2002 KIA SPORTAGE Fuel System, Gasoline Problems

THERE IS A VERY STRONG RAW GAS SMELL THAT PERMEATES THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE UPON STARTING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT REST AND RUNNING. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS TO INCLUDE THE LOCAL KIA DEALER TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM - NEW FUEL FILTER, EXHAUST, ETC. WITH NO POSITIVE RESULTS. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET TURNED UP A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 99-02 SPORTAGE GAS TANKS LEAKING DUE CORROSION CAUSED BY POOR DESIGN/MATERIAL. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT IN HOPES THAT THE NHTSA WILL CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION AND RECALL OF THIS MAKE/MODEL/YR VEHICLE TO CORRECT THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A GIFT FOR TEENAGE DRIVER. I WILL NOT ALLOW MY CHILDREN TO DRIVE IT DUE MY CONCERNS FOR THEIR SAFETY. *TR

Mileage: 19,240

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ODOR OF GASOLINE WAS EMITTED FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE O-RINGS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE O-RINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,000. UPDATED 03/20/13*LJ UPDATED 03/29/2013 *JS

Mileage: 21,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK MODULE WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,473.

Mileage: 62,000

FUEL SPILL AT WAWA GAS STATION. RECENTLY MY SON FUELED MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE AS I WENT IN WAWA; HE DIDN'T KNOW FUEL PROBLEM TRIED TO FILL THE TANK WITH THAT AUTO FILL CLIP (WHERE DON'T HAVE HOLD) GAS PUMP. GALLONS OF FUEL SPIT, SPILLED IN WIDE AREA PUMP OTHER PATRONS AVOIDED THE AREA. NEIGHBORING GAS PUMPS HAD PEOPLE ON CELL AND SMOKERS CAR WERE START UP MOVING OUT WITH EXHAUST PIPE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SPILL. MY SON AND HIS CLOTHING WAS SATURATED WITH GAS. THIS PROBLEM WITH THE GAS SPILLING AND SPITTING SEVERAL FEET OUT OF THE GAS TANK IS GETTING WORST. THE CONSTANT FUEL VAPORS ARE CAUSING ME HEALTH PROBLEMS. ANYWHERE I PUMP GAS GASOLINE SPILLS, EVERYONE LOOKS AT ME; I TRY TO CAREFULLY TO PUT THE MINIMAL TAKING 10-15MINUTES BUT CANNOT AVOID SPILLS. I'M RETIRED CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AND PAID OVER $3800.00 IN ENGINE LIGHT, FUEL REPAIRS RECENTLY FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB. THIS PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO MIENEKE AND LOCAL KIA DEALER WHO KEEP WRONG PARTS REPLACING PARTS AT MY EXPENSE. THE LOCAL KIA DEALER TOLD ME IT RECALL IS ONLY THE 2005 KIA I CHECKED INTERNET AND IN FACT IT IS THE KIA 2005 SPORTAGE:05V212000, HTTP://AUTO RECALLS.JUSTIA.COM/KIA/SPORTAGE/2005/05V212000/INDEX.HTML MY 2002 KIA HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND KIA MUST DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX THIS HAZARD FREE UNDER RECALL IMMEDIATELY. *TR

FUEL SPILL AT WAWA GAS STATION. RECENTLY MY SON FUELED MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE AS I WENT IN WAWA; HE DIDN'T KNOW FUEL PROBLEM TRIED TO FILL THE TANK WITH THAT AUTO FILL CLIP (WHERE DON'T HAVE HOLD) GAS PUMP. GALLONS OF FUEL SPIT, SPILLED IN WIDE AREA PUMP OTHER PATRONS AVOIDED THE AREA. NEIGHBORING GAS PUMPS HAD PEOPLE ON CELL AND SMOKERS CAR WERE START UP MOVING OUT WITH EXHAUST PIPE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SPILL. MY SON AND HIS CLOTHING WAS SATURATED WITH GAS. THIS PROBLEM WITH THE GAS SPILLING AND SPITTING SEVERAL FEET OUT OF THE GAS TANK IS GETTING WORST. THE CONSTANT FUEL VAPORS ARE CAUSING ME HEALTH PROBLEMS. ANYWHERE I PUMP GAS GASOLINE SPILLS, EVERYONE LOOKS AT ME; I TRY TO CAREFULLY TO PUT THE MINIMAL TAKING 10-15MINUTES BUT CANNOT AVOID SPILLS. I'M RETIRED CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AND PAID OVER $3800.00 IN ENGINE LIGHT, FUEL REPAIRS RECENTLY FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB. THIS PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO MIENEKE AND LOCAL KIA DEALER WHO KEEP WRONG PARTS REPLACING PARTS AT MY EXPENSE. THE LOCAL KIA DEALER TOLD ME IT RECALL IS ONLY THE 2005 KIA I CHECKED INTERNET AND IN FACT IT IS THE KIA 2005 SPORTAGE:05V212000, HTTP://AUTO RECALLS.JUSTIA.COM/KIA/SPORTAGE/2005/05V212000/INDEX.HTML MY 2002 KIA HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND KIA MUST DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX THIS HAZARD FREE UNDER RECALL IMMEDIATELY. *TR

