2000 Kia Sportage EX from North America - Comments

The question is, what hasn't gone wrong with the car?!

Every time I've needed 4-wheel drive, the 4-wheel drive has gone out. I can't say that I've ever been able to use it. Hubs were replaced the first time, seals were replaced second time. Now I'm not even bothering with getting it fixed again because obviously they can't be fixed. A guy I work with has the exact same problem with his KIA.

The heat shield has been replaced several times and needs to be replaced right now. Dealership tells me it's rocks that get stuck in there (I don't ever drive on gravel roads).

Radio/Power locks/Dome lights will cut out at any time. Problem has never been fixed by KIA however it's happening less and less with the car now.

If the alarm system is on and I unlock the car, chances are the alarm will go off when I open the door.

Driver and passenger window motors have been replaced. Driver side went out. Passenger side window was moving very slow.

Catalytic converter has been replaced.

Exhaust system has been replaced twice.

Radio has been replaced once.

Ongoing problem with the brakes. Brakes squeal loudly. I also have to add here that the wheels get very dirty from the brake dust and is impossible to clean off.

KIA offers a pretty good deal with the paint job, problem is the dealership tells me it's rocks that chip the paint. You know what chipped my paint? Me washing the car. Every time I wash the car, a little bit more paint comes off. This occurs around the outside rear-view mirrors, place between bumper and headlights, and the molding around the wheel wells.

In the winter time, the spare tire latch sticks.

I know this isn't all that has happened with the car, but if you are still considering buying one, you are crazy!

This SUV is by far the worst vehicle ever made.

The body of the car is too heavy for the 4-cylinder engine.

The interior design is terrible. The cup holders are located in front of the air vents and above the radio and ac/heat controls.

One of my biggest complaints is everytime I've needed KIA to fix my car and they've kept it for weeks at a time, I have always been denied a rental car. I think this is ridiculous.

After reading this review, is has become evident I'm not alone in my frustration with Kia, the Kia Sportage, and the dealership in which I purchased this vehicle. The only difference I can see is my list is about 5 pages longer and would take too long to put into words. I can however tell you about a specific instance you may find rather interesting.

Allow me to preface my statement by saying I purchased a '98 Kia Sportage 4x4 brand new from the dealership lot. It had 26 miles on it. My specific problem is with Kia's vacuum operated 4 wheel drive system. To make a long, long story as short as possible, the 4 wheel drive has worked only intermittently over the time I've owned the vehicle. I have been to the dealership no less than 10 times with the same problem. 4x4 INOP. (inoperative 4x4) Obviously, the problem has never been corrected. After consulting my attorney, I even went as far as sending a certified letter to Kia of North America to inform them of my rights under the "Lemon Law" as set forth in the state in which I live. Basically, the lemon law states, the manufacturer has the right to attempt to repair or replace the defective parts and has a preset time in which to make the repair. It also states the defective parts must not fail to operate more than 4 times in a given period. In my case, 1 year. I could have pushed the issue. I did not. Trying to give Kia and the dealership one last chance, I allowed them to repair the inop. 4x4 system one last time. It worked when I left the dealer ship. And then broke again. Then next time I payed them to fix it. It broke again. I went back and was told the entire hubs needed to be replaced at a cost to me of almost $1000.00. I said no thanks, and it has not worked since.

I should also add this all took place before the manufacturers warranty was up...now, my Sportage is 5 years old and has 105000 miles on it. It's still junk.

Yesterday it snowed for the first time this year, NO 4 WHEEL DRIVE!

If you are still under warranty, push the issue. The law is on your side. I gave the manufacturer and the dealership more chances than I should have, and got burned.

Live and learn the hard way... no fun.

I have all documentation to back up my claims.

Gotta go, gotta fix the hubs myself, if I can.

Any on-line manuals for hub assembly would be a help.

Thanks.

We recently purchased a 2000 Kia Sportage, 2 door, for our daughter. We will like to know where we can get the Owner's Manual for that vehicle.

Thank you.