10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 29,427 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.
The contact owns a 2001 Kia Sportage. While driving 75 mph, the vehicle began to make a popping noise under the hood. The check engine light illuminated, the vehicle would not accelerate, and the contact smelled smoke. The contact shut off the vehicle and attempted to restart it, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that two cylinders and four spark plugs were burnt and destroyed. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 85,000.
- Port Huron, MI, USA
My 2001 Kia Sportage's engine will shut off without warning. There is no logic to the incidents: Waiting at a traffic signal, driving in city traffic, driving at freeway speeds. Moving the gear shift selector to neutral and turning the ignition switch will usually restart the engine in one try, but not always. I have replaced two emission control solenoid valves, the fuel tank and the crank position sensor on the recommendation of the Kia dealer and on-line chatters having similar problems quite a few of them. A recent visit to the Kia dealer found O codes stored in the on-board diagnostic system. The dealership will not acknowledge the problem. The date listed below was an incident witnessed by my parents, actually the fourth such occurrence in as many days.
- Hollywood, CA, USA
The contact stated engine light illuminated intermittently and the RPM gauge was reading incorrectly, either very high or not reading at all when the same amount of pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal. Also, the exhaust was glowing red underneath the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealership eight times, and they have been unable to diagnosis the problem.
- Byesville, OH, USA
2001 Kia Sportage suffered two complete engine failures. Along with the engine failures, there were problems with the radio, battery and the terminals, front brakes, a sensor knock, exhaust system, air condition, valve cover gasket, front wheel bearings, front pads and rotors, cruise control, and a defective idler arm.
- Wellesley, MA, USA
Vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine inspection, and mechanic determined that fluid was leaking from underneath the vehicle, and that the head gasket needed to be replaced.
- Cadyville, NY, USA
Consumer had vehicle towed to the dealer after the check engine light came on. Engine coil became defective, and broke into two parts. Dealer contacted the consumer to inform him that they replaced the coil with the same one that came out of the vehicle.
- Bremen, AL, USA
Have had recurrent problems with engine performance idle and running. Engine racing with RPM's to 3500 at stop sign. Have had to turn vehicle off to resolve problem. I was afraid that if I did not turn engine off, idle would have continued to race and "blow up." Engine also has very rough idle/alternating with intermittent misfires most of the time... "bogging" down to almost stall /then racing to RPM of 1500-2500. This problem occurs when attempting acceleration onto freeway or when driving around town at signals. Vehicle has been to dealer 4 times now in attempts to correct malfunctions. I am concerned that the operation of this vehicle is unsafe. The dealer has been helpful but unable to completely resolve the problem. The manufacturer insists that problem will be resolved, but I, the consumer believe that the vehicle is unsafe and unreliable. It is also time consuming to repeatedly return the car for service.
- Ventura, CA, USA
While driving check engine light appeared on the dashboard. The vehicle started to decelerate. When consumer pulled into a driveway vehicle caught on fire. Fire department extinguished the fire. The consumer's attorney believed it was a defect in the vehicle's structure. Kia denied any responsibility. (consumer on behalf of granddaughter)
- Rochester, NY, USA
Electrical system failed and caused several components to malfunction. The hazard warning signal light engaged by itself, which caused a rear end collision and drained the battery. Also, engine light continuously illuminated. The cause of the failure was undetermined because the dealership was unable to duplicate the problem.
- Whitehall, PA, USA
Transmission light appeared on the dashboard, also engine check light.
- Mexico, ME, USA
Several: Loose bolts at heat shield, loose muffler bolts, problem with fan pulley, master brake cylinder defective, T-stat, engine light, dealership could not identify most recent problem, said they put a new computer in. Reflected last date below........
- Little River, SC, USA
The vehicle stalled while driving.
- Searcy, AR, USA
Over the span of the last 1 1/2 years I have had the following problems *rear seat belts locked up wouldn't loosen far enough to get my child out of the car. *front seat belts (both) would come open while the vehicle was in motion. *drivers side door wouldn't latch when trying to close it, had to jiggle the inside handle *spare tire arm wouldn't stay in the locked position when open. Still won't *four wheel drive wouldn't engage *lifter noise--collapsed lifter *head warped *check engine light had come on a few times holders (front and rear) fell apart *outside trim was fallling off.
- Ritzville, WA, USA
The engine light illuminated. The engine seized and was replaced. The replacement had a defective oil pump..
- Wellesley, MA, USA
- Fredericktown, OH, USA