2001 Kia Sportage Problems

I BOUGHT THE CAR 2 WEEKS AFTER I LEFT DEALER STARTED NOTICING A SMELL OF GAS THOUGH WAS. BECAUSE JUST PUT GAS IN .THEN WHEN TURNED ON HEAT SMELL WOULD GET WORSE ! A FEW DAYS AGO WENT TO FILL GAS AND A LOT GAS OVER.FILLED ONTO GROUND NOT ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE SMELL GAS SO STRONG INSIDE CAR ITS. ACTUALLY UPSET MY STOMACH WHEN DRIVING THE. AT AND AFRAID GOING START FIRE ! ALSO LEAKAGE ON GROUND WHEN PARKED . I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH SAME PROBLEM !! IT'S A 2001 KIA. ONLY HAS 78,000 MILES ON IT THINK SHOULD BE COVER. FROM COMPANY SINCE NOT ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM .

BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH ONLY 11K MILES FROM AN ELDERLY COUPLE THAT HARDLY DROVE IT. NOW AT 21K MILES, THERE IS A GAS SMELL COMING INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND ALSO OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HAS A ROUGH IDLE AND GAS SPEWS OUT OF TANK WHILE I'M PUMPING GAS. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO FALL OFF. HAD TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS TWICE ALREADY. ALSO, THE DRIVERSIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH ONLY 11K MILES THINKING IT WILL LAST FOR AWHILE, BUT I'VE HAD SO MANY ISSUES WITH IT.

I PURCHASED MY KIA SPORTAGE ON 6/29/11 WITH 90000 MILES ON IT. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. I ALSO PURCHASED A ONE YEAR WARRANTY/10,000 MILES. AFTER 2 WEEKS OF DRIVING MY CAR WOULD TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. FIRST TIME SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME HAD NOT CONTROL WAS ABLE TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKE WITH NO STEERING. CAR STARTED BACK UP. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP, DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NO WAY POSSIBLE OF THIS OCCURRING. I THEN DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND SAW THAT MANY OTHER KIA SPORTAGE OWNERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. PRINTED OUT THE INFORMATION FROM OTHER OWNERS AND BROUGHT BACK TO DEALERSHIP.THEY SAID MY BATTERY HOUSING WAS LOOSE AND THEY REPAIRED. A WEEK LATER MY CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. TOOK BAG TO KIA THEY THEN REPLACED MY BATTERY AND WIRES. NO PROBLEMS FOR A YEAR SAME ISSUE AGAIN. CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. I CANT BELIEVE I HAVE YET TO GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT. THIS TIME MY WARRANTY WAS UP AND I HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW BATTERY AND WIRES AND THE HOLDER THAT THE BATTERY SITS ON BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS DEFECTIVE. IT IS NOW 5/9/2013. TODAY MY CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS LIVING IN NEW YORK AND NOW SAN ANTONIO TEXAS. I HAVE ALSO GONE THROUGH THREE THERMOSTATS IN 6 MONTHS DUE TO DEFECTS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. KIA NEEDS TO RECALL THE CAR NOT STARTING ISSUE IMMEDIATELY. *TR

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

STABILIZER CONNECTED TO THE CHASIS ROTTED FROM THE FRAME AND THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING BECAUSE WHERE THE BRAKE LINE WAS CONNECTED TO THE FRAME WAS ROTTED. BROUGHT THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO FIND THIS OUT. CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN CURRENT CONDITION AS IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T GOING FAST AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. PEOPLE SHOULD BE NOTIFIED TO HAVE THIS CHECKED IMMEDIATELY, IT COULD SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE. *TR

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

I BOUGHT THE CAR 2 WEEKS AFTER I LEFT DEALER STARTED NOTICING A SMELL OF GAS THOUGH WAS. BECAUSE JUST PUT GAS IN .THEN WHEN TURNED ON HEAT SMELL WOULD GET WORSE ! A FEW DAYS AGO WENT TO FILL GAS AND A LOT GAS OVER.FILLED ONTO GROUND NOT ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE SMELL GAS SO STRONG INSIDE CAR ITS. ACTUALLY UPSET MY STOMACH WHEN DRIVING THE. AT AND AFRAID GOING START FIRE ! ALSO LEAKAGE ON GROUND WHEN PARKED . I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH SAME PROBLEM !! IT'S A 2001 KIA. ONLY HAS 78,000 MILES ON IT THINK SHOULD BE COVER. FROM COMPANY SINCE NOT ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM .

