I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A WELL TAKEN CARE OF, 59,000 MILES, 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. I TOOK THE CAR FOR INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THE RIGHT FRAME RAIL AT THE MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED SO BAD THAT YOU CAN PUT YOUR FIST THROUGH THE HOLE. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR AND HAVE TO DRIVE IT TO WORK. I HAVE TAKEN TO AVOIDING ANY BUMPS OR POT-HO…
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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A WELL TAKEN CARE OF, 59,000 MILES, 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. I TOOK THE CAR FOR INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THE RIGHT FRAME RAIL AT THE MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED SO BAD THAT YOU CAN PUT YOUR FIST THROUGH THE HOLE. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR AND HAVE TO DRIVE IT TO WORK. I HAVE TAKEN TO AVOIDING ANY BUMPS OR POT-HOLES IN THE ROAD AND HAVE BEEN KEEPING MY SPEED UNDER 40 MPH. I AM A LITTLE SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT HAVE NO CHOICE. I AM DEALING WITH KIA MOTORS AMERICA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER CURRENTLY, HOPING THEY WILL RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10419778
89,100 miles · Aug 5, 2011
Structure
2002 KIA SPORTAGE *TT
NHTSA ODI #10417150
40,000 miles · Jun 15, 2011
Structure
I JUST REPAIRED MY EXHAUST ON MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4X4 TODAY AS IT KEEPS RUSTING OUT ON ME. TODAY I NOTICED THE ENTIRE FRAME ON THE BACK END IS EXTREMELY RUSTED TO THE POINT IT'S LITERALLY FALLING APART BRACKETS HAVE DETACHED FOR THE EXHAUST AS WELL AS HOLES IN IT. I WAS SHOCKED! THE METAL IS LITERALLY SPLITTING AND FALLING A…
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I JUST REPAIRED MY EXHAUST ON MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4X4 TODAY AS IT KEEPS RUSTING OUT ON ME. TODAY I NOTICED THE ENTIRE FRAME ON THE BACK END IS EXTREMELY RUSTED TO THE POINT IT'S LITERALLY FALLING APART BRACKETS HAVE DETACHED FOR THE EXHAUST AS WELL AS HOLES IN IT. I WAS SHOCKED! THE METAL IS LITERALLY SPLITTING AND FALLING APART! THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND GOING TO BE DANGEROUS TO EVEN DRIVE THE CAR. I AM SURE THE CAR WON'T EVEN PASS INSPECTION IF THEY SEE THIS! IF YOU EVEN TOUCH IT YOUR FINGERS GO THROUGH THE FRAME! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS I FEEL KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES! THERE IS ONLY 40K MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS WITH ANY OF MY OTHER VEHICLES EITHER THAT ARE OLDER AS WELL AS HAVE MANY MORE MILES ON THEM! SOMETHING MUST BE DONE!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10407003
Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2011
Structure
THE FRAME IS ROTTED AWAY ABOVE THE REAR SPRING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE (BROKEN IN TWO). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404098
111,000 miles · May 7, 2011
Structure
THE FRAME ON MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE HAS RUSTED THROUGH. I CAN STICK MY FINGER THROUGH IT LITERALLY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND NOT ABUSED. NOW THE FRAME IS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES!!!!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10399421
74,000 miles · May 3, 2011
Structure
FRAME ROTTED OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398835
245,000 miles · Mar 6, 2011
Structure
AT 245K,ONLY RIGHT SIDE FRAME ROT INSIDE OUT. THEREFORE SHOWING NO NOTICE OF DETERIORATING WITH ORIGINAL ENGINE AND ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386579
70,700 miles · Jan 9, 2007
Electrical SystemStructure
I BOUGHT MY KIA SPORTAGE IN 09/19/2006 BY 9/25/2006 I STARTED TO HEAR SQUEALING NOISES IN FRONT OF THE ENGINE AND WHEN I FIRST STARTED IT I WOULD PRESS THE GAS BUT THE CAR WOULD DIE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 5 TIMES WHEN THEY FINALLY FIXED IT. THEN I FOUND OUT 3 WEEKS LATER IN THE RAIN THAT WATER WAS COMING IN TH…
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I BOUGHT MY KIA SPORTAGE IN 09/19/2006 BY 9/25/2006 I STARTED TO HEAR SQUEALING NOISES IN FRONT OF THE ENGINE AND WHEN I FIRST STARTED IT I WOULD PRESS THE GAS BUT THE CAR WOULD DIE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 5 TIMES WHEN THEY FINALLY FIXED IT. THEN I FOUND OUT 3 WEEKS LATER IN THE RAIN THAT WATER WAS COMING IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE WINDSHIELD. IN 1/04/07 I WAD HEADED TO WORK AND THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY DIE AGAIN SO THE DEALERSHIP TOWED IT BACK. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10178244
34,000 miles · Nov 30, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
