17th Sep 2002, 14:53

I own a 2001 Kia Sportage, and it is the most troublesome vehicle I have ever had. I know what a horrible experience owning one is, and I have tried to sell it numerous times. My advice to you is to do whatever it takes to get rid of it, even if it means selling it for close to nothing.

11th Oct 2002, 00:36

I feel sorry for your situation regarding the many problems you are currently experiencing with your Kia Sportage. These vehicles are absolute junkers, you will lose plenty of money selling the car now. My advice is to drive it until the wheels fall off. I myself drive a Honda CRV and it is as reliable as the day is long. Good luck to ya!

4th Nov 2002, 11:48

I had wanted to purchase a vehicle from a KIA dealership sometimes next week, but now I have changed my mind. I also do not wish to have so many problems at once. Thank you for posting this message.

23rd Jun 2003, 22:08

I also own a 2000 Sportage with 27,000 miles on it, and have been having problems with the brake light coming on. My Dad checked it out and discovered a leak in the master cylinder. When we took it to the dealership they denied there was a leak and charged us $50.00 for looking at the car, because it did not need a repair covered by warranty! I had the front brakes replaced at Meineke and the brake fluid filled, because it was very low. Now, about a month later the brake light is coming on again. I am getting ready to take it back to the dealership, especially now with more evidence that others have had problems with their master cylinder leaking. I am sure that is what it is - I want it fixed plus a refund of my $50!

Other than this I have really enjoyed my Kia for almost 3 years now. The only other problem has been the electronic door locks unlocking/locking themselves automatically, which sometimes sets off the alarm, and can be disconcerting if it happens while I am driving. Naturally they never find this problem when the car is in the dealership.

7th Jul 2003, 18:34

I bought my Kia Sportage in November of 2000. In January of 2001, my brake pads had to be replaced. That's when it all started. I have since had to have my muffler replaced, due to corroding, my alternator replaced, battery, 4wd TWICE, power locks fixed 3x's & the belts relaced 3x's. I do NOT feel safe in this vehicle at all. It feels like a cardboard box on wheels & that it is going to fall apart at any minute. I now have to take it in again for numerous rattles, power locks, & 4WD. The problem is, I am not covered under my extended warranty. The warranty was written, rejected & rewritten several times. It is STILL not valid.

16th Aug 2003, 16:52

I want to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to share your experiences regarding the KIA Sportage. I was seriously considering buying a used Sportage in the next few weeks. After reading your collective problems, I am going to go with a different manufacturer, perhaps Toyota or Honda. I sincerely hope that KIA dealerships step up to the plate and take care of the issues that you all are having with their vehicles, but after reading all of the problems the dealerships are causing, they probably won't. They're not going to get my business! Thanks Again for helping me avoid a terrible mistake in purchasing a KIA Sportage.

10th Apr 2004, 01:45

Well I have a 2000 Sportage with 31,000 miles on it and am quite happy with it. I replaced the battery at about 27,000 miles, but other than that there are no issues.

I guess I got a good one.

Chris.

11th Apr 2004, 22:56

I also was going to buy a used Sportage in the next couple weeks- it seemed too good to be true. Now that I have read this page I think I will buy a Civic!

Thanks

GM

Ontario.

31st May 2004, 07:42

Thanks y'all.

I was thinking of buying KIA, but after reading all these comments, I better go with HONDA or TOYOTA.

God bless you!

17th Jun 2004, 08:11

I have a 2000 Kia Sportage too.. I bought it used and since I've had it (3 years) I've only replaced the brake pads and tires. MY check engine light use to come on, but that can be fixed by making sure your as cap is tight (clicks) when you get gas. I don't think my 4-wheel drive works since we had 4 inches of snow here earlier this year and my grandmother's BUICK did circles around my stuck Kia.. I do however have a problem now..It's approaching 90 degree weather here in Oregon and MY WINDOWS DON'T WORK...I'm going to replace the fuses and see if that helps, if not..I'm afraid to take it to a dealer to see what it will cost to fix..I'm pretty much stuck with this car since I owe more on it that what it's worth... I wish it had more power and less problems.. I will not be a returning Kia owner.. Although the Sorento looks nice.. I won't be buying one.

6th Jul 2004, 12:20

Hi:

Kia = problems

Never own a Kia. My Kia 2000 in 4 years had to go to the garage 150 times :( Only 38m, brakes and A/C, big problem.

3rd Mar 2005, 07:15

I wish I had found this website before I purchased my used KIA last year. It's had brake problems, wiring problems, and now my airbag light flashes constantly. Gas mileage is less than I would expect for a 4 cylinder. Driver's side power window isn't operating. 4WD isn't much help in snow, even with new tires, perhaps the vehicle is too light? Muffler needs replacing because tailpipe rusted completely off. Spare tire mount is rusty also. Lately it sounds like it's sucking wind whenever I try to step on the gas.

I do not recommend this vehicle.

20th Mar 2005, 08:41

I bought a 2000 Kia Sportage Ex 2WD in March of 2001, my first vehicle purchase. I did a lot of research on the vehicle before I bought it, but unfortunately at that time, people had not had them long enough to have problems with them. Since the time I bought it, I have had to put brakes on it four times. I have had to have the wheel bearings replaced (under warranty thank goodness), a master cylinder, the heat shield fixed (luckily I have a friend who is a mechanic who fixed it for the cost of a ring clamp for only a dollar), a water pump, timing belt, and a few other things I can't even remember. Now I am having problems with the arm in the back sticking and not wanting to open when I need to get in the rear door, I cannot lock the doors because when I do the theft deterrent system activates and goes off, the driver's side window is very slow to close, the hazard light button is stuck and I can't activate the lights, the stereo doesn't have any power going to it, there is a rattling sound coming from an axle, and the HOLD light will pop on at any given any moment. Finally this past week it broke down again, and this time it is the fuel pump. I want to trade it, but owe 4000 more on it than it is worth.

My advice to anyone wanting to buy a Kia Sportage - don't. Look elsewhere, like a Honda or a Toyota, I know that is what my next purchase will be.