2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,086 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Kia Sportage fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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1999 Kia Sportage Owner Comments

problem #16

Mar 132014

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 124,971 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had just filled gas tank with unleaded gas. When I noticed a strong gas smell. The car sits all day. I only move it for emissions each year I work from home. They tested and told me evap emission control sys malf. The guy said he could see gas leaking from my fuel line. He said it was a recall on this to check with Kia. Kia told me my VIN number did not match the recall. This car does not see alot of action there is no reason other than a few good snows that may have rusted the tank other wise why would my tank all of a sudden leak gas. This is a hazard that I think Kia should be responsible for. I am the second owner of the car and have had it longer than the first. I have experienced first hand some issues this model has had which Kia took care of. But they refuse this.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

problem #15

Feb 022011

Sportage 4WD 4-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
1995 to 2002 Kia Sportages frames are rotting out and gas tanks leaking also. Kia refuses to repair or put out a recall on this issue. Vehicles are a safety issue to the public. Ford Windstar had similar problems from 1998 to 2003 back axle rotting out, they are taking action and owning up to the problem. I have been a state inspection mechanic for the state of pa. For 35yrs this defect is going to cause several crashes, maybe deaths. Kia is not concerned about this matter any help would be great. Thanks

- Phila, PA, USA

problem #14

Jun 052009

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Kia shortage. The contact stated after dispensing fuel into the full tank, he would smell a strong odor of fuel inside and outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they were unable to locate the problem. There was a manufacture voluntary recall pertaining to the fuel system. The contact notified the dealer and they informed that safety recall expired. In addition, the fuel tank was not in stock. The problem persisted and became progressively worse. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. Updated 2/23/11 the consumer stated the fuel tank and fuel pump had rust problems. The consumer was informed it was not safe to drive the vehicle. The consumer has since purchased another vehicle. Updated 02/28/11

- Livingston, TX, USA

problem #13

Aug 162010

Sportage

  • 100,198 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a 1999 Kia Sportage and recently had it racked to see what the noise was that was coming from underneath my car. The entire undercarriage has rusted out and the fame is separating from each other, leaning on the shock absorbers on both sides, there are large holes in the fame where they have rusted through, the fuel tank and shield is rusted out and this car is a ticking time bomb, ready to fall apart, and or if anything hits the fuel tank it will disintegrate and possibly explode. This car is literally coming apart underneath.two of the doors panels underneath have rusted away. Everything is rusted and it scares me to death to be driving it now that I have seen the undercarriage. I have many photos to submit for proof of the problem.apparently this car has been rusting for some time and I have never noticed it. I bought it brand new in September of 1999. It has prematurely rusted out unlike most vehicles which last for many years. I was informed by my brother this past summer and he told me that there was a service campaign on the fuel tank but when I took it to the dealer, they said it was past the 10 year mark by a few months and they wouldn't do anything about it. I have been in contact with Kia to gather information about recalls and service campaign notices of which I only was notified about 3 or 4 of them shortly after I purchased it.

- Springfield, OH, USA

problem #12

Jul 012010

Sportage

  • 120,000 miles
1999 Kia Sportage gas tank rotted and leaking.

- Glen Gardner, NJ, USA

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problem #11

Apr 052010

Sportage

  • miles
The chassis of my 1999 Kia Sportage is rotting out. I have had to have the railings welded together, one railing has a hole about 6 in long on the side of the railing and the gas tank has to be replace. But if the tank is removed the part of the chassis it is attached to will come off and there will be no way to attach a new one.

- Bristol, RI, USA

problem #10

Feb 012010

Sportage

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Fuel tank leak. Smell of gasoline when car is put in garage.

- West Salem, OH, USA

problem #9

Aug 282009

Sportage

  • miles
Fuel tank leaking every time when filling tank. Fuel pump was replaced, problem with gasoline leakage when filling tank is still a problem. No repairs as of yet. I'm on disability.

- Trenton, OH, USA

problem #8

May 202009

Sportage

  • 112,307 miles
I own a 1999 Kia Sportage. When I filed tank, gas leaked. I took my car to the repair shop and they stated that I have a leak in my gas tank.

