10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #8

Apr 062002

Sportage

  • miles
Ditto on all the other electrical problems listed at this site. Engine stalling while in motion, sluggishness, either revved up so high you think its gonna blow to not idling at all and cutting off. My left turn signal chassis even flew off while on the interstate please lets take action. We do not need a death to make Kia hear us. We could all send a certified letter to Mr. Peter butterfield, Kia motors America, 9801 muirlands blvd, irvine ca 92618. We could reference in response to his interview to automotivenews.com about Kia wants to grow up. It is written in this article how he wants Kia to be known for quality and safety. I want him to know that we can't drive our Kia's for fear of our lives and no one at Kia is responding to our complaints. Here is a sampling of referenced article: Peter butterfield wants Kia motors America Inc. To achieve Toyota-level quality scores in five years. He also wants to evolve from being a used-vehicle alternative to a purchase linked in the consumers' mind to value, safety and quality. (end of sample) if he really wants this to happen, he will take our problems seriously and do something about them. Let's make some noise! thank you.

- Mableton, GA, USA

problem #7

Apr 022001

Sportage

  • miles
Continuation part 3...very slowly, there was a terrible crunching or grinding metal on metal noise when the vehicle was slowed down (not the brakes), the was a horrible groan sound when the vehicle accelerates on the freeway, there was something wrong with the hubs on the vehicle, and the vehicle would stall at any given time. When I picked the vehicle up from the dealer after being out of service for 8 consecutive days, the dealer stated that they duplicated each and every concern and addressed them all. Exactly 1 week later, the check engine light came back on and the vehicle died on me at the mall. I called a tow truck and had to get the battery boosted since something that the dealer did electrically was improper. I made it back home but was unsure whether or not I could make it to work the next day with a weal battery. Sure enough, the vehicle did not start in the morning. I immediately called the dealer, and they sent a tow truck to my house to pick up this lemon. After another 5 days out of service, I picked the vehicle up and was advised that there was a bad engine harness in the vehicle. Exactly 2 days later, the engine light came back on, the vehicle started leaking oil, the windows started moving slow again, the rear end of my vehicle started rattling, the front end of the vehicle had the metal on metal noise again, the groan noise had come back, the vehicle had lost power going up the slightest incline. Feeling like there was no other option available to me, I sent Kia a letter asking for a buyback as well as all of my repair invoices and all they did was off to pay one of my car notes and told me to take the vehicle back to the dealer. I declined their offer to pay 1 car note and took the vehicle to the dealer where it stayed for 16 consecutive days. Again, all concerns were duplicated and addressed. After picking up the vehicle, I noticed that none of the instrument panel lights were coming on as they usually did when I started the vehicle.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #6

Sep 292000

Sportage

  • miles
I am registering a complaint against Kia motors, Inc. Because of the tremendous amount of problems I have been having with my vehicle. I purchased a 1998 Kia Sportage on January 17, 2000 and it had about 2600 miles on it. About 2 months later at 6683 miles, the engine light came on and since I was ready for an oil change anyway, I took the vehicle to the dealer to get it checked out. The dealer informed me that since the vehicle is still new and in its "breaking-in" stage, the light will go off in a few days. A few days later, the light did go off but the vehicle just didn't feel right. A few weeks later, the engine light came on again and I was again advised the dealer that it will go off by itself, this time I didn't take their word and insisted that the vehicle be checked out. The dealer then found that a sensor was out. The replaced the sensor and the light went out. A few weeks later, the engine light came on again and I also received a recall notice for a catalytic converter concern. So I took the vehicle to the dealer for both problems and was told that the engine light was related to the recall and both will be taken care of. Needless to say, they weren't. the same day I picked up my vehicle from the dealer, while driving out of the parking lot, the engine light came back on. I immediately made a U-turn went back into the service drive. I was advised that the sensor was out again and the part as not in. I waited for about 4 weeks until the part came in all while driving with the engine light on. The dealer replaced the sensor again and of course, the engine light came back on. At this time, I was about to go insane about this nagging problem that either the dealer could not fix or the vehicle could not be fixed. I did not take the vehicle back to the dealer for because I had just started a new job and could not afford to take time off of work to take the vehicle to the dealer or incur anymore rental costs. I then checked the NHTSA website for recalls or ser*

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #5

Dec 231999

Sportage 4WD

  • miles
Im not happy that I bought a new car and it averages going into the shop every 6-8 weeks. I cant afford this. Im to arrange my own transportation while my car is in the shop, its been towed 3 times for the engine lite, when work is done they don't call and tell us what was wrong and it can be picked up, last time the car was in the shop they didnt call for over a week to tell me to come get it, I asked to speak with a manager and left several messages and they still havent called. I wil never buy a Kia again or buy from any rizza. I feel like I bought junk, I want my money back, take the car. There is a class action lawsuit in the process at website 100% I hate Kia. Thank youl

- Midlothian, IL, USA

problem #4

Aug 052000

Sportage

  • miles
I drive a 1998 Kia Sportage with 37500 miles. I recently took the vehicle into the dealership reporting a loss of power, engine stalling, and car not responsive to throttle. When this problem occured the check emissions light illuminated. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the dealership informed me that the problem was a "wiring ground" that became either corroded or the connection method used failed. My car has over the 36,000 mile limit for the warranty, I was told that this was not part of the recall and that it would cost 240 dollars to have this problem fixed. I was told by dean bailey Kia, tulsa, ok. That this could have been a problem with the type of connection used during manufacturer of this automobile. I believe that this should be corrected at the expense of the manufacturer since it seems to be a electrical component that failed due to the method of installation. Any info. That you could give me would be appreciated. Thanks

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #3

Mar 092000

Sportage

  • miles
Wiring harness caught on fire when car stalled and nose dived under the rear of another vehicle.

- Hollsopple, PA, USA

problem #2

Nov 051998

(reported on)

Sportage

  • miles
Loose wire connection to the wiring harness caused vehicle stalling on several occasions.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #1

Oct 071998

Sportage

  • miles
Engine idles too high, correction of wiring harness to throttle position did not rectify high idle.

- Pascagoula, MS, USA