THE CAR KEEPS STALLING JUST QUITS WHEN I SLOW DOWN. I HAD TWO MECHANICS CHECK IT OUT. FILLED THE TANK WITH NEW GAS, AND NOTHING SHOWED UP ON THE ELECTRICAL CHECK. IT IS A MYSTERY WHY THIS KEEPS HAPPENING. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS MIGHT HAPPEN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. AND I DON'T WANT TO SELL THE CAR AND GIVE SOMEONE ELSE THIS PROBLEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO SHAKE, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/12/16*LJ ;UPDATED VIN INVALID 4/25/18*JB *TR

I JUST TRIED TO GET MY KIA SPORTAGE INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT PLACES THE FRAME IS RUSTED RIGHT OUT AND I SHOULDN'T EVEN BE DRIVING IT. I JUST LOOKED ONLINE ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS AND FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS FINE OTHERWISE. IF THERE IS NO RECALL I AM GOING TO BE WITHOUT A VEHICLE NOW BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD ANOTHER ONE. *TR

USED CAR DEALER SOLD A CAR WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON 7/3/10. JULY 5, 2010, THEY FIXED THE BACK 2 WINDOWS CAUSING CAR ALARM TO GO OFF WHEN YOU GET IN AND WHEN YOU GET OUT, THEY DISABLED THE CAR ALARM NOW CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO BE ON ALL THE TIME, THE DOOR DON'T SOUND WHEN YOU OPEN IT, THE LOCKS DON'T WORK THE WAY THEY SHOULD, DOOM LIGHT DON'T WORK SEAT BELT DON'T SOUND TO REMIND YOU TO PUT THEM ON. SHOULD YOU DRIVE A VEHICLE WHEN AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON? *TR

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

THE REAR PART OF THE FRAME JUST BEHIND THE REAR SUSPENSION RUSTS FROM WATER THROWN UP BY THE TIRES. WHILE THIS MIGHT NOT NORMALLY BE A DANGER UNLESS YOU WERE TOWING, ON THIS MODEL IT'S WHERE THE FRAME CONNECTS TO THE WHEELS BELOW TO STABILIZE THE FRAME OVER THE SUSPENSION, WITHOUT THIS SUPPORT IT RELEASES THE BACK SUSPENSION AND ALLOWS THE CAR TO EASILY ROCK BACK AND FORTH INTO THE WHEELS. I COULD SEE SHINY SPOTS ON THE SHOCKS FROM TIRE RUB WHERE THE PAINT WAS RUBBED OFF, NO CURRENT SIGN OF TIRE DAMAGE. I FEEL THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE SHOCKS, SPRINGS OR OTHER METAL BODY OR FRAME PART COULD WEAR OR POSSIBLY IF SHARP PUNCTURE A TIRE ON EITHER SIDE WHEN CORNERING. THIS PROBLEM CAN EASILY BE SEEN BY SWINGING THE SPARE TIRE OUT OF IT'S CLOSED POSITION TO OPEN THE TAILGATE, WHEN THE TIRE REACHES THE END OF IT'S ARM THE WHOLE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE OVER, THE RUSTED FRAME BELOW WILL BEND. *TR

I WAS HEARING A CLUNK EVERY TIME I STARTED GOING FORWARD AND BACKWARDS AND GOT UNDERNEATH THE CAR TO NOTICE THE FRAME CROSSMEMBER WAS TOTALLY SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. IT IS THE FRAME CROSSBAR THAT HOLDS THE REAR AXLE SUPPORT TO THE FRAME. THE AFFECTED FRAME CROSS MEMBER GOES UNDERNEATH THE GAS TANK AND WOULD REQUIRE 2 DAYS LABOR TO FIX AT MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. TO REMOVE THE GAS TANK IS ONE PROJECT AND TO HAVE A NEW WELDED SUPPORT BAR IS ANOTHER PROJECT AND WILL COST ALOT TO FIX. I CALLED KIA FOR POSSIBLE RECALLS AND THEY SAID "OH ITS OUT OF WARRANTY" GOODLUCK WITH THAT!!! THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE. *TR

