2002 Kia Sportage Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADD FUEL TO HER VEHICLE, THE GASOLINE WOULD SPILL OUT. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ALSO DIM, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AT NIGHT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

THIS 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IN THE WINTER TIME HAS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL. TO THE POINT YOU HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS . LOOKING ONLINE CAN SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SMELLING RAW GAS CAN NOT BE GOOD FOR YOU. SEEMS THAT IS COMMON TO THE CLAMPS USED ON THE FUEL LINES. ALL KIA MECHANICS KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND WILL BE HAPPY TO FIX IT FOR THERE REGULAR FEES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED AT MANUFACTURERS EXPENSE BECAUSE OF SUB STANDARD PARTS. *TR

WHEN IT IS COLD (WINTER SEASON) WHEN FUELING MY TANK IT SPILLS OUT, MAKING IT HARD TO FILL TANK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS OCT OF 2010. YESTERDAY (THURS) WHEN FUELING IT WOULD NOT LET ME PUT HARDLY ANY GAS IN WITH OUT SPILLING OUT. I DON'T KNOW EXACT DATE THIS WAS NOTICED BY ME BUT IT WAS IN WINTER, THIS HAPPENS EVERY COLD SEASON. *TR

MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE BEGAN LEAKING GASOLINE FROM ABOVE THE GAS TANK BY THE FUEL PUMP THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS ABOUT 106,000. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE GAS WASN'T EVEN GETTING UP INTO THE FUEL PUMP IT WAS SPRAYING OUT AT THE TOP OF ONE OF T HE PARTS HE NAMED, THIS WAS KEEPING MY VEHICLE FROM EVEN STARTING, AND I NOW KNOW THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN KIA SPORTAGES STARTING WITH THE 2001 MODEL. *TR

I RECENTLY FILED A COMPLAINT ON A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, FOR A FUEL LEAK CONDITION FROM GASTANK AREA,(PLASTIC FITTING), MY DAUGHTER HAS RECENTLY ADVISED ME SHE HAS BEEN HAVING TROUBLE FILLING THE GASTANK AND SMELLING AN ODOR OF FUEL ON OCCASIONS AND BAD FUEL MILEAGE. APPARENTLY, WHEN PUMPING FUEL, THE FUEL WILL BLOW BACK OUT ON HER, IF NOT PUMPED SLOWLY! SEEMS TO BE ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THIS CERTAIN VEHICLE?????? VEHICLE ALSO HAS AN INTERMITTENT CHK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON?? CODE # PO13A?? ANOTHER SAFETY CONCERN! ???????? *TR

MY DAUGHTER OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE THAT RECENTLY BROKE DOWN DUE TO A FUEL LEAK ON TOP OF THE GASTANK. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY. TURNS OUT A PLASTIC NOZZLE HAD CRACKED OFF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SUPPLY LINE COMING OUT OF THE GASTANK ITSELF RESULTING IN PUMPING FUEL EVERYWHERE! LUCKILY,VEHICLE DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE! PART WAS FINALLY REPLACED 4TH TIME BACK TO REPAIR FACILITY, BUT WAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME PLASTIC NOZZLE INSTEAD OF A METAL NOZZLE?THIS IS MY SAFETY CONCERN WITH THIS VEHICLE, AFRAID THE SAMETHING WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN AGAIN. HAD THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, MY 17YR OLD DAUGHTER WOULD PROBABLY NOT HAD ENOUGH TIME TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF FUEL UNDERNEATH IT? NOT SURE IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT I FEEL THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE WOULD ATTEMPT TO FILL THE FUEL TANK, GASOLINE WOULD BEGIN TO SPEW OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD ROARING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE YESTERDAY, I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO INVESTIGATE. I NOTICED ANTIFREEZE COMING FROM UNDER MY CAR. I OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR FAN HAD EXPLODED AND WAS MISSING ALL IT'S BLADES AND THE SHROUD WAS IN PIECES ALSO. ONE OF THE PIECES PUNCHED A HOLE IN THE RADIATOR. PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OVERHEATING OR HAVING ANY NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS. I DISCOVERED LAST NIGHT THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT KIA MOTORS CLAIMS THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AND I AM PAYING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. I THINK MAYBE THE PROBLEM MAY BE PRESENT IN OTHER VEHICLES NOT "LISTED" IN THE RECALL. I FEEL LUCKY THAT I DID NOT HAVE MY HEAD UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

