1998 KIA SPORTAGE Structure Problems

33 complaints about Structure

33
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Structure Complaints (33)

Aug 14, 2014

REAR FRAME RUST/ROT IS INCREDIBLY EXCESSIVE. NOTICED TODAY WHILE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE. ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. REAR CROSS MEMBER IN TERRIBLE SHAPE. VISIBLE DETERIORATION HAPPENED QUICKLY. PURCHASING THE CAR IN 2012 THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ROT ON THE FRAME. NOW I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR, OR SELLING IT TO SOMEONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, THE INTEGRITY OF THE SQUARE TUBE FRAME IS COMPROMISED TO THE POINT THAT SAFETY IN A REAR END COLLISION IS IN QUESTION, ANY KIND OF TRAILER LOAD WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE AND UNSAFE. REALLY A DANGER TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC BECAUSE IT COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

May 13, 2013

EXTREME CORROSION AT REAR OF FRAME WHERE AXLE IS SUPPORTED READY TO COLLAPSE AND WILL REQUIRE REMEDIATION TO PREVENT FRAME FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

Sep 5, 2003

PAINT CHIPPING OFF TRIM OF SPORTAGE. *AK

Nov 11, 2001

THE REAR LATCH HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, ALSO THERE IS EXTREME WIND NOISE IN COMING FROM THE FRONT DOOR.*JB

Nov 11, 2001

THE REAR LATCH HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, ALSO THERE IS EXTREME WIND NOISE IN COMING FROM THE FRONT DOOR.*JB

Sep 6, 2001

CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS, DEALER REPLACED THE WEATHER STRIP.*JB

Sep 6, 2001

CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS, DEALER REPLACED THE WEATHER STRIP.*JB

Jul 17, 2001

ALL FOUR WINDOWS GET STUCK, DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES, VEHICLE IS TRYING TO SHIFT INTO 4X4 WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, AIR CONDITIONER WORKS 1 OUT OF 4 TIMES, LATCH OPENS ON BACK OF VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION. BLACK TARRY DUST ON FRONT TIRES.

Apr 14, 2001

CENTER CONSOL LID BROKE UNABLE TO OPEN- REPLACED WITH NEW ONE. *AK

Mar 28, 2001

FUEL TANK SENSOR WENT OUT IN VEHICLE 7 DIFFERENT TIMES. DOOR HANDLE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE HAD CAME OFF TWICE. 4-WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT WORK WHEN USING IT. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. WAS INFORMED THAT FUEL TANK SHOULD NOT BE FILLED COMPLETELY. WILL BE LOOKING AT THE OTHER PROBLEMS FOR REPAIRS.*AK

Dec 4, 2000

ACORDING TO DEALERSHIP , THE PREDRILLED HOLES AND THE CHILD SAFTY SEAT ANCHORING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE 1998 KIA SPORTAGE AND ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. ITS IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE ITEMS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW. IM LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND ANY ASSISTANCE THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I BECAME AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN I PURCHASED A NEW CARSEAT FOR MY TWO YEAR OLD SON. THE MANUAL FOR THE CARSEAT STRICTLY SAYS THAT WITH OUT THE PROPER ANCHOR HARDWARE THE CARSEAT CAN NOT BE INSTALLED PROPERLY.*AK

Sep 15, 2000

MAIN CONCERN IS 4 WHEEL DRIVE, COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF INDICATOR LAMP IS ON AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT ENGAGING. CAUSING A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY ON HAZARDOUS ROADWAYS, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.*AK

Sep 15, 2000

MAIN CONCERN IS 4 WHEEL DRIVE, COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF INDICATOR LAMP IS ON AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT ENGAGING. CAUSING A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY ON HAZARDOUS ROADWAYS, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.*AK

Sep 10, 2000

IM NOT HAPPY THAT I BOUGHT A NEW CAR AND IT AVERAGES GOING INTO THE SHOP EVERY 6-8 WEEKS. I CANT AFFORD THIS. IM TO ARRANGE MY OWN TRANSPORTATION WHILE MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP, ITS BEEN TOWED 3 TIMES FOR THE ENGINE LITE, WHEN WORK IS DONE THEY DON'T CALL AND TELL US WHAT WAS WRONG AND IT CAN BE PICKED UP, LAST TIME THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP THEY DIDNT CALL FOR OVER A WEEK TO TELL ME TO COME GET IT, I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH A MANAGER AND LEFT SEVERAL MESSAGES AND THEY STILL HAVENT CALLED. I WIL NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN OR BUY FROM ANY RIZZA. I FEEL LIKE I BOUGHT JUNK, I WANT MY MONEY BACK, TAKE THE CAR. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN THE PROCESS AT WEBSITE 100% I HATE KIA. THANK YOUL