THE LEFT FRONT ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT LEAST TWENTY TIMES FOR OTHER DEFECTS. NO SERVICE FOR THE BRAKES. *AK THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING IN THE SHOCK ARMS, A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, RATTLING IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, LICENSE PLATE LIGH…
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THE LEFT FRONT ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT LEAST TWENTY TIMES FOR OTHER DEFECTS. NO SERVICE FOR THE BRAKES. *AK THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING IN THE SHOCK ARMS, A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, RATTLING IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE DUE TO ROTTED SOCKETS, WHEEL BEARINGS WERE EXTREMELY LOOSE, PULLING TO THE RIGHT, THE RIGHT REAR POWER WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON POSSIBLY DUE TO A SMALL LEAK OR A LOOSE GAS CAP, TRANSMISSION HANG UP WHEN COLD, BAD FRONT BRAKES, CRACK IN DASH, CUP HOLDER WAS BROKEN, TAILPIPE RUSTED AND FELL OFF, WHEN THE HEATER AND DEFROST WAS ON THE A/C WOULD COME ON, THE CONSUMER WOULD GET SHOCK WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, INTERMITTENTLY BOTH REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN, AND THE LEFT REAR WINDOW WAS TOTALLY INOPERATIVE. (THERE WAS NO POWER WHEN GOING UP HILL) *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10097870
8,000 miles · Dec 3, 2003
Structure
THE DOOR STRUCTURE ALLOWED WATER TO GET INTO THE EDGES. THIS RESULTED IN THE DOORS BEING FROZEN SHUT WHEN THIS OCCURRED IN COLD WEATHER. THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT PROVIDED A FIX FOR IT. *NLM THE KIA DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE WEREN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM …
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THE DOOR STRUCTURE ALLOWED WATER TO GET INTO THE EDGES. THIS RESULTED IN THE DOORS BEING FROZEN SHUT WHEN THIS OCCURRED IN COLD WEATHER. THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT PROVIDED A FIX FOR IT. *NLM THE KIA DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE WEREN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM DUE TO SNOW AND SLUSH WERE NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT WOULD GET INTO THE DOORS. *SCC *JB
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE ENGINE CAUSES REPEATED BENDING DEFORMATION OF THE POLYPROPYLENE COOLING FAN INCLUDING ITS RETAINING RING, WHICH STRESSES THE POLYPROPYLENE THEREBY INITIATING CRACKING OF THE BLADES. THE CENTRIFUGAL FORCES GENERATED BY THE ROTATION OF THE BLADES CAN CAUSE THE CRACKS TO PROPAGATE UNTIL COMPLETE SEPARATION OCCURS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE FAN BLADE(S) CAN CREATE A RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN WITH A FAN MADE OF IMPROVED MATERIAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
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
4
EA07001 · Fan Blade Cracking/separation
Opened Jan 22, 2007 · Closed Apr 16, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) HAS IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE PLASTIC ENGINE COOLING FAN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL.KIA'S DEFECT REPORT STATES, ...HEAT GENERATED BY THE ENGINE CAUSES REPEATED BENDING DEFORMATION OF THE POLYPROPYLENE COOLING FAN...INITIATING CRACKS IN THE FAN.THE CENTRIFUGAL FORCES GENERATED BY THE ROTATION OF THE BLADES CAN CAUSE THE CRACKS TO PROPAGATE UNTIL COMPLETE SEPARATION OCCURS...KIA ESTIMATES APPROXIMATELY 35,090 VEHICLES WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE RECALL, AS SOME OF THE 46,887 VEHICLES PRODUCED HAVE ALREADY HAD THE FAN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.KIA DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF THE FAN WITH A FAN MADE OF IMPROVED MATERIAL.THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 AS PE06-042 AND UPGRADED TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS EA07-001 ON JANUARY 22, 2007.PLEASE SEE NHTSA RECALL 07V161 FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION
PE06042 · Fan Blade Cracking/separation
Opened Sep 21, 2006 · Closed Jan 22, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
THE INVESTIGATION OF ENGINE COOLING FANS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WAS OPENED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 AS PE06-042.THE BASIS FOR OPENING WAS 10 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING FAN BLADE CRACKING AND BLADE SEPARATION.SIX OF THE REPORTS INDICATED THE SEPARATED FAN BLADES CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.KIA HAS PROVIDED ADDITIONAL CONSUMER REPORTS AND INFORMATION IN ITS RESPONSE TO PE06-042.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-001) TO CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE CONSEQUENCE OF FAN BLADE SEPARATION IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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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