Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY | ||||||
| PE02002 | HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC | 01/09/2002 | 08/07/2002 | WINDSHIELD WIPER | ||
| Allege one or both windshield wipers cease sweeping due to mechanical failure. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY | |||
| 04/03/2000 | 2 | 04/17/1999 | |
| Consumer states that wipers do not stay on window, driver side window rattles and passenger side window leaks water and air. *tt | |||
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM | |||
| Intermittent loss of electrical to heater-a/c,power windows,wipers. *ak | |||
| 01/18/2001 | 2 | ||
| The heater resistor and blower motor failed. (attorney for client). *yh | |||
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - BLOWER | |||
| 08/01/2007 | 118000 | 1 | |
| Loud noises from the a/c & heater under the glove boxes final conclusion the unit stopped blowing and makes a loud noises when switch. *tr | |||
| 01/19/2001 | 1 | 04/17/1999 | |
| Heater fan is noisy. *tt | |||
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - HEATER CORE | |||
| 10/01/2004 | 117000 | 1 | |
| Heater coil was replaced three times. the last time the vehicle broke down in the middle of the bridge. vehicle was towed, and the heater coil was replaced. *ak | |||
| 1 | 10/01/1999 | ||
| Consumer complained about having problems with windshield. also stated that there was a crack on windshield which she did not notice in the morning when she drove vehicle to work. manufacturer was not contacted at the time of this call. *ak | |||
| 1 | 08/01/2000 | ||
| The heater core leaked fluid inside the vehicle. nlm | |||
| VISIBILITY - GLASS, SIDE/REAR | |||
| 02/12/1999 | |||
| While pulling out of the garage vehicle stalled, and the garage door fell down onto the roof of the vehicle. also, alternator and the battery went completely out. engine check light was on for a week. in addition, when shifting gears, transmission wasn't shifting properly. passenger's side window was jammed and stuck half way up. finally, when applying the gas pedal there was a pounding noise, and no power within the vehicle. *ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | |||
| Intermittent loss of electrical to heater-a/c,power windows,wipers. *ak | |||
| 10/23/1999 | 1 | 04/24/1999 | |
| The master window switch failed due to faulty wire harness inside the left front door panel to the windows had melted. *yh | |||
| 11/30/2000 | 3 | ||
| 4-wheel drive does not always engage, both front hubs were replaced and pass operation cable adjusted, dealer claims the problems is fixed, however consumer states there is no difference once vehicle is repaired. check engine light illuminated. power window inoperable, dealer replaced window motor. *slc | |||
| 03/01/2000 | 08/01/1999 | ||
| Windshielwipers would go so fast at times they flew off windshield, or so slow that they wouldn't hardly move, the driver side power window controls would not put down the back p[assenger side window, vehicle had a tendency to loose all power at 55 - 60 mph, vehicle caught fire on 9/06/200 due to electrical reasons vehicle is totaled most likely, all interior wiring , dash assemlby shifter and radio comp needs replace ment as well as all the interior windshiel headliner etc. | |||
| 05/19/1999 | 05/17/1999 | ||
| Vehicle is defective. brakes pulled to the left, brake system was replaced three times. power windows would not go all the way down, there was a space between the window and track/ windshield washer didn't work. consumer had a blowout, the back tires split in half. car would not start on several occasions, battery and starter replaced. consumer was told by kia that poor connections in the fuel injection wire harness circuit could be causing the engine to stall. *ak *ml | |||
| 12/14/1999 | 2 | 09/01/1999 | |
| Not only has the proportional braking valve failed,but also engine temp sensor,causing transmission failure, engine light came on,and hold light for the trasmission come on, and now the power window gets stuck open. we smell a faint smell of wire insulation burning,but service dept. said they couldnt do any thing until the brake light came on and stayed on. he said there was a short in the wiring harness.this makes twice. *ak | |||
| 11/17/1999 | 2 | 03/01/1999 | |
| Kia sportage's are worthless,.do not buy one. no safety defct included in summary. *ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES - EXTERIOR | |||
| 1 | 08/01/2000 | ||
| Passenger side mirror is loose. nlm | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD | |||
| 08/03/2001 | 4 | 04/17/1999 | |
| Driver side window rattles and passenger side window leaks water and air. *tt | |||
| 05/01/1999 | 1 | 03/04/1999 | |
| Consumer states water was leaking inside the vehicle, also air was coming through windows.*jb | |||
| 05/09/2000 | 1 | 07/06/1999 | |
| The run channel on front drivers door is folded in the window causing wind noise to come into the drivers door. nlm | |||
| 08/01/1999 | |||
| Throttle: car intermittently jerks in first and second gears. service person at dealership has been present and experienced this and said throttle has problems, but problem continues to be unresolved. technician says he can't duplicate it. this jerking occurs several times a week and after the car has warmed up. this is dangerous on the roads in the winter and can cause loss of control of the vehicle. tailgate assembly has been repaired at least two times - it fails to shut properly - which allows exhaust fumes to enter vehicle. the tailgate has to be shut three or more times before finally closing. problem has not been fixed. same problem - not shutting properly - with passenger side rear doors. during the winter, inside of windows stayed fogged up preventing a clear view of traffic. defrost failed to clear moisture inside vehicle. dealership said this was normal. *ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | |||
| 10/01/1999 | 3 | 07/01/1999 | |