- Dorchester, MA, USA

problem #7

Jun 192009

Sportage

  • 89,000 miles
1999 Kia Sportage, had a gas leak got it repaired with a new tank last year, still have a gas smell. I have taken it back several times for the smell they cannot find the problem, of course this is my regular mechanic not a Kia dealer. Now the frame is busted from premature rusting and disintegration which is holding up the gas tank. Check engine light is constantly on for "evap leak". no power when A/C is running. A/C now has leak. Constantly smell a burning smell just before the check engine light comes on. Also constantly blows fuses for power windows etc. This is a death trap for sure, you can imagine my surprise when I was advised not to drive my grandbabies in this car it is unsafe...and when they refused to fix it as they couldn't take responsibility for the safety of the vehicle when trying to fix a framing problem. This car has had very good maintenance, oil changes, tires etc. And only has 114,000 miles, I never dreamed I would have to find another car so soon. I really thought I should have at least another 100,000 to go!

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #6

Jan 022009

Sportage

  • 137,700 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On December 22, 2008, during vehicle inspection, found gas smell and possible leak in gas tank. Phone Kia dealership, and they indicated that there was a service campaign, and to bring the vehicle in for a fuel tank inspection (along with some other recall repairs). On 1/2/2009, the vehicle was inspected by the Kia dealership, and they indicated that the fuel tank was leaking from the bottom of the tank, and that this was a known issue and may be covered by a service campaign. However, the mileage on the vehicle was 137,700 miles, and the limit was 130,000 for Kia to reimburse. I indicated that I had never received an notice of this problem. Further investigation showed that there were at least two (2) service campaigns (SC059 and RB001) which dated back to May 2006, and January 2008. Had I been notified, the vehicle would have had much less than the limit of 130,000 miles. I phoned and E-mailed customer support (no mailing address listed). During the phone conversation with steve, I was informed "too bad, but it is out of the mileage limit and there is nothing we can do. Not sure why you never got a notice". when I E-mailed, I received a phone reply (after the second E-mail) from steve stating "we already discussed this. Not sure why you E-mailed since this was already addressed". I feel that a problem as important as a leaking fuel tank should not be left to chance, waiting for a regular inspection or an actual leak to detect it. I feel that Kia should be responsible for a recall, and should also be responsible for the cost of the repair. Currently I have repaired the tank, while looking for a replacement tank. Thank you for your time.

- Hegins, PA, USA

problem #5

Nov 272008

Sportage

  • 69,000 miles
I purchased my Kia used, from a dealer, less than a year ago, and it passed the electronic systems check for vehicle inspection. I immediately had to have dealer replace the gasoline tank after smelling gasoline. This car is used solely for light usage to Transport myself and my children to and from dr's and grocery stores. After owning the car for less than two months, check engine light came on, reporting issue with catalyst. Found a recall on this issue and am trying to get original dealer to fix. Now experiencing loss of power to engage inclines or hills, causing a hazard to other drivers. Also back brakes simply "blew"! without any forewarning, with my children in the car, I lost all braking abilities. Thank goodness I was not going fast and have a standard to quickly downshift. My mother was killed due to loss of brakes, and it was an absolute panicking situation for me emotionally. Being a single mother I rely on mechanics to do all my work, and I had just had all my fuel levels topped off and my pads checked, without any issue found. I have also had an intermittent issue with the front seat belts remaining engaged. The dealer warranty expired and I am stuck with recalls nobody seems to want to fix!

- Penn Yan, NY, USA

problem #4

Aug 312005

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 71,200 miles
Vehicle does not want to start, however, the radio and power windows are still working so it is not a battery issue. Once the vehicle did start it would die when you started up from a stop at a traffic light and/or sometimes would simply die when put your foot on the gas pedal. I took it to a shop and they indicated it was a fuel pump issue. The following day after the fuel pump was repaired the vehicle did the same thing. The shop then indicating there had been a wiring recall so they changed out the wiring harness. Two days later the vehicle almost died on the way to the airport, it would shake violently when idling and there was very limited power when I was attempting to accelerate. The shop looked at it again and the air manifest indicator came on so they cleaned out the air flow. Two days later it was still doing the same thing. The shop then indicating that their sensor indicated a different part of the system was failing. The shop contacted a Kia facilitated and was told it sounded like a computer issue, however, even if the computer was changed out, it could be a sensor issue and the vehicle would continue to die when I was driving in traffic and/or pulling from a stop. A vehicle that dies is a huge safety issue, and it does not sound like it can be easily fixed and/or Kia does not want to do the work.

- Tempe, AZ, USA

problem #3

Mar 172001

Sportage 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Consumer states that muffler is noisy, gas tank and fuel pump are being replaced.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #2

Mar 172001

Sportage 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Consumer states that muffler is noisy, gas tank and fuel pump are being replaced.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #1

May 092000

(reported on)

Sportage

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Kia motors recall notice, dealer will not schedule an appointment for repairs

- Collierville, TN, USA

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