Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Kia Sportage submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 90 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 90, in the owner's own words
FUEL TANK LEAKING GAS I BELIEVE THE FUEL TANK IS NO GOOD ANYMORE I PURCHASE A VEHICLE FILL UP THE TANK AND START TO LEAK GAS I THOUGHT IT WAS A GASKET SO GASKET WAS PLACED AND IT'S STILL LEAKING
NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL, LOOKED UNDER CAR AND NOTICED GAS DRIPPING FROM UNDER CAR. UPON FURTHER LOOKING I NOTICED THE GAS TANK PROTECTIVE PLATE IS ROTTING OUT WHICH MAKES ME BELIEVE THE GAS TANK IS TOO.
GAS TANK IS LEAKING GASOLINE. *TR
FUEL TANK/PAN RUSTED OUT. STRONG GAS ODOR. RECALL FOUND ONLINE. NEITHER DEALER NOR KIA WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE. RECEIVING NUMEROUS MISFIRE MESSAGES AND HAVE CHANGED PLUGS, COILS, AND WIRES. MISFIRE CODE STATES FUEL/AIR RATIO IS WRONG. THERE IS NO HISS WHEN OPENING GAS CAP AND NO PRESSURE REGISTERING FROM TANK. SAFETY AND FIRE ISSUE. WAS WARNED NOT TO DRIVE UNTIL FIXED DUE TO GAS LEAKAGE. VERY UPSET AT KIA FOR TELLING ME THAT RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO MY 2000 SPORTAGE, HOWEVER SHE STATED IT WAS FOR 1996-2002 SPORTAGES. WAS INFORMED I COULD PAY $92/HOUR FOR IT TO BE INSPECTED BUT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CHARGES. VERY DISTURBING, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS VEHICLE USED TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY AND NOW I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL GUARD WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 179,000.
THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING. I NEED TO HAVE KIA TO REPLACE THIS TANK. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO KEEP DRIVING. I HAVE CHILDREN AND I AM CONCERN FOR THEIR SAFETY AS WELL AS MY OWN. *TR
THE GAS TANK SHIELD IS RUSTING TO PIECES. NOTICED A PIECE HANGING DOWN AND CHECKED UNDER THE CAR. IT IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. *TR
THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN 2 DAYS. MY DAUGHTER STARTED THE CAR, DROVE IT ABOUT 1/4 - 1/2 MILE WHEN SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE CONSOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE, GOT OUT AND RAN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TO SEE IF SHE COULD TELL WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND COULD SEE FIRE THROUGH THE CRACK IN THE CONSOLE WHERE THE COVER OVER THE CONSOLE WAS JOINED TOGETHER. WITHIN SECONDS, THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A GASOLINE LEAK. SHE WAS IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD WITH VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC. HAD SHE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TRAFFIC, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DIFFERENT SCENARIO. SHE AND OTHERS WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR WORSE. HER POCKETBOOK HAD FALLEN ON THE FLOOR AND SHE REACHED OVER TO PICK IT UP AND THAT IS WHEN SHE SAW THE SMOKE. SHE HAD TIME TO GET OUT BEFORE THE CAR IMPLODED. THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WAS GUTTED AND THE PAINT WAS BURNED OFF THE DRIVERS SIDE AND ROOF OF THE CAR. ALL THAT IS LEFT OF THE INSIDE IS SOOT, METAL AND CHARCOAL FROM FRONT TO REAR. WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALER ON DECEMBER 21, 2012. IT RAN GREAT, WAS IN GOOD SHAPE AND WE HAD NO PROBLEMS OR WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I AM GOING TO NOTIFY KIA, BUT AM NOT VERY HOPEFUL OF ANY RESOLUTION WITHOUT SOME INTERVENTION FROM NHTSA. *TR
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A SHOP TO GET THE OIL CHANGED AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR OF THE FRAME IS SEVERELY RUSTED OUT AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. ALSO THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AT ONE OF THE SEAMS IN THE CORNER OF THE TANK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY PEOPLE IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE KIA SPORTAGE. I HAVE ALSO SEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL. IT'S ONLY A 12 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD PLENTY OF OTHER VEHICLES MUCH OLDER WITHOUT ALL OF THIS KIND OF RUST ISSUE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT WITH THE MATERIALS BEING USED. I SURELY HOPE THE NHTSA WILL MAKE KIA MOTORS RECALL THESE VEHICLES. BECAUSE IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
