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 reports
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
WHEN THIS FRONT END SYSTEM PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR, I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TO TRY TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE CAR WAS BEING BLOWN ACROSS THE ROAD AS THOUGH A GUSTING HEAVY WIND WAS PUSHING THE CAR TO THE R…
Read full complaint
WHEN THIS FRONT END SYSTEM PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR, I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TO TRY TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE CAR WAS BEING BLOWN ACROSS THE ROAD AS THOUGH A GUSTING HEAVY WIND WAS PUSHING THE CAR TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN IT WOULD FEEL AS THOUGH THE WHEELS WERE GOING TO COME OFF OF THE CAR. THE POWER BRAKES ALSO LOST POWER AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR, AND THE THE STEERING BECAME MORE DIFFICULT BECAISE THE CAR WAS JUST PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I WAS TERRIFIED AT DRIVING UNDER THESE CONDITIONS AND WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AT A VERY SLOW RATE OF SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO PARK THE CAR IN A PARKING GARAGE UNTIL IT WAS TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP IN PHILADELPHIA PA. (VALUE KIA). THE KIA DEALERSHIP THEN APPARENTLY FIXED MY CAR, BUT IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DEALER USED OLD RECALLED PARTS TO REPAIR MY CAR AND THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED TEN DAYS LATER. THE DEALER IN OHIO. COURTESY AUTOWORLD DISCOVERED UPON MY PROMPTING THEM TO CHECK THE WORK DONE AT VALUE KIA, WAS DISCOVERED TO BE DONE IMPROPERLY USING BAD UNAUTHORIZED PARTS TO REPAIR MY CAR AT THE TIME. THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH IN MY ESTIMATION CAN CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. THE KIA CORP. NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND ALSO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF USING BAD UNAUTHORIZED PARTS TO FIX THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM, BECAUSE USUNG THOSE PARTS ONLY INCREASED THE CHANCE OF THIS HAPPENING TO THE VEHICLE. THERE MAY BE THOUSANDS OF CARS ON THE ROAD WITH THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING DEFECT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #745712
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2001
Air Bags
CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR END CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END FRAME AND FIRE WALL AREA, BOTH OF THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, NO INJURIES INDICATED ON THE REPORT. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #561299
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES LOCK UP, AND THERE'S A GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE GLIDES ALL OVER ROAD.*AK
NHTSA ODI #888641
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE CALIPER ARM CRACKED, CAUSING BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS TO PREMATURELY WEAR. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #888117
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2001
Suspension
A STRONG WIND IS CAPABLE TO MISDIRECT VEHICLE OR BLOW VEHICLE OFF ROAD IN WET CONDITIONS. VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO KEEP IN ONE LANE WHEN THERE ARE WINDY CONDITIONS. THIS GENERALLY HAPPENS AT SPEEDS HIGHER THAN 35 MPH .*AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #887385
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WAS DRIVING 5MPH AND PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH FAILED, AND VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN STOP.*AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #886400
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2001
Structure
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH BACK PART OF VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL RAPIDLY ACROSS 3 LANES. TOWED TO DEALER WHO FOUND FRAME WELDS THAT HOLD SUSPENSION HAD BROKEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #885874
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2001
Visibility
WHENEVER HEAT IS ON THERE IS A STRONG SWEET ODOR THAT COMES OUT. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY COULDN'T FIND CAUSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #885079
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2001
Electrical System
HORN ASSEMBLY WILL NOT SOUND WHEN PRESSED IN CERTAIN SPOTS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #884426
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2001
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
4-WHEEL DRIVE FEATURE DOES NOT OPERATE, WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, INDICATING THAT SYSTEM IS WORKING. BUT 4 WHEEL DRIVE DOES NOT ENGAGE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
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.
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 ↗
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.
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
Illustration