Comments: 1-15, 16-28
This is a true lemon. I would never recommend this car to anyone. I have never had as much trouble with any other car and this one's only a year old.
The radio was replaced, the oxygen sensor was replaced and the exhaust shield was removed because it caused a rattling noise.
The 4-wheel drive was fixed in January and it was broken again in February. They can't fix it so I have to drive around in the middle of winter with no 4-wheel drive. It's extremely unsafe. I found out the 4-wheel drive was broken again the hard way - during a snowstorm.
All the dealership can say is that they replaced the parts and don't know they can't get it working. I asked for a rental car to use until it was fixed and they said Kia has decided that as long as I can start the car up it's drivable. They have no concern for safety.
I'm so glad I didn't get one!
We have a 1998 Sportage 4x4. Very similiar problems: rattling catalytic converter (replaced), rear tire bracket would not latch (replaced), hatch rattles on smooth roads, now it is in the shop to have the 4x4 fixed... plus while in the shop the dealer said this is common problem.
The brakes are gone at 22,000 miles, also a common problem... never again.
I have all the same problems and the manufacturer and the dealer will not make it right. What a rip off.
I have a 2000 Kia Sportage 4W EX. It has had both front wheel hubs replaced. The dealer told me it was a wonder I was not killed. The front wheels were ready to fall off!
After this repair, while driving in 2w drive, the car would attempt to initiate 4W drive. I would lose control of the car with a severe clanging and bumping noise. This supposedly is repaired.
Next, on Oct 23, 2001, while driving from Atlanta to Chattanooga, I smelled antifreeze and noticed my temperature gauge was on the highest level of hot. I immediately pulled off the road. I had prompt towing service from KIA to the dealer in Chattanooga. The whole engine needs to be replaced since everything is fused together. KIA repair folks tell me they will have to get the new engine in before they know why it overheated. So I live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and my KIA is in Chattanooga Tennessee... supposedly to be fixed by my return on November 9 2001. So do I feel safe in this vehicle? I WILL LEAVE IT TO YOU TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
Charles Wessel, cbw@pitt.edu
So far I have been pleased with our Kia. It now has 36,000 miles and has never been a problem. Kia does use cheap batteries and brake pads from the factory and will need replacing in about two years. We did have trouble with the 4 wheel drive, but I had the same trouble with my Chevy and my Dodge. these are problems that you don't have in other countries. Americans don't like having to get out and lock the hubs in so the manufacturers have replaced reliable locking hubs with vacuum hubs that don't work. Most people will never know the difference since they don't even use 4 wheel drive. Owning one make them feel strong and tough. I love my kia. It works well off road, has plenty of room for hunting and fishing outings and has never failed to start and run well.
My KIA has 68,000 miles n it and I have had to have the front hubs replaced, three window actuators, plus the four on the drivers door, the four wheel drive is making a metal to metal noise when activated, the front brakes need replacing every 20,000 miles or so, the muffler shield rattles when you start to go forward after stopping, but--the radio works good. Not my choice for my next car.
I have a Kia Sportage 2000. It has under 35000 miles. So far I have had to replace the brakes, struts and more. The windshield wiper motor stopped working on the car while we were driving it in the middle of a rainstorm. The rear passenger side seat belt (which is rarely used) will no longer retract. And now the rear driver side window will not go up and needs to have a new regulator put in. Piece of junk Kia!! I'm going back to Toyota!!
I am ready to replace the hubs AGAIN for the second time within a year. The 4WD went out on me this second time in a snowstorm just like it did the first time. I try to keep it active by engaging 4WD about once a month and almost always when it rains because I live in a hilly city. The first time I had it replaced I asked the service manager at the dealer if I was doing anything and he simply stated "Poor design." That's all I could get out of him. You wanna know what else? I never once recieved a recall in the mail from Kia, and I KNOW there should have been at least recall on the heat shield, I mean, come on... every person I met with a sportage has had the same problems!!!
I own a 1999 Kia Sportage which has been the worst automobile investment I have ever made. I have owned the car for 18 months and it is now in the shop for the 15th time. Most of the comments I have seen on this page match my problems - motor in the driver side window went out three times. The "thingy" (I know, very scientific word) that holds the exhaust up fell off and the exhaust pipe hit the road. The solenoid wires corroded, there was the $1000 4WD part that it needed when it would try to engage itself in 4WD while I was driving down the road. Now, they just quoted me $1509.00 today because the emergency brake, which I have NEVER used, was rusted in the "on" position. How long does that take? I've never used the e-brake, so it makes me wonder if that's why the stupid thing dogged so bad every day since I got it - and all the damage it caused to my brakes, rotors, etc, are now not covered under the warranty because they aren't warranty repairs - even though they were caused by something that is!! I am so exhausted with this vehicle I would gladly let the dealership take it back and eat my sizeable downpayment because I did a Kelly Blue Book estimate on trade in value today and it's worth about $4000 less than what I owe on it! UGH! Don't buy a KIA - total piece of junk!
Hello. I wished I would have found this website before I purchased this piece of garbage! I can't believe it. I bought this car used with 54,500 miles on it. When it hit 60,500, I noticed the speed in the car was gone. I took it to the shop and was told that it was a timing belt and a gasket problem. I had that fixed, but the check engine light would not go out, I had it checked again and now it's the O2 Sensors. There's also some black fluid coming out of the exhaust pipe. This is the worst car I've ever had and the funny thing about is Kia knows it. That's why they've stop making it!! And the warranty only last for 60,000 miles! I will never get another KIA!!
We own a 2001 Kia Sportage and just got it back from the shop. The 4wd was replaced when it was less than a year old, they told us it was put together with no grease. The hubs were just replaced 2 months ago, along with fixing a window that would not go up. We just got it back today, because the t-stat gasket got sucked into the timing belt and made it jump 3 teeth - timing belt had to be replaced. We have just under 35,000 miles and have had to have it towed twice because it would not start, plus the other 3 major repairs. I have to say at this point all repairs and towing have been covered, but I certainly do not recommend this car. Anyone who asks me how I like it gets the truth - except for a period with a Chevy Vega this is by far the worst car I have owned and we would gladly trade it in on something else except the value has dropped so fast we are $5000 upside down on our loan.
I own a 2000 Sportage. I had the 4 wheel drive replaced exactly one year ago. When I went to use it less than 12 months later it does not work again. The 4 wheel drive on the Sportage years 98-2002 is vacum sealed and the fixed was to double seal it. The system does not work and never will. So my dealer is putting in manual hubs for me. Yes, I need it not to make me feel safer, but because I live in the UP and we get snow storms almost daily in the winter, that is the reason I bought the car for the 4 wheel drive.
I recently bought a 2000 Sportage 4x2. I got a good price for it due to high mileage (92,000). I had to replace the radiator, fan clutch, thermostat, tires and front wheel bearings. I also had the exhaust system replaced. It runs great and I get great gas mileage. Note: get better mileage by adding one of those magnets to your fuel line. It really makes a difference... believe it or not. Bottom line; not a bad truck for the money.
I have a 1997 Sportage and it had 124K when I sold it. I didn't have any of these problems that you all are talking about. While it wasn't one of the best cars I've ever owned, it certainly wasn't the worst. Maybe you all need to learn how to properly maintain your vehicles.
I have a 2000 sportage the four wheel drive did go out, but was fixed by replacing the vacuum hose under the hood and from the wheel to the body. now I wonder about kia dealerships. they wanted almost 500.00 to replace the timing belt, 50.00 in parts and five hours later I replaced it. is it the truck or the dealership?