1999 Kia Sportage EX 2.0 from Puerto Rico

Summary:

I love my KIA

Faults:

Suspension bushings wore out after 60,000 miles in Puerto Rican roads. Not bad at all, considering the condition of the roads here.

General Comments:

This is my second KIA Sportage. I first had a 1995 model, and had such a good experience with it that I bought a second one in 1999. I have decided that my next vehicle will be a KIA as well.

KIA vehicles are a good value.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th May, 2003

1999 Kia Sportage 4 Cylinder from North America

Summary:

Horrible

Faults:

Had car serviced for sensor problems 9 times. Had to report it to the Texas Department of Transportation as a lemon. KIA finally had to send an "Engineer" out here to "fix" it.

Wheel cylinder leaks.

Cruise control inoperable.

Muffler has a broken baffle.

Check engine light came on again this morning. No telling why this time.

General Comments:

Have never had so many problems with a car in my life. Since I've owned the car, I've been to the dealership over 10 times - most visits for the same problem. Of course, KIA claims it was a different problem each time - but the symptoms were the same. Each time I returned to the dealership with the same problem, I was told it was my fault - putting the wrong gas in, I replaced my gas cap, I needed a tune-up, etc.

The problems with my sensors caused my car to bog down - often on acceleration into oncoming traffic. Kia is not at all concerned with safety.

Purchasing this "cute" car was the worst, and most expensive mistake I've ever made. I will stick to American-made cars in the future.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th January, 2003

1999 Kia Sportage 2.0 Liter DOHC from North America

Summary:

Stick with good ol' american cars like chevy and ford

Faults:

Spark Plugs? My vehicle died on me and the dealer told me it was my spark plugs. I know that is not supposed to happen.

Rear Cup holder broke on first use. It was a Coke can that did it in.

Power mirrors control switch just stopped working.

Warped front disc brakes.

I can not go above 5000 rpm right now and I do not know why.

I had to replace the soft top because it kept flapping so loud it was giving me a headache.

The rear plastic window is cracking and the vehicle is not even four years old.

General Comments:

When I bought the car it was great. I bought it from a local dealer who helped me with all of my problems really quickly. But, that was when I lived there. I am in the military stationed over seas and none of the dealers will honor the American Kia warranty because Kia will not respond to their inquiries. If Kia will just say that if I was in America that it would be covered then the dealers here will fix it. Hows that for support for our boys overseas. So, that means I have to pay for every problem and pay a car payment at the same time. I have written Kia several times and have never received a response back. Now my Vehicle lacks power and I am afraid to go to the dealer for fear of the cost. I will never buy another Kia and don't suggest that anyone else get one either.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th January, 2003

16th Nov 2004, 11:48

Boy, if that is all that is wrong I don't know what your problem really is! Spark plugs have to be replaced. Normal engines don't operate above 5000 RPMs regularly, Maybe you or your passengers should be a little more careful with the cup holders. It doesn't sound like a bad car just not a very caring driver\owner.

16th Nov 2004, 11:55

Do you really think that Chevy and Ford are American made? If you do you better do some homework and wake up.

I just bought my Kia Sportage, so I don't know how it will work out for me, but it is a 1999 and is excellent condition. Someone really took care of it, even the soft top. for the most part, there is a tear along the top of the window. Every cup holder is in tact the console is in great shape and the carpet looks good too. I figure that isn't too bad for a '99. I'll add another comment apologizing if it turns out poorly.

28th Feb 2009, 21:00

I bought my 99 Sportage a year ago, and it ran good for a year, then bang the heater core went out, the coil went out, fowling all plugs.

The cup holders broke, the rotors warped and the fin that defers the air from defrost to vents broke, but this is to be expected from a cheap car.

My dealer told me that they were disposable