Kia Sportage Reviews from Australia and New Zealand - Page 2 of 2

The 'check engine' light came on within a few days of buying it. It was the 02 sensor.

The rear door started rattling.

The power windows worked intermittently.

The car would stutter/backfire within 2 min of being started.

The car stuttered/stalled if given a little gas.

Cooler fluid leaked into the ventilation, stunk like crazy and leaked on passenger side.

The wipers would lock up sometimes and made a crappy knocking noise.

Avoid, spare parts are hard to get and expensive.

Poorly made and just all round crap.

Rear differential failed at 3000 Ks.

Dealer fixed under warranty, but the breakdown left my wife and myself stranded in a remote location.

Exhaust system (muffler) rattle. Was like it from new. Dealer wouldn't fix during warranty period, in fact the dealer's service-man said to me "what did you expect, you got what you paid for".

Oxygen Sensor failed at 27000 Ks. Vehicle just out of warranty (just over 3 years old) when this happened. Cost me $450 to fix.

Rattle in front suspension. Like it from new. Reported to Dealer on various occasions, but it was never repaired.

Transfer case, complete failure, at 45000 Ks. Stranded me in a remote location (middle of winter) in the Snowy Mountains. Cost me over $1000 to fix.

Engine idle valve constantly required servicing/cleaning. Engine would often rev-up uncontrollably. Dealer wouldn't replace valve under warranty, just kept cleaning it.

It got to the stage where I would remove it, clean it and replace it (on the side of the road if need-be) to keep the thing going. I got very good at doing this.

Replaced hubcaps and hubcap retainers on a regular basis. Forever breaking off.

Many of the plastic items on the vehicle were very poor quality and would simply crack or powder-up.

Vehicle had low use, only had 52000 Ks when sold after 5 years and was regulary serviced and maintained.

By far the worst vehicle I've ever owned.

Very unreliable.

Very serious, expensive things went wrong.

Often had to wait for shipment of spare parts to arrive, forcing the vehicle off the road for weeks as a result.

Poor service relations, regardless of dealership. In fact some dealers often made negative comments about the product.

It got to the stage where the thing couldn't be trusted, hence toward the end I wasn't game to venture far from my mechanic.

I will never own another KIA or Korean product.

Finally, the last word from the guy who repaired the transfer case (a respected gearbox & differential specialist) who stated ~ "I love Korean vehicles especially KIA's, because we make a very good living from them. Its not so much the design of the things, its the rubbish components they use that keeps letting them down. If they would adopted better quality bearings I'd be out of business. My advice to you is get rid of it before something else fails and be assured it will".

Nothing the car has been an absolute gem! Anyone not driving a KIA is living in a cave, the new order has arrived and it is spelt K I A!!!

This is a great little car. Excellent performance and it was at a great price. What more could you want. I recommend this car to anyone who has a lead foot because it really has some "get up and go".

With the installation of an aftermarket turbo and intercom, my Sportage seems unbeatable on the street. Two thumbs up KIA, you have given my pocket and my face a reason to smile.