Mar 16, 2000

HATCH/TRUNCK UNABLE TO BE OPENED BECAUSE WHEEL RELEASE WILL NOT RELEASE. NLM

Mar 10, 2000

THE ENTIRE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED. KIA DOES LITTLE TO ASSIST WITH CARS THAT HAVE CRONIC PROBLEMS.NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK

Feb 28, 2000

WHILE ACCELERATING IN REVERSE VEHICLE CUTS OFF. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS CHANGED TWICE. ALSO, THE MOULDING AROUND THE SPARKS PLUGS BROKE LOOSE, AND IT WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER IS STILL EXPERIENCING STALLING PROBLEMS. SHIELD OVER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. THE REAR LATCH FOR THE SPARE CABLE RUSTED AND CAME OUT UPON PULLING, THE MOUNTING FOR THE REAR WHEEL HAS RELEASED ITSELF WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. *AK

Dec 22, 1999 Crash

I'VE HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR SINCE PURCHASING IT, IT HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO THE SHOP FOR THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMING ON 2 TIMES, THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR, BUT THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED 2 DAYS LATER , THEY THEN SAID IT WAS A HARNESS, THAT WAS REPLACED THEN I'VE TAKEN IT IN FOR TWO RECALLS ON THE BRAKES AND A HUB PROBLEM, I'M CURRENTLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR HANDLES STICKING SO IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOORS WITH THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE, DEALER STATES THAT THEY CAN'T GET IT TO HAPPEN WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE SHOP BUT IT OCCURES CONTINUALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MY POSSESSION, BACK HATCH DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY UNLESS YOU SLAM IT SEVERAL TIMES, DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG, ENGINE ALWAYS SMELLS LIKE IT IS BURNING AND NOW THE CAR WILL ONLY START WHEN IT WANTS TO, DEALER SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY BUT THE CAR IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD, I'VE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER SPORTAGE OWNERS WHO ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS, I FEEL THE MANUFACTERER NEEDS TO BUY ALL THESE CARS BACK, I'VE TRIED TO TRADE THIS CAR AND NONE OF THE DEALERS WANT IT THEY TELL ME THAT IT IS NOT WORTH WHAT I'VE PAID FOR IT SO I'M STUCK WITH IS PIECE OF JUNK, I'M AT MY WITTS END...I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I'M AFRAID TO GET STUCK SOMEWHERE. THE CAR IS LITTERALY FALLING APART IN MY HANDS AND THERES NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT, I'VE TALKED TO A LAWYER IN REGARD TO THE LEMON LAW BUT THEY SAY THAT IT HAS TO BE A REOCCURING PROBLEM OF THE SAME ORIGIN BUT THERES APPARENTLY HELP FOR THE COMSUMERS THAT ARE STUCK WITH AWFUL PRODUCTS LIKE THESE SUV'S. THERE WERE 166 COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AND ALMOST EVERY PERSON HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS I'M HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE. I AM PERSONALLY TELLING AS MANY PEOPLE AS I CAN ABOUT THESE JUNKIE KIA'S. THE MANUFACTERER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. IF I OR ANYBODY IN MY CAR SHOULD BE HURT IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THESE PROBLEMS, KIA WILL SEE A LAW SUIT THAT WILL MAKE THEIR HEAD SPIN. *AK

Dec 22, 1999 Crash

I'VE HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR SINCE PURCHASING IT, IT HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO THE SHOP FOR THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMING ON 2 TIMES, THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR, BUT THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED 2 DAYS LATER , THEY THEN SAID IT WAS A HARNESS, THAT WAS REPLACED THEN I'VE TAKEN IT IN FOR TWO RECALLS ON THE BRAKES AND A HUB PROBLEM, I'M CURRENTLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR HANDLES STICKING SO IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOORS WITH THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE, DEALER STATES THAT THEY CAN'T GET IT TO HAPPEN WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE SHOP BUT IT OCCURES CONTINUALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MY POSSESSION, BACK HATCH DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY UNLESS YOU SLAM IT SEVERAL TIMES, DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG, ENGINE ALWAYS SMELLS LIKE IT IS BURNING AND NOW THE CAR WILL ONLY START WHEN IT WANTS TO, DEALER SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY BUT THE CAR IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD, I'VE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER SPORTAGE OWNERS WHO ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS, I FEEL THE MANUFACTERER NEEDS TO BUY ALL THESE CARS BACK, I'VE TRIED TO TRADE THIS CAR AND NONE OF THE DEALERS WANT IT THEY TELL ME THAT IT IS NOT WORTH WHAT I'VE PAID FOR IT SO I'M STUCK WITH IS PIECE OF JUNK, I'M AT MY WITTS END...I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I'M AFRAID TO GET STUCK SOMEWHERE. THE CAR IS LITTERALY FALLING APART IN MY HANDS AND THERES NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT, I'VE TALKED TO A LAWYER IN REGARD TO THE LEMON LAW BUT THEY SAY THAT IT HAS TO BE A REOCCURING PROBLEM OF THE SAME ORIGIN BUT THERES APPARENTLY HELP FOR THE COMSUMERS THAT ARE STUCK WITH AWFUL PRODUCTS LIKE THESE SUV'S. THERE WERE 166 COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AND ALMOST EVERY PERSON HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS I'M HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE. I AM PERSONALLY TELLING AS MANY PEOPLE AS I CAN ABOUT THESE JUNKIE KIA'S. THE MANUFACTERER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. IF I OR ANYBODY IN MY CAR SHOULD BE HURT IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THESE PROBLEMS, KIA WILL SEE A LAW SUIT THAT WILL MAKE THEIR HEAD SPIN. *AK

