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.
: the contact stated the fuel tank assembly developed a hole causing a fuel leak. The dealer replaced the fuel tank and determined the storage assembly also had a leak which could no longer be seen. Gas totally covered that area where the hole was located. The contact also stated when the front passenger side door was locked, the door could not be opened from the outside with the key. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer regarding the lock. Updated 10/4/2006 - the dealer failed to fix the door while it was there for service. The four wheel drive was not activated although the four wheel drive light was illuminated on the dash. The dealer replaced the vacuum lines.
: the contact stated there was a smell of gas and a fuel leak observed under the vehicle. It was driven to an independent repair shop who replaced the fuel tank and the fuel lines. The dealer has been alerted. The fuel tank and fuel lines had rusted and were leaking gasoline. Updated 08/25/06.
- Hazleton, PA, USA
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I have a 1999 Kia Sportage with less than 35,000 miles on it as of July 5, 2006. In November of 2005 I started noticing a really strong fuel smell. Shortly thereafter I noticed fluid leaking from the rear of my vehicle. I took it in around thanksgiving to find out that the gas tank had to be replaced. I had to pay almost $1,000 for this repair. Also, in may of 2006 power steering fluid leaked all over my garage while the car was in summer storage. Upon further investigation it is due to the power steering pressure hose damping pipe rusting out. This car has also already have to get new front brake rotors (rusted/warped) as well as a new exhaust pipe since the previously one rusted off the muffler. Within the first couple years one of the bearings went bad and they ended up replacing the whole front axle unit. This car has had many problems and with less than 35,000 miles on it basically makes me sick to my stomach. I am reporting this to you after reading on www.Kia.com technical/owners section about a "service campaign" for the leaking fuel tanks in May 2006. Nobody has notified me and I just happened to run into myself as I was researching information related to the power steering system since that started leaking in May 2006.
: the contact stated the vehicles gas tank was leaking. A certified independent mechanic determined the cause to be a defect. The vehicle was not ta ken into dealers for confirmation.
The contact smelled gas fumes approximately one week ago. He took the vehicle to a local mechanic, and he found the skid plate on the bottom of the tank held moisture against the tank, and caused it to rust. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time.
In December of 2000 I purchased a Kia Sportage 1999 from mcgrath in elgin, il. From the beginning the front seat belt buckle did not always lock and the interior & exterior lights flickered. I took the vehicle to a local repair shop but they could not find why the lights flickered. On August 2, 2005 my vehicle died in front of a marathon gas station/repair shop in rolling meadows, il. The mechanic called me and told me I needed a new fuel pump. I told him to do the repair. The next day, the mechanic calls me to tell me that the fuel tank is so rusted it needs to be replaced and he has already called the Kia dealer and the fuel tank is in "stock". I told him to do the repair. (please reference complaint #10131393). When I went to pick up the vehicle, it kept blowing the fuses and dying. I never got out of the gas station parking lot. I left the vehicle with them. On August 4, I had the vehicle with the original fuel pump and fuel tank towed to the mcgrath Kia dealer in elgin, il. In the meantime, I got on the internet and did a search for Kia recalls. My vehicle has 3 recalls- one for the front seat belt buckle campaign #04V305000, one for the electrical system wiring campaign #99V32500, and one for service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components: Hoses, lines/piping and fittings campaign #98V222000. All of these recalls were in effect before I purchased the vehicle. I have asked the mcgrath Kia dealer to fax me copies of the repairs for the recalls, but have not received anything in writing that these recalls were repaired before they sold me the vehicle. Now I am waiting for the Kia dealer to look at my vehicle. I was told it could be days. Phone interview update (Oct. 31, 2005): No fuel leak; however, the tank was so badly rusted. She agreed to email pictures of the tank.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Malden, MA, USA