NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Visibility complaints
15 reportsClear category filter34,000 miles · Nov 30, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
THE LEFT FRONT ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT LEAST TWENTY TIMES FOR OTHER DEFECTS. NO SERVICE FOR THE BRAKES. *AK THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING IN THE SHOCK ARMS, A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, RATTLING IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, LICENSE PLATE LIGH…
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THE LEFT FRONT ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT LEAST TWENTY TIMES FOR OTHER DEFECTS. NO SERVICE FOR THE BRAKES. *AK THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING IN THE SHOCK ARMS, A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, RATTLING IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE DUE TO ROTTED SOCKETS, WHEEL BEARINGS WERE EXTREMELY LOOSE, PULLING TO THE RIGHT, THE RIGHT REAR POWER WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON POSSIBLY DUE TO A SMALL LEAK OR A LOOSE GAS CAP, TRANSMISSION HANG UP WHEN COLD, BAD FRONT BRAKES, CRACK IN DASH, CUP HOLDER WAS BROKEN, TAILPIPE RUSTED AND FELL OFF, WHEN THE HEATER AND DEFROST WAS ON THE A/C WOULD COME ON, THE CONSUMER WOULD GET SHOCK WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, INTERMITTENTLY BOTH REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN, AND THE LEFT REAR WINDOW WAS TOTALLY INOPERATIVE. (THERE WAS NO POWER WHEN GOING UP HILL) *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10097870
15,377 miles · Oct 12, 2004
Visibility
WHILE ROLLING UP THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW, THE WINDOW FELL BACK DOWN WITH GREAT FORCE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB *SC
NHTSA ODI #10091447
16,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or OtherVisibility
BEEN HAVING AIR CONDITION ISSUES SINCE 12/02 THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT CORRECTED. THE AC PROBLEM HAS BEEN LONG AND ON GOING. THERE IS LIKE A FOG COMING OUT OF IT ONCE IT HAS BEEN ON AND THEN YOU HIT THE AC BUTTON OFF AND SOME WHITE FLAKES COME OUT OF IT. THE BLOWER MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED IN IT. IT WAS MAKING MOISTURE UNDER MY D…
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BEEN HAVING AIR CONDITION ISSUES SINCE 12/02 THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT CORRECTED. THE AC PROBLEM HAS BEEN LONG AND ON GOING. THERE IS LIKE A FOG COMING OUT OF IT ONCE IT HAS BEEN ON AND THEN YOU HIT THE AC BUTTON OFF AND SOME WHITE FLAKES COME OUT OF IT. THE BLOWER MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED IN IT. IT WAS MAKING MOISTURE UNDER MY DASHBROAD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. STILL WAITING FOR THAT TO BE DONE. APPARENTLY THEY PUT THE CAR UP ON RACKS UPED THE RPMS AND SAY THAT WHERE THE PRESSURE SHOULD BE AT IS NOT. IT EXCEEDS WHERE IT SHOULD BE. WAITING FOR THOSE PARTS TO COME IN. HAD ISSUES WITH EXHAUST HAD ENTIRE NEW EXHAUST PUT ON THE CAR THROUGH OUT THE MONTH OF AUGUST 03. WAS DONE IN PIECES BECAUSE INSTEAD OF CHECKING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM THEY SAW ONE PROBLEM FIXED THAT AND TOLD ME IT WAS COMPLETE. WELL THE NOISE CONTINUED TOOK IT BACK AND UNDER THE HEAT MANAFOLD THERE WAS ANOTHER PROBELM. NEEDLESS TO SAY ONCE A WEEK FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST EXPECT FOR THE WEEK I WAS ON VACATION. HAVE HAD POWER WINDOW ISSUES WITH TWO WINDOWS NOT ROLLING DOWN, WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FIRST TIME SO SENT ME ON MY WAY AND HAD TO BRING IT BACK WHEN THEY COULD WITNESS THE PROBLEM. CUP HOLDER HAS BROKEN, DOME LIGHT, LATCH ON BACK SEAT REPLACED. FAN CRACKED IN 3 SPOTS. BELTS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER A 30000 MILE CHECKUP AND POWER FLUSH TURN ON THE CAR AND LOUD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. WAS TOLD THAT BELTS WERE LOOSE. THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHECKED TWICE ONE WIHT EACH SERVICE THAT WAS DONE. $600 SERVICE. THEY TOOK IT BACK AND TIGHTENED THEM SO THEY SAID. NEXT DAY NOISE AGAIN FROM THEM. TOOK IT BACK INTO THE DEALER THEY HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10070922
1,716 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
RATTLE/VIBRATIN COMING FROM UNDER CAR. CONVERTOR REPLACED WITH NO RESULTS. TOLD CONVERTORS ARE DEFECTIVE. THE RATTLE /VIBRATION HAPPENS EVERY TIME I SHIFT FROM LOW GEAR TO HIGH GEAR OR VISA-VERSA. THEY WILL NOT DO TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSTICS. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE RESONANCE(SP?) IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, THIS NOISE IS NORMAL…
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RATTLE/VIBRATIN COMING FROM UNDER CAR. CONVERTOR REPLACED WITH NO RESULTS. TOLD CONVERTORS ARE DEFECTIVE. THE RATTLE /VIBRATION HAPPENS EVERY TIME I SHIFT FROM LOW GEAR TO HIGH GEAR OR VISA-VERSA. THEY WILL NOT DO TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSTICS. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE RESONANCE(SP?) IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, THIS NOISE IS NORMAL.