MY DAUGHTER JUST PURCHASED 2002 KIA SPORTAGE WITH 105164 MILES ON IT. IT WAS PURCHASED DURING THE DAY AND TEST DROVE DURING THE DAY WHEN WEATHER WAS WARMER APPROX 50 DEGREES OR HIGHER. IT HAS TURNED COLD THE DAY AFTER PURCHASING AND NOW HIGH TEMP IS 24 DEGREES. HAVE NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL COMING FROM INSIDE OF CAR. SHE STARTED IT TO WARM IT UP THIS MORNING BEFORE LEAVING AND NOTICED THE STRONG GAS SMELL WHEN SHE STARTED TO LEAVE. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT MIGHT BE CAUSING THIS. HAD MECHANIC CHECK CAR BEFORE WE BOUGHT AND EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT FINE. NOW SHE IS ALMOST AFRAID TO DRIVE DUE TO GAS SMELL. *TR

Mileage: 105,164

LIKE OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT I AM SEEING, I HAVE A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE WITH 68000 MILES AND IT IS HAVING SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH FUEL VAPORS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND A SOURCE FOR THE FUEL SMELL. THE VAPORS ARE EXTREMELY STRONG AND I GET VERY NAUSEOUS; I HAVE TO OPEN A BACK WINDOW SO I DO NOT GET A MIGRAINE HEADACHE. I LIVE IN WISCONSIN SO IT IS VERY COLD IN THE WINTER TIME TO DO THIS WITH THE OPEN WINDOWS BUT I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR ANY OTHER WAY. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF THE NHTSA WOULD LOOK FURTHER INTO INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE KIA ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL AND REPAIR... I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND BESIDES THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE BREAKING ONCE, AND THIS HORRIBLE GAS SMELL I HAVE NOT HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. *TR

MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER LEAKS GAS VAPORS THRU THE VENTS, ENOUGH TO GIVE MY WIFE MIGRAINES AND NAUSEA, IT MIGHT EVEN BE A HAZARDS IF YOU SMOKE IN THE CAR. THEY SHOULD DEFINITELY DO A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE SHOWS UP WITH A CANCER OR A CAR EXPLODES. WE ARE ABOUT TO BUY ANOTHER CAR CAUSE WE ARE CONCERN ABOUT OUR NEWBORN AND FUEL VAPORS NOT A GOOD MIX. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

LIKE OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT I AM SEEING, WE HAVE A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE WITH 69000 MILES AND ARE HAVING SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH RAW FUEL VAPORS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT UPON START UP AND SITTING STILL. I AM A MECHANIC AND HAVE SEARCHED FOR AN ACTIVE FUEL LEAK, BUT CAN NOT FIND ONE.. THE VAPORS ARE EXTREMELY STRONG AND I AM SURE PRESENT A FIRE OR EXPLOSION HAZARD (ESPECIALLY IF SOMEONE IS SMOKING).. I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE KIA ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL AND REPAIR... *TR

Mileage: 65,000

GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. LEAKING FROM A RUBBER HOSE THE IS OVER THE METAL GAS LINE THAT IS HELD RIGHT WITH A HOSE CLAMP. *TR

Mileage: 59,000

I BOUGHT MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE BRAND NEW. THE PAST FEW YEARS I HAD NOTICED A GAS SMELL AND TRIED TO IGNORE IT. AND EVER SO OFTEN WHEN I PUMP GAS IT SHOOTS BACK OUT EVERYWHERE. IT HAPPENS MOSTLY IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADD FUEL TO HER VEHICLE, THE GASOLINE WOULD SPILL OUT. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ALSO DIM, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AT NIGHT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 123,000

MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE BEGAN LEAKING GASOLINE FROM ABOVE THE GAS TANK BY THE FUEL PUMP THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS ABOUT 106,000. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE GAS WASN'T EVEN GETTING UP INTO THE FUEL PUMP IT WAS SPRAYING OUT AT THE TOP OF ONE OF T HE PARTS HE NAMED, THIS WAS KEEPING MY VEHICLE FROM EVEN STARTING, AND I NOW KNOW THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN KIA SPORTAGES STARTING WITH THE 2001 MODEL. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

THIS 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IN THE WINTER TIME HAS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL. TO THE POINT YOU HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS . LOOKING ONLINE CAN SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SMELLING RAW GAS CAN NOT BE GOOD FOR YOU. SEEMS THAT IS COMMON TO THE CLAMPS USED ON THE FUEL LINES. ALL KIA MECHANICS KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND WILL BE HAPPY TO FIX IT FOR THERE REGULAR FEES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED AT MANUFACTURERS EXPENSE BECAUSE OF SUB STANDARD PARTS. *TR

AFTER FILLING GAS TANK 1 WEEK BEFORE, STARTED NOTICING STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS OUTSIDE OF IT. HAD FRIEND LOOK AT IT, THERE WAS NO DISCERNIBLE LEAKS, JUST EXTREMELY STRONG GAS SMELL. SMELL IS SO STRONG IT MAKES PEOPLE NAUSEOUS, LIGHT HEADED, HAS GIVEN ME MIGRAINE HEADACHE. CANNOT RIDE IN CAR WITHOUT WINDOWS DOWN. THIS IS PREDOMINATELY NOTICED WITH THE COLD WEATHER SETS IN, BELOW 40 DEGREES. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY/HEALTH HAZARD. FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF SAME PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY KIA AS IT IS MOST DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. CANNOT SEEM TO FIND WHAT IS CAUSING THIS, IT IS PROBABLY THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE 2005 SPORTAGE RECALL STATES. I AM TERRIFIED THAT IT IS GOING TO CAUSE A FIRE AND I AM GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. I AM DISABLED ON A FIXED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP JUST CHANGING THING UNTIL WE FINALLY, IF EVER, LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A EXTREMELY SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IT MUST BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. I DID NOTICE THAT IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN HALF-HEARTEDLY LOOKED INTO PREVIOUSLY, PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. THERE ARE MANY OF THESE ON THE ROAD AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

Mileage: 56,836

MY DAUGHTER OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE THAT RECENTLY BROKE DOWN DUE TO A FUEL LEAK ON TOP OF THE GASTANK. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY. TURNS OUT A PLASTIC NOZZLE HAD CRACKED OFF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SUPPLY LINE COMING OUT OF THE GASTANK ITSELF RESULTING IN PUMPING FUEL EVERYWHERE! LUCKILY,VEHICLE DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE! PART WAS FINALLY REPLACED 4TH TIME BACK TO REPAIR FACILITY, BUT WAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME PLASTIC NOZZLE INSTEAD OF A METAL NOZZLE?THIS IS MY SAFETY CONCERN WITH THIS VEHICLE, AFRAID THE SAMETHING WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN AGAIN. HAD THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, MY 17YR OLD DAUGHTER WOULD PROBABLY NOT HAD ENOUGH TIME TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF FUEL UNDERNEATH IT? NOT SURE IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT I FEEL THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

Mileage: 92,691

I RECENTLY FILED A COMPLAINT ON A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, FOR A FUEL LEAK CONDITION FROM GASTANK AREA,(PLASTIC FITTING), MY DAUGHTER HAS RECENTLY ADVISED ME SHE HAS BEEN HAVING TROUBLE FILLING THE GASTANK AND SMELLING AN ODOR OF FUEL ON OCCASIONS AND BAD FUEL MILEAGE. APPARENTLY, WHEN PUMPING FUEL, THE FUEL WILL BLOW BACK OUT ON HER, IF NOT PUMPED SLOWLY! SEEMS TO BE ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THIS CERTAIN VEHICLE?????? VEHICLE ALSO HAS AN INTERMITTENT CHK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON?? CODE # PO13A?? ANOTHER SAFETY CONCERN! ???????? *TR

Mileage: 92,691

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE WOULD ATTEMPT TO FILL THE FUEL TANK, GASOLINE WOULD BEGIN TO SPEW OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD ROARING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