2002 KIA SPORTAGE. DEALER AND KIA ADMITTED THE CAR HAD THE PART RECALLED. THE PLASTIC FAN BROKE AND PIECES WENT INTO THE RADIATOR AND HOSES. THE DEALER GAVE ME A PRICE OF 660 DOLLARS TO FIX THE REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THEY SAID I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHARGES SINCE THEY SENT OUT A REPAIR NOTICE APPROX 3 YEARS AGO WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED. I HAD TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THAT IF THE PART WAS RECALLED AND CAUSED THE DAMAGE THEY WOULD PAY FOR IT. THEY WERE GONNA CONTACT THE DEALER SO WHEN I CALLED AGAIN THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T PAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE DROVE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. ALSO, WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAN BELT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.

PURCHASED A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE FROM A USED CAR DEALER ON MARCH3,2010 AFTER A WEEK OR SO NOTICED A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR NO DRIPS OR PUDDLING UNDER CAR CALLED TO WAGNER KIA A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD COST ABOUT $500.00 TO TAKE CARE OF THE O RING AND FUEL LINE. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHY IS IT NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF BY KIA. *TR

COOLANT GAUGE NOT READING OR REGISTERING THERMOSTAT TEMPERATURE THEREFORE RENDERING IT UNFIT FOR CLEARING AN INSPECTION. IT CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON EVEN IF COOLANT AND/OR THERMOSTAT, SENSORS,HARNESS WIRING WIRES AND OTHER THINGS/PARTS CONNECT TO IT HAS BEEN REPLACED OR CHECKED FOR PROBLEMS IT STILL GIVES A FALSE READING THAT THE SAME PROBLEM IS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. COOLANT THERMOSTAT NOT REACHING TEMPERATURE. *TR

PRIOR,AT 97K THE REAR WAS MAKING NOISE. BROUGHT TO DEALER,THEY SAID REAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BECAUSE I HAD NO RECEIPTS FROM A GARAGE STATING THE OIL WAS REPLACED,IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $900. TO REPLACE REAR AND AXLE. PART CHANGERS.HAD REAR REBUILT $400. RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AT 100K. AFTER OVER YEARS,COOLING FAN WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL. VACUUM HUB WAS REPLACED TO MANUAL. FUEL SMELL, WAS RUBBER RETURN LINE FROM FUEL PSI REGULATOR TO METAL RETURN LINE LEAKING. KEPT UP ON ALL MAINTENANCE SINCE NEW,A RELIABLE CAR WITH ORIGINAL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, AT 222K. *TR

FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS WHEN GOING TO THE GAS STATION TO REFUEL THE GAS TANK, WITH THE CAR STOPPED AND THE ENGINE OFF, GAS SUDDENLY SPURTS OUT THE GAS TANK AND SPLASHES ONTO ME AND MY CLOTHING. I HAVE CALLED MY KIA DEALER, BUT THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS POSTED ON THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. WHY WOULD YOU LET YOUR CONSUMERS GO THROUGH THIS?? WOULD THEY PURCHASE ANOTHER KIA? OF COURSE NOT! PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND TAKE ACTION TO RECTIFY THIS FOR ALL KIA OWNERS WHO ARE GETTING SPLASHED WITH GAS WHEN GOING TO THE GAS STATION TO REFUEL THEIR TANK. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT THIS CAN BE LEFT TO GO ON FOR SO LONG. IS A RECALL TO FIX THIS GOING TO COST TO MUCH FOR THE KIA CORP.? NOW, I CAN ONLY REFUEL BY USING A TRANSFER PUMP AND FILLING 5 GALLON GAS CANS TO TRANSFER GAS FROM WITH THE TRANSFER PUMP. THIS IS NOT RIGHT! FIX THE ISSUE ON BEHALF OF ALL KIA OWNERS.

