS LINE, HOWEVER A GAS ODOR STILL EXIST INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 2/28/2006 - *NM

ON DEC. 15, 2005, I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE A MONTH AGO FOR WARRANTEE SERVICE (EMPIRE TOYOTA, ONEONTA NY). I WAS TOLD THAT THEY NO LONGER SELL OR SERVICE UNDER THE KIA WARRANTEE. AT THAT TIME IT HAD 58,000 MILES. NEW DEALER: COUNTRY CLUB KIA, ONEONTA, NY. ON JANUARY 12, 2006 I CALLED THEM TO HAVE THE WARRANTEE SERVICE DONE ON MY CAR. THEY ARE STILL SETTING UP THE SERVICE DEPT. AND ARE WAITING FOR "EMPIRE TOYOTA" TO TRANSFER THE RECORDS OF CUSTOMERS FOR WARRANTEE REPAIRS. NOW THE MILEAGE IS AT 61,000 MILES, AND IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED UNDER THE WARRANTEE. THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING: MY LOCKS KEEP GOING UP AND DOWN ALL DAY AND NIGHT WITHOUT ANY KEYS IN THE IGNITION. TODAY MY CHILDREN AND I GOT LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR AND COULD NOT GET OUT AS THE LOCKS WOULD NOT STOP LOCKING, AND THE HORN BEGAN GOING OFF. THIS HAS CONTINUED EVERYDAY...ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT. WE HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF MY CAR EARLY IN THE MORNING WHILE MY CAR IS WARMING UP TO LEAVE FOR WORK. I REALLY NEED TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED, AND FEEL AS IF I KEEP GETTING THE RUN AROUND. I CALLED THE KIA OFFICE ON MONDAY JANUARY 16, 2006 AND WAS TOLD THAT MY WARRANTEE HAS EXPIRED BY 800 MILES. THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE BEEN TAKE CARE OF BEFORE THE WARRANTEE EXPIRED. WHEN KIA CHANGED DEALERSHIPS CUSTOMERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, SO THAT THEY CAN FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE NEW DEALER IF ANY PROBLEMS SHOULD ARISE. I HAD LOCKS REPARED IN MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, AND THUS THIS SHOULD STILL BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTEE. I CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER VIA E-MAIL ON 1/19/06, AND WAS GIVEN CASE ID IS: K1063733. NO RETURN E-MAIL OR CALL FROM KIA. I CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER VIA E-MAIL ON 1/30/06, AND WAS GIVEN CASE ID IS: K1067545. NO FOLLOW UP CALLS FROM KIA YET. NO RETURN E-MAIL OR CALL FROM KIA.I FEEL THIS PROBLEM CAN BE A POTENTIAL DANGEROUS SITUATION AS IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY MY FAMILY AND I NEED TO BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE.

2002 KIA SPORTAGE PISTON SEIZED DAMAGING BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. *TS *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 40 DEGREES OUTSIDE, HE SMELLS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR IS NOTICEABLE WHEN WALKING UP TO THE VEHICLE AND ALSO WHEN IT IS BEING DRIVEN. THE SCENT IS SO STRONG THAT PASSENGERS BEGIN TO COUGH INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, MECHANIC, OR DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE. THE ISSUE ONLY OCCURS IN THE WINTER DUE TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 07/28/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHEN IT RAINED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT TO NO AVAIL. UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 VEHICLE WA SINVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND SIT HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NOT LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD TO INDICATE THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. DEALER DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE AIR BAGS TO HER. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. POLICE CAME AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK

THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IS ENGINE HEATING, ENGINE OVER HEATING, ENGINE COOLING FAN ( FAN BLADES BRAKE OFF CUT INTO MY RADIATOR, CUT MY FUEL LINES, WATER HOSES, AIR INTAKE LINES. SINCE THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE LIGHT ON I.E. MISFIRE ON CYLINDER NUMBER 3 THE CAR BASICALLY RUNS ON THREE CYLINDERS, WHICH COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH ENGINE HEATING BECAUSE THE FAN IS BELT DRIVEN, THUS LEADING TO OVER HEATING. THIS USUALLY LEAD TO COSTLY ENGINE REPAIRS, VEHICLE BECOMES DISABLED ANYWHERE AND ANYTIME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. SINCE OWNING, MY 2002 KIA( PURCHASED IN JUNE 2005, 32728 MILES) I HAVE REPLACED 5 RADIATORS, 5 ENGINE COOLING FANS, TOWED 8 TIMES. THE ENGINE COOLING FAN HAS BROKEN OFF AND CUT INTO MY RADIATOR IN 2005, 2009, 2010, AND 2011. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2007 AND I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER IN 2007 FOR THE RECALL. IT HAS BROKE OFF THREE TIMES SINCE THE RECALL. THIS IS DANGEROUS!!! *TT