PURCHASED A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE FROM A USED CAR DEALER ON MARCH3,2010 AFTER A WEEK OR SO NOTICED A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR NO DRIPS OR PUDDLING UNDER CAR CALLED TO WAGNER KIA A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD COST ABOUT $500.00 TO TAKE CARE OF THE O RING AND FUEL LINE. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHY IS IT NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF BY KIA. *TR

Mileage: 70,668

PRIOR,AT 97K THE REAR WAS MAKING NOISE. BROUGHT TO DEALER,THEY SAID REAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BECAUSE I HAD NO RECEIPTS FROM A GARAGE STATING THE OIL WAS REPLACED,IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $900. TO REPLACE REAR AND AXLE. PART CHANGERS.HAD REAR REBUILT $400. RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AT 100K. AFTER OVER YEARS,COOLING FAN WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL. VACUUM HUB WAS REPLACED TO MANUAL. FUEL SMELL, WAS RUBBER RETURN LINE FROM FUEL PSI REGULATOR TO METAL RETURN LINE LEAKING. KEPT UP ON ALL MAINTENANCE SINCE NEW,A RELIABLE CAR WITH ORIGINAL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, AT 222K. *TR

Mileage: 97,766

I PURCHASED MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IN 2003 & IT WAS ALMOST 2 YEARS BEFORE I STARTED HAVING A PROBLEM PUTTING GAS IN MY GAS TANK, I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS VERY SLOW & EVEN THEN THE GAS SPURTS BACK OUT & GETS ON MY CAR, CLOTHS, ETC., IT TAKES A VERY LONG TIME TO FILL MY GAS TANK, IT SEEMS THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS MORE OFTEN IN THE WINTER, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER AS WELL, I HAVE JUST NOW IN THE LAST WEEK BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SMELLING A STRONG GAS SMELL IN MY KIA JUST AFTER I START GOING, I AM GOING TO GO TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY INTENTIONS OF FIXING THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT APPEARS THERE ARE ALOT OF 2002 KIA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO FIGURE OUT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR

WE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE GAS PROBLEM. FIRST WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TANK LEAKING (WAS TOLD BY KIA THAT 2002 SPORTAGE MODEL WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL/CHECK, WHICH IT WAS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR THE $500 PROBLEM). SECOND, THE GAS SHOOTS OUT WHEN YOU TRY TO FILL, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THIS (WE WERE TOLD) IS A BAD OXYGEN SENSOR, ANOTHER $350 AND STILL NOT COVERED. *TR

Mileage: 53,000

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL MARKER. WHEN I PUMP GAS IT WILL GUSH OUT EVEN WITH JUST $2.00 IN THE TANK I WOULD HAVE TO PUMP IT VERY SLOW IN ORDER TO FILL MY TANK UP. I HAVE A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE AND FROM WHAT I HEAR THIS IS GOING ON WITH OTHER KIA'S. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURE ERROR OR IS IT TIME. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN THE GAS COMES OUT AND GETS ALL OVER MY CLOTHES I THINK IT'S HAZARDOUS. *TR

Mileage: 109,000

MY SISTER-IN-LAW HAS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE THAT HAS BEGUN LEAKING FUEL OUT OF A CRACKED FUEL TANK. APPARENTLY THIS IS SO COMMON THAT A KIA RECALL (RECALL SC059) WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, A DEALERSHIP IN SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA TOLD US THAT HER VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. YET, THE VERY REASON FOR BRINGING IT IN WAS FOR THE EXACT FOCUS OF THE RECALL. THE RECALL SPECIFICATIONS DO NOT EXCLUDE/INCLUDE SPECIFIC VINS. HOW CAN WE GET KIA TO HONOR THEIR RECALL? *TR

Mileage: 76,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. SECONDLY, A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AVAILABLE FOR THAT COMPONENT; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 UPDATED 03-30-09 *BF UPDATED 03/31/09.*JB

Mileage: 74,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 40 DEGREES OUTSIDE, HE SMELLS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR IS NOTICEABLE WHEN WALKING UP TO THE VEHICLE AND ALSO WHEN IT IS BEING DRIVEN. THE SCENT IS SO STRONG THAT PASSENGERS BEGIN TO COUGH INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, MECHANIC, OR DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE. THE ISSUE ONLY OCCURS IN THE WINTER DUE TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 07/28/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHEN IT RAINED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT TO NO AVAIL. UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB

Mileage: 50,000

2002 KIA SPORTAGE HAS SEVERE AND DANGEROUS GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE AFTER COLD WEATHER. *TR