I PURCHASED MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IN 2003 & IT WAS ALMOST 2 YEARS BEFORE I STARTED HAVING A PROBLEM PUTTING GAS IN MY GAS TANK, I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS VERY SLOW & EVEN THEN THE GAS SPURTS BACK OUT & GETS ON MY CAR, CLOTHS, ETC., IT TAKES A VERY LONG TIME TO FILL MY GAS TANK, IT SEEMS THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS MORE OFTEN IN THE WINTER, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER AS WELL, I HAVE JUST NOW IN THE LAST WEEK BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SMELLING A STRONG GAS SMELL IN MY KIA JUST AFTER I START GOING, I AM GOING TO GO TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY INTENTIONS OF FIXING THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT APPEARS THERE ARE ALOT OF 2002 KIA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO FIGURE OUT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR

AFTER FILLING GAS TANK 1 WEEK BEFORE, STARTED NOTICING STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS OUTSIDE OF IT. HAD FRIEND LOOK AT IT, THERE WAS NO DISCERNIBLE LEAKS, JUST EXTREMELY STRONG GAS SMELL. SMELL IS SO STRONG IT MAKES PEOPLE NAUSEOUS, LIGHT HEADED, HAS GIVEN ME MIGRAINE HEADACHE. CANNOT RIDE IN CAR WITHOUT WINDOWS DOWN. THIS IS PREDOMINATELY NOTICED WITH THE COLD WEATHER SETS IN, BELOW 40 DEGREES. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY/HEALTH HAZARD. FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF SAME PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY KIA AS IT IS MOST DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. CANNOT SEEM TO FIND WHAT IS CAUSING THIS, IT IS PROBABLY THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE 2005 SPORTAGE RECALL STATES. I AM TERRIFIED THAT IT IS GOING TO CAUSE A FIRE AND I AM GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. I AM DISABLED ON A FIXED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP JUST CHANGING THING UNTIL WE FINALLY, IF EVER, LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A EXTREMELY SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IT MUST BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. I DID NOTICE THAT IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN HALF-HEARTEDLY LOOKED INTO PREVIOUSLY, PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. THERE ARE MANY OF THESE ON THE ROAD AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

2002 KIA SPORTAGE SHOOTS GAS BACK OUT OF TANK WHILE FUELING. AFTER FUELING (TANK IS EMPTY)FOR A FEW SECONDS PUMP SHUTS OFF AND FUEL SHOOTS BACK OUT OF TANK. GAS SHOOTS OUT AT A RATE THAT CAUSES IT TO SPILL OVER TO THE GROUND. CAN NOT FILL ORE THAN $5.00 DOLLARS WORTH OF GAS WITHOUT AN OVERFLOW. *TR

VEHICLE IS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. DRIVER NOTICED SLIGHT ODD NOISE COMING FROM CAR WHEN CHANGING DIRECTIONAL GEARS, OR TAKING OFF FROM STOPS. 2ND FROM REAR CROSSMEMBER RUSTED OUT, BUT WAS CAUGHT EARLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN CAUGHT EARLY AXLE COULD HAVE SHIFTED CAUSING SERIOUS ACCIDENT. CROSSMEMBER SUPPORTS GAS TANK AND KEEPS REAR DRIVE AXLE IN PLACE. OLD CROSSMEMBER WILL BE CUT OUT AND NEW WELDED BACK IN. *TR

WE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE GAS PROBLEM. FIRST WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TANK LEAKING (WAS TOLD BY KIA THAT 2002 SPORTAGE MODEL WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL/CHECK, WHICH IT WAS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR THE $500 PROBLEM). SECOND, THE GAS SHOOTS OUT WHEN YOU TRY TO FILL, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THIS (WE WERE TOLD) IS A BAD OXYGEN SENSOR, ANOTHER $350 AND STILL NOT COVERED. *TR

MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE SURGES FORWARD WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2002. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALLS ON A REGULAR BASIS, WHILE AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH. *TR

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL MARKER. WHEN I PUMP GAS IT WILL GUSH OUT EVEN WITH JUST $2.00 IN THE TANK I WOULD HAVE TO PUMP IT VERY SLOW IN ORDER TO FILL MY TANK UP. I HAVE A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE AND FROM WHAT I HEAR THIS IS GOING ON WITH OTHER KIA'S. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURE ERROR OR IS IT TIME. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN THE GAS COMES OUT AND GETS ALL OVER MY CLOTHES I THINK IT'S HAZARDOUS. *TR

2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4WD HAS A VACUUM-HUB SYSTEM, I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS A HISTORY OF FAILURE, HOWEVER THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT THE 4WD IS NOT ENGAGED,BECAUSE THE INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WHETHER OR NOT THE 4WD IS WORKING. THIS IS A COMMON ONGOING PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES, THE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO INSTALL MANUAL HUBS,HOWEVER KIA DOES NOT OFFER TO PAY FOR THIS OPTION TO ITS CONSUMERS. I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND DEPEND UPON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE TO GET ME THROUGH THE WISCONSIN WINTERS, NOW THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT WORKING I GET STUCK IN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF SNOW, AND FEEL LIKE A IDIOT CALLING AAA TO TOW ME OUT ALL THE TIME. I THINK THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE MADE INTO A RECALL ESPECIALLY SINCE I ONLY HAVE 56,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR

2005 KIA SPORTAGE HAS A FAULTY HARMONIC BALANCER. *NJ

LIKE OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT I AM SEEING, I HAVE A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE WITH 68000 MILES AND IT IS HAVING SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH FUEL VAPORS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND A SOURCE FOR THE FUEL SMELL. THE VAPORS ARE EXTREMELY STRONG AND I GET VERY NAUSEOUS; I HAVE TO OPEN A BACK WINDOW SO I DO NOT GET A MIGRAINE HEADACHE. I LIVE IN WISCONSIN SO IT IS VERY COLD IN THE WINTER TIME TO DO THIS WITH THE OPEN WINDOWS BUT I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR ANY OTHER WAY. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF THE NHTSA WOULD LOOK FURTHER INTO INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE KIA ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL AND REPAIR... I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND BESIDES THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE BREAKING ONCE, AND THIS HORRIBLE GAS SMELL I HAVE NOT HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. *TR

MY SISTER-IN-LAW HAS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE THAT HAS BEGUN LEAKING FUEL OUT OF A CRACKED FUEL TANK. APPARENTLY THIS IS SO COMMON THAT A KIA RECALL (RECALL SC059) WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, A DEALERSHIP IN SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA TOLD US THAT HER VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. YET, THE VERY REASON FOR BRINGING IT IN WAS FOR THE EXACT FOCUS OF THE RECALL. THE RECALL SPECIFICATIONS DO NOT EXCLUDE/INCLUDE SPECIFIC VINS. HOW CAN WE GET KIA TO HONOR THEIR RECALL? *TR

I READ A FORUM ABOUT DEFECTIVE 2002 KIA SPORTAGE FUEL TANKS,,, AND I WANTED TO ADD MY NAME TO THE LIST OF DEFECTIVE TANKS..... *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE BRAND NEW. THE PAST FEW YEARS I HAD NOTICED A GAS SMELL AND TRIED TO IGNORE IT. AND EVER SO OFTEN WHEN I PUMP GAS IT SHOOTS BACK OUT EVERYWHERE. IT HAPPENS MOSTLY IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

2002 KIA SPORTAGE HAS SEVERE AND DANGEROUS GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE AFTER COLD WEATHER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FAN BLADE BLEW INTO PIECES. HE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR, ANTIFREEZE RESERVE TANK, ALL THREE SERPENTINE BELTS, AIR INTAKE, AND THE INTAKE HOSE HIMSELF, TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. HE THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V161000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM: FAN) AND PETITIONED FOR REIMBURSEMENT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER ADVISED HE WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR REIMBURSEMENT UNTIL HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. HE SOON NOTICED THE SMELL OF BURNING ANTIFREEZE CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE BECAME UNUSUALLY WARM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAN BELT UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. AFTER REPAIRS, HE CONTINUED TO SMELL BURNING ANTIFREEZE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND HE WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,835 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,838.

