2002 KIA SPORTAGE Power Train Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE ALSO INDEPENDENTLY DOWNSHIFTED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITHOUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED AND THE KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED 20 FEET AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A NEARBY HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

Mileage: 159,000

VEHICLE RUNS HOT AND WILL NOT PASS THE SMOG TEST. I REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT THREE TIMES AND THE RADIATOR ONE TIME JUST RECENTLY. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWS THAT THE ENGINE COOLING COIL OR SYSTEM HAS A PROBLEM. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT WILL NOT PASS THE SMOG AND I CANNOT GET IT REGISTERED!!!! *TR

Mileage: 112,000

NOTICED A SMALL HIGH PITCHED WHINE TOWARD THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC CHECKED AND SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A PINION BEARING IN THE DIFFERENTIAL GOING BAD AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR A DETERMINATION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED REPLACED AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY SINCE THE FLUID HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED EVERY 20000 MILES ALONG WITH A BILL FOR $126.00. WAS NOT ABOUT TO PAY THEM THE $1000 THEY WANTED TO REPLACE A DIFFERENTIAL THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. STILL DRIVING THE CAR WHICH NOW MAKES A LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND DRAWS ALOT OF ATTENTION WHICH ALLOWS ME TO DISCOURAGE ANY KIA PURCHASES FROM PROSPECTIVE BUYERS. THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAS QUIT WORKING ALSO LEAVING ONLY SINGLE WHEEL DRIVE MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY UNSTABLE ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS. *TR

Mileage: 49,000

I HAVE A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IT HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND I WAS DRIVING IT CAME UP ON A RED LIGHT AND THE CLUTCH WOULDN'T DISENGAGE THE PEDAL WOULD GO DOWN BUT THE CLUTCH WOULDN'T RELEASE SO I DROVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT WITH NO ABILITY TO STOP THERE WAS ALOT OF CARS COMING AND THEY BARELY MISSED T-BONING ME THERE WHERE KIDS ALSO PLAYING ON THE SIDE WALK I HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OF AND COAST TO A STOP THE GEAR SHIFT WOULDN'T COME OUT OF GEAR AS LONG AS THE ENGINE WAS TURNING OVER. IT WILL START AND RUN ALL DAY AS LONG AS ITS IN NEUTRAL. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND IT HAS SAT FOR TWO YEARS NOW ( I DEPLOYED FOR 15 MONTHS THAT'S WHY ITS SAT SO LONG) I REPLACED THE SLAVE AND MASTER CYLINDER AND IT HASN'T CHANGED ANYTHING I WAS IN A PARTS STORE AND HEARD ANOTHER GUY TALKING ABOUT HIS 2002 SPORTAGE IT DONE THE SAME THING AND HE REAR ENDED SOMEONE TOTALING IT. ITS IN A JUNKYARD NOW AND I HAVE TALKED TO COUNTLESS OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ONE GUY PAID THE DEALERSHIP 1700$ TO FIX HIS THEN THE PROBLEM CAME BAD A WEEK LATER. I JUST WANT MY CAR TO BE FIXED. THE LAST PROBLEM I HAD WITH IT WAS THE FAN EXPLODED WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND CUT MY RADIATOR THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAN BUT JUST CRIMPED MY RADIATOR I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH KIA I CALLED AND THE GUY HUNG UP ON ME WHEN I EXPLAINED MY PROBLEM SO IM NOT THE ONLY ONE IM SURE. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

I HAVE A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IT HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND I WAS DRIVING IT CAME UP ON A RED LIGHT AND THE CLUTCH WOULDN'T DISENGAGE THE PEDAL WOULD GO DOWN BUT THE CLUTCH WOULDN'T RELEASE SO I DROVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT WITH NO ABILITY TO STOP THERE WAS ALOT OF CARS COMING AND THEY BARELY MISSED T-BONING ME THERE WHERE KIDS ALSO PLAYING ON THE SIDE WALK I HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OF AND COAST TO A STOP THE GEAR SHIFT WOULDN'T COME OUT OF GEAR AS LONG AS THE ENGINE WAS TURNING OVER. IT WILL START AND RUN ALL DAY AS LONG AS ITS IN NEUTRAL. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND IT HAS SAT FOR TWO YEARS NOW ( I DEPLOYED FOR 15 MONTHS THAT'S WHY ITS SAT SO LONG) I REPLACED THE SLAVE AND MASTER CYLINDER AND IT HASN'T CHANGED ANYTHING I WAS IN A PARTS STORE AND HEARD ANOTHER GUY TALKING ABOUT HIS 2002 SPORTAGE IT DONE THE SAME THING AND HE REAR ENDED SOMEONE TOTALING IT. ITS IN A JUNKYARD NOW AND I HAVE TALKED TO COUNTLESS OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ONE GUY PAID THE DEALERSHIP 1700$ TO FIX HIS THEN THE PROBLEM CAME BAD A WEEK LATER. I JUST WANT MY CAR TO BE FIXED. THE LAST PROBLEM I HAD WITH IT WAS THE FAN EXPLODED WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND CUT MY RADIATOR THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAN BUT JUST CRIMPED MY RADIATOR I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH KIA I CALLED AND THE GUY HUNG UP ON ME WHEN I EXPLAINED MY PROBLEM SO IM NOT THE ONLY ONE IM SURE. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

