1.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
88,675 miles

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problem #1

Nov 022003

Sportage 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 88,675 miles
Sunday, 11-02-2003, while driving on main St in mesa, Arizona, our 1998 Kia Sportage's gearshift lever snapped off in my hand. I was shifting from second to third gear at the time. The break was about 1 1/2 inches from floor level, down inside the consol. I was lucky to be able to coast onto the median without crashing. My pregnant wife and three-year-old son were with me in the vehicle.I contacted Kia and the short of it is that the vehicle is out of warranty and they claim that they don't have to do anything about this. I feel that this is a life-threatening defect. Kia should be very interested in finding out how or why a vehicle with no history of accidents could have this critical part break off unexpectedly! not giving the brush-off! I have digital photos that I am willing to email.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

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