6.4
fairly significant- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 11,352 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.
In December of 2000 I purchased a Kia Sportage 1999 from mcgrath in elgin, il. From the beginning the front seat belt buckle did not always lock and the interior & exterior lights flickered. I took the vehicle to a local repair shop but they could not find why the lights flickered. On August 2, 2005 my vehicle died in front of a marathon gas station/repair shop in rolling meadows, il. The mechanic called me and told me I needed a new fuel pump. I told him to do the repair. The next day, the mechanic calls me to tell me that the fuel tank is so rusted it needs to be replaced and he has already called the Kia dealer and the fuel tank is in "stock". I told him to do the repair. (please reference complaint #10131393). When I went to pick up the vehicle, it kept blowing the fuses and dying. I never got out of the gas station parking lot. I left the vehicle with them. On August 4, I had the vehicle with the original fuel pump and fuel tank towed to the mcgrath Kia dealer in elgin, il. In the meantime, I got on the internet and did a search for Kia recalls. My vehicle has 3 recalls- one for the front seat belt buckle campaign #04V305000, one for the electrical system wiring campaign #99V32500, and one for service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components: Hoses, lines/piping and fittings campaign #98V222000. All of these recalls were in effect before I purchased the vehicle. I have asked the mcgrath Kia dealer to fax me copies of the repairs for the recalls, but have not received anything in writing that these recalls were repaired before they sold me the vehicle. Now I am waiting for the Kia dealer to look at my vehicle. I was told it could be days. Phone interview update (Oct. 31, 2005): No fuel leak; however, the tank was so badly rusted. She agreed to email pictures of the tank.
- Elgin, IL, USA
My 1999 Kia Sportage will not start occasionally. I looked on the web to find the error and found recall number 99V325000 that is for an electrical system: Wiring recall. I took my Sportage into the dealer and explained that the Sportage occassionally would not start, everything else would work perfectly. I had my starter and battery tested before I took it to the dealer both checked out fine. After having my car for 1 day the dealer stated that the only thing that they could find is that the starter wire had lost tension and that may be the problem. I asked about the recall and they stated when they put my car id number only two recalls showed one for emissions and the other for seat belt buckles. I called the Kia manaufacturer hotline at 800.3333.4542 and they stated the same. I then looked on the NHTSA site to find out that there is a recall on my vehicle. I do remember getting letters regarding the other two recalls but not for the wiring recall.
- Columbus, OH, USA
1999 Kia Sportage wiring harness, throttle body position, fuel pump replaced, etc.... nar 07/28/2003.
- Laguna Niguel, CA, USA
While driving at 30 mph vehicle stalled without warning. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, and technician determined that wiring and connectors failed.
- Girard, PA, USA
Email regarding recent complaint submitted involving 1999 Kia Sportage ODI# 10023549. The vehicle previously had a recall performed regarding the wiring harness, now the vehicle is stalling and surging. The consumer can not afford a new car so he wants the vehicle he has to be safe to drive.
- Unknown, DC, USA
I have a 1999 Kia Sportage. On 23 April, 2003 I accelerated after stopping at a stop sign at an intersection and all of a sudden I heard a "clunk" sound coming from my transmission, my vehicle stalled in the middle of the intersection and the "hold" light and the "check engine" light came on. I was able to get the vehicle moving again after a few seconds and after checking things out in a local parking lot and not seeing anything wrong under the hood I took it to a local dealer to get fixed. The vehicle was put on the diagnostics machine and it showed the P0101 code. The fix for this problem is around $500 and my warranty doesn't cover this problem. Kia has a bulletin on how to fix this problem, so they are aware that this problem exists. I called Kia about the problem and the person I spoke with was very rude and refused to listen to my complaint and told me it's my problem, there's nothing they can do and this problem isn't a recall because it's not a safety concern. I don't see how it's not a safety concern when my vehicle stalled in the middle of an intersection! also, $500 is a lot of money especially when warranty's don't cover it. Everybody from the warranty company and the dealer have all told me that this should be a safety concern, thus should be a recall. The folks at the warranty company said that about 95% of the people that call in with this type of vehicle are calling in about this type of problem. Thank you for your time.
- Sheppard Afb, TX, USA
The fuel injection wire harness failed and caused the engine to stall, there was a recall issued previously, in which consumer had work performed, dealer was not willing to honor the manufacturers 36-month or 36,000 mile warranty stating the problem was the result of another companys work that was performed, and that the dealer performed the recall repairs as stated.
- Grand Canyon, AZ, USA
The fuel injection wire harness failed and caused the engine to stall, there was a recall issued previously, in which consumer had work performed, dealer was not willing to honor the manufacturers 36-month or 36,000 mile warranty stating the problem was the result of another companys work that was performed, and that the dealer performed the recall repairs as stated.
- Grand Canyon, AZ, USA
The vehicle is experiencing electrical problems, two electrical wiring harness have melted causing the vehicle to stall, the power windows do not work properly and the consumer says it always smells like wires are melting.
- Grand Canyon, AZ, USA
I serve on the nh lemon law board. We have had several (2 on 10/24) Kia Sportage cases with stalling problems at highiaway speeds. This vehicle has had a safety recall (Kia recall S014) for a wiring harness for the fuel system. Vehicles that have had this recall still exhibit the problem. In review of the Kia recall documents, I feel the recall is being done improperly. The steps to "repair" the wiring connector are poor at best. Testimony in one case by the Kia factory rep indicated the recall was done incorrectly. This wiring connector should be replaced....not repaired!! Kia customers are still driving vehicles with a false sense of security after having the S014 recall performed. Please review this recall and Kia's procedures. They are grossly inadequate!!!! you may call me at 1-800-493-4330 (work) or E-mail at dflm@netscape.net.
- Keene, NH, USA
Not only has the proportional braking valve failed, but also engine temp sensor, causing transmission failure, engine light came on, and hold light for the trasmission come on, and now the power window gets stuck open. We smell a faint smell of wire insulation burning, but service dept. Said they couldnt do any thing until the brake light came on and stayed on. He said there was a short in the wiring harness.this makes twice.
- Linville, NC, USA
- Scranton, PA, USA