Dec 1, 1999

FAILED WEATHER STRIP CAUSING LEAKAGE INTO FRONT DOOR. MJS

Dec 1, 1999

INSIDE DOOR HANDLE FAILED. MJS

May 20, 1999

THERE ARE MANY OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AS OF TODAY THER ARE ONLY 1700 MILE ON THE VEHICLEAS WHERE MOR THAN 1/2 THOSE MILES ARE FROM GOING BACK AND FORTH TO THE SERVICE DEPT AS IT IS AN 80 MILE TRIP TO THE SERVICE DEPT. AS FOR KIA THEY ARE TOTALLY IGNORANT AS THEY DO NOT EVER RETURN ANY OF MY PHONE CALLS. THIS SUVIS A LEMON IF I EVER SAW ONE . YOU WOULD THIN. NO SAFET DEFECT (S) LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

Mar 25, 1999

BACK HATCH LOOSE CAUSING INTERIOR LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION AND THEFT ALARM SYSTEM TO FAIL, SINCE PURCHASE.

Mar 3, 1999

WE HAVE AN ANTIFREEZE PROBLEM STILL TO THIS DAY; OUR BRAKES STILL ARE SQUEALING NOW; IT DIDN'T START TWICE; ICE BUILDS UP WHERE THE DOOR AND THE CAR COME TOGETHER-DAMAGING DOOR; HAS ICED OVER INSIDE THE CAR; WINDOWS WOULD NEVER CLEAR OFF-COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING WHILE DRIVING; DIDN'T IDLE PROPERLY-AND STILL DOESN'T

Feb 23, 1999

DASH CONTINUES TO RATTLE AFTER REPAIR ATTEMPTS.

Feb 23, 1999

AIR LEAKS INTO VEHICLE AT DRIVER'S SIDE, UNABLE TO RECTIFY.

Feb 9, 1999

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

Feb 9, 1999

WATER RUNS OFF MY WINDSHILD INTO THE DOOR AND FORMS ICE IN THE HINGES WHICH RESULTS IN HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING IN OR OUT OF MY VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATES THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE FOR THIS, AND I HAVE TO ACCEPT IT AND LIVE WITH IT ALL FOR $17,000.00. *AK

Feb 5, 1999

CONSOLE REPLACED.

Feb 5, 1999

HATCH STRUT FAILED.

Jan 12, 1999

DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED. DEALER SAYS IT'S BAD WIRING. *AK

Oct 20, 1998

BUG DEFLECTOR CAME LOOSE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO HOOD.

Jun 11, 1998

WHEN CONSUMER IS AT A STOP SIGN AND THEN ACCELERATES, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL LIKE THERE IS NO GAS IN THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. *AK VEHICLE IDLED LOW, WHEN FIRST STARTED IN THE AM VEHICLE HAD NO POWER AND STUMBLED UNTIL IT WARMED UP, DEALER STATED THE IAC WOULD NOT OPEN, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO THE TPS SENSOR BEING OUT OF SPECIFICATIONS. TAIL LIGHT LENS CRACKED AND THE DASH LIGHT DIMMER SWITCH FELL IN THE DASH. VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO IGNITION COIL AND SPARK PLUGS, VEHICLE BACKFIRED AND HESITATED, DEALER REROUTED THE WIRING HARNESS AND REPAIRED THE PIN CONNECTORS. VEHICLE OVERHEATED DUE TO A CRACK IN THE CYLINDER HEAD. PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR RATTLED WHEN CLOSING AND THE WINDOW WAS DOWN, DEALER STATED THIS WAS NORMAL. CARPET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR WOULD NOT LIE FLAT. REAR HATCH WOULD NOT POP AFTER BEING UNLOCKED, THERE WAS AN INTERNAL LEAK FROM THE SEAL. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE A/C LEAKED ON THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD, DEALER REPLACED THE EVAPORATOR. *SLC