Mileage: 53,650

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FAINT SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HE ONLY NOTICED THE SMELL WHEN THE GAS TANK WAS FULL. THE FAILURE LASTED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS AND THE SMELL GREW STRONGER. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATING TO HIS VEHICLE; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

Mileage: 33,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE SAME FAILURE WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,900. UPDATED 1/8/09 *CN UPDATED 01/14/09. *JB

Mileage: 55,000

PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN FEBRUARY 2008. WHEN FILLING WITH GAS, THE GAS HAS TO BE PUMPED EXTREMELY SLOW OR IT SPURTS OUT. THE CAR HAS AN ODOR OF GAS ALSO. THIS PROBLEM IS WORSE IN THE WINTER, ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY IN WARMER WEATHER, BUT THE MINUTE THE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW 40 F, I CAN COUNT ON THIS HAPPENING EVERY TIME I PUT GAS IN THE CAR. I'VE RUINED CLOTHES, SHOES, AND HAVE ENDED UP WITH GAS ALL OVER MY HANDS AND LEGS (AND I'VE COME CLOSE TO GETTING IT IN MY FACE!!). THE GAS PUMP WILL SHUT OFF AS IF THE TANK IS FULL AND THE GAS JUST SPURTS RIGHT OUT OF THE TANK. IF I PUMP THE GAS EXTREMELY SLOW, (TONIGHT IT TOOK ME ALMOST 10 MINUTES TO PUMP ABOUT 6 GALLONS OF GAS), I CAN USUALLY MANAGE TO GET MOST OF THE GAS IN THE TANK, BUT AGAIN, I HAVE TO GO EXTREMELY SLOW AND THE PUMP STILL KEEPS SHUTTING OFF. IT WOULD KEEP STOPPING AS STATED ABOVE, BUT ONLY A LITTLE GAS WILL SPURT OUT WHEN IT STOPS. IF I TRY TO PUMP AT A NORMAL SPEED, IT ONLY TAKES A FEW SECONDS AND THE GAS STARTS SPURTING AND I END UP COVERED WITH GAS BY THE TIME I'M DONE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST A FLUKE, BUT ONE OF MY FELLOW EMPLOYEES ALSO HAD A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEN JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO ON THIS SITE, I READ SOMEONE ELSE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS DANGEROUS SINCE YOU END UP WITH GAS ALL OVER YOUR CAR, THE GROUND, AND YOURSELF! *TR

Mileage: 37,000

FILLING THE KIA WITH GAS TAKES FOREVER. IT IS LIKE THE VENTING SYSTEM WON'T LET THE GAS IN, IN A MATTER OF SECONDS THE GAS SPEWS OUT OF TANK. WE HAVE TO KEEP CLICKING THE HANDLE OFF AND ON TO FILL THE TANK. THIS FIRST STARTED OUT JUST IN THE WINTER MONTHS, NOW IT IS ALL THE TIME. WE TRIED TO SEE IF SOMETHING WAS BLOCKING IT, BUT COULDN'T GET INTO IT. WITH THE THINGS GOING ON IN OUR LIFE RIGHT NOW, WE HAVEN'T TAKEN THE TIME TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. PLUS WE DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA MONEY TO SPEND ON IT. WE JUST KNOW THAT WHEN WE GO TO FILL THE KIA IT WILL TAKE A LONG TIME. WAS JUST WONDERING IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHERS? *TR

I OWN A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE THAT HAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. I SEE THAT 2005 KIA'S HAD A RECALL ON FUEL LEAKS FROM THE O-RING INTO THE INTERNAL VAPOR CHAMBER IN THE FUEL TANK, I BELIEVE THE 2002 KIA'S ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

GAS LEAK. NEEDED TO REPLACE SENDING UNIT, GAS TANK, ETC. COST OVER $900. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FIRE,INJURY, ETC. *TR

Mileage: 42,000

I HAVE A 2002 SPORTAGE AND JUST RECENTLY HAVE BEEN HAVING A VERY BAD SMELL OF GAS WHEN STARTING IT. IT ENTERS THE INSIDE OF CAR WHEN HEATER GETS TURNED AND STAYS STRONG UNTIL CAR HAS WARMED UP. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE FOUND SOME STAINS ON THE METAL PLATE UNDER THE CLAMP BY THE FUEL RETURN HOSE BUT SAID UNLESS I CAN ACTUALLY SEE GAS DRIPPING HE CAN NOT SAY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND OF COURSE IT IS A WARMER DAY, NOT AS COLD AS IT WAS THE FIRST DAY IT STARTED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON LINE AND FOUND THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL RETURN HOSE IN CANADA BUT NOT HERE IN THE US AND THAT THERE ARE QUITE ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM IN THE US. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS PROBLEM AND FEAR THAT IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE AND NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT WHEN THE SMELL IS INSIDE OF CAR IT STARTS TO MAKE ME FEEL SICK. *TR

