Smoke was pouring out from the passenger front side of the motor compartment. The fuses for the ABS (I think) were taken out so it would stop. I was a told a control module could have something to do with it.

- Argyle, NY, USA

While driving rpms would jump. Had vehicle inspected and was told I would need to replace the transmission or get it rebuilt. Replaced the transmission but didn't seem to resolve the issue. RPM's still jump while driving. Almost as if I'm pushing the gas down hard then letting off. Not sure what the issue may be, ive been told it could be the cruise control or possibly shift solenoid. Vehicle stalls/jumps while in motion, happens on interstate as well as city streets and back roads. Seems to jerk more around 40mph and 80mph but has done it at different speeds as well. Oil has been changed as well as filters, all fluids look good. Unsure what the issue may be.

- Palmetto, GA, USA

My faulty 2008 Kia Sportage strikes again. The last 2 major incidences with my Kia are documented in my NHTSA complaint (10621705) occurred on Aug 2013 -w/11K miles( transmission & electrical) and w/12K miles -August 2014 ( alternator &ABS pump). It's now January 2017 - car has 17.5K total miles and I needed to tow my Kia Sportage 2008 to a service center after the car stalled on a major road with 2 of my kids in the car. The car is behaving similarly to how it behaved in 2013 ' engine knocks as it shifts into gears eventually stalling. In 2013 ' Kia replaced the transmission and entire electrical system. As I stated in my previous complaint, there must be a design flaw associated with the car since it now appears I have the same transmission/electrical problem again 6K miles later since the last incident. Just learned today that my Kia needs a new transmission ! 3 transmissions in 17,000 miles ' just doesn't add up.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

Kia is ripping people off to the tune of $1,700 to $1,800 for their faulty ABS brake controllers plus labor. It is a widely know problem that brake fluid seeps out of the back of this unit onto the circuit board and causes a variety of safety and mechanical issues. A year and a half ago I experienced a problem with the ESC traction light coming on, followed by a flashing 4X4 light and then finally a check engine light. The worst part about this is that it then slams itself into first gear going down the road! yes, you heard that correctly. This can happen very quickly. Kia, you have a safety issue! I replaced the unit with a used one for $350 plus installation and now it has the same problem a year and a half later. There were two possible controller units for the 2008 Sportage and they look identical but are not interchangeable. The other one I can purchase new, direct from South Korea as an oem part in a Kia/Hyundai box for around $500. But not this one, they know they have a serious safety problem as this can unexpectedly pull you down to a crawl in heavy traffic. They also have kept the price extremely high on this unit to maximize profits on a safety item they refuse to fix. I'm looking for another used unit and then I'll dump this lemon.

- Worthington, MN, USA

I was driving the vehicle when my ESC light, brake light and check engine light came on. I just got the car inspected and it passed fine. I took it to the shop where they said an oil sensor was bad. They replaced that. The very next day the lights went on again and the car was having trouble shifting into gears. It was jumping and accelerating intermittently. I took the car back to the shop and they said I had 4 transmission codes. They said the ABS system needed to also be replaced which the part alone was over $2000. This car only had 88,000 miles. I drove the car to mccafferty Ford where they advised me to not fix vehicle the cost was far more than what I would get as a trade. It needed a new ABS box which alone was over 2000 without labor. It needed a timing chain 600 and some maintance stuff 700. This car never needed anyting but tires, brakes, oil changes etc. I find it hard to believe at 88, 000 all this could go wrong unless there was a defect in the ABS or transmission. After looking this up I see that this is a very serious issue and concern. I traded in vehicle and was only give 500 as a trade.

- Levittown, PA, USA

I am an owner of a Kia 2008 Sportage with approximately 12,000 miles. About 9 months ago, the engine and brake lights went on. It was evident that car had a transmission problem, you can hear the engine knocking when you would go park to drive or reverse to drive etc... the dealership said I needed a new transmission and all new brakes. They couldn't explain why the transmission was faulty on a car that had at the time less than 11,000 miles. The car was at the dealer for a month because they learned that the computer system needed repairing as well which wasn't covered under my plan they needed corporate to provide an approval to repair. It eventually got repaired. 3 weeks ago at 12K miles, my drivers panel turned into a christmas tree. The ESC on/off, ABS, brakes, engine and TPMS lights are all on. I also feel the engine beginning to knock again. The dealer said I need a new ABS pump and module and that it would cost me $2700 to fix. I decided not to repair because I believe their some type of electrical design flaw causing these issue. I have read that ABS and transmission problems are very common for kai Sportage owners - I have read that engine fires have been reported in these cars. I feel unsafe for myself and my family and I am looking for advice on how best to handle this problem. Kia refuses to take ownership of these problems.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

The automatic transmission shifts very sharp and rough from 2nd to 3rd gear, approximately at 25 mph. On 17 Mar 11, the dealer re-programmed a computer chip for the transmission under their service bulletin tsb eng 075--ECM upgrade. The transmission was fine for about 8 months, but then same problem started. The car was brought in again at the beginning of March 2012, and I was told that the transmission was blown, and a new one provided under warranty. I was told to stand by and they will call when it is ready. I called once a week for a month to inquire, as I received no calls, being told that the approval process was underway. Today, 06 Apr 12, I was told that the chip needed to be re-programmed again. It didn't work before, why would it work now? I just want my car properly fixed, and the dealer does not appear to be willing to do it.

- Chicago, IL, USA

I purchased a Kia Sportage 2008 Aug of 2010 about 1 month after purchasing I noticed the ESC light that came on, when this light comes on the engine forces itself to do more work, the car won't go more then 40mph, I took the car to the dealer they said it was fixed, 2 months later it happened again, here we are 1yr later and it's still happening. The dealer I take it to tells me "this always happens this type of car" and know the battery light is coming on at the same time the ecs light is coming on. I have an appt. To go to the dealer back on Monday for the same problem and I'm still getting no answers.

- Morristown, NJ, USA

Accelerated after a stop sign and the transmission felt like it as struggling to switch gears. Like it was slipping.

- Clinton, WI, USA