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

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: 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

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

USED CAR DEALER SOLD A CAR WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON 7/3/10. JULY 5, 2010, THEY FIXED THE BACK 2 WINDOWS CAUSING CAR ALARM TO GO OFF WHEN YOU GET IN AND WHEN YOU GET OUT, THEY DISABLED THE CAR ALARM NOW CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO BE ON ALL THE TIME, THE DOOR DON'T SOUND WHEN YOU OPEN IT, THE LOCKS DON'T WORK THE WAY THEY SHOULD, DOOM LIGHT DON'T WORK SEAT BELT DON'T SOUND TO REMIND YOU TO PUT THEM ON. SHOULD YOU DRIVE A VEHICLE WHEN AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON? *TR

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

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.

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 EQUIPPED WITH COOPER TRENDSETTER SE TIRES SIZE 205/75R15, DOT NUMBER U9ULC2T2811. A FRIEND WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE SIDEWALL SEPARATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. THE TIRE SHREDDED INTO PIECES AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY AS THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER, WHERE HE INSTALLED A SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE BRAND NEW AND RECENTLY PURCHASED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH THE CONTACT. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRE WAS 3,562. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,238. UPDATED 12/29/11 *BF UPDATED 03/16/12

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.

BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH ONLY 11K MILES FROM AN ELDERLY COUPLE THAT HARDLY DROVE IT. NOW AT 21K MILES, THERE IS A GAS SMELL COMING INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND ALSO OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HAS A ROUGH IDLE AND GAS SPEWS OUT OF TANK WHILE I'M PUMPING GAS. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO FALL OFF. HAD TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS TWICE ALREADY. ALSO, THE DRIVERSIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH ONLY 11K MILES THINKING IT WILL LAST FOR AWHILE, BUT I'VE HAD SO MANY ISSUES WITH IT.

WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO THE HOSPITAL GOING 30MPH, I REACHED DOWN TO PICK UP SOMETHING OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR( I WAS THE PASSENGER), WHEN I HEARD A SOUND LIKE BREAKING GLASS. WE THOUGHT WE HAD RUN OVER A GLASS OBJECT BUT WHEN I TURNED TO LOOK BACK THERE WAS NOTHING THERE. I DID NOTICE THAT MY SEATBELT WAS NO LONGER RESTRAINING ME. THE PART THAT SHOULD HAVE KEPT ME SAFE, THE SEATBELT, HAD COME COMPLETELY OUT OF ITS COMPARTMENT. I KNOW THAT IF WE HAD BEEN IN A WRECK I WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *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

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE PURCHASED ON AUGUST 25, 2009. THERE WAS A NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED BY A PIPE THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO STATED THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT CONTINUED TO LEAK WATER FROM THE VENTS AND ONTO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS ALLERGY IN THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,200.

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A CRACK FORMED IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE STABILIZER BAR DISCONNECTED FROM THE RIGHT BALL JOINT WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH; AT THAT POINT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED BUT NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN PERFORMED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,600. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,500. UPDATED 05/18/10. *LJ

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

BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH ONLY 11K MILES FROM AN ELDERLY COUPLE THAT HARDLY DROVE IT. NOW AT 21K MILES, THERE IS A GAS SMELL COMING INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND ALSO OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HAS A ROUGH IDLE AND GAS SPEWS OUT OF TANK WHILE I'M PUMPING GAS. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO FALL OFF. HAD TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS TWICE ALREADY. ALSO, THE DRIVERSIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH ONLY 11K MILES THINKING IT WILL LAST FOR AWHILE, BUT I'VE HAD SO MANY ISSUES WITH IT.

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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS AND THE FRONT PARKING LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE FAILING INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF AND PLAY AROUND WITH THE FUSE IN ORDER TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS RE-ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.