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2000 Kia Sportage

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sportage years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Kia Sportage are substantially higher than the model-year median of 122.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

154 reports with mileage · 150 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports7 fire reports13 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

32 reports
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50,000 miles · Apr 22, 2009
Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension

MY KIA BEGAN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. LONG STORY MADE SHORT: THE DEALER WANTED ME TO PAY $3000 PLUS FOR IT HAD ALL ITS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MELTED DOWN. I FOUND A RECALL AND AFTER A BATTLE WITH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER I GOT IT FIXED WHEN I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL. NEXT NIGHTMARE: JULY 2008 NO ONE DI…

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MY KIA BEGAN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. LONG STORY MADE SHORT: THE DEALER WANTED ME TO PAY $3000 PLUS FOR IT HAD ALL ITS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MELTED DOWN. I FOUND A RECALL AND AFTER A BATTLE WITH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER I GOT IT FIXED WHEN I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL. NEXT NIGHTMARE: JULY 2008 NO ONE DIED LUCKILY. I LEND MY CAR TO A FRIEND AND HE IS DRIVING HIS 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND THE CAR FALLS TO THE GROUND. AXLE BROKE DOWN, WHEELS SPUN INWARDS AND KIA IS NOT WORKING AGAIN. LUCKILY THESE FRIENDS WERE GOING AT 20 MILES AN HOUR OTHERWISE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TOLD THE STORY. GOT IT FIXED COST ME $$ APPARENTLY IT WAS A DEFECTIVE KIA PART CENTER LINK REPLACED. HAVE THE PART STILL IN MY CAR AS A NICE MEMORY. FINAL NIGHTMARE: APRIL 2009 I WAS THE MAIN CHARACTER: AGAIN THE AXLE FEELS WEIRD AND CLICKS WHEN I TURN. PROBLEM: TIE ROD IS BROKEN. DIFFERENT THAN THE PREVIOUS TIME BUT RELATED TO THE PREVIOUS PROBLEM. LUCKILY WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEED OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE TELLING THIS STORY. IN SHORT: THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD! KIA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS DEFECT URGENTLY. MY FRIEND AND KID AND I COULD HAVE GOT KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT LITERALLY. FORTUNATELY WE BOTH WERE DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS AND COULD MANAGE THIS PROBLEM WITH NO ONE GETTING INJURED? KIA NEEDS TO MAKE THESE CARS SAFER AND PREVENT FUTURE ACCIDENTS PLEASE!! BE RESPONSIBLE NOT ONLY WITH YOUR NEW CARS, TAKE PRIDE ON YOUR BRAND AND FIX THE OLD JUNK YOU CREATED!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266338

86,000 miles · Nov 10, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAS PAID FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS. BEFORE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OFF THE LOT, SHE NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE. THE FOLLOWING WEEK, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE SEVERELY. T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAS PAID FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS. BEFORE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OFF THE LOT, SHE NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE. THE FOLLOWING WEEK, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE SEVERELY. THE DEALER ROTATED THE TIRES, BUT THE SHAKING PERSISTED. THIRDLY, A TIRE BLEW OUT AND HAD TO BE CHANGED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND A NEW TRANSMISSION LINE WAS INSTALLED. LASTLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING AND THE ENTIRE DRIVER'S SIDE GLASS CAVED IN ON THE CONTACT, BUT DID NOT BREAK. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. CURRENTLY, THE GLASS WILL NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 1/5/09 *CN THE GAS TANK WAS FALLING APART. A SHIELD WAS NEEDED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE DRIVERS WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE. THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE CABLE HAD MELTED. UPDATED 01/09/09*JB

NHTSA ODI #10248252

49,150 miles · Sep 11, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT HAD A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V325000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING) BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS WERE IDENTICAL, HOWEVER, KIA ST…

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TL*THE CONTACT HAD A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V325000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING) BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS WERE IDENTICAL, HOWEVER, KIA STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 49,150.

