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.
Smoke was pouring out from the passenger front side of the motor compartment. The fuses for the ABS (I think) were taken out so it would stop. I was a told a control module could have something to do with it.
While driving at a continuous speed of 55mph on the main road, the ESC light randomly came on and the car jolted into 1st gear. I was unable to move it and it was towed back to my house. Since then, the brake pedal goes to the floor without stopping the vehicle.
I was driving when the brakes was pressed there was a terrible noise and no brakes. The garage said that it was the ABS system. The brake fluid had leaked into the ABS box and shorted it out. They wanted $3100 dollars to fix it. I dont have that kind of money. Please help by getting Kia to do a recall. My husband and I was ok. Please help before it happens to someone else. I am out of a vehicle because I cannot afford to get it fixed and it is a safety hazard. I tried talking to Kia headquarters they were no help.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. While driving at various speeds, the brake warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was unaware if the vehicle was serviced according to NHTSA campaign number: 13V114000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
- Salineville, OH, USA
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Kia is ripping people off to the tune of $1,700 to $1,800 for their faulty ABS brake controllers plus labor. It is a widely know problem that brake fluid seeps out of the back of this unit onto the circuit board and causes a variety of safety and mechanical issues. A year and a half ago I experienced a problem with the ESC traction light coming on, followed by a flashing 4X4 light and then finally a check engine light. The worst part about this is that it then slams itself into first gear going down the road! yes, you heard that correctly. This can happen very quickly. Kia, you have a safety issue! I replaced the unit with a used one for $350 plus installation and now it has the same problem a year and a half later. There were two possible controller units for the 2008 Sportage and they look identical but are not interchangeable. The other one I can purchase new, direct from South Korea as an oem part in a Kia/Hyundai box for around $500. But not this one, they know they have a serious safety problem as this can unexpectedly pull you down to a crawl in heavy traffic. They also have kept the price extremely high on this unit to maximize profits on a safety item they refuse to fix. I'm looking for another used unit and then I'll dump this lemon.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the brakes were not responding when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V114000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection and diagnostic testing. The technician completed the repair by ordering the part from the manufacturer. The contact was to determine from the manufacturer when the vehicle could be scheduled for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Due to dashboard lights of ABS, ESC, traction control, ... I was told the hydraulic assembly needs to be replaced, est cost of... ABS pump and module and that it would cost me $2700 to fix.
Hydraulic module assembly needed replaced-ABS, ESC, brake lights all came on. Took to dealer who stated "brains" of the ABS system needed replaced.vehicle only has 32,200 miles.
I purchased my 2008 Kia Sportage brand new, I take very good care of it. Currently I have 55,000 miles on it, last week the ABS, parking brake and ESC lights came on. I immediately took it to the dealer they ran a diagnostic test $90. I was told the hydraulic assembly needs to be replaced, est cost of $2,311.25 and that my car is now unsafe to drive. Was told that it was not covered under warranty and informed me that this was unusual. Therefore my concern is should this be a recall item?
My sister in law's 08 Kia Sportage ex had all the dash warning lights come on, the code showed P0501 wheel speed sensor malfunction. I replaced rt frt sensor and still same code. Took it to local shop and they said something is shorted because they can't read all the lights on. I checked some fuses but found none blown. It seemed like the brakes were a little weak and I drove it for a test and noticed it was pulling hard to the right, then it started to pulse as if the ABS was stuck on. I turned for home and parked it. Next day went to try it again and it was dead, I charged battery, the door locks were clicking on/off and horn blowing. I unhooked battery terminals to charge battery and when it was fully charged I hooked it up and the ABS module on front passenger side of car was running and getting hot. Like some one else on this site, I'm sure it would have caught fire but I pulled the battery cables. After looking into purchasing the module I realize why Kia has not recalled this part, price is around $1000 to $1800 for this ABS module. This is a dangerous problem with this car since you are dealing with brakes and also auto fires. Kia needs to step it up and recall this issue. I hope others who have experienced this problem also put in a complaint.
I have had an ongoing squeal/grind in the rear left. They dealership said it was brakes and I paid a lot of money for brakes which I challenged given only 45000 miles. I still have the issue and of course cant find a thing. I believe its the cv joint or axle. Warranty will not cover according to dealership. This car cant be the only one having this issue. Thanks for allowing me to post this.
I was in the car, parked in a wendys parking lot, engine off, radio on. There was a loud pop followed by smoke, a gentleman in a truck 3 spaces away heard it and saw it. We got out to look at it and the smoke was increasing, I opened the hood and you could see flames about 2 inches high around the box mounted inside the engine compartment, on the passenger side up near the headlights and over the wheel well. We shut it and waited for the fire department, everything inside the engine compartment that could melt did melt, all the paint on the hood etc, passenger door will not open or shut without noise and an extra push or pull. I am not a mechanic but I am pretty sure that the little black box was the ABS controller. Just lucky that I wasn't driving on the highway. I have seen that there are several other complaints about the same thing.
Approximately, two weeks after purchase in 01/2013, "ESC off, " light came on multiple times at various speeds including vehicle start up. I made several calls to place of purchase regarding intermittent, "ESC off, " light. Pressing " ESC off, " dash button has no effect and the light stays illuminated. Dealer of purchase took vehicle to Kia service and the diagnostic was TPMS light is on, advise. At no time did the TPMS light ever come on, nor was it reported as such. Vehicle was returned with no work done, and place of purchase was informed that tire(s) were low. Currently, the "ESC off, " light is still illuminating and brake lights have failed. Tire pressure check by recent service (oil change) was reported as normal. According to Kia customer support and the Kia dealership of service, this vehicle is not included in the recall issued 01 April, 2013. Purchase mileage 27,476, mileage at Kia service 30,328 on 21 Feb, 2013. Several online forums including Kia-forums.com report this problem as far back as 2007 models.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Evansville, IN, USA