This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I have a 1999 Kia Sportage with less than 35,000 miles on it as of July 5, 2006. In November of 2005 I started noticing a really strong fuel smell. Shortly thereafter I noticed fluid leaking from the rear of my vehicle. I took it in around thanksgiving to find out that the gas tank had to be replaced. I had to pay almost $1,000 for this repair. Also, in may of 2006 power steering fluid leaked all over my garage while the car was in summer storage. Upon further investigation it is due to the power steering pressure hose damping pipe rusting out. This car has also already have to get new front brake rotors (rusted/warped) as well as a new exhaust pipe since the previously one rusted off the muffler. Within the first couple years one of the bearings went bad and they ended up replacing the whole front axle unit. This car has had many problems and with less than 35,000 miles on it basically makes me sick to my stomach. I am reporting this to you after reading on www.Kia.com technical/owners section about a "service campaign" for the leaking fuel tanks in May 2006. Nobody has notified me and I just happened to run into myself as I was researching information related to the power steering system since that started leaking in May 2006.
\T\T\T\T 11/16/02\tgeneral diagnostics after purchase\T no stored codes \T $75.50 \T\ttiming check - disconnect battery\T\T 11/29/02\tengine bucks on acceleration\T no stored codes\T $87.26 \T broken center console replaced\T\T 01/02/03\tengine stalled - died after one week's time, no diagnosis\T $70.88 * towed *\T\T 01/05/03\temail sent to: Kia Consumer Affairs advised of poor running condition and \T inferior Kia service received response as to four \T \T\T manufacturer recalls not performed to\T \T\T date on vehicle\T 01/13/03\T*SC014 recall - engine wiring harness\T recall performed\T $102.44 *SC022 recall - manifold catalytic converter\T recall performed\T \T\T*front wheel bearing seals leaking/loose replaced front hub assemblies\T \T\T*coolant leaking at bypass hose\T R&R hose and replaced seals\T \T\T*determined front bumper replaced \T 01/17/03\T*exhaust manifold stud broken\T removed manifold/drilled out broken stud\T and replaced $77.77 \T\T*stuck thermostat\T replaced thermostat\T 05/22/03\T52,500 mile service\T\T$123.27 \T\T*wiper blade check - not operating properly\T adjusted wiper arms/replaced blades\T \T\T\T operating worse!\T \T\T*front end shaking @ high speeds\T rotated tires - no change!\T \T\T*replace front turn signal assembly\T completed satisfactorily\T 05/23/03\tcar died while driving - stalled out at idle\T wiring harness to tcm shorting out\T $260.13 \T *towed* removed tcm/cleaned/repaired\T total out of pocket repairs (not including warranty items) $797.25
Smell of exhaust coming from under hood again. Has been in shop number of times, check engine came on 50 miles after leaving dealership for repairs.runs very bad, same as before repairs. Has been out of warrnety for while, pay for repairs out of pocket.
99 Kia Sportage surges when starting and idles so rough when stopped that you think the car will die, has died a few times. Dealer has not been able to determine the cause to repair. All recall work was done, including the wiring harness fix SC014, but there was no symptom of problem then. Extended warranty has expired, and continually finding problem with car. Also tail pipe recently broke off had to be replaced. I now have a spreadsheet of the problems and repairs. Would like to fix this problem if I knew what it was. Had mass air flow sensor, throttle position sensor, numerous other parts replaced as well as a tune up. Also the exhaust smells bad. Engine doesn't have much pick up on small hills either.
- Hazelwood, MO, USA
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Exhaust is sucked into the passenger compartment when the rear vinyl window releases from the track that is suppose to keep it secured and closed. The exhaust causes illness and headaches. The design of the window and exhaust pipe do not allow for an exhaust free passenger compartment.
Upon starting vehicle a smell came from exhaust. While driving smell intensified. Took to dealer. Mechanic stated smell was coming from tail pipe. The consumer believes the exhaust fume was due to defective muffler and should be replaced. Another center stated that the vehicle had bad odor from O2 sensor, catalytic converter or emission problems.
After driving the Kia for about one month, the vehicle began to emit a rotten egg smell, service manager explanation was that vehicle needed "breaking in", later owner was told that the smell was coming from using cheap fuel, vehicle would not turn on because of left over fuel in the combustion chamber, not sure why engine light came on and vehicle stalled.
No lights on dashboard came on.this is one time engine check light did not come on. Oil all over motor. Around area of dip stick.pressure from motor blew out dip stick has anyone else had to replace motor on these cars? also have had brakes replaced 5 times. Wiper assembly replaced. Fourwheel drive hose replaced. Windsheild replaced. Emissons replaced. Rotors 5 times. Seats front and back 1 time each. Soft top replaced 3 times need replaced again.smells like sulfur all the time. Will never buy one again. First I have to pay $3000 for a new motor and pay this one off.asked for help from Kia they said no.they will not replace motor. I bought extended warrenty. Don't buy it doesn't cover brakes or rotors or hubs.had headlight switch by motor replaced no headlights they would go off when I put them from high beam to low beam or low to high. Then they stopped working alltogether had to hold switch to see to get home.
I have sent the following E-mail both to Kia and Hyundai several times and have not received a response.I have a 1999 Sportage convertible VIN # [xxx], after. No safety complaint. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Vehicle has been experiencing exhaust leakage problem. Vehicle has been at dealer's shop on five occasions, but problem continues to reoccur. Dealer informed consume R that nothing colud be done.
I have a 1999 Kia Sportage which has a convertible top on the back part. When the inside air flow button is on it causes the top to flap so hard that the entire vehicle begins to shake. It also so cause such a vibration that it hurts your ears. But you donot always have to have the inside air flow on for this happen. When you get up to about 65 or 70 it will do it any way. There is know way you can travel at all with the inside air flow button in unless you want to go crazy. Plus the shaking of the vehicle is also a nightmare I do belive it could cause someone to lose control. I have contacted the dealer about it before they tried to act as if they did not know what the problem was. But today I took it in and they admited their had been other complaints. They are going to replace the top but I donot think the dealer even thinks this will work.
Consumer smelled exhaust fumes inside of vehicle and became sick. Had to open windows for ventilation. Dealer and manufacturer contacted, but unable to correct the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hudsonville, MI, USA