2000 Kia Sportage Base from North America - Comments

My brakes were replaced at 25,000 miles. They had needed repairs after driving in extreme conditions for three months. I feel this is better than some vehicles would do. The dealer replaced them at no cost to me, even though it was obvious that I had caused the damage.

My clutch was replaced around the same time. This was also fixed at no cost to me. Once again this was obviously faulty due to my "rally racing".

I have had no other problems other than the ones my driving caused. I feel that some people forget that cars need attention just like any other investment. Before people condemn a car company or model they might want to look at their responsibility.

Look, my wife has had no 4wheel drive the last 3 years, now every winter pull the lever and guess what no 4wheel. first 2times dealer fixed under warranty. 3rd time as we speak no 4wheel, no warranty, ongoing factory problem now our problem!!!

P.s. well maintained never offroaded.

You have to use the four wheel drive every now and then for it to work. You can't just use it once a year and expect it to perform. The KIA's auto hubs are vacuum actuated that means that lines can rot and seals can go out with extended periods of un-use. It is in-fact recommended that you enguage four wheel drive at least 1 once a month. I use it way more freq. than that though. All vehicles require maintnence. the KIA is just like anyother in that it needs service (oil, trans, transfer case, differentials, ect.) I love ours and it has carried us many thousands of miles and many hundreds of miles off-road.

Cars are simply machines, they need to be watched for impending failures. one small defect, or slight damage - if left unattended can and usually does leed to more major problems. at one time just after I got married we had to drive older cars and I would have to stay on top of every problem. my wife would tend to ignore or forget to tell me about the 'sounds' or malfunctions she had experienced. after several years of proving that more info is better than no info she tells me about everything and so all of my vehicles run great all the time or they are getting fixed. there is no replacement for knowledge about your vehicle other than to purchase someone elses knowledge ie:a good, honest mechanic. most of these driveline and brake problems became very expensive due to operator inattention.

Kia has had problems, and as every company still does, but car problems are about 80-90% the same (only differant) -- if you work on any kind of machanical problems in your life you will know what that means--- I know from wence I speak- I work on heavy passenger aircraft and have done so - very profitably for over 20 years.

Thanks for this forum - hope my comments help.