GAS FUMES ENTER VEHICLE CAB THREW AIR VENTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ODOR OF GASOLINE WAS EMITTED FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE O-RINGS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE O-RINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,000. UPDATED 03/20/13*LJ UPDATED 03/29/2013 *JS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE SAME FAILURE WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,900. UPDATED 1/8/09 *CN UPDATED 01/14/09. *JB

TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH SHE HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING, RUNNING HOT AND STEAM AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE CLUTCH FAN FRAGMENTED AND BROKE AND WENT INTO THE RADIATOR. THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPAIRED, THE TIMING BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE HEAD RESURFACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A SAFETY RECALL 07V161000 - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. KG UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/23/08. *JB

NY KIA SPORTAGE 2002 4D4X4 COOLING FAN BLEW APART TAKING OUT THE RADIATOR AND OTHER PARTS. IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART FOUND RECALL ON THE INTERNET. CALLED KIA 18003334542 ARGUED WITH THEM FOR A WEEK THEY FINALLY AGREED TO FIX THE DAMAGE. IT WAS TO BE DONE MONDAY THAT'S WHEN THEY ORDERED THE PARTS. THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE A LOANER CAR AS MINE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

VEHICLE: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4 DR. 4X4; PURCHASED BRAND NEW & PD. IN FULL. IN 2008, WE LEFT AN AMUSEMENT PARK, HOT DAY. 4 PASSENGERS INCLUDING 1 BABY. UPON GOING HOME NEEDED TO RUN A/C. I <DRIVER> NOTICED THE TEMP. GAUGE GOING FROM APPROX. MIDRANGE TEMP. TO HOT. A/C WAS SHUT OFF & WE ROLLED DOWN WINDOWS & MADE IT HOME. TOOK VEHICLE TO BE CHECKED OUT & WAS TOLD THAT THE COOLING FAN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE TECH. SAID THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK VEHICLE TO KIA DEALERSHIP WHO CLAIMED AFTER APPROX. 30 - 40 MINS, IN HIS CARE, THAT THE RECALLED COOLING FAN PROBLEM WAS NOW REPLACED @ NO CHARGE TO ME. I AM NOW FINDING OUT THAT REPLACEMENT WAS NOT DONE DUE TO ANOTHER, SEPARATE TECHNICIAN. 2 TECH'S INVOLVED. 1ST TECH TOLD ME OF RECALL; 2ND TECH SAID RECALLED ITEM WAS NOT REPLACED. WHAT SHOULD I DO? PLEASE TELL ME. I NEED YOUR ADVICE. I AWAIT YOUR REPLY AS TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. *TR

I WOULD LIKE TO START BY SAYING THAT I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE AT THE MECHANIC'S SHOP TWICE WITHIN THE PAST YEAR DUE TO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND GOING OFF SPORADICALLY. MY MECHANIC HAS, BOTH TIMES, HOOKED IT UP TO ALL HIS MACHINERY TO CHECK FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT BOTH TIMES, FOUND NOTHING. NOW, LET ME TELL YOU WHAT JUST HAPPENED... I HAD AN INCIDENT HAPPEN WITH MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE THIS EVENING 8/6/08. THE COOLING FAN BROKE APART AN SEVERED MY POWER STEERING HOSE SPRAYING OIL ALL OVER MY CAR CAUSING IT TO SMOKE AND MY POWER STEERING TO GO OUT. THIS IS WHAT MY HUSBAND SAYS HAPPENED ANYWAY. I WAS STRANDED 30 MILES FROM HOME AND HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO MY USUAL MECHANIC. UPON RETURNING HOME I RESEARCHED THE NET FOR MY VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM IN 2007. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL AND WOULD HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE FIXED HAD I KNOWN. I'M NOT SURE OF THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE, AS THIS JUST HAPPENED TONIGHT, BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT? *TR