I HAVE A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE 2 DOOR. WE BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW FOR OUR SON THINKING IT WOULD BE A FUN LITTLE CAR FOR HIM. 36,000 MILES LATER IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 15 TIMES FOR VARIOUS THINGS SUCH AS AIR BAG NEEDING REPAIRED TO ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM EXPLODING ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESSERT AND ME ALONE FOR 6 HOURS BEFORE I COULD GET HELP. THIS SUV IF YOU CAN CALL IT THAT IS NOTHING BUT A HEADACHE AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SONS OR IN FACT ANYONE THAT IS IN IT WHEN IT IS ON THE ROADS SAFETY. *NM

DT: PROBLEM OCCURED WHEN SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH. FLAMES SHOT OUT FROM UNDER DASH. NO WARNING PRIOR. A BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM VEHICLE PRIOR TO FLAMES. IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE DEALER REPORTS IT MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CAR WAS PULLED, A PERSON HELPED BY TRYING TO PUT OUT FIRE WITH A SMALL FIRE EXTINGUISHER, THEN OWNER WENT INSIDE A BUILDING AND GOT ANTOHER FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE WAS OUT BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED. THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM AN UNKOWN SOURCE. DRIVER EXPERIENCED SMOKE INHALATION BUT WOULDNT GO TO HOSPITAL. AND WAS BURNED ON FINGERS TRYING TO PUT IT OUT.

I OWN A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST. YOU ARE WELCOMED AND ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT WILLIAMSBURG CRYSLER JEEP KIA FOR ALL OF THE VEHICLES INFORMATION. THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE STARTED WITHIN A WEEK OF PURCHASE AND CONTINUE TO TODAY. AT THIS WRITING THIS VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP HAVING TO HAVE BEEN TOWED IN ON FRIDAY 05/06/ 05. I JUST GOT THE VEHICLE BACK ON TUEDAY 05/02/05. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 10 PAGES ON THE DATES AND THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT WITH KIA AND I WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO HELP ME BUT TO CONTINUE TO SEND IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED. MY WARRANTY EXPIRES ON THIS VEHICLE IN APPROXIMATELY 6000 MORE MILES. WITH THE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS THAT I AM CURRENTLY HAVING AND THE PROBLEMS IN THE PAST I AM WORRIED WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN THIS MATTER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP AND/OR ME.

MARCH 30TH I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, A LADY PULLED ACCROSS TRAFFIC AND I HAD NO TIME TO STOP, NEEDLESS TO SAY I SLAMMED INTO HER DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AT ABOUT 30MPH. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY KIA SPRORTAGE WAS DAMAGED WITH ABOUT $6700 IN DAMAGES AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS WERE IN OUR SEAT BELTS BUT BADLY BRUISED AND THROWN ABOUT. I WAS INFORMED BY KIA THAT I DIDN'T HIT THE SENSORS ... OK THE WHOLE FRONT END WAS GONE WHERE EXACTLY ARE THE SENSORS? I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR AND MY CHILDREN ARE IN IT , PLEASE CAN SOME ONE TELL ME WHAT TO DO? I FEEL THAT I'M STUCK WITH A VEHICHLE THAT ISN'T SAFE AND I DON'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY RECOURSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

30 SECONDS AFTER CONSUMER PARKED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE IT ROLLED APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS REVERSING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *AK

