IllustrationDASH LIGHTS INDICATED VEHICLE WAS IN 4WD, VEHICLE SLID BACKWARDS. *TS
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sportage years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
240–25K
2325–50K
3650–75K
2975–100K
35100–150K
7150K+
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
Power Train complaints
41 reportsAUTO SURGES AND ACCELERATES WHILE TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS / NEAR ACCIDENTS. DEALER "CANNOT DUPLICATE" AND THEREFORE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO "NOTHING TO FIX - IF DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE". HAVE BROUGHT IN TO DEALER 2 TIMES. WHAT …
Read full complaint
AUTO SURGES AND ACCELERATES WHILE TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS / NEAR ACCIDENTS. DEALER "CANNOT DUPLICATE" AND THEREFORE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO "NOTHING TO FIX - IF DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE". HAVE BROUGHT IN TO DEALER 2 TIMES. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THIS CAUSES AN ACCIDENT/INJURY/ OR WORSE? HOW CAN THEY DUPLICATE IT THEN? PLEASE NOTE HAVE HAD OTHER FAILURES-COOLING FAN FELL OFF AND RUPTURED RADIATOR, 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. *JB
REPLACED 4 WHEEL DRIVE WITH UPDATE AND REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS. *NLM
THE 4WD OF MY VEHICLE HAS STOPPED WORKING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT NOTICED UNTIL AFTER I HAD BEEN IN A CIRCUMSTANCE WHEREAS THE 4WD WAS NEEDED SUCH AS SNOW AND ICE. ONE ONCE OCCASION I NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT AND BECAME STUCK. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SUBMITTED FOR REPAIRS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND SUBSEQUENTL…
Read full complaint
THE 4WD OF MY VEHICLE HAS STOPPED WORKING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT NOTICED UNTIL AFTER I HAD BEEN IN A CIRCUMSTANCE WHEREAS THE 4WD WAS NEEDED SUCH AS SNOW AND ICE. ONE ONCE OCCASION I NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT AND BECAME STUCK. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SUBMITTED FOR REPAIRS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND SUBSEQUENTLY INFORMED THE REPAIRS WERE REQUIRED DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONED VACUUM LINE. THE REPAIRS WERE REQUIRED THREE TIMES BEFORE I FINALLY RETURNED THE VEHICLE AND DEMANDED A MORE THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THE PROBLEM. I WAS THEN INFORMED PARTS WOULD NEED TO BE ORDERED FOR CORRECTION OF THE DEFICIENCY. I HAVE STILL NOT RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK FROM REPAIRS.
KIA SPORTAGE WAS MAKING A METAL ON METAL BANGING SOUND INTERMITTENTLY WHILE NORMAL OPERTION IN 2 WHEEEL DRIVE. KIA DEALER FOUND ONE FRONT WHEEL HUB AND VACUMM LINE WERE LOCKED TO ENGAGE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. HUBS AND LINE WERE REPLACED HOWEVER THERE IS A NATIONAL STOCK OUTAGE ON UPDATE KIT FOR A RECALL BY KIA. ALREADY HAVE WAITED 3 …
Read full complaint
KIA SPORTAGE WAS MAKING A METAL ON METAL BANGING SOUND INTERMITTENTLY WHILE NORMAL OPERTION IN 2 WHEEEL DRIVE. KIA DEALER FOUND ONE FRONT WHEEL HUB AND VACUMM LINE WERE LOCKED TO ENGAGE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. HUBS AND LINE WERE REPLACED HOWEVER THERE IS A NATIONAL STOCK OUTAGE ON UPDATE KIT FOR A RECALL BY KIA. ALREADY HAVE WAITED 3 WEEKS FOR PARTS. CAN NOT GET INFORMATION FROM KIA ON WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS ALSO ON WAITING LIST FOR PARTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AT BRENNER DEALERSHIP IN HARRISBURG, PA. CAN NOT USE 4 WHEEL DRIVE UNTIL PARTS ARE INSTALLED.
WHILE DRIVING 4-WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT FUNCTION.*AK
CONSUMER STATED THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FAILED TWICE. *YH
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT 10MPH DRIVER TRIED TO DOWN SHIFT AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. DEALER SAID VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION/ CLUTCH. *AK
THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE SLIPPING INTO THE NEXT GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
Official recalls
204V305000 · 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
6EA06007 · 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