Faults:

Oxygen sensor failed at 20,000 miles. Dealer replaced under warranty.

General Comments:

The engine is a little underpowered for expressway driving, especially when towing. Installing an aftermarket (K&N) filter seemed to help.

Back-seat passengers like the elevated seating.

The ride is comfortable enough, although some people may feel it is a little to stiff. Some of the other mini-suv's ride more like a mini-van. This is a truck frame, not uni-body.

Be sure to research the dealership as well as you do the vehicle. They will make the difference in your experience as an owner and KIA dealerships aren't as widely planted as the more popular car companies.

You do get what you pay for, so don't expect a Lexus. You may be surprised though.

Faults:

There are only two things that have ever gone wrong with my KIA Sportage. The first was a slight rattling noise under the driver's side. I went to our local dealership and they replaced the center silencer cover because the original bolts had rusted and were coming off. Living in South Dakota with all of our snow, this is very understandable.

While at the dealership I mentioned in passing that I would like to get the power windows looked at some time, as they we not rolling down or up. The technician asked me when I bought the vehicle and I told him August 2001. He said that the windows were part of a service campaign that KIA was hosting and that he could fix them free of charge. Because the mileage was so low on my Sportage, he could also replace the center silencer cover under the warranty.

Basically, I had only two problems the entire time I've owned this vehicle, and both were fixed quickly and without charge. I had over $600 worth of service done that day and I didn't pay a dime! This car has run great since!

General Comments:

The interior is quite comfortable and roomy. I always have plenty of room for groceries or other packages.

The steering wheel and driver's console are well placed and comfortable to reach.

The 4-wheel drive is wonderful and has gotten me through many near-accidents on the snowy, slippery roads of South Dakota.

Faults:

I purchased this car in late October, 2000. Before the end of 2000 the fuel injectors were replaced. The car was running rough. A month later the same problem reoccured. The car was towed to the dealer for repair. I was told there was a loose bolt causing the problem.

I began to hear a rattle at times. The heat shield around the muffler had rusted and completely broken off. The tail pipe was rusted too. The heat shield, tail pipe and muffler were replaced.

Now my brake light comes on whenever I brake. I have 32,000 miles on the car. The brakes were replaced. Soon the brake light was back on whenever I applied the brakes. I returned to the Firestone dealer and had them check out the brakes. They told me that the master brake cylinder was leaking badly.

From the time that I purchased the car, I noticed that the wear of the tires seemed to be on the outside edges only. I asked about this several times. Each time I was blown off. I had the tires replaced after I had a spin out. When the Firestone mechanic tried to align the new tires he could not. The front wheel bearings were completely shot. He stated that this had caused the tires to wear out early. It cost me over $400.00 for new tires. The spin out nearly cost me my life. I was only going ten miles per hour when the car spun out. I went across four lanes of traffic and a turn lane before I stopped. I spun into a median and the car nearly tipped over. I felt the car come up on two wheels. When the car came back down the impact was hard enough to cause a neck injury.

I went to a Kia dealership for repair of the master cylinder and front wheel bearings. I had to rent a car for a week. I have had to rent cars several times. I have also missed work because of this car breaking down.

At 38,000 miles the car began leaking hot water from under the dash of the passenger side. A passenger got his foot burned when hot fluid spewed out. I took the car to Firestone because they tell me the truth. Firestone told me that I had coolant leaking too. I went to the Kia dealer. A mechanic told me that it was not coolant just water. He stated that it was only a clogged air conditioning hose. I had to wait three weeks to be seen.

The car overheated before I could be seen. I was lucky that my boyfriend realized what was happening and was able to avoid damage to the engine. The car is in the shop now. Again, I have to rent a car. The heater core had blown. I am waiting to see is Kia will repair the damage to the interior from the coolant leak.

General Comments:

I would trade the car in, however I can only get $5,500 for it. I owe $14,000. I have owned this car less than two years.