IllustrationTHE LEFT BACK WINDOW FELL DOWN THEN 6 MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT ONE FELL. *AK
2000 Kia Sportage
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sportage years
Owner complaints for the 2000 Kia Sportage are substantially higher than the model-year median of 122.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sportage years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
240–25K
2325–50K
3650–75K
2975–100K
35100–150K
7150K+
154 reports with mileage · 150 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
23 crash reports7 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
304 reportsWHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVESHAFT MADE A LOUD NOISE AND BROKE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND CALLED A TOWING COMPANY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT, BUT IT FAILED AGAIN. *AK THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN THREE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE RATTLING SOUNDS THAT WOULD GET LOUDER AN…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVESHAFT MADE A LOUD NOISE AND BROKE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND CALLED A TOWING COMPANY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT, BUT IT FAILED AGAIN. *AK THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN THREE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE RATTLING SOUNDS THAT WOULD GET LOUDER AND THE VEHICLE BECAME TOO LOUD TO DRIVE. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND THE CENTER BOLT STRIPPED, THE SOP PROPELLER WAS REPLACED FOR NOISE, THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON DUE TO 25% LEFT ON THE PADS AND THE TRANSMISSION SEAL WAS REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING. *SC *JB
KIA HAS HAD A LARGE NUMBER OF FAN FAILURES THAT CAUSE LOSS OF ENGINE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE FAN TOTALLY CAME APART AND DID A LOT OF DAMMAGE TO THE ENGINE ON THE TURNPIKE IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC AT THE SPEED LIMIT AND THERE WAS NO PLACE TO PULL OFF FOR SAFETY. KIA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN KEEPING IT QUIET TO THE …
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KIA HAS HAD A LARGE NUMBER OF FAN FAILURES THAT CAUSE LOSS OF ENGINE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE FAN TOTALLY CAME APART AND DID A LOT OF DAMMAGE TO THE ENGINE ON THE TURNPIKE IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC AT THE SPEED LIMIT AND THERE WAS NO PLACE TO PULL OFF FOR SAFETY. KIA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN KEEPING IT QUIET TO THE PUBLIC. THE SMALL DEALERSHIP NEAR ME HAS HAD 5 CASES ALONE SO FAR THIS YEAR.
SEAT BELT CATCH DEVICE RELEASES THE CLIP AND SEAT BELT FROM HOLDER APPROXIMATELY 75% OF THE TIME I PUT ON MY SEAT BELT. I HAVE NOT REPLACED AS THE ITEM WAS NOT DEEMED NECESSARY BY DEALER THAT WANTED $375.00 FOR REPLACEMENT. *JB
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
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSFER CASE PROBLEM. ALSO, REAR DRIVELINE WAS BENT, AND HUBS WERE CONTAMINATED. *AK
TRANSMISSION WENT OUTAND IT SHOULDN'T OF CAR IS ONLY 3YEARS OLD.
ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED EVERY 10,000 MILES. THE LAST TIME VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE ROTORS/PADS AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED. CONSUMER STATED BRAKES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. DEALER CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ALSO DEALER REPLACED LEFT AND RIGHT AXLES. *AK
CAR PURCHASED NEW, NOV 2000. NOW HAS 29K MILES. HAS HAD BRAKES, PADS & ROTORS REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE WEAR AND PULSATING WHEN STOPPING. DONE BY DEALER, WHO SAID COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON "THESE SMALL CARS". NOW NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN; DOING SAME THING AS BEFORE. ALSO LOSES BRAKE FLUID, 1/2 PINT EVERY FEW WE…
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CAR PURCHASED NEW, NOV 2000. NOW HAS 29K MILES. HAS HAD BRAKES, PADS & ROTORS REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE WEAR AND PULSATING WHEN STOPPING. DONE BY DEALER, WHO SAID COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON "THESE SMALL CARS". NOW NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN; DOING SAME THING AS BEFORE. ALSO LOSES BRAKE FLUID, 1/2 PINT EVERY FEW WEEKS. NOW JUST HAD LEFT FRONT BEARING SIEZED UP; PULLED CAR TO LEFT INTO ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC (NO IMPACT WITH OTHER VEHICLES). DEALER REPLACED BOTH FRONT AXLES, SPINDLES, BEARINGS, ETC., BUT DENIES THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM. HOWEVER, CHECKING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON RECORD, FIND BOTH BRAKES AND THE BEARINGS PROBLEM ARE EVIDENTLY VERY COMMON.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PERTAINING TO THE REAR AXLE, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Official recalls
204V305000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Jun 24, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND EMITTED WHEN A BUCKLE IS BEING LATCHED, WHEN IT IS NOT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE LATCH CAN THEN PULL OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN TENSION IS APPLIED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
00V205000 · Electrical System
Jul 27, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE. THESE VEHICLES WERE DISTRIBUTED WITH OWNERS MANUALS WITH AN INCORRECT JUMP START DIAGRAM. THE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS FOR JUMP STARTING ARE ACCURATE. HOWEVER, THE DIAGRAM DEPICTS THE JUMPER CABLES ATTACHED TO THE WRONG POLARITY TERMINALS. IF THE DIAGRAM WERE FOLLOWED WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE INSTRUCTIONS, THE RESULTING IMPROPER CONNECTIONS COULD CAUSE THE BATTERY TO RUPTURE AGGRESSIVELY DUE TO INCREASED INTERNAL PRESSURES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE POTENTIAL SERIOUS INJURY TO BYSTANDERS.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADHESIVE LABEL WITH THE CORRECT ILLUSTRATION TO PERMANENTLY AFFIX TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS MANUALS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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