2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4WD HAS A VACUUM-HUB SYSTEM,THIS HAS A HISTORY OF FAILURE,AS I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET. HOWEVER THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT THE 4WD IS NOT ENGAGED,THE INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WHETHER ON NOT THE 4WD IS WORKING. THIS COULD CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR SOMEONE,THINKING THEY ARE IN 4WD 7 DRIVING ALONG AT 55MPH,ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR START SPINNING ALLOVER THE ROAD. WE LIVE IN RURAL UPSTATE NY AND WHILE RETURNING HOME LAST NIGHT,THIS HAPPENED,WE WOULD UP FACING THE WRONG WAY ON A STEEP DARK HILL,MY HUSBAND IS UNABLE TO WALK LONG DISTANCES DUE TO BACK & KNEE PROBLEMS & WE HAD TO WAIT OVER 2 HOURS FOR A TOWTRUCK. THIS OCCURED 2 YEARS AGO & THEY REPAIRED IT HOWEVR I JUST LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ONGOING PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES, THE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO INSTALL MANUAL HUBS,HOWEVER KIA DOES NOT OFFER THIS TO ITS CONSUMERS. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR END OF HER VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE AT TIMES. THIS HAPPENED FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE HIT A PATCH OF ICE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH UPHILL ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS WITH THE 4WD ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER CABLE, VACUUM HOSE, WHEEL BEARINGS HAD FAILED. EACH COMPONENT WAS REPLACED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE 4WD WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE SERVICE DEALER EXPRESSED TO THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE MANY VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH 4WD PROBLEMS.*AK

DT: THE CALLER SAID H TRANSMISSION SHIFTS GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. IT JERKED AND SHOOK WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IT HAPPENED WHEN DECELERATING. BROUGHT VEHICLE DEALER 5 TIMES, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND WHATS WRONG WITH IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME EXCEPT WHEN HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE LAST TIME HE HAD IT TO DEALER THE LIGHT WENT OFF FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS, AND YESTERDAY THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. DEALER SAID THEY WILL TRY TO GET SOMEONE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE, BUT NO ONE HAS COME YET. DEALER DID A DIAGNOSTIC, AND FIXED WHAT IT SHOWED, BUT THE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME BACK ON AFTER 30 MILES OF DRIVING. *AK

I OWN A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. #1) THE AUTO STARTED TO HAVE A GAS ORDER FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, THEN GAS STARTED TO LEAK FROM THE CAR ONTO THE GROUND. THE CAR IS JUST 3 YEARS OLD WITH A REASONABLE 72,000 MILES. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CAR. I WAS TOLD IF THIS CONTINUED, THE CAR WOULD CATCH FIRE. I WAS TOLD THE INTERNAL SEALS WERE LEAKING AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THIS WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. #2) THE HUBS ON THIS CAR ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE WAY THE CAR WAS DESIGEND - I WAS TOLD. WATER OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS HAVE GOTTEN IN THE CAR WHEELS AND HAVE DAMAGED THE HUBS AND THE 4WD WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. THIS WOULD BE A DESIGN FLAW AND NOT WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CAR.*AK

2002 KIA SPORTAGE, GASOLINE ODOR/LEAK, BEEN SEEN BY DEALERS, WENT TO PRIVATE GARAGE AND HAD DIFFERENT DEALER LOOK AT IT TOO. TODAY, 1/17/2004 GAS ODOR VERY BAD. CANNOT SEEM TO GET IT CORRECTED, SCARED I AM GOING TO DIE IN A FIRE... *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ENGINE SEIZED, AND THEN VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK WHEN THIS CONDITION OCCURRED, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. *TT

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OR MORE. CONSUMER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRES. AFTER THE LAST INCIDENT VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO OIL DRIPPING ONTO THE MANIFOLD. MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED.*AK

THE LEFT FRONT ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT LEAST TWENTY TIMES FOR OTHER DEFECTS. NO SERVICE FOR THE BRAKES. *AK THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING IN THE SHOCK ARMS, A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, RATTLING IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE DUE TO ROTTED SOCKETS, WHEEL BEARINGS WERE EXTREMELY LOOSE, PULLING TO THE RIGHT, THE RIGHT REAR POWER WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON POSSIBLY DUE TO A SMALL LEAK OR A LOOSE GAS CAP, TRANSMISSION HANG UP WHEN COLD, BAD FRONT BRAKES, CRACK IN DASH, CUP HOLDER WAS BROKEN, TAILPIPE RUSTED AND FELL OFF, WHEN THE HEATER AND DEFROST WAS ON THE A/C WOULD COME ON, THE CONSUMER WOULD GET SHOCK WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, INTERMITTENTLY BOTH REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN, AND THE LEFT REAR WINDOW WAS TOTALLY INOPERATIVE. (THERE WAS NO POWER WHEN GOING UP HILL) *SC *JB

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE OR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AT VARIOUS SPEED OF 40 MPH CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL ODOR. VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT IT WAS A FUEL LINE. CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE FUEL LINE WENT OR WHAT KIND OF FUEL LINE IT MAYBE.*AK