2002 Kia Sportage 4 cylinder

Summary:

Waste of money

Faults:

Axle broke on the highway.

Lost considerable amount of power within one month of ownership.

General Comments:

I wanted to buy something small, foreign, and reliable, but still have room for a dog and some luggage for road trips. I thought a kia would be a good choice, knowing they had their 100000 mile warranty deals and all.

I drove it on one long trip from Ohio to Kansas for christmas and after I came back to Ohio things started happening. I took extreme care of the car and always drove it safely, It was my new baby so I wanted it to stay nice like you always do the first few months of owning a car. The engine started sounding rough, pickup speed got weaker, and overall ride was getting rough.

One last major trip I took there were horrible noises coming from underneath the kia and all the sudden it quit moving down the highway. The axle just wore out. After getting it back to the dealer and dealing with days of ordering some strange part of the axle that the mechanic says is just a cheap part I finally got my kia back. But it was never the same so I immediately got rid of the thing.

I am suspicious of all kias anymore and am afraid that they are made with too many cheap parts. I should have kept my big American GMC Jimmy. It never failed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd October, 2006

27th Oct 2006, 15:59

I to have a kia sportage 2002, yes I have a 100,000 mile warranty, but me and my child do not come with one of those. I drive my family in this vehicle and I have had nothing, but problems with it. I have had the car for three years it has a squeak from a fan belt that is not covered under warranty, the fan has shredded inside of the vehicle. I was driving on the expressway one day and the door locks began to go up and down like the car was possessed. A couple of months ago I noticed a faint noise and I had it taken in, come to find out the mechanic said I was lucky that if I waited much longer the back end of the vehicle would have went. Now to top it off the car is in the shop again for a smell of gasoline or exhaust that is filling the car, not all the time, but sometimes, they can't figure the problem out and I am frustrated and afraid of driving this vehicle. I've called Kia and they won't even authorize a rental for me from all these problems. They may have it figured out how to make a good sound reliable vehicle now, but they do not adhere to there mistakes of previous vehicles and that is why I will never buy another Kia.

View 10 more comments

2002 Kia Sportage 4 cylinder

Summary:

A lemon with a terrible warranty

Faults:

This vehicle was excellent at first. Now it has developed a serious problem. It will not go over 55 miles per hour. It has very little power and cannot accelerate so I am afraid to take it on the highway.

General Comments:

This car was the best model they had, loaded with features. It has been carefully maintained since new.

At this point it has a serious problem which the dealer refuses to repair in spite of the fact that it came with a 100,000 mile warranty. The dealer states that at 35,000 miles the vehicle requires a $1700. maintenance program. In addition the same maintenance has be be done at 70,000 miles. At this point they state that the timing belt and numerous other parts must be replaced to maintain the warranty. There was no mention of this during the purchase of this vehicle. The dealer states that all Kias require the same program at 35,000 miles, not much economy there. Since there is only 1 dealer in the state I have no other choice, but to deal with them.

It is obvious the warranty is worthless and it will cost a fortune to get this fixed. It may be a minor problem, but independent mechanics don't want to touch this little SUV.

You would be wise to avoid this make and model. Don't be fooled by the generous warranty it is filled with loop holes so dealer's don't have to honor it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th May, 2006

17th May 2006, 02:23

Sounds to me like you didn't follow mainteinance procedures clearly mentioned in your OWNER'S MANUAL. Have you ever read the thing? The dealer is not responsible for you never having read it. Now, $1700 does sound rather expensive. What state do you live in? I would make a few calls to other Kia dealers in other states and ask the service department what they charge for the 35000 and 70000 mile mainteinance service. With any luck your vehicle isn't too damaged and can be brought back up to proper running condition with proper mainteinance.

View 5 more comments