NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
304 reports84,723 miles · May 15, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline
2000 KIA SPORTAGE WITH GAS TANK LEAK. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR FUEL TANK REPAIRS. KIA STATES THAT THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE DUE TO THE LEAK NOT BEING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK. *KB THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HEAVY ROAD SALT MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CORROSION OF THE GAS TANK, HOWEVER THE MECHANIC…
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2000 KIA SPORTAGE WITH GAS TANK LEAK. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR FUEL TANK REPAIRS. KIA STATES THAT THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE DUE TO THE LEAK NOT BEING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK. *KB THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HEAVY ROAD SALT MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CORROSION OF THE GAS TANK, HOWEVER THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO PROVE THAT WAS THE CASE.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10228414
13,153 miles · May 5, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE ICON ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. APPROXIMATELY 7 YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 05/21/08 *BF …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE ICON ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. APPROXIMATELY 7 YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 05/21/08 *BF UPDATED 05/20/08
NHTSA ODI #10226646
113,000 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline
SMELL OF GAS FUMES. ALSO A GAS LEAK.*CN
NHTSA ODI #10213456
62,495 miles · Dec 31, 2007
Fuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other
VEHICLE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL, PROBABLY FOR QUITE SOME TIME BEFORE IT BECAME VISUALLY APPARENT. I COULD SEE GASOLINE DRIPPING ON THE PAVEMENT IN MY PARKING SPOT AT WORK. THE KIA DEALER TOLD ME THE GAS TANK HAD RUSTED THROUGH ON THE BOTTOM, AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE BOTTOM OF THE GAS TANK HOLDER HAS HOLES IN IT FO…
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VEHICLE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL, PROBABLY FOR QUITE SOME TIME BEFORE IT BECAME VISUALLY APPARENT. I COULD SEE GASOLINE DRIPPING ON THE PAVEMENT IN MY PARKING SPOT AT WORK. THE KIA DEALER TOLD ME THE GAS TANK HAD RUSTED THROUGH ON THE BOTTOM, AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE BOTTOM OF THE GAS TANK HOLDER HAS HOLES IN IT FOR VENTILATION. THESE HOLES ALLOW ROAD DEBRIS TO LODGE BETWEEN THE HOLDER AND THE TANK, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE CORROSION. DEALER ALSO TOLD ME THE FUEL PUMP AND SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, BEFORE THEY EVEN DROPPED THE TANK. DEALER TOLD ME THE ALTHOUGH THERE HAD BEEN SOME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THERE WAS NO RECALL AND I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CHARGES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10213328
112,000 miles · Dec 31, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS LEAK FROM THE TOP OF MY GAS TANK WHERE THE SENDING UNIT IS ATTACHED. BOTH THE TANK AND SENDING UNIT (WITH FUEL PUMP) NEEDED REPLACED. 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10213285
87,140 miles · Dec 10, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK ON THE VEHICLE. THIS ALSO INCLUDED THE FUEL TANK, FENDING UNIT, AND FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR. HIS DAUGHTER SMELLED A LEAK IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS …
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TL*THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK ON THE VEHICLE. THIS ALSO INCLUDED THE FUEL TANK, FENDING UNIT, AND FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR. HIS DAUGHTER SMELLED A LEAK IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,140. UPDATED 3/4/08 *CN
NHTSA ODI #10211321
55,106 miles · Nov 28, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
REPLACED LEAKING FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP AND SENSOR ON 2000 KIA SPORTAGE WITH 55,106 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WE ARE SECOND OWNERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10210150
Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
I BOUGHT A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AND HAVE ALWAYS NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS AROUND IT. MY BROTHER IN LAW CRAWLED UNDER IT AND SAID THE SKID PLATE UNDER THE GAS TANK WAS WET WITH GAS, ALTHOUGH IT WAS APPARENTLY EVAPORATING BEFORE IT COULD LEAK TO THE GROUND. AFTER READING ONLINE, I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS…
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I BOUGHT A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AND HAVE ALWAYS NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS AROUND IT. MY BROTHER IN LAW CRAWLED UNDER IT AND SAID THE SKID PLATE UNDER THE GAS TANK WAS WET WITH GAS, ALTHOUGH IT WAS APPARENTLY EVAPORATING BEFORE IT COULD LEAK TO THE GROUND. AFTER READING ONLINE, I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10209871
112,522 miles · Nov 3, 2007
Fuel System, Other
FUEL PUMP MOUNTING PLATE AND GAS TANK LEAKING FUEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10207832
126,000 miles · Oct 31, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE ODOR INTENSIFIED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. A PRIVATE MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED, CAUSING GAS TO LEAK FROM TWO HOLES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SHIELD …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE ODOR INTENSIFIED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. A PRIVATE MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED, CAUSING GAS TO LEAK FROM TWO HOLES. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SHIELD WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE FUEL TANK WAS DRIED, WHICH CAUSED WATER TO SIT ON THE TANK AND CORRODE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $472.13. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER SC059 AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
NHTSA ODI #10207515
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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