My Kia began having electrical problems about 3 years ago. Long story made short: The dealer wanted me to pay $3000 plus for it had all its electrical system melted down. I found a recall and after a battle with the dealer and manufacturer I got it fixed when I found out there was a recall. Next nightmare: July 2008 no one died luckily. I lend my car to a friend and he is driving his 2 year old daughter and the car falls to the ground. Axle broke down, wheels spun inwards and Kia is not working again. Luckily these friends were going at 20 miles an hour otherwise they would not have told the story. Got it fixed cost me $$ apparently it was a defective Kia part center link replaced. Have the part still in my car as a nice memory. Final nightmare: April 2009 I was the main character: Again the axle feels weird and clicks when I turn. Problem: Tie rod is broken. Different than the previous time but related to the previous problem. Luckily was not on the freeway at high speed otherwise would not be telling this story. In short: This is a safety hazard! Kia needs to recall this defect urgently. My friend and kid and I could have got killed in an accident literally. Fortunately we both were driving at very low speeds and could manage this problem with no one getting injured? Kia needs to make these cars safer and prevent future accidents please!! be responsible not only with your new cars, take pride on your brand and fix the old junk you created!!

- Berkeley Ca, CA, USA

Rotors were bad upon purchase, dealer replaced them for free only because the service rep. Knew my deceased husband. I was driving on the freeway at a speed of about 65 mph, when the truck died at 87,000 miles. I was almost hit several times. The timing belt broke-something that was replaced a couple months prior by the dealer. My water pump and pulleys and belt were replaced for about 700 dollars less then dealer originally charged me. The dealer since has repaid for their incorrect belt size--belt was incorrect for my truck. Dealer installed struts broke after about 25 miles of usage--dealer claimed that I drove my truck over speed bumps rough--hahaha. Than, I guess is such a bad ca smog law, the check engine light for 2 years plus still will not go off. I passed all emissions for my smog check, but the check engine light keeps failing me. I had the heat plate removed and the exhaust manifold was cracked and it froze my upper O2 sensor--repair done by personal mechanic with parts that I purchased online for about 1/3 the price of the dealer parts and work done. Ok, I thought the light would come off..it didn't. I have to change the other O2 sensor. Also my brake sensor for ABS brakes--that I don't have--went out and now I have to override the system with an ice-pick. You would think that would be a problem but it isn't. the failure of the brake sensor causes not only for the gear box to lock, it is also responsible for the turn signals--they are on the same fuse system. My truck has about 135K miles and for the most part runs great, just minor issues that my personal mechanic has fixed and repaired for free because my truck is a test truck for the other Kia's that come in for work and the dealer can or will not trouble shoot. Oh and get this, I take the truck in for the seat-belt replacement during the recall, dealer told me that I have to pay for the work and the parts are free. That was not part of the paperwork I got in the mail.

- Monrovia, CA, USA

Power locks go on and off by themselves. Power windows don't work, then suddenly works. Computer failure with brakes.

- Brick, NJ, USA

(1) headlights would turn off while driving (2) wiring harness overheated & melted (3) replacement of wiring harness & lamps.

- Somerset, MA, USA

The C owns a 2000 Kia sporadic. On 10-14-05 their car caught on fire while driving 35 mph. The contact saw white smoke coming from the vents, and then she saw black smoke coming from underneath the dash. The fire department was not called. Once she turned the ignition off the car finished smoking for a while, and when it quit smoking the contact tried to start the car and it would not start. She was not yet sure of the damage done because the insurance company has not looked at it.. she reported having no problems at all with the car prior to this incident. The incident has been reported to the insurance company. Her husband thought it was of electrical nature. The contact contacted, a Kia dealer and they were not very helpful. They referred her to the insurance company. She has not spoken to the manufacturer.

- Chatsworth, GA, USA

Consumer called complaining about having prblems with spark plugs.dealer was contacted, and stated to the consumer that spark plugs were consumer's responsibility.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

Vehicle experienced electrical system failure that resulted in an accident. Vehicle was totaled.

- Williamstown, MA, USA

Vehicle experienced an electrical system failure, and caught on fire. Vehicle was totaled. A recall was issued, but the vehicle not included due to VIN. The vehicle was engulfed on the passenger side in flames. The vehicle was parked the whole time prior to the fire. The fir department deemed it was an electrical problem and had become a total loss. (recall #00V205000)

- Williamstown, MA, USA

All power doors, windows, and brake lights do not work in my 2000 Kia Sportage. After inspecting all fuses and light bulbs, I believe bad wiring or bad connectors to be the culprit.

- Upland, CA, USA

Since Oct. 2002 until April 2003, the power locks would operate erratically, making the lock and unlocking sound, and a clicking sound coming from under the dash board, vehicle has been to the dealer four times for this problem, first they thought it was the timer control unit, audio circuit, they did find four chaffered wires in the drivers side door, and some corrosion from the main door pin. Two days later from picking up the vehicle, problem still exists. Alarm is working funny when the vehicle locks are freaking out. Service manager where I take my vehicle for service said to me upon picking up my vehicle, " I hope you don't take this the wrong way, or personally, but I hope I don't see you again, you know things are either black, white, or gray and this situation is very gray." Imagine that, that's what they are there for, to fix your vehicle. I have given this place 8 years of service between this vehicle and my previous car. Wait until I have to call and say it is happening again. If anyone has had this problem and has found the answer, please help between March 26,2003 and April 4,2003 vehicle has been to dealer three times and once last Oct,2002 I guess dealer can't find the problem.

- Orange, MA, USA

Consumer stated that the vehicle has a defective wire harness causing power window failure, short in switch, blowing the power window fuse and shocking passengers. Also, dome light blows bulb and has been replaced 2 times, power door locks operate when steering column is adjusted, (wiring related).

- Joshua Tree, CA, USA

Electrical lights, equipment, power train all are malfunctioned.

- East Chicago, IN, USA

Consumer stated that the vehicle has a defective wire harness causing power window failure, short in switch, blowing the power window fuse and shocking passengers. Also, dome light blows bulb and has been replaced 2 times, power door locks operate when steering column is adjusted, (wiring related).

- Joshua Tree, CA, USA