I BOUGHT A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IN JUNE 2008 FROM THE KIA DEALER IN REDDING. SINCE THAT TIME THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE STARTED LOCKING ON THEIR OWN AT VARIOUS TIMES. THEY LOCK AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE I AM DRIVING AND AFTER I HAVE TURNED THE CAR OFF. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD NOW THAT I HAVE TO KEEP THE KEYS WITH ME OR LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN WHEN I GET OUT OF THE CAR AND AM GOING TO GET RIGHT BACK IN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR NOW. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A COUPLE OF TIME THE LOCKS HAVE STUCK AND I COULD NOT GET THEM UNLOCKED WHILE I WAS IN THE CAR. I HAD TO PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE AUTOMATIC KEY LOCK TO GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE IT CAN GET OVER 120 DEGREES IN THE CAR IN THE SUMMER AND IF THIS HAPPENS AND I CAN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR OR IF THE DOORS LOCK WHEN ONE OF MY GRANDCHILDREN IS IN THE CAR OR ONE OF MY PETS IT COULD BE DISASTROUS. I AM HAVING IT LOOKED AT NEXT WEEK AT THE DEALERSHIP. MY MOTHER ALSO OWNS A KIA BUT HERS IS A 1995 KIA SEPHIA WHICH SHE BOUGHT NEW. SHE HAS HAD THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH HER DOOR LOCKS AND EVENTUALLY TOOK THE DOOR PANEL OFF SO SHE COULD GET OUT OF THE CAR AS SHE WAS LOCKED IN. SHE HAS MADE THE DOOR SO THAT IT WILL NOT LOCK AT ALL BECAUSE SHE WAS AFRAID SHE WOULD GET STUCK IN OR OUT OF THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND THERE WAS NO DEALERSHIP NEAR WHERE SHE LIVED TO TAKE IT TOO. SHE STILL HAS THE CAR. SHE HAS ALSO MET ANOTHER LADY IN REDDING WHO OWNS A KIA SEPHIA (I BELIEVE A 1990'S MODEL) WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. SHE HAD TO CLIMB OUT OF HER WINDOW TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AT ONE TIME. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THE LOCK SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED AS IT POSES A SAFETY FACTOR IF A CHILD GETS LOCKED IN OR EVEN AN ADULT WHO CAN'T GET OUT THE WINDOW. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. SECONDLY, A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AVAILABLE FOR THAT COMPONENT; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 UPDATED 03-30-09 *BF UPDATED 03/31/09.*JB