NHTSA ODI #10202531

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

ROTORS WERE BAD UPON PURCHASE, DEALER REPLACED THEM FOR FREE ONLY BECAUSE THE SERVICE REP. KNEW MY DECEASED HUSBAND. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 65 MPH, WHEN THE TRUCK DIED AT 87,000 MILES. I WAS ALMOST HIT SEVERAL TIMES. THE TIMING BELT BROKE-SOMETHING THAT WAS REPLACED A COUPLE MONTHS PRIOR BY THE DEALE…

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ROTORS WERE BAD UPON PURCHASE, DEALER REPLACED THEM FOR FREE ONLY BECAUSE THE SERVICE REP. KNEW MY DECEASED HUSBAND. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 65 MPH, WHEN THE TRUCK DIED AT 87,000 MILES. I WAS ALMOST HIT SEVERAL TIMES. THE TIMING BELT BROKE-SOMETHING THAT WAS REPLACED A COUPLE MONTHS PRIOR BY THE DEALER. MY WATER PUMP AND PULLEYS AND BELT WERE REPLACED FOR ABOUT 700 DOLLARS LESS THEN DEALER ORIGINALLY CHARGED ME. THE DEALER SINCE HAS REPAID FOR THEIR INCORRECT BELT SIZE--BELT WAS INCORRECT FOR MY TRUCK. DEALER INSTALLED STRUTS BROKE AFTER ABOUT 25 MILES OF USAGE--DEALER CLAIMED THAT I DROVE MY TRUCK OVER SPEED BUMPS ROUGH--HAHAHA. THAN, I GUESS IS SUCH A BAD CA SMOG LAW, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR 2 YEARS PLUS STILL WILL NOT GO OFF. I PASSED ALL EMISSIONS FOR MY SMOG CHECK, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS FAILING ME. I HAD THE HEAT PLATE REMOVED AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND IT FROZE MY UPPER O2 SENSOR--REPAIR DONE BY PERSONAL MECHANIC WITH PARTS THAT I PURCHASED ONLINE FOR ABOUT 1/3 THE PRICE OF THE DEALER PARTS AND WORK DONE. OK, I THOUGHT THE LIGHT WOULD COME OFF..IT DIDN'T. I HAVE TO CHANGE THE OTHER O2 SENSOR. ALSO MY BRAKE SENSOR FOR ABS BRAKES--THAT I DON'T HAVE--WENT OUT AND NOW I HAVE TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM WITH AN ICE-PICK. YOU WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE A PROBLEM BUT IT ISN'T. THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SENSOR CAUSES NOT ONLY FOR THE GEAR BOX TO LOCK, IT IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TURN SIGNALS--THEY ARE ON THE SAME FUSE SYSTEM. MY TRUCK HAS ABOUT 135K MILES AND FOR THE MOST PART RUNS GREAT, JUST MINOR ISSUES THAT MY PERSONAL MECHANIC HAS FIXED AND REPAIRED FOR FREE BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS A TEST TRUCK FOR THE OTHER KIA'S THAT COME IN FOR WORK AND THE DEALER CAN OR WILL NOT TROUBLE SHOOT. OH AND GET THIS, I TAKE THE TRUCK IN FOR THE SEAT-BELT REPLACEMENT DURING THE RECALL, DEALER TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE WORK AND THE PARTS ARE FREE. THAT WAS NOT PART OF THE PAPERWORK I GOT IN THE MAIL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10172452

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2006
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic

POWER LOCKS GO ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. POWER WINDOWS DON'T WORK , THEN SUDDENLY WORKS. COMPUTER FAILURE WITH BRAKES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10164997

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2006
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH FUEL SYSTEM ON MY KIA SPORTAGE. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL FILTERS (3 NOW), LINE CLEANED ETC. MECHANIC HAS NOW HAD TO REMOVE TANK AND CLEAN IT ALONG WITH REST OF SYSTEM. GASKETS WON'T SEAL WHILE TRYING TO FINISH THE REPAIR WORK. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST YEAR. …

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I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH FUEL SYSTEM ON MY KIA SPORTAGE. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL FILTERS (3 NOW), LINE CLEANED ETC. MECHANIC HAS NOW HAD TO REMOVE TANK AND CLEAN IT ALONG WITH REST OF SYSTEM. GASKETS WON'T SEAL WHILE TRYING TO FINISH THE REPAIR WORK. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST YEAR. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS DONE LAST YEAR. IT KEPT SHORTING OUT RELAYS ALL THROUGH THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10161836

