2000 Kia Sportage EX from North America - Comments

I own a 2000 KIA sportage, never had any major problems listed here, 4 x 4 works marvelously, fuel economy is great. Maybe not the greatest car I ever had, but not bad for the money I spend on it.

TIP: when you switching in 4x4 in driving, you have to put the shifter in neutral.

Also I found out that, when the check engine light is on, the car computer shows different codes usually the speed sensor is gone, then something else, etc.- My advice before you spend any money on sensors and else check the wiring, it will cost you less and you will fix the problem for good.

I like the car, not thinking of selling it. I am so sorry for everybody had a bad experience with it. Anyway it is just a car. Cheers.

I have a 2000 Kia Sportage EX with under 70,000 km on it and I'm concerned about whether the timing belt should be replaced now (as my Kia dealer service rep insists) or at 96,000 km (as my Owner's Manual and Kia Canada advise.) There's a lot of conflicting experiences on the internet -- horror stories with a belt going early and trashing an engine and others who drive without problems for years over many miles -- so I'm having trouble making an informed choice. Bottom line: seems like a game of Russian Roulette. Anyone have anything constructive to offer?

I own a 2000 Kia Sportage 4WD 5 spd purchased new. Began having clutch problems @ 15,000 miles. Clutch sticks when depressed. Had clutch replaced @ 67K miles. Problem remains. Clutch master has been drained and refilled with no effect on problem. Any Ideas to a solution?

OK, not sure what to make of the horror stories noted here, but it seems owners need to educate themselves as to proper use of 4x4. Spotages are made for off road use and are quite capable of venturing “off-road”. This is a point some people seem to be missing they are not designed to be used in 4X4- with hubs locked in on normal bitumen roads.

Doing this for any extended period with certainly destroy the hubs and or driveline.

If you require “All wheel Drive” on the road then buy an AWD.

I own a 2001 Sportage, I have had issues with the vacuum hubs- The problem has been rectified by replacing the vacuum lines between the wheels and body with high pressure fuel line as the factory vacuum line perished and split. To add to this, once the lines had split I found the solenoid under the bonnet designed to turn vacuum on and off had stopped closing all the way as it was clogged. By squirting WD40 or a similar water dispersant/lubricant into the solenoid and having someone move the transfer leaver between 2H and 4H it soon returned to working order.

I have just returned from a trip to Fraser Island in Queensland Australia, all beach driving and the inland tracks are all soft sand and quite rough. My Kia went well although there was a rubbing noise from the front passenger side wheel area; I cannot pinpoint the cause

If anyone has any suggestions please post your ideas. Thanks I hope this Info has been helpful.

It is your wheel hub or bearingsthe go bad. just buy good replacement ones and use amsoil grease.

I believe the rubbing sound while in 4WD may be the hub not totally locking in. You mentioned that you had some vacuum problems. They may be back.

I bought my Kia 1997 model from a car yard in Newcastle. I have had a gutful of it. If it wasn't under finance, I would have sold it by now, but because I am stuck with it, I need to fix a major problem, which five visits to the mechanic hasn't fixed. I can't get the exhaust to be quiet. It's like I am driving a V8 truck. Please help me. I am desperate.

The 4 wheel drive is trying to engage because the vacuum actuator needs to be replaced, not cleaned... Try this; the noise and any bumping you feel will be gone...

I have a 1999 Kia Sportage also. Kia is and was a new car company for a long time. Expect problems with all new car companies. Remember Hyundai`s. What junks they were. Now they are actually very good cars.

Matter of fact; Kia was bought out by Hyundai a few years ago. If you look at the new Sportage... it`s actually a Hyundai Tuscon, with a Kia grille on it, and some other minor differences.

I have had no problems with my Sportage, other than doors seeping air, and one window tipping off the track.

Oh yeah, and my tailgate needs a little help to close, and tailgate rattles on big bumps.

Other than that, it was worth the $2400.00 I paid for it 10 months ago, with 89,000 miles on it. It now has 99,000 miles.

I think you guys need to take better care of your cars. Plus there are not that many 4 cylinder S.U.V`s that are reasonably priced.

I have had 3 Chevy Trackers and loved them, but they can be a bit pricey. Take care.