KnownCarProblems2000 Kia Sportage Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 304 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Kia Sportage, most often about the fuel system (30% of complaints, typically around 82,000 miles). It is 4th of 26 Sportage model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2000 Kia Sportage problems
Fuel system
90 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery, fuel injection system.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Kia Sportage. The contact smelled strong fumes from the gasoline tank. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The current mileage was 85,520. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Dt: a 2000 Kia Sportage station wagon. The bottom of the vehicle rusted. The fuel tank had a hole in it. While the consumer was driving on the highway the fuel had slowly leaked out. The consumer was unaware of this until she drove vehicle home and noticed that there was fuel under it. Consumer took vehicle to a local…
Brakes
54 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 19,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, power assist.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Kia Sportage. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake icon illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the master cylinder failed. Approximately 7 years later, the failure has recurred. The failure mileage was 40,000. Updated 05/21/08…
I have had the brake rotors repalced or resurfaced 4 times now. Vehicle has recurring problem of brake pulsation due to warped rotors. Originally I was told the rotors were defective and Kia was replacing all rotors. Now after several attempts to repair I am told this is not a defect but "normal wear". I believe the…
Engine
47 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
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…
Tl contact owns a 2000 Kia Sportage. While driving 35 MPH, two of his fan blades fell off the vehicle. The contact bought new parts to perform the repair himself. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. The current and failure mileages were 64,708. Updated 02/01/08. The consumer stated the vehicle would…
Transmission
41 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), axle assembly, driveline.
My 2002 Kia started leaking transmission fluid, I went to kias repair shop four different times in three different states and the problem still exists. After the fourth time of being in the shop the one dealership told me that I have a bent or dented drive shaft, even though I have only had the vehicle for six months.…
Consumer's vehicle has a rusted gas tank and a bad fuel pump. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the manager stated that toyota no longer does repair on Kia vehicle. The oil pan rusted causing an oil leak. Oil leaked from the speed sensor and oil seal. The 4 wheel drive was inoperative due to an outdated hub kit.…
Electrical
32 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery, horn.
Vehicle experienced an electrical system failure, and caught on fire. Vehicle was totaled. A recall was issued, but the vehicle not included due to VIN. The vehicle was engulfed on the passenger side in flames. The vehicle was parked the whole time prior to the fire. The fir department deemed it was an electrical…
Since oct. 2002 until april 2003, the power locks would operate erratically, making the lock and unlocking sound, and a clicking sound coming from under the dash board, vehicle has been to the dealer four times for this problem, first they thought it was the timer control unit, audio circuit, they did find four…
Body and structure
31 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 107,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
While my 2000 Kia Sportage was on the lift for an oil change and tire rotation the mechanic noticed major frame rust. Said it was unsafe to drive and a potential hazard in an accident if not noticed prior. Would like Kia to address this issue.
The contact owns a 2000 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 101,066.
Visibility and wipers
24 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, windshield wiper/washer, defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield.
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…
I have a 2000 Kia Sportage ex and I have had trouble with the power windows since I purchased the car in 2000. I took it to the dealership while it was under warranty and they claim the windows were working and they could not locate any problem, I then had the window to stop working again and took it back this time it…
Suspension
23 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
The frame where the rear stabilizer arm connects has completely rusted allowing the arm to fall away. The only thing supporting the arm now appears to be the fuel line which is attached to it. The rest of the frame is rusted out as well. There is not enough metal left to weld or repair. Had the arm broken the fuel…
Went to engage 4x4 in bad blizzard and got only grinding noise and no increase in traction. Dealer states hubs are corroded and vacuum seals and hoses need to be replaced. Seems to be a very common complaint. What good is a 4x4 if it is not working when you need it? Dealer does not acknowledge common complaint.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Kia Sportage recalls
Seat belts: buckle assembly
Risk: The latch can then pull out of the buckle when tension is applied.
Fix: Dealers will replace both front seat belt buckles. The recall began august 16, 2004. Owners should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: This could cause potential serious injury to bystanders.
Fix: Owners will be provided with an adhesive label with the correct illustration to permanently affix to their respective owners manuals.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fuel tank leakage
Summary
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 investi
Fuel tank leakage
Summary
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
Seat belt buckle false latch/malfunction
Summary
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.
Seat belt buckle false latch/malfunction
Summary
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
Vehicle rollover
Summary
There is no summary currently available
Incorrect battery jump-start
Summary
Allege battety may explode if owner's attempt to jump-state the vehicle by following the owner's manual diagram
Questions about the 2000 Kia Sportage
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Kia Sportage?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (90 complaints, typically around 82,000 miles); brakes (54 complaints, typically around 19,000 miles); engine (47 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Kia Sportage have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 24, 2004 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the Kia Sportage?
- It is 4th of 26 Sportage model years by number of complaints, with 304 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.