6.4

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,414 miles

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problem #5

Mar 182024

Sportage

  • miles
I bought a vehicle from a dealership in 2021. The dealership sold me a 2018 Kia Sportage. To their knowledge, they state they were unaware of any safety recalls. However, fast-forward to [XXX]. As I was entering a busy street (with my two young children in the car (both under the age of 5) and going up a hill, the oil light flashed once and then stayed on, I noticed the vehicle decelerating, as I tried to pull over, making way for vehicles to go around, all three (oil, battery and check engine) lights appear in my dashboard. After one failed attempt of restarting vehicle, I knew I needed to call a tow truck. Thankfully my mom wasn't too long to execute the rescue (it was about 32 outside). The vehicle was towed to the dealership I had purchased it from (NOT a certified Kia dealership mind you). I was told later on that day, that it was a good possibility my engine has blown. I was told the service technician had put over 3.5 qtrs. in order for it to register on the dipstick. I was also told they could replace said engine for a whopping $10,000. Which, the vehicle is only worth $2,000 more than the cost of the motor replacement. I decided to have the vehicle towed to a certified Kia dealership. Where, alas, the engine was in fact, blown. However, per the service manager, the blown engine was due to a recall (XXX) which was in effect as of 1/19/19 (before I bought said vehicle). Per the service manager a vehicle should not be sold with an active safety recall. I then relayed that information to the gentleman who said the vehicle and was told it was illegal for them to work on a vehicle that they are not certified to service (although I had the option for them to replace the engine). I then begin the battle of who is responsible. And ultimately told by the manager of dealership, 70% of the used vehicles they sell have active safety recalls that they do not fix. Nor do they send them to be serviced and checked by the appropriate personnel. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U

- Madison, ME, USA

problem #4

Apr 122021

Sportage

  • 13,000 miles
Addendum to complaint on Kia motors, Kia America, citrus Kia, their sell of first a brand new 2015 Kia soul, now recalled 5 yrs later after we begged for help. We are 2 disabled person S who were duped by Kia and citrus, traded in going into further debt after getting no where with NHTSA, Kia etc. Kia motors traded and financed a brand new 2018 Kia Sportage only to have dangerous problems with it. Kia knowingly sold us 2 dangerous vehicle S, we had the knock sensor installed per the "upgrade", farce, should be recall. The car stalled in traffic and another dealership put in a wiring harness extension. We only have 13,000 miles on this car because we do not feel safe. The dealership did an oil change last year and day before yesterday. I received a text that our fuel needed additive. It is in " fair condition", recommend with every oil change. Not true, never recommended before and 13,000 miles. It should not need additive anywhere. See attached screenshot. I fully believe they are covering up even more as it relates to the problem ie settlement" seriously. Our car is worth nothing. I implore our new head of transportation to look into our complaints since 2015 to include the inquiry by senator marco rubio. Joseph and julie mraz ♿ Kia soul 2015 to Kia Sportage 2018. Black book value, resale value, insurance premium increase, how many times will Kia be allowed to steal from us ". this is dangerous on and off the road.

- Plant City, FL, USA

problem #3

May 192020

Sportage

  • 44,000 miles
I bought this car in may of 2020 with 44K on the odometer. Three days later I was on a 3400 mile road trip on the highway when I started hearing knocking from the engine bay. I took it in and had them listen. They told me it was completely normal. The knock went away for about 400 miles then came back. I took it in to 4 different dealerships. I got told there had been a recall on the motor but that it had been fixed already. The day after I got home the car died at 30 mph on the way home from work and left me in the middle of a very busy intersection almost causing me to get hit. Took it in and it took them 4 days to find a bad fuse. The car over the next 3 months popped 12 fuses and kept dyeing on the road. Then I started having problems with it not turning over. Took it to a different dealership and they found a bad fuel pump and starter as well as a battery drain thats killed three batteries. Took the car to Kia 9 different times to get looked at.7 of those times they said there was nothing wrong with it. They said they knew about the drain but couldnt find it. Then they finally figured out the fuel pump was shorting out and causing the fuse to pop. They supposedly replaced the fuel pump in September of 2020 along with the injection pump. I was 50 miles from end of warranty the day after I get the car out of the shop it wont run for longer then 15 seconds. Not getting fuel.left me stranded on the side of the road 45 miles out of town. Im back to square 1 because half the time my car wont start. The motor is still knocking and has no power with my fuel mileage dropping down to 11mpg it started revving up and speed not changing, not shifting correctly or just not shifting. My new shop discovered the transmission is failing fast. Ive had this car 6 months and am still paying for it and I cant even drive it safely. Complete transmission failure at 64,456 miles.

- Billings, MT, USA

problem #2

May 012018

Sportage

  • miles
In motion ; vehicle does not accelerate properly, no pickup my life in danger several times. Kia has sent letter in which I followed instructions. Dealership updated system. Now my diagnostic system is not working putting me at even greater risk no warning light indicate engine trouble. According to Kia, the recall I received in the mail was specifically done so I would have warning light take asap to dealership.., cleaning out all my bank accounts- Kia finance never sent right title in my legal name after I faxed front and back end, with docs they requested. Called weekly & because of there mistake he has stolen 1000S of dollars from my accounts. He is not a citizen so he doesn't care about our laws. He con cpa to forge taxes now ihavetohelp irs straighten it out. The cpa 'died I was told' I having medical issues from stress anxiety. I never wanted new Kia...but he sold it behind my back. Then bought most expensive car leaving me with -17;000 equity. On a car he ragged to hell and wrecked. Then canceled all extras including disabilty leaving me with no other choice but to trust owner. At the time ; my credit was 780; never missed a payment but had no work history due to tax fraud. The car has never ran correct I knew from day 1 it was pulling I realized Kia had put a 4 cylinder in a SUV that should be a 6. now the recalls ironically timed when you came out with same car but a 6 cylinder changed the name. I paid 8;000 total traded 2 cars. Kia finance stated I never missed a payment until now. Due to continued abuse from my ex spouse. Transunion has frozen my credit reports, labeled me a true victim of stolen identity.and financial fraud. Kia to buy my car back so I can buy the car I want. Transunion, police, lifelock, wells fargo, criminal investigation, emergency hearing for protective order and state farm's have protected me.

- Winston-Salem, Nc 27127, NC, USA

problem #1

Sep 132018

Sportage

  • 69 miles
I picked up a brand new Kia Sportage sx turbo AWD with 34 miles on it today. It was driving kind of hesitantly, seeming like it was misfiring. About 30 miles later, the check engine light turned on. I immediately called Kia customer service as I have an established relationship with them. They advised to take it to the nearest dealership. I took my car to summit place Kia in auburn hills where the initial diagnosis based on a check engine light reading was an improper fuel/air mixture in cylinder 2. I am not sure what protocol will be followed from this point or what actions will be needed to rectify this issue. However, it is apparent that there is an issue with Kia's gdi turbo engines.

- Troy, MI, USA