I HAVE A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IT HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND I WAS DRIVING IT CAME UP ON A RED LIGHT AND THE CLUTCH WOULDN'T DISENGAGE THE PEDAL WOULD GO DOWN BUT THE CLUTCH WOULDN'T RELEASE SO I DROVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT WITH NO ABILITY TO STOP THERE WAS ALOT OF CARS COMING AND THEY BARELY MISSED T-BONING ME THERE WHERE KIDS ALSO PLAYING ON THE SIDE WALK I HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OF AND COAST TO A STOP THE GEAR SHIFT WOULDN'T COME OUT OF GEAR AS LONG AS THE ENGINE WAS TURNING OVER. IT WILL START AND RUN ALL DAY AS LONG AS ITS IN NEUTRAL. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND IT HAS SAT FOR TWO YEARS NOW ( I DEPLOYED FOR 15 MONTHS THAT'S WHY ITS SAT SO LONG) I REPLACED THE SLAVE AND MASTER CYLINDER AND IT HASN'T CHANGED ANYTHING I WAS IN A PARTS STORE AND HEARD ANOTHER GUY TALKING ABOUT HIS 2002 SPORTAGE IT DONE THE SAME THING AND HE REAR ENDED SOMEONE TOTALING IT. ITS IN A JUNKYARD NOW AND I HAVE TALKED TO COUNTLESS OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ONE GUY PAID THE DEALERSHIP 1700$ TO FIX HIS THEN THE PROBLEM CAME BAD A WEEK LATER. I JUST WANT MY CAR TO BE FIXED. THE LAST PROBLEM I HAD WITH IT WAS THE FAN EXPLODED WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND CUT MY RADIATOR THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAN BUT JUST CRIMPED MY RADIATOR I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH KIA I CALLED AND THE GUY HUNG UP ON ME WHEN I EXPLAINED MY PROBLEM SO IM NOT THE ONLY ONE IM SURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN, IT WOULD CHANGE TO 4-WHEEL DRIVE WITHOUT THE DRIVER MOVING THE LEVER. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD, EVEN WHEN IT WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,445 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FAINT SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HE ONLY NOTICED THE SMELL WHEN THE GAS TANK WAS FULL. THE FAILURE LASTED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS AND THE SMELL GREW STRONGER. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATING TO HIS VEHICLE; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN FEBRUARY 2008. WHEN FILLING WITH GAS, THE GAS HAS TO BE PUMPED EXTREMELY SLOW OR IT SPURTS OUT. THE CAR HAS AN ODOR OF GAS ALSO. THIS PROBLEM IS WORSE IN THE WINTER, ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY IN WARMER WEATHER, BUT THE MINUTE THE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW 40 F, I CAN COUNT ON THIS HAPPENING EVERY TIME I PUT GAS IN THE CAR. I'VE RUINED CLOTHES, SHOES, AND HAVE ENDED UP WITH GAS ALL OVER MY HANDS AND LEGS (AND I'VE COME CLOSE TO GETTING IT IN MY FACE!!). THE GAS PUMP WILL SHUT OFF AS IF THE TANK IS FULL AND THE GAS JUST SPURTS RIGHT OUT OF THE TANK. IF I PUMP THE GAS EXTREMELY SLOW, (TONIGHT IT TOOK ME ALMOST 10 MINUTES TO PUMP ABOUT 6 GALLONS OF GAS), I CAN USUALLY MANAGE TO GET MOST OF THE GAS IN THE TANK, BUT AGAIN, I HAVE TO GO EXTREMELY SLOW AND THE PUMP STILL KEEPS SHUTTING OFF. IT WOULD KEEP STOPPING AS STATED ABOVE, BUT ONLY A LITTLE GAS WILL SPURT OUT WHEN IT STOPS. IF I TRY TO PUMP AT A NORMAL SPEED, IT ONLY TAKES A FEW SECONDS AND THE GAS STARTS SPURTING AND I END UP COVERED WITH GAS BY THE TIME I'M DONE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST A FLUKE, BUT ONE OF MY FELLOW EMPLOYEES ALSO HAD A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEN JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO ON THIS SITE, I READ SOMEONE ELSE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS DANGEROUS SINCE YOU END UP WITH GAS ALL OVER YOUR CAR, THE GROUND, AND YOURSELF! *TR

I HAVE A 2002 SPORTAGE AND JUST RECENTLY HAVE BEEN HAVING A VERY BAD SMELL OF GAS WHEN STARTING IT. IT ENTERS THE INSIDE OF CAR WHEN HEATER GETS TURNED AND STAYS STRONG UNTIL CAR HAS WARMED UP. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE FOUND SOME STAINS ON THE METAL PLATE UNDER THE CLAMP BY THE FUEL RETURN HOSE BUT SAID UNLESS I CAN ACTUALLY SEE GAS DRIPPING HE CAN NOT SAY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND OF COURSE IT IS A WARMER DAY, NOT AS COLD AS IT WAS THE FIRST DAY IT STARTED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON LINE AND FOUND THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL RETURN HOSE IN CANADA BUT NOT HERE IN THE US AND THAT THERE ARE QUITE ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM IN THE US. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS PROBLEM AND FEAR THAT IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE AND NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT WHEN THE SMELL IS INSIDE OF CAR IT STARTS TO MAKE ME FEEL SICK. *TR

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ON 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. IT LOCKS UP AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS IS TO UNHOOK HOSES WHEN NOT IN USE AND TO HOOK THE HOSES UP WHEN NEEDED. *TR

DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC LAST WEEK AND CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND THE SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CAR WAS NOT SMOKING, THERMOSTAT WAS NOT SHOWING OVERHEATING. I TRIED TO MAKE IT TO THE OFF RAMP LESS THAN 1.5 MILES. DEALER SAYS THAT THE RADIATOR HAS A HOLE IN IT AND THE HEAD HAS TO BE REBUILT AND THEY SAY THAT I MUST REPLACE THE TIMING BELT AND PULLEY'S . I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT WAS A BAD THERMOSTAT. THE HEAD ASSEMBLY, CYLINDER HEAD, SPARK PLUGS, HOSES WERE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR REPLACED. I ALSO HAVE REPLACED THE TIMING BELT, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND AS OF MAY 15 2008 A NEW FAN CLUTCH. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SHOWS ANY SIGNS OF OVERHEATING ON ANY GAUGES, AND DOES NOT SMOKE. YOU CAN ONLY HERE THE SOUND OF BOILING WATER IN THE RADIATOR. HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS THAT CAN DO OVER $4000 DAMAGE TO A MOTOR WITH 55K MILES AND 5 YEARS OLD . CASE NUMBER --K14040462. *TR

GAS LEAK. NEEDED TO REPLACE SENDING UNIT, GAS TANK, ETC. COST OVER $900. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FIRE,INJURY, ETC. *TR

GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. LEAKING FROM A RUBBER HOSE THE IS OVER THE METAL GAS LINE THAT IS HELD RIGHT WITH A HOSE CLAMP. *TR

ACTION # EA06-007-FUEL TANK LEAKAGE IN 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE ON 7/03/07 COMPLAINING OF GAS ODOR. I WAS CHARGED TO FIX THE ROLL OVER VALVE BECAUSE IT WAS SAID TO BE LEAKING EXTERNALLY. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME ODOR COMPLAINT ON 8/8/07. THEY CLAIMED GAS WAS FOUND ON THE SEAM OF THE TANK. THEY CLEANED THE TANK SEAM WHERE FUEL WAS GATHERED AND SHAMPOOED MY CARPET TO REMOVE ANY OTHER ODOR FREE OF CHARGE. MY CAR STILL HAD THE GAS ODOR. I WITNESSED GAS LEAKING FROM MY CAR ON 9/10/07 AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND I WAS CHARGED TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK REPLACED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND SHUT OFF. HE NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN DISINTEGRATED. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 07V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN) WAS FOUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FAN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DAMAGED RADIATOR CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE FAN SHOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 31,000.

OUR 2002 KIA SPORTAGE WAS DUE FOR A NEW TIMING BELT SO WE HAD IT REPLACED, SUBSEQUENTLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER WE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FAN BLADE AND HAD IT REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 5 WEEKS LATER THE FAN BLADE CAME OFF AND WENT THROUGH THE RADIATOR AND THE ENGINE SEIZED UP, SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEIR ASSESSMENT WAS THAT IT WASN'T THEIR FAULT BUT THAT THE FAN CLUTCH LET GO, WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE FAN BLADE, AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY HADN'T TOUCHED THE FAN CLUTCH WHEN THEY REPLACED THE BLADE. AFTER TALKING TO THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AND ASKING ABOUT THE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE BLADE I WAS FINALLY TOLD, "IT WAS DONE BY MAGIC". CONTACTED THE KIA REPRESENTATIVE WHO SAID HE'D LOOK INTO IT, BUT TO DATE HAVE NEVER HEARD FROM HIM, ONLY THE DEALERSHIP WHO WANTED ME TO GET THE CAR OFF THEIR LOT. THEY WERE WILLING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE FOR $3000, BUT FORTUNATELY I HAD ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND GOT IT DONE FOR HALF THE PRICE. WOULDN'T DO BUSINESS WITH THIS DEALER AGAIN AFTER BEING TREATED THIS WAY, AND TO THINK WE'D PURCHASED 4 VEHICLES FROM THEM. *TR