NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Visibility complaints
23 reportsClear category filter179,000 miles · Jun 27, 2013
Air BagsVisibilityCrashInjury
ON APRIL 12, 2013 I GOT INTO MY 2000 KIA SPORTAGE TO GO TO WORK. AS SOON AS I GOT INTO THE CAR I HIT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO GET THE DEW OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD AND INSTEAD OF JUST GOING ONCE THEY WENT OFF EXTREMELY FAST WITH OUT STOPPING FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS. ONCE I GOT THEM TURNED OFF I WENT UP THE ROAD AND TURNED TO HEAD TO WO…
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ON APRIL 12, 2013 I GOT INTO MY 2000 KIA SPORTAGE TO GO TO WORK. AS SOON AS I GOT INTO THE CAR I HIT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO GET THE DEW OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD AND INSTEAD OF JUST GOING ONCE THEY WENT OFF EXTREMELY FAST WITH OUT STOPPING FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS. ONCE I GOT THEM TURNED OFF I WENT UP THE ROAD AND TURNED TO HEAD TO WORK VIA THE BACK ROADS. I DROVE ABOUT 1 MILES WHEN OUT OF THE BLUE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED GOING OFF AGAIN THEN A SECOND LATER I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND 2 OF MY AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED AND I FELT A THROBBING PAIN IN MY RIGHT SHIN. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND THE LOWER AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED. MY CAR WAS THE ONLY CAR INVOLVED AND HAS A CLEAR CARFAX. THE ROAD I WAS DRIVING ON WAS SMOOTH AND I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE WHERE IT SITS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522109
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
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
5,400 miles · Dec 13, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
TIRES BECAME BALD THREE MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR NEEDED REPLACING. THE GAS LEVER HAS BEEN AND IS BROKE AGAIN. HUBS WERE REPLACED THE FIRST TIME, SEALS WERE REPLACED SECOND TIME. THE HEAT SHIELD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED RIGHT NOW. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOVES VERY SLOW. TIMING BELT REPLACED EARLY. BRAKE LIG…
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TIRES BECAME BALD THREE MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR NEEDED REPLACING. THE GAS LEVER HAS BEEN AND IS BROKE AGAIN. HUBS WERE REPLACED THE FIRST TIME, SEALS WERE REPLACED SECOND TIME. THE HEAT SHIELD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED RIGHT NOW. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOVES VERY SLOW. TIMING BELT REPLACED EARLY. BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHENEVER I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I WENT TO AN AUTO DEALER AND HAD THEM CHECK OUT THE BRAKES. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER WAS LEAKING BADLY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10145064
Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineVisibility
PROBLEMS WITH WINDOWS ICING UP DURING THE COLD SEASONS ON 2000 KIA SPORTAGE.*MR AN AIR LEAK CAUSED THE WINDOWS TO ICE SHUT. THE ENGINE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONENTS BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE FUEL TANK, SENDER UNIT AND PRESSURE SENSOR HAD TO…
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PROBLEMS WITH WINDOWS ICING UP DURING THE COLD SEASONS ON 2000 KIA SPORTAGE.*MR AN AIR LEAK CAUSED THE WINDOWS TO ICE SHUT. THE ENGINE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONENTS BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE FUEL TANK, SENDER UNIT AND PRESSURE SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10117731
34,000 miles · Dec 31, 2004
Visibility
I HAVE A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE EX AND I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE POWER WINDOWS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2000. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY CLAIM THE WINDOWS WERE WORKING AND THEY COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEM, I THEN HAD THE WINDOW TO STOP WORKING AGAIN AND TOOK IT BACK THIS TIME IT WAS NOT …
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I HAVE A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE EX AND I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE POWER WINDOWS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2000. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY CLAIM THE WINDOWS WERE WORKING AND THEY COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEM, I THEN HAD THE WINDOW TO STOP WORKING AGAIN AND TOOK IT BACK THIS TIME IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRRANTY AND THEY SAID THAT THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW NEEDED NEW MOTOR AND IT WOULD NOT WORK WITHOUT THIS BEING DONE AND THE OTHER THREE WINDOWS THE WIRING WAS LOOSE I HAD THE THREE WINDOWS FIXED AND PAID FOR THEM. I GOT THE VEHICLE HOME AND NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THAT THE LIGHT HAD NEVER BEEN ON AND COULD I BRING IT BACK IN BECAUSE IT HAPPENED WHILE AT DEALERSHIP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THEY TOLD ME THE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT WOULD COST 2000.00 TO FIX IT I COULD NOT AFFORD THIS AND TOLD THEM NOT TO FIX IT. THE WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING A MONTH LATER I CALLED DEALERSHIP TO TELL THEM THAT I HAD JUST HAD THEM FIXED THE MONTH BEFORE AND THE WINDOWS SHOULD STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY AND TOLD THEM THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW DID WORK AFTER THEY TOLD ME IT WOULDN'T AND THEY LOOKED AT THE WINDOWS AND TOLD ME THEY HAD FIXED TH PROBLEM OF A WIRING HARNESS HAD COME LOOSE AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY MORE PROBLEMS WITH THEM. WELL NOW IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND THEY HAVE STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER WINDOWS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10104875
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2004
Visibility
THE LEFT BACK WINDOW FELL DOWN THEN 6 MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT ONE FELL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10080762
70,000 miles · Mar 14, 2004
Visibility
OUR REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND AS OF MARCH 1, 2004 OUR FRONT WIPERS NO LONGER WORK EITHER. WE HAD NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN EITHER AND THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTEE. AS IT APPEARS...THE WIPER MOTOR IS TO BLAME IN THE FRONT AND POSSIBLY A WIPER SWITCH IN THE REAR. ANY HELP WOULD BE …
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OUR REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND AS OF MARCH 1, 2004 OUR FRONT WIPERS NO LONGER WORK EITHER. WE HAD NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN EITHER AND THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTEE. AS IT APPEARS...THE WIPER MOTOR IS TO BLAME IN THE FRONT AND POSSIBLY A WIPER SWITCH IN THE REAR. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED OVER 2 YEARS AGO AND NOW HAVE NO WARRANTY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10062134
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2003
Visibility
AT ANY TIME REAR WINDOW WOULD ROLL DOWN WITHOUT ANYONE DEPRESSING THE BUTTON. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10044407
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2003
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WITH NO WARNING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WASN NOT IDENTIFIED TO THE CONSUMER. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10044406
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
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