4.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,500 miles

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problem #1

Sep 062004

Sportage 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,500 miles
I have a 2002 Kia Sportage 4X4. Purchased in April 2004 with 3 years & 50K miles remaining on warranty. I trailered my boat to the lake and after leaving the lake the car died. Towed to an authorized Kia dealer, dick hannah Kia, vancouver, wa.98665 $161 tow bill! diagnosis was water in the gas tank!! turns out there is a evaporator charcoal canister mounted under the vehicle near the rear bumper which allowed water into the gas system. I am now faced with over $600 repair for draining the tank. My contention is that this is a bad design. Nowhere in the operators manual does it state to avoid trailering a boat because it may suck up the lake water! this SUV came with a trailer hitch when purchased and Kia needs to step up and cover this design defect under warranty.

- Camas, WA, USA

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