10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,333 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 #6

Nov 202003

Sportage

  • miles
Vehicle had four recalls and airbag light kept flashing. Recalls were on brake hoses, front buckle assembly, electrical wiring and missing label. While driving the vehicle air bag light began to flash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the technician indicated that the air bag module had failed. While driving the vehicle's check engine light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer who indicated that the coils were cracked. Transmission line was leaking.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #5

May 192004

Sportage

  • 56,000 miles
Owner says that the vehicle had an electrical fire which damaged the wire harness. Please provide any additional information.

- Saint Peters, MO, USA

problem #4

Apr 242001

Sportage

  • miles
Continuation of complaint.... I then checked the NHTSA website for recalls or service campaigns and found 3 recalls that fit in my VIN range. I immediately called Kia's 800 number and asked if my vehicle was included and was promptly told no. I believed this response since it was coming directly from the manufacturer and not the dealer. About 2 months later, I received a disturbing call from a representative from Kia Consumer Affairs telling me to immediately stop driving the vehicle because the same 3 recalls I saw on the NHTSA website and called to inquire about included my vehicle. The recalls were: Brake line recall-the steering intermediate shaft coupling can contact a hydraulic brake pipe causing fluid leakage. This condition can cause a loss of rear brake increasing the risk of a crash. Electrical wiring- the wires connected to the C123 and C124 connectors can be put under tension by movement of the engine, thus pulling the wires and connectors, loosening them and resulting in a loss of circuit continuity. This condition can cause engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash. The third recall was an obd label. I could not believe that Kia put my family and me in so much danger by telling me that my vehicle was not involved. The Kia representative told me that Kia would provide me with a loaner vehicle. Since I knew that I could possible die by continuing to drive this vehicle, I took a day off of work and took the vehicle back to the dlr. By this time, I had kept a timetable and log of everything that had gone wrong with the vehicle and presented it to the dealer. The list included, of course, the check engine light on, hesitation on acceleration, vehicle shakes severely when the wheel is turned, the idle surges when the vehicle is stopped, the rear window defogger had come off of the vehicle, the radio had started to static and turn on loud even when it was turned off, the volume knobs on the radio worked intermittently, the windows rolled up and down

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #3

Aug 101998

Sportage 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle will not accelerate under normal operating conditions. Dealership has worked on vehicle several times since 1998, and has not been able to repair vehicle. The consumer states that the fuel injector, head gasket, wiring harness and transmission had been replaced. However, the problem still exists and the vehicle was a lemon or defective.

- Montross, VA, USA

problem #2

Feb 072001

Sportage

  • miles
Vehicle is experiencing engine problems, electrical problems, and fluid leakage problems, consumer feels this is related to recall 99V325, consumer had vehicle in for repairs for the catalytic converters and the dealership never stated anything regarding the recalls, consumer is requesting that the recall repair be completed, however dealer is stating that the warranty is over and no recall repairs will be completed.

- Unk, UN, USA

problem #1

Oct 091998

Sportage

  • miles
Engine check light came on and the vehicle stalled out. Smelled a burning smell, dealer contacted, and attributed the problem to faulty wiring, under warrany, repair work done.

- South Grafton, MA, USA