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 was driving home from work with a friend on the 10 freeway in san bernadino. We heard a large explosion and glass started coming in the car from the sun roof area. Apparently our sunroof spontaneously exploded, haven't used the sunroof in years. Looked it up online and apparently it's a thing that happens to these Kia.
Due to Kia not applying enough rust protection/undercoating on my Sportage. I am experiencing rust all underneath my car. I have contacted Kia and the service department, trying to get them to rectify the situation and both have refused, each blaming the other for the cause. In the meantime, I am driving my Sportage in snow, ice, water and salt in Massachusetts. I have also told them that my catalyic converter was also rusting to the point that the entire exhaust system needs replacing. I am also very scared that there is suspension damage from this happening. I am constantly hearing groans, screeching and whining noises while traveling in my SUV.
My wife was driving her Kia Sportage on I-25 just North of castle rock at about 70 mph when there was a loud gunshot noise and she noticed the sunroof had exploded. She is sure that she did not see anything strike the vehicle. The sunroof interior shade was closed so glass did not fall directly on her. She was shocked and scared. She was very upset thinking about how if the sunshield had been open she would have been injuried. I inspected the vehicle and could not see any point where road matter had struck and it appeared to have just exploded. The vehicle is in excellent condition and this was not a hot or cold day. In Colorado in September the roads are at their best, without sand from the winter season. I removed the loose glass and took it to the local dealership who told me it would be about $1,200 to $1,500 to fix. I called Kia customer service and opened a claim for warranty. The Kia service department reported to Kia warranty they were 99.9% sure it was caused by a rock. There is no evidence to support this beyond the fact it exploded. Kia denied the warranty claim based in the service departments recommendations. The Kia service department then called me and advised me that they would need to replace the railing system too and so now it would be $5,500 to fix. I was aware of national investigations into the exploding sunroofs in Kia like mine. I picked up my vehicle without having it fixed and now find myself having to rent a vehicle as I attempt to find the best way to have this fixed. I am very disappointed and my wife is afraid that it will happen again. I feel this is very dangerous and look to have safety officials look into these situations. After educating myself more about this I have found that the sunroof is now thinner and not made with the same standards as in the past.
A white crystal appearing powder is coming through the carpet. The substance started around the center counsel coming through the carpet and has now propagated to the rear feet wells of the vehicle. The dealer has replaced two body plugs and the issue still exist. The dealer has said there is nothing they can do. I have asked to have the carpet pulled up and look under the carpet but the dealer has not done so. There is a link on the web that shows a Kia soul that has the same issue. How can I get the dealer to remove the two front seats to see if there is a rust or body corrosion issue. I also asked if there was a plugged drain and was told the powder would not be caused by a plug drain line. Would like some resolution before the warranty expires December 2015. First noticed fall of 2012.
The contact previously owned a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the side rear passenger door protruded outward due to the angle and it caused the door to hit him in the face. The contact sustained a swollen nose and lost a large amount of blood. The dealer allowed the contact to trade in the vehicle for a new one. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle had no liability for the incident and offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 1300. Updated 05/16/11 updated 2/8/12
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Los Angeles, CA, USA