1999 Kia Sportage

A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY DATA REVEALED ELEVATED TANK LEAKAGE EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 1999 TO OCTOBER 2000.ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE.THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVE NON-SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF FUEL LEAKAGE WHERE MORE THAN ONE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

ON JANUARY 4, 2006, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE STEEL FUEL STORAGE TANK IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2000 KIA SPORTAGE VEHICLES.ODI SENT A LETTER TO THE MANUFACTURER ON JANUARY 25, 2006 REQUESTING INFORMATION ABOUT THESE AND OTHER KIA SPORTAGE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 40 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGE FUEL STORAGE TANK LEAKAGE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ANALYSIS OF MANUFACTURER DATA INDICATES THAT ALLEGED FUEL LEAKAGE AT OR NEAR THE STORAGE TANK MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT FAILURE MODES INVOLVING THE FUEL CONTAINMENT AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.KIA HAS IDENTIFIED CORROSION AS A PRIMARY CAUSAL FACTOR RELATED TO FUEL STORAGE TANK COMPLAINTS AND CONTINUED FUEL SYSTEM PART SALES.ACCORDING TO KIA, FUEL TANK CORROSION CLAIMS RELATED TO LEAKAGE CAN BE DIVIDED INTO TWO CATEGORIES: LOWER TANK CLAIMS ASSOCIATED WITH EXTERIOR CORROSION DUE TO DISRUPTION OF THE POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC) PROTECTIVE COATING AND UPPER TANK CLAIMS ASSOCIATED WITH CORROSION AT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT MOUNTING PLATE AREA.THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED FUEL TANK CORROSION RESULTING IN LEAKAGE IS ONGOING.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-007) TO FURTHER STUDY THE FREQUENCY, SCOPE, AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.

THE MANUFACTURER HAS INITIATED A SAFETY RELATED CAMPAIGN TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOR CORRECTION OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DEFECT.THE CORRECTIVE ACTION IS TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS/BUCKLES.THIS SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM HAS BEEN ASSIGNED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 04V305.

INFORMATION RECEIVED AND ANALYZED DURING THIS RQ DISCLOSED THAT MY 1999 AND 2000 KIA SEPHIA AND SPORTAGE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH MODIFIED VERSIONS OF THE SAME SAFETY BELT LATCH ASSEMBLY AS THOSE RECALLED IN CAMPAIGN NO. 02V-216.THESE LATCH ASSEMBLIES WERE IDENTIFIED AS TYPE A97. ODI ANALYSES INDICATE A CONTINUING TREND OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FOLLOWING A SERIES OF DESIGN MODIFICATIONS MADE BY KIA TO IMPROVE THE A97 LATCH ASSEMBLY.MY 2001 AND 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH DIFFERENT DESIGN LATCH ASSEMBLIES (TYPE DB-6 OR AUTOLIV) AND EXHIBIT A MUCH LOWER COMPLAINT COUNT.THIS RQ HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN EA IN ORDER TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TYPE A97 LATCH ASSEMBLIES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED STRONG FUEL FUMES ON THE EXTERIOR AND THE INTERIOR. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED THREE TIMES AND WAS REPLACED BY A MECHANIC. THE DRIVE TRAIN FAILED ONCE AND WAS REPLACED BY A MECHANIC. THE CRANK SHAFT WAS ALSO REPLACED ONCE. THE CONTACT ALSO WAS EXPERIENCING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN WHICH THE GEARS SLIPPED RANDOMLY AND WERE SLOW TO CHANGE OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE SEALS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE FUEL LEAK CONTINUED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 333,000.

NHTSA ID

10778236

Incident

Oct 6, 2014

Mileage

333,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ID

10588573

Incident

Feb 21, 2014

Mileage

189,000 mi

I HAD JUST FILLED GAS TANK WITH UNLEADED GAS. WHEN I NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL. THE CAR SITS ALL DAY. I ONLY MOVE IT FOR EMISSIONS EACH YEAR I WORK FROM HOME. THEY TESTED AND TOLD ME EVAP EMISSION CONTROL SYS MALF. THE GUY SAID HE COULD SEE GAS LEAKING FROM MY FUEL LINE. HE SAID IT WAS A RECALL ON THIS TO CHECK WITH KIA. KIA TOLD ME MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH THE RECALL. THIS CAR DOES NOT SEE ALOT OF ACTION THERE IS NO REASON OTHER THAN A FEW GOOD SNOWS THAT MAY HAVE RUSTED THE TANK OTHER WISE WHY WOULD MY TANK ALL OF A SUDDEN LEAK GAS. THIS IS A HAZARD THAT I THINK KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR AND HAVE HAD IT LONGER THAN THE FIRST. I HAVE EXPERIENCED FIRST HAND SOME ISSUES THIS MODEL HAS HAD WHICH KIA TOOK CARE OF. BUT THEY REFUSE THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10569244

Incident

Mar 13, 2014

Mileage

124,971 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND CAUSED THAT CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE AFTER HE REGAINED CONTROL, STOPPED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID

10562740

Incident

Jan 10, 2014

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,390. UPDATED 02/03/2014 *LJ UPDATED 02/24/14*LJ

NHTSA ID

10559564

Incident

Jan 2, 2014

Mileage

168,390 mi

REAR FRAME OF MY 1999 KIA SPORTAGE ROTTED, AND CAUSING THE WHOLE REAREND TO SHIFT SEVERELY. AT 30MPH. CAUSING ME TO PARK MY SPORTAGE. REST OF THE FRAME IN GOOD SHAPE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10557195

Incident

Dec 20, 2013

Mileage

161,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN A LARGER TRUCK PASSED HIM ON THE ROADWAY AND CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO ANOTHER LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ID

10556230

Incident

Nov 4, 2013

Mileage

94,000 mi

FRONT LEFT SIDE SEAT BELT, WON'T RETRACT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10549869

Incident

Oct 27, 2013

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.

PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.

TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only.

TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.?

KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE

FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT UNDER REPAIR BENEFIT PROGRAM. ON CERTAIN 1997-2000 SPORTAGES. *NJ