106,000 miles · May 31, 2006
Electrical System

(1) HEADLIGHTS WOULD TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING (2) WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED & MELTED (3) REPLACEMENT OF WIRING HARNESS & LAMPS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10158639

71,000 miles · Oct 17, 2005
Electrical SystemFire

DT: THE C OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORADIC. ON 10-14-05 THEIR CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE CONTACT SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS, AND THEN SHE SAW BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED. ONCE SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF THE CAR FINISHED SMOKING FOR A WHILE, AND WHEN IT …

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DT: THE C OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORADIC. ON 10-14-05 THEIR CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE CONTACT SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS, AND THEN SHE SAW BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED. ONCE SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF THE CAR FINISHED SMOKING FOR A WHILE, AND WHEN IT QUIT SMOKING THE CONTACT TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. SHE WAS NOT YET SURE OF THE DAMAGE DONE BECAUSE THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT LOOKED AT IT. . SHE REPORTED HAVING NO PROBLEMS AT ALL WITH THE CAR PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE INCIDENT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. HER HUSBAND THOUGHT IT WAS OF ELECTRICAL NATURE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED ,A KIA DEALER AND THEY WERE NOT VERY HELPFUL. THEY REFERRED HER TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. SHE HAS NOT SPOKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10139840

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2003
Electrical System

VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR SEVERAL PROBLEMS, SOME OF WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. BUT I THINK THAT A CAR THAT I GOT IN 2000 SHOULD NOT GIVE ME SUCH MAJOR PROBLEMS. NOW, I WAS DRIVING IT AND THE LIGHTS STARTED TO FLASH, HORN STARTED TO BLOW, WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES IN A FRENZY AND THEN THE WHOLE C…

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VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR SEVERAL PROBLEMS, SOME OF WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. BUT I THINK THAT A CAR THAT I GOT IN 2000 SHOULD NOT GIVE ME SUCH MAJOR PROBLEMS. NOW, I WAS DRIVING IT AND THE LIGHTS STARTED TO FLASH, HORN STARTED TO BLOW, WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES IN A FRENZY AND THEN THE WHOLE CAR SHUT OFF. WHEN I LIFTED UP THE HOOD, SOMETHING SMELLED TO BE BURNING, I BELIEVE THE WIRING IS BAD AND IT SHORTED OUT THE WHOLE CAR. THE MECHANIC SAID NO OFFENSE BUT KIA IS NOT A VERY GOOD BUILD CAR AT ALL. IT HAS TOO MANY PROBLEMS. *KK

NHTSA ODI #10041025

65,000 miles · Aug 15, 2003
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, BUT THE VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE WHOLE TIME PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIR DEPARTMENT DEEMED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PR…

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VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, BUT THE VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE WHOLE TIME PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIR DEPARTMENT DEEMED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND HAD BECOME A TOTAL LOSS. (RECALL #00V205000) *SCC

NHTSA ODI #10024255

Official recalls

2

04V305000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Jun 24, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND EMITTED WHEN A BUCKLE IS BEING LATCHED, WHEN IT IS NOT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LATCH CAN THEN PULL OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN TENSION IS APPLIED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

00V205000 · Electrical System

Jul 27, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE. THESE VEHICLES WERE DISTRIBUTED WITH OWNERS MANUALS WITH AN INCORRECT JUMP START DIAGRAM. THE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS FOR JUMP STARTING ARE ACCURATE. HOWEVER, THE DIAGRAM DEPICTS THE JUMPER CABLES ATTACHED TO THE WRONG POLARITY TERMINALS. IF THE DIAGRAM WERE FOLLOWED WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE INSTRUCTIONS, THE RESULTING IMPROPER CONNECTIONS COULD CAUSE THE BATTERY TO RUPTURE AGGRESSIVELY DUE TO INCREASED INTERNAL PRESSURES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE POTENTIAL SERIOUS INJURY TO BYSTANDERS.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADHESIVE LABEL WITH THE CORRECT ILLUSTRATION TO PERMANENTLY AFFIX TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS MANUALS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

6

EA06007 · Fuel Tank Leakage

Opened May 9, 2006 · Closed Nov 30, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY DATA REVEALED ELEVATED TANK LEAKAGE EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 1999 TO OCTOBER 2000.ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE.THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVE NON-SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF FUEL LEAKAGE WHERE MORE THAN ONE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline

