Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
190–25K
3025–50K
2650–75K
2375–100K
19100–150K
8150K+
125 reports with mileage · 103 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 50 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 →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
25 crash reports4 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
228 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2003
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting
THE AIR CONDITION WAS NOT COOLING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE GAS CAP WAS LOOSE, THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WINDOWS WHICH CAUSED THEM NOT TO WORK, THE PURGE VALVE LEAKED, THE HOLD LIGHT FLASHED AT TIMES, THE LEFT REAR DOOR DID NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE D…
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THE AIR CONDITION WAS NOT COOLING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE GAS CAP WAS LOOSE, THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WINDOWS WHICH CAUSED THEM NOT TO WORK, THE PURGE VALVE LEAKED, THE HOLD LIGHT FLASHED AT TIMES, THE LEFT REAR DOOR DID NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE DOOR LOCK WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, THE CUP HOLDER WAS COMING APART, THE BRAKES WERE NOISY AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10006071
19,600 miles · Feb 9, 2003
SuspensionCrash
RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLTS SHEERED OFF
NHTSA ODI #10005546
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2003
Electrical System
VEHICLE WILL HEAVILY JERK AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA ODI #10004213
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2003
Service Brakes, Air
BRAKE SYSTEM/ROTORS. THE VEHICLE IS A YEAR OLD AND WAS PURCHASED NEW, TWICE THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED DUE TO WARPING.THE INCIDENT DATE IS THE FIRST TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP, THE SECOND TIME WAS ON 1/13/03
NHTSA ODI #10002887
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2003
Electrical System
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN, THE CAR HIT BUMP AND THE LIGHTS WENT DIM, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPED WORKING, RADIO WENT OFF, INTERIOR LIGHTS DIM, AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING ON AND OFF, THEN CAR REFUSED TO GO, ALMOST CAUSED WRECK. THIS WAS THE 2ND OCCURANCE, CONTACTED DEALER. THEY KEPT TRUCK FOR A WEEK AND STILL COULD NOT FIN…
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DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN, THE CAR HIT BUMP AND THE LIGHTS WENT DIM, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPED WORKING, RADIO WENT OFF, INTERIOR LIGHTS DIM, AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING ON AND OFF, THEN CAR REFUSED TO GO, ALMOST CAUSED WRECK. THIS WAS THE 2ND OCCURANCE, CONTACTED DEALER. THEY KEPT TRUCK FOR A WEEK AND STILL COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. JUST HAPPENED AGAIN TONIGHT(1-8-03) NO BUMP WAS HIT.
NHTSA ODI #10000836
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE RIDING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE RADIATOR WOULD OVER HEAT CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001821
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATED WHEN DRIVING 55MPH VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENLY LOSE ALL POWER AND EMIT A "BURNING WIRE" SMELL. DEALER IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE CAUSE. TS
NHTSA ODI #8024124
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2002
Electronic Stability Control
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE NOT BEEN STABLE. ALSO STATED THAT WHEN SHE IS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY ANY VEHICLE THAT PASSES BY THE VEHICLE WITH THE WIND IT WILL PUSH THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE STABILITY AND WILL SWING LANE BY LANE ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT SIN…
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CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE NOT BEEN STABLE. ALSO STATED THAT WHEN SHE IS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY ANY VEHICLE THAT PASSES BY THE VEHICLE WITH THE WIND IT WILL PUSH THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE STABILITY AND WILL SWING LANE BY LANE ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT SINCE SHE HAS MADE HER FIRST PAYMENT YET THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANY TYPE OF WORK ON IT. TS
NHTSA ODI #8023711
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2002
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, CONSUMER STATES' VEHICLE GEAR SHIFTER WILL JUMP UP TO NUETRAL, VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOOSES POWER. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER AT ANYTIME. COULD RESULT IN A REAR END COLLISION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #8022985
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2002
Visibility
THE GLASS PORTION (ONLY) OF THE LEFT OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS BROKEN AND THE DEALER ADVISES THAT REPLACEMENT IS AVAILABLE ONLY AS A COMPLETE ASSEMBLY WHICH THE DEALER SAYS MUST BE PURCHASED AS A COMPLETE ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $350 INCLUDING PAINTING OF THE MIRROR SURROUND. I LOOKED AT THE UNIT AND FIND THAT THE…
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THE GLASS PORTION (ONLY) OF THE LEFT OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS BROKEN AND THE DEALER ADVISES THAT REPLACEMENT IS AVAILABLE ONLY AS A COMPLETE ASSEMBLY WHICH THE DEALER SAYS MUST BE PURCHASED AS A COMPLETE ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $350 INCLUDING PAINTING OF THE MIRROR SURROUND. I LOOKED AT THE UNIT AND FIND THAT THE MIRROR GLASS IS BONDED TO A BLACK PLASTIC BACKING THAT SNAPS IN PLACE. THERE IS NO REASON OTHER THAN TO PAD THE BILL FOR THE ENTIRE UNIT TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WILL NOT SHOW US THE PARTS FICHE AND KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NON-RESPONSIVE. CAN YOU PROVIDE A COPY OF THE PARTS BOOK BREAKDOWN OF THE LEFT OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR FOR THIS VEHICLE? I WILL APPRECIATE IT AND WILL THEN BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE BROKEN MIRROR AND RESTORE THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE AT A REASONABLE COST. I CAN SEE NO REASON FOR THE BROKEN PART TO COST, AT RETAIL, MORE THAN $35 AND THE INSTALLATION LABOR IS INCIDENTAL AS IT ONLY INVOLVES SNAPPING IT IN PLACE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DT
NHTSA ODI #769168
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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.
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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