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.
My husband and I purchased a used 2000 Kia Sportage in July of 2001. It had 28,000 miles on it. Now 3 years later it has approximately 165,000 miles on it. The only thing we have had a problem with is the air conditioner clutch fan. I know we believe we have gotten every cent worth of our money.
The engine in the Kia Sportage is a very solid motor. You may have gotten the lemon, because these engines, with their 9.2:1 compression ratio have been known to take upwards of 30psi of boost, and yeild well over 400hp. The engine is code Mazda: FE3N Kia: 3FE, FE3.
Has anyone else had to replace the heater motor in
a 2001 Sportage. Wondering if this is common.
Thanks HL.
I bought a used 2001 Sportage in 2002. The problems started exactly 1 week after my purchase. The front drivers side bearings seized. Since then my engine block cracked, my alternator went, I had to replace the oxygen sensor, several exhaust clamps, the spare tire carrier is ready to fall off, the window actuator had to be replaced, the anti theft alarm does'nt work rightand my fuel line split. It is in the shop as we speak for the fuel line which coincidently split while they had it for service to change the fuel filter. I wish I never bought this hunk of junk. It has caused me nothing, but anguish!!!
We purchased a used 2001 KIA Sportage in September of 2004 and it has been a great car. Have had no problems with it whatsoever. Hearing everyone else's problems makes me wonder as to how ruff usage they are going through. I know I don't go out on the highway and drive 90 or 100 miles an hour and mine is a great little car. I am glad to have made the decision to purchase it.
I purchased a 2000 Kia in 2005. It had about 60,000 miles on it at that time. It now has 100,500.
The problems that I have had are the steering wheel will almost shake out of your hands if you go over 60mph. It continually shifts up and down at the 55mph mark, sometimes for about 5 minutes, and has done that since we have gotten it.
The fan clutch is being replaced. The check engine light goes on and off so often it isn't funny (the diag. says it is the fuel cap, which has been replaced twice).
The Air bag light flashes.
I pray everyday for a tree to fall on it so I can get a new car!
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