NHTSA ODI #10069165
5,699 miles · Sep 2, 2003
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicStructure
CONSUMER STATES THAT SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 2003 ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN THAT TIME. THE FAULTY ROTORS CAUSED VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED ONCE AT 5699 MILES AND AGAIN AT 8694 MILES. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED ALL THE DOORS LOCKED, BUT WHEN IT WAS DAMP OUTSIDE THE LOCKS WORKED I…
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CONSUMER STATES THAT SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 2003 ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN THAT TIME. THE FAULTY ROTORS CAUSED VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED ONCE AT 5699 MILES AND AGAIN AT 8694 MILES. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED ALL THE DOORS LOCKED, BUT WHEN IT WAS DAMP OUTSIDE THE LOCKS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER WASHER WAS NOT WORKING AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER READJUSTED IT. THERE WAS A RATTLING IN THE DASH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BELOW THE AIR VENT. *AK *PH *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10032179
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2003
Fuel System, OtherService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility
HAVE HAD BRAKES WORKED ON 5 TIMES IN PAST YEAR, AIR CONDITIONER SMELLS MUSTY EVERY TIME YOU TURN IT ON, GAS WARNING LIGHT DOESN'T WORK, RIGHT REAR WINDOW DIDN'T WORK FOR OVER A YEAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10032799
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2003
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingVisibility
PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAG LIGHT, AND WINDOWS ON KIA SPORTAGE. *MR ALSO PROBLEM WITH A CRACKED MOTOR HEAD. *TT *JB
NHTSA ODI #10025053
8,000 miles · Mar 6, 2003
Visibility
THE WIPERS BOLTS CAME LOOSE WHEN ICE AND SNOW WERE PACKED AROUND THEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10010033
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2002
Visibility
CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY'RE UNABLE TO ADJUST THE SIDE MIRROR CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER VIEW. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
NHTSA ODI #8022224
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2002
Visibility
DRIVER'S REAR POWER WINDOW MOTOR FAILED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8019145
NHTSA investigations
4EA07001 · Fan Blade Cracking/separation
Opened Jan 22, 2007 · Closed Apr 16, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) HAS IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE PLASTIC ENGINE COOLING FAN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL.KIA'S DEFECT REPORT STATES, ...HEAT GENERATED BY THE ENGINE CAUSES REPEATED BENDING DEFORMATION OF THE POLYPROPYLENE COOLING FAN...INITIATING CRACKS IN THE FAN.THE CENTRIFUGAL FORCES GENERATED BY THE ROTATION OF THE BLADES CAN CAUSE THE CRACKS TO PROPAGATE UNTIL COMPLETE SEPARATION OCCURS...KIA ESTIMATES APPROXIMATELY 35,090 VEHICLES WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE RECALL, AS SOME OF THE 46,887 VEHICLES PRODUCED HAVE ALREADY HAD THE FAN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.KIA DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF THE FAN WITH A FAN MADE OF IMPROVED MATERIAL.THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 AS PE06-042 AND UPGRADED TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS EA07-001 ON JANUARY 22, 2007.PLEASE SEE NHTSA RECALL 07V161 FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION
PE06042 · Fan Blade Cracking/separation
Opened Sep 21, 2006 · Closed Jan 22, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
THE INVESTIGATION OF ENGINE COOLING FANS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WAS OPENED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 AS PE06-042.THE BASIS FOR OPENING WAS 10 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING FAN BLADE CRACKING AND BLADE SEPARATION.SIX OF THE REPORTS INDICATED THE SEPARATED FAN BLADES CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.KIA HAS PROVIDED ADDITIONAL CONSUMER REPORTS AND INFORMATION IN ITS RESPONSE TO PE06-042.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-001) TO CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE CONSEQUENCE OF FAN BLADE SEPARATION IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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.
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.
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