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

2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4WD HAS A VACUUM-HUB SYSTEM, I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS A HISTORY OF FAILURE, HOWEVER THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT THE 4WD IS NOT ENGAGED,BECAUSE THE INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WHETHER OR NOT THE 4WD IS WORKING. THIS IS A COMMON ONGOING PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES, THE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO INSTALL MANUAL HUBS,HOWEVER KIA DOES NOT OFFER TO PAY FOR THIS OPTION TO ITS CONSUMERS. I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND DEPEND UPON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE TO GET ME THROUGH THE WISCONSIN WINTERS, NOW THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT WORKING I GET STUCK IN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF SNOW, AND FEEL LIKE A IDIOT CALLING AAA TO TOW ME OUT ALL THE TIME. I THINK THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE MADE INTO A RECALL ESPECIALLY SINCE I ONLY HAVE 56,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ON 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. IT LOCKS UP AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS IS TO UNHOOK HOSES WHEN NOT IN USE AND TO HOOK THE HOSES UP WHEN NEEDED. *TR

Mileage: 117,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN, IT WOULD CHANGE TO 4-WHEEL DRIVE WITHOUT THE DRIVER MOVING THE LEVER. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD, EVEN WHEN IT WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,445 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Mileage: 69,000

I STARTED TAKING MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE TO THE DEALER AND IT HAD A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE BACK. I TOOK IT IN AND THE TECHNICIAN SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE MUFFLER AND IT WAS LOOSE SO HE KICKED IT WITH HIS FOOT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I GOT A NEW MUFFLER AND IT STILL MADE THE NOISE SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP AND IT WAS THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE. IT ENDED UP COSTING ME OVER 2500. I HAD TO HAVE A NEW DIFFERENTIAL PUT IN AND IT EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN YOU PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR. IF THE TECH WOULD HAVE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY WARRANTY.I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ANY OF THEM. I FEEL LIKE THE KIA PEOPLE SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR MY TIME AND MONEY!!! *TR

Mileage: 102,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH UPHILL ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS WITH THE 4WD ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER CABLE, VACUUM HOSE, WHEEL BEARINGS HAD FAILED. EACH COMPONENT WAS REPLACED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE 4WD WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE SERVICE DEALER EXPRESSED TO THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE MANY VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH 4WD PROBLEMS.*AK

Mileage: 55,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING FROM 5 TO 65 MPH ON A NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, ALL DASH LIGHTS DIMED COMPLETELY. THE HORN WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE ENGINE STARTED TO SHAKE UP AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT UNTIL THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED. THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO WAS APPREHENSIVE TO ACCEPT THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS. BASED ON THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY, THE VEHICLE WAS ACCEPTED FOR INSPECTION.

Mileage: 93,000

IN SEPTEMBER 04, MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR COIL ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALLED. TWO WEEKS LATER SAME PROBLEMS. THE CAR WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND STALL SHORTLY AFTER ACCELERATION. STILL CONTINUE TO GET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, (MISFIRES) I AM NOW HAVING TROUBLE WITH POWER OF ENGINE, TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING AFTER SHIFTING. AFTER ACCELERATION CAR SHAKES AND STALLS, WON'T RESTART FOR QUITE SOME TIME. *JB

Mileage: 52,000

DT: THE CALLER SAID H TRANSMISSION SHIFTS GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. IT JERKED AND SHOOK WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IT HAPPENED WHEN DECELERATING. BROUGHT VEHICLE DEALER 5 TIMES, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND WHATS WRONG WITH IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME EXCEPT WHEN HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE LAST TIME HE HAD IT TO DEALER THE LIGHT WENT OFF FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS, AND YESTERDAY THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. DEALER SAID THEY WILL TRY TO GET SOMEONE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE, BUT NO ONE HAS COME YET. DEALER DID A DIAGNOSTIC, AND FIXED WHAT IT SHOWED, BUT THE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME BACK ON AFTER 30 MILES OF DRIVING. *AK

Mileage: 48,000

30 SECONDS AFTER CONSUMER PARKED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE IT ROLLED APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS REVERSING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *AK

Mileage: 40,000

I OWN A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. #1) THE AUTO STARTED TO HAVE A GAS ORDER FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, THEN GAS STARTED TO LEAK FROM THE CAR ONTO THE GROUND. THE CAR IS JUST 3 YEARS OLD WITH A REASONABLE 72,000 MILES. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CAR. I WAS TOLD IF THIS CONTINUED, THE CAR WOULD CATCH FIRE. I WAS TOLD THE INTERNAL SEALS WERE LEAKING AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THIS WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. #2) THE HUBS ON THIS CAR ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE WAY THE CAR WAS DESIGEND - I WAS TOLD. WATER OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS HAVE GOTTEN IN THE CAR WHEELS AND HAVE DAMAGED THE HUBS AND THE 4WD WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. THIS WOULD BE A DESIGN FLAW AND NOT WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CAR.*AK

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

Mileage: 34,000

2002 KIA SPORTAGE.*MR (NAR) FIRST OIL CHANGE, FILTER REPLACEMENT, LUBE, RATTLING NOISE UNDER STEERING WHEEL, SLUGGISH TRANSMISSION SHIFTING AND EXCESSIVE BRAKE RESIDUE ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. *CB

Mileage: 2,380

WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THEY FAIL TO STOP THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE ROTORS WARPING. THIS RESULTS IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, THE 5 SPEED STANDARD TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO SECOND GEAR AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE REAR END ALSO MAKES A POPPING/CLUCKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WILL JERK FORWARD HARD WHEN THE NOISE OCCURS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES IS UNDETERMINED. *PH

Mileage: 3,000

CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH KIA SPORTAGE. SO FAR THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS, BUT I FEAR THAT SOMEDAY THIS CAR WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *JB

Mileage: 400

THE GEARS SHIFTED IMPROPERLY AND THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE DEALER NOTICED THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS LEAKING. *JB

Mileage: 98,000

WHEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTS BETWEEN 1ST-2ND AND 2ND-3RD GEARS IT MAKES A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE.*AK

DIFFERENTIAL FAILED, RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING.*AK