2000 Kia Sportage from North America - Comments

I have had my exhaust replaced three times.

My struts have gone bad three times.

My radio has just been replaced for the second time.

My driver's side door handles in the front and back have broken.

My gas cap was defective.

My four-wheel-drive has gone bad twice.

Several sensors have gone bad.

It likes to die while being driven.

I've almost been hit a few times.

I bought my car used so I got it as a lemon. I wish I would have never bought this car!!!

Do not buy a Kia Sportage, because you will regret it. I have had mine to the dealership 13 times in less than a year for many different repairs.

I have had my Sportage since August of '96. It's a '95 and I bought it used or what the dealership called a "program vehicle." I think that means it was a rental or something. It had a couple problems, latches and windows and such, but I didn't mind that, I just hoped it would never get serious, and it didn't except in a particular situation where the only fault to be placed was mine. I hit a curb and blew a tire, I had no idea this would cause a slow radiator leak. well, found out about the leak, but couldn't find out where it was, so I just kept adding water. One day I didn't. It overheated and cooked the transmission. Had that replaced by Gene Brown Automotive.

A few months later after using an octane boost, I found another problem that was a direct result of the overheat. My valves had been heated to the point of becoming brittle and the octane boost burnt holes in them, causing my timing belt to slip and get stretched. That cost a LOT (for me).

I had one other serious problem. I got a pinion seal repaired at the dealer and soon after had to have my rear axle differential bearings replaced, coincidence? I don't think so. So anyway, while they had the rear axle all opened up I said, "go ahead and install that 625 dollar limited-slip differential in there". Would I have done that if I didn't absolutely love this vehicle? Not likely. After four inches of suspension lift, 1.5 inches of body lift and 32x11.5" tires, the only things stopping me are the Jeeps in my 4x4 club that can't make it up the same trails I can.