2002 KIA SPORTAGE. VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CAB OF VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER (<32 DEGREES). EVENTUALLY DISSAPATES WHEN ENGINE WARMS UP. TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC LAST WINTER (2006), COULDN'T LOCATE PROBLEM. SO WE LIVED WITH IT. SMELL EVEN STRONGER THIS WINTER. FOUND THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTED FIX ONLINE (NOT AVAILABLE LAST WINTER). "RUBBER RETURN LINE FROM FUEL PSI REGULATOR TO METAL RETURN LINE IS LEAKING WHEN COLD. "THE SPRING CLAMPS DO NOT STAY TIGHT WHEN COLD, AND WHEN THE RUBBER (RETURN LINE) EXPANDS WHEN HOT IT SEALS. "REMOVE THE UPPUER PART OF THE INTAKE AND REPLACE THE SPRING CLAMPS WITH SCREW TYPE CLAMPS..." SOME ONLINE FORUMS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT DEALERSHIP MAY SAY IT IS A FUEL INJECTOR PROBLEM, $800 FIX. MY LOCAL MECHANIC SAID THE SAME. MANY HAVE SAID THAT THE SUGGESTION ABOVE ACTUALLY FIXES THE ISSUE. I AM CURRENTLY IN BETWEEN THE TWO. I DON'T HAVE THE INCLINATION TO TRY THIS MYSELF, SO I'M AT THE MERCY OF MECHANICS. WHAT'S THE DEAL? *CN

ACTION # EA06-007-FUEL TANK LEAKAGE IN 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE ON 7/03/07 COMPLAINING OF GAS ODOR. I WAS CHARGED TO FIX THE ROLL OVER VALVE BECAUSE IT WAS SAID TO BE LEAKING EXTERNALLY. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME ODOR COMPLAINT ON 8/8/07. THEY CLAIMED GAS WAS FOUND ON THE SEAM OF THE TANK. THEY CLEANED THE TANK SEAM WHERE FUEL WAS GATHERED AND SHAMPOOED MY CARPET TO REMOVE ANY OTHER ODOR FREE OF CHARGE. MY CAR STILL HAD THE GAS ODOR. I WITNESSED GAS LEAKING FROM MY CAR ON 9/10/07 AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND I WAS CHARGED TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

TL * THE CONTACT DETECTED A GASOLINE ODOR ON HER 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, CONTACT STATED THAT LATELY THE ODOR HAS BEEN STRONGER POSSIBLY DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. WHEN THE HEATER WASTURNED ON ODOR GETS STRONGER IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY TO HAVE THE ODOR DIAGNOSED. *AK

Mileage: 120,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE HOSE ATTACHED TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED.

Mileage: 89,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 40 DEGREES; THERE WAS AN ODOR OF GASOLINE. PRIOR TO THE CONTACT'S PURCHASE, THE FUEL INJECTOR PORTS AND RINGS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. UPDATED 12/28/2006 - THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THE FUEL ODOR IS STILL PRESENT. THE PREVIOUS OWNER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS HAD BEEN ON ONGOING PROBLEM WHEN HE OWNED THE VEHICLE. *NM

Mileage: 61,133

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE THE CHECK ENGINE MODULE RESET. THIS REMEDY WORKED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BUT THE LIGHT EVENTUALLY ILLUMINATES AGAIN. THE LOCAL DEALER HAS NOT DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHT. ALSO, THE GAS TANK HAD A LEAK IN THE GAS LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE GAS LINE, HOWEVER A GAS ODOR STILL EXIST INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 2/28/2006 - *NM

Mileage: 30,000

2002 KIA SPORTAGE, GASOLINE ODOR/LEAK, BEEN SEEN BY DEALERS, WENT TO PRIVATE GARAGE AND HAD DIFFERENT DEALER LOOK AT IT TOO. TODAY, 1/17/2004 GAS ODOR VERY BAD. CANNOT SEEM TO GET IT CORRECTED, SCARED I AM GOING TO DIE IN A FIRE... *JB

Mileage: 17,000