(1) NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK SHIELD IS SEVERELY ROTTED OUT AND IS BARELY CONNECTED. (2) SMELL FUEL VAPORS PERIODICALLY WHILE IN THE VEHICLE. (3) FUEL TANK APPEARS TO BE RUSTING, AFRAID TO MESS WITH TANK IN FEAR OF DISTURBING THE RUST AND RUPTURING A HOLE IN TANK. (4) BRAKE LINES WERE SO SEVERELY RUSTED IN ONE AREA THAT IT BLEW A HOLE IN THE LINE AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STOPPING AND REQUIRED THE PROMPT ACTION FOR REPAIR. OTHER BRAKE LINES LOOK LIKE THEY MAY FAIL IN NEAR FUTURE. (5) STEEL PORTION OF POWER STEERING LINE RUSTED OUT AND BLEW FLUID EVERYWHERE PREVENTING THE ABILITY TO TURN THE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. (6) THE FRAME HAS HEAVY RUST SCALE AND APPEARS TO BE ROTTING IN SEVERAL PLACE. (7) PAINT IS STARTING TO BUBBLE WHICH IS INDICATING BODY IS RUSTING UNDER PAINT JOB. THIS IS A 12 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH VERY BAD ROTTING OF METAL FROM SALT CORROSION. HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS MUCH RUST ON 20+ OLD VEHICLES THAT ARE IN THE SAME NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE US. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED CAUSING A FUEL LEAK . THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO VERIFIED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS IN FACT CORRODED AND CAUSED THE FUEL LEAK. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,835.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OVERPOWERING FUEL SMELL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS NOTIFIED BY A CONCERNED CITIZEN THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDERNEATH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A DEFECT AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS JUST OLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE PARKED ON RENTAL PROPERTY DUE TO THE HAZARD AND POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE. THE FUEL FUMES ALSO MADE THE DRIVER FEEL DIZZY, CONTRIBUTING TO UNSAFE DRIVING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
SOME OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING;FUEL TANK LEAK, HEAVY RUST, FRAME RUSTED OUT. TOOK IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP & WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP, TANK&SENSOR REPLACED. PER THE ADVISOR AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP, MY CAR DID PASS INSPECTION IN REGARDS TO THE"EXTENDED WARRANTY"ON THE FUEL TANK.I WAS CHARGED APPROX.$800 FOR THE REPAIRS DUE TO IT BEING ONLY 1 YR PAST THE TIME FOR KIA TO COVER THE REPAIR.I AM UNDER THE MILEAGE.THE KIA DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A LIST OF ADDITIONAL REPAIRS NEEDED. ONE OF THEM BEING"FRAME RUSTED OUT IN REAR REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION"THEY DID NO EXPLAIN ANY OF THIS TO ME! MY CAR STARTED TO JERK&SHAKE WHILE SLOWLY STEPPING ON THE BRAKES AS I PREPARED TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT,IT WAS DIFFICULT TO BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP:'( IT MADE A LOUD NOISE AS IF SOMETHING HAD FALLEN OF MY CAR. PER THE MECHANIC THAT I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO, I NEED TO FIND A GOOD WELDER TO REPAIR ALL OF THIS RUST ASAP. HE STATED THAT THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND THIS CAUSES ME TO HAVE NO CONTROL OF MY CAR. THE KIA DEALERSHIP SOLD ME $800 WORTH OF WORK WHILE KNOWING/NOT TELLING ME THAT MY CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE:( WHO DOES THAT?! I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR:( I DIDN'T LIST ALL OF THEM. FROM LITTLE THINGS TO MAJOR. I FEEL SO UNSAFE DRIVING IT. I ONLY WISH THAT PEOPLE TRULY CARED & TRIED TO PICTURE HOW THEY WOULD FEEL IF THIS HAD HAPPENED TO THEM OR THEIR FAMILY/FRIENDS. I AM CURRENTLY LAID OFF AND SEARCHING FOR WORK . I HAVE BEEN LAID OFF 2X WITHIN THE PAST 2 YRS, FIRST TIME WAS RIGHT AFTER I PURCHASED MY CONDO. I'M TRYING TO TELL MYSELF TO JUST BREATHE AND KEEP THE FAITH. IT IS GOING TO BE A MUCH MORE DIFFICULT ROAD TO FACE NOW WITHOUT A CAR:'( I TRIED TO EXPLAIN MY SITUATION,SAFETY/CONCERN ISSUES AND HARDSHIP TO KIA CUSTOMER CARE, BUT THEY WILL NOT HELP WITH ANYTHING NOR WILL THE DEALERSHIP. TOYOTA STEPPED UP, WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR KIA TO?? *TR
I OWN A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE AND I HAVE BEEN SMELLING GAS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TT
BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY.,WHEN YOU STEP ON BRAKE YOU CAN FEEL THE BRAKE OR TIRE SPENDING AND YOUR CAR IS STILL ROLLING WHEN YOUR ARE STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. ENGINE, TURNING THE CAR ENGINE ON AND OFF. WHEN YOU START THE ENGINE THE ENGINES CLICKS BUT DOES NOT START. ITS NOT THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY SEVERAL TIMES BUT STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT SMELLED A GASOLINE ODOR AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HER THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN HER FUEL TANK AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. UPDATED 10/19/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL PUMP IS LEAKING GAS. THE CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL HOURS, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER HE WAS OVER THE MILEAGE OR WARRANTY FOR A FREE REPAIR. UPDATED 11/04/11.