A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY DATA REVEALED ELEVATED TANK LEAKAGE EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 1999 TO OCTOBER 2000.ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE.THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVE NON-SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF FUEL LEAKAGE WHERE MORE THAN ONE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY DATA REVEALED ELEVATED TANK LEAKAGE EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 1999 TO OCTOBER 2000.ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE.THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVE NON-SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF FUEL LEAKAGE WHERE MORE THAN ONE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY DATA REVEALED ELEVATED TANK LEAKAGE EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 1999 TO OCTOBER 2000.ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE.THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVE NON-SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF FUEL LEAKAGE WHERE MORE THAN ONE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

PE06002 · Fuel Tank Leakage

Opened Jan 4, 2006 · Closed May 9, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

ON JANUARY 4, 2006, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE STEEL FUEL STORAGE TANK IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2000 KIA SPORTAGE VEHICLES.ODI SENT A LETTER TO THE MANUFACTURER ON JANUARY 25, 2006 REQUESTING INFORMATION ABOUT THESE AND OTHER KIA SPORTAGE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 40 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGE FUEL STORAGE TANK LEAKAGE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ANALYSIS OF MANUFACTURER DATA INDICATES THAT ALLEGED FUEL LEAKAGE AT OR NEAR THE STORAGE TANK MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT FAILURE MODES INVOLVING THE FUEL CONTAINMENT AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.KIA HAS IDENTIFIED CORROSION AS A PRIMARY CAUSAL FACTOR RELATED TO FUEL STORAGE TANK COMPLAINTS AND CONTINUED FUEL SYSTEM PART SALES.ACCORDING TO KIA, FUEL TANK CORROSION CLAIMS RELATED TO LEAKAGE CAN BE DIVIDED INTO TWO CATEGORIES: LOWER TANK CLAIMS ASSOCIATED WITH EXTERIOR CORROSION DUE TO DISRUPTION OF THE POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC) PROTECTIVE COATING AND UPPER TANK CLAIMS ASSOCIATED WITH CORROSION AT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT MOUNTING PLATE AREA.THE MANUFACTURER'S INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED FUEL TANK CORROSION RESULTING IN LEAKAGE IS ONGOING.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-007) TO FURTHER STUDY THE FREQUENCY, SCOPE, AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.

EA04007 · Seat Belt Buckle False Latch/malfunction

Opened Feb 27, 2004 · Closed Jul 26, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

THE MANUFACTURER HAS INITIATED A SAFETY RELATED CAMPAIGN TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOR CORRECTION OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DEFECT.THE CORRECTIVE ACTION IS TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS/BUCKLES.THIS SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM HAS BEEN ASSIGNED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 04V305.

RQ03007 · Seat Belt Buckle False Latch/malfunction

Opened Oct 14, 2003 · Closed Feb 27, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

INFORMATION RECEIVED AND ANALYZED DURING THIS RQ DISCLOSED THAT MY 1999 AND 2000 KIA SEPHIA AND SPORTAGE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH MODIFIED VERSIONS OF THE SAME SAFETY BELT LATCH ASSEMBLY AS THOSE RECALLED IN CAMPAIGN NO. 02V-216.THESE LATCH ASSEMBLIES WERE IDENTIFIED AS TYPE A97. ODI ANALYSES INDICATE A CONTINUING TREND OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FOLLOWING A SERIES OF DESIGN MODIFICATIONS MADE BY KIA TO IMPROVE THE A97 LATCH ASSEMBLY.MY 2001 AND 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH DIFFERENT DESIGN LATCH ASSEMBLIES (TYPE DB-6 OR AUTOLIV) AND EXHIBIT A MUCH LOWER COMPLAINT COUNT.THIS RQ HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN EA IN ORDER TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TYPE A97 LATCH ASSEMBLIES.

DP02006 · Vehicle Rollover

Opened Jun 5, 2002 · Closed Sep 23, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

PE00026 · Incorrect Battery JUMP-START

Opened Jul 10, 2000 · Closed Jul 31, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

ALLEGE BATTETY MAY EXPLODE IF OWNER'S ATTEMPT TO JUMP-STATE THE VEHICLE BY FOLLOWING THE OWNER'S MANUAL DIAGRAM

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