2001 Kia Sportage X review from North America

July 2003 -The car lost power for me and overheated/"died" on side of highway and had to be towed back to KIA. The cause was determined to be a leaking head gasket which was removed, disassembled and send to a machine shop for resurface.

July/August 2003 - The car was reassembled and tested and it was found that cylinder #1&4 at 90psi and cylinder #2-3 at 45psi. A new engine was installed. The cylinder head was replaced, then a head was machined wrong and had be replaced.

October 2003 - A very loud squeak developed in the driver's front. I had to replace the ball joint at a cost to me of over $150 included diagnostic.

November 2003 - Coolant leak. Coolant was leaking from under timing belt cover, into radiator trough. Work included replacing the water pump, timing belt, thermostat housing and cooling fan.

March 2003 - Coolant began leaking into passenger floor mat and horrible fumes coming from the heating vents. Towed again to the dealership and determined that the heater core needs to be replaced. According to the mechanic he has never seen this happen on a KIA before - lucky me. For some reason this is not covered under warranty. Cost to me $690.00 + tax.

This vehicle has been nothing but problems since I bought it.

KIA Canada has been extremely unhelpful, and unresponsive to my numerous attempts at getting an answer as to quality.