GAS TANK LEAKING GAS
2000 KIA SPORTAGE NOTICE GAS FUMES, GAS LEAKING AND UNDER SEAT THE TOP PLATE IS LETTING OUT RAW GAS FUMES TO MAKE YOU SICK. I DID RESEARCH AN SEEN A RECALL SC059 MY CARE IS DOING THE SAME THING CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE SHE GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER TO THE KIA DEALER SHE SAID COULDN'T DRIVE CAR HAVE IT TOWED, HAVE JAKE SWEENY TO DIAGNOSE IF THIS IS DOING THE SAME PROBLEMS THE OLD RECALL DID FOR THEM TO CALL HER AND SHE WOULD ASK HER DIST MGR TO LET THIS CAR BE FIX. MY BROTHER IS HANDICAPPED AND HE CALLED THE DEALER AND HE ASK FOR THE VIN NUMBER AND SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL. WE KNOW THERE IS NOT ONE AT THIS MOMENT BUT FOR HIM TO LOOK AT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF IT CAUSING A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM. I HAVE CASE NUMBER FROM KIA JUST NEED TO GET THE DEALER TO LOOK AT THE CAR THE FUMES ARE MAKING HIM SICK AND NOW THE CHANCE OF THE CARE BLOWING UP. PLEASE HELP ASAP. MILEAGE ON CAR 85,520 I THINK KIA NEEDS TO FIX ALL THESE CARS I HAVE LOOKED ON THE WEB AND THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I BELIEVE THERE ARE MORE VIN NUMBERS OUT THERE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT KIA IS OVERLOOKING UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT. THANK YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ISSUE A NEW RECALL OR REOPEN THE OLD ONE. THANK YOU *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT SMELLED STRONG FUMES FROM THE GASOLINE TANK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,520. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.
2000 KIA SPORTAGE, FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK SHIELD RUSTED AND FALLING OFF. UPDATED IVOQ 12/16/20 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,585. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
2000 KIA SPORTAGE, GAS TANK IS CORROSIVE AND GAS IS LEAKING FROM TANK. THERE WAS A SLIGHT HOLE THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER TRIED TO REPAIR WITH SOME TYPE OF SEALANT. *TR
GAS TANK LEAKING ON 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. *TR
2000 KIA SPORTAGE. CONSUMER STATES SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. WHEN THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WOULD ENGAGE, IT WOULD CAUSE TREMENDOUS FRICTION WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN DRASTICALLY. ALSO, WHEN IT WAS ENGAGED IN A TURNING MODE, THE FRONT GEAR WOULD SLIP. THE GAS TANK SHIELD WAS THREE QUARTERS OF THE WAY ROTTED DUE TO RUST AND THERE SEEMED TO BE MINOR GAS SEEPAGE UNDER WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE TANK SHIELD. THE CHASSIS FRAME RAILS, BOTH REAR SIDES WERE APPROXIMATELY 85% ROTTED OUT BY RUST. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS THAT THE RAILS COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE WAS VERY LITTLE GOOD METAL TO REPAIR AND STRENGTHEN THE VEHICLE FRAME. *JB
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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