| I purchased my kia sportage 4x4 brand new in july of 1999 since i day i drove it off the lot it has been a constant source of stress and frustration. shortly after purchasing it the check engine light would continously come on and then the car would lurch and chug. car was towed back to the dealership and it was kept there for apporoximately 2and a half weeks. it has also had problems where it wouldn't start due to corrosion on the starter clip . this has happened twice. i also had the windshield wipers stop working on the way home from work in a snow storm with my four year old son in the back. it also started making a loud rumbling noise that sounded like i was driving over speed bumps. this led to them needing to replace the hubs, bearings, and axle shafts. car only had approximately 33000 miles on it. at the same time i was told that the front brake pads and rotors were bad and needed to be replaced. this was at a cost of $400.00 to me. i have very strong safety concerns with this vehicle. i do not like having myself or my child in the vehicle for fear of what else is going to happen with it and will we survive to tell about it.*ak | |||
| 03/24/2000 | 1 | 07/12/1999 | |
| The driver side wiper arm broke off during a rainstorm. (attorney for client) *yh | |||
| 10/15/2000 | 2 | ||
| While driving 65mph in rain driver's side windshield wiper stopped. then, passenger's side windshield wiper stopped as well. dealer found driver's side windshield wiper had broken. replaced both windshield wipers. on january 10, 2001 while snowing, very same thing happened again. had windshield wipers replaced again. while driving to dealer's lot driver's windshield wiper arm flew off. *ak the complete 4 wheel drive kit was replaced by the dealer but the 4 wheel drive did not engage resulting in bumping, grinding noise and no traction. the consumer stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. *yh 4 wheel drive was never in working order in vehicle, consumer put vehicle in 4 wheel drive and got stuck. there was a loud grinding sound. light indicating this option was working had been on. dealer found 4 wheel drive had not been working in vehicle since purchase. dealer replaced 4 wheel drive. now same problem with 4 wheel drive, same grinding sound back. | |||
| 11/15/2000 | 4 | 04/25/1999 | |
| Windshield wipers work only intermittently. dealer replaced motor and switch, but cannot remedy situation. *ak also the steering gear was leaking at oitman arm spline seal due to steering gear box failure. *yh | |||
| 12/08/2000 | 09/01/1999 | ||
| No lights on dashboard came on .this is one time engine check light did not come on. oil all over motor. around area of dip stick.pressure from motor blew out dip stick has anyone else had to replace motor on these cars? also have had brakes replaced 5 times. wiper assembly replaced. fourwheel drive hose replaced. windsheild replaced. emissons replaced. rotors 5 times. seats front and back 1 time each. soft top replaced 3 times need replaced again.smells like sulfur all the time. will never buy one again . first i have to pay 3000.00 for a new motor and pay this one off.asked for help from kia they said no.they will not replace motor. i bought extended warrenty . don't buy it doesn't cover brakes or rotors or hubs.had headlight switch by motor replaced no headlights they would go off when i put them from high beam to low beam or low to high. then they stopped working alltogether had to hold switch to see to get home. | |||
| 08/20/2000 | 1 | 08/01/1999 | |
| The heat shield on my catalytic converter rusted off,the manifold cracked,the muffler rusted through within a year,the widshield wiper transmission broke and was replaced,while the kia sportage is engaged in 4wd it pops out into two wheel drive and causes the driver to lose control of the vehicle.this has happened to me numerous times this winter and the recalled parts have now failed again causing kia to put in manual hubs from 1997 into my 1999 suv.i feel this is a danger to all who own a kia sportage and i have contacted a lawyer to look into possible litigation against kia.i have found a recall on a previouse modle from 1998 but the components seals are failing in the replacment parts hubs .thank in advance for your time and letting me inform you of this dangerouse situation...ed geisler. *ak | |||
| 03/01/2000 | 08/01/1999 | ||
| Windshielwipers would go so fast at times they flew off windshield, or so slow that they wouldn't hardly move, the driver side power window controls would not put down the back p[assenger side window, vehicle had a tendency to loose all power at 55 - 60 mph, vehicle caught fire on 9/06/200 due to electrical reasons vehicle is totaled most likely, all interior wiring , dash assemlby shifter and radio comp needs replace ment as well as all the interior windshiel headliner etc. | |||
| 07/09/2000 | 0 | ||
| Windshield wiper on passenger's side stopped working. windshield wiper never started working again. also, airbag light stayed on until consumer took it to be repaired a month after consumer had the car. *ak | |||
| Windshield wipers do not rest properly, causing wipers to become inoperative, and resulting in poor driver visibility. consumer has contacted the dealer. please provide any further details. *ak | |||
| 02/02/2000 | 1 | 09/01/1999 | |
| Windshield wipers come off side of windshield during rain making visibility difficult as well as tearing the paint off the side of the door. *ak | |||
| 05/19/1999 | 05/17/1999 | ||
| Vehicle is defective. brakes pulled to the left, brake system was replaced three times. power windows would not go all the way down, there was a space between the window and track/ windshield washer didn't work. consumer had a blowout, the back tires split in half. car would not start on several occasions, battery and starter replaced. consumer was told by kia that poor connections in the fuel injection wire harness circuit could be causing the engine to stall. *ak *ml | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - LINKAGES | |||
| 02/23/2000 | 3 | 12/01/1998 | |
| While driving with my windshield wipers on in the rain. the driver side windshield wiper suddenly flew off the window and rested on the rearview mirror. after having the wiper inspected it was caused by a faulty linkage system slowly causing the wiper to screw while in use. even after screwing the wiper back into place the wiper just laid there after turning the wipers back on. *ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - MOTOR | |||
| 04/12/2000 | 0 | ||
| While using windshield wipers they will stop operating without prior warning.*ak | |||