2002 Kia Sportage 4x4 from North America

Summary:

I like it

Faults:

I have to change the oil every 3000 - 5000 miles.

I put in a new air filter.

The check engine light came on, but it did not produce a code and went out after the air filter - so I guess that was the problem.

I just replaced the front brake pads and noticed that the struts were leaking fluid. They will have to be replaced. This is probably why the handling feels a bit loose.

I also noticed that the vacuum hose that runs the locking hubs was damaged on both sides. Fortunately for me the hubs are stuck in the locked in position so I have had 4x4 every time I have needed it, but I bet that's why I use so much gas!

I really hate that I can't open the back hatch without undoing the flimsy and difficult back window.

My Geo had a much better design.

General Comments:

I like the interior. It is way more comfortable to ride in than my Geo Tracker was.

Overall, this is a pretty nice go to work cheap vehicle.

My other care is a Suburban 4x4, so even with stuck hubs, the KIA gets good mileage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd February, 2007

2002 Kia Sportage 4 cylinder from North America

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.

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