Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
00V205000KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. V (Vehicle)6648209/07/2000ODIHYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC07/27/200007/28/2000
Defect SummaryVehicle description: sport utility vehicle. these vehicles were distributed with owners manuals with an incorrect jump start diagram. the written instructions for jump starting are accurate. however, the diagram depicts the jumper cables attached to the wrong polarity terminals. if the diagram were followed without reference to the instructions, the resulting improper connections could cause the battery to rupture aggressively due to increased internal pressures.
Consequence SummaryThis could cause potential serious injury to bystanders.
Corrective SummaryOwners will be provided with an adhesive label with the correct illustration to permanently affix to their respective owners manuals.
NotesOwner notification began september 7, 2000. owners who do not receive the adhesive label within a reasonable time should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PE00026HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC07/10/200007/31/2000INCORRECT BATTERY JUMP-START00V205000
 Allege battety may explode if owner's attempt to jump-state the vehicle by following the owner's manual diagram

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
04/21/2009500001
 My kia began having electrical problems about 3 years ago. long story made short: the dealer wanted me to pay $3000 plus for it had all its electrical system melted down. i found a recall and after a battle with the dealer and manufacturer i got it fixed when i found out there was a recall. next nightmare: july 2008 no one died luckily. i lend my car to a friend and he is driving his 2 year old daughter and the car falls to the ground. axle broke down, wheels spun inwards and kia is not working again. luckily these friends were going at 20 miles an hour otherwise they would not have told the story. got it fixed cost me $$ apparently it was a defective kia part center link replaced. have the part still in my car as a nice memory. final nightmare: april 2009 i was the main character: again the axle feels weird and clicks when i turn. problem: tie rod is broken. different than the previous time but related to the previous problem. luckily was not on the freeway at high speed otherwise would not be telling this story. in short: this is a safety hazard! kia needs to recall this defect urgently. my friend and kid and i could have got killed in an accident literally. fortunately we both were driving at very low speeds and could manage this problem with no one getting injured? kia needs to make these cars safer and prevent future accidents please!! be responsible not only with your new cars, take pride on your brand and fix the old junk you created!! *tr
10/17/20061
 Rotors were bad upon purchase, dealer replaced them for free only because the service rep. knew my deceased husband. i was driving on the freeway at a speed of about 65 mph, when the truck died at 87,000 miles. i was almost hit several times. the timing belt broke-something that was replaced a couple months prior by the dealer. my water pump and pulleys and belt were replaced for about 700 dollars less then dealer originally charged me. the dealer since has repaid for their incorrect belt size--belt was incorrect for my truck. dealer installed struts broke after about 25 miles of usage--dealer claimed that i drove my truck over speed bumps rough--hahaha. than, i guess is such a bad ca smog law, the check engine light for 2 years plus still will not go off. i passed all emissions for my smog check, but the check engine light keeps failing me. i had the heat plate removed and the exhaust manifold was cracked and it froze my upper o2 sensor--repair done by personal mechanic with parts that i purchased online for about 1/3 the price of the dealer parts and work done. ok, i thought the light would come off..it didn't. i have to change the other o2 sensor. also my brake sensor for abs brakes--that i don't have--went out and now i have to override the system with an ice-pick. you would think that would be a problem but it isn't. the failure of the brake sensor causes not only for the gear box to lock, it is also responsible for the turn signals--they are on the same fuse system. my truck has about 135k miles and for the most part runs great, just minor issues that my personal mechanic has fixed and repaired for free because my truck is a test truck for the other kia's that come in for work and the dealer can or will not trouble shoot. oh and get this, i take the truck in for the seat-belt replacement during the recall, dealer told me that i have to pay for the work and the parts are free. that was not part of the paperwork i got in the mail. *nm
08/06/200620
 Power locks go on and off by themselves. power windows don't work , then suddenly works. computer failure with brakes. *nm
05/12/2005106000107/10/2001
 (1) headlights would turn off while driving (2) wiring harness overheated & melted (3) replacement of wiring harness & lamps. *nm
10/14/200571000103/07/2005
 Dt: the c owns a 2000 kia sporadic. on 10-14-05 their car caught on fire while driving 35 mph. the contact saw white smoke coming from the vents, and then she saw black smoke coming from underneath the dash. the fire department was not called. once she turned the ignition off the car finished smoking for a while, and when it quit smoking the contact tried to start the car and it would not start. she was not yet sure of the damage done because the insurance company has not looked at it. . she reported having no problems at all with the car prior to this incident. the incident has been reported to the insurance company. her husband thought it was of electrical nature. the contact contacted ,a kia dealer and they were not very helpful. they referred her to the insurance company. she has not spoken to the manufacturer.*ak
105/24/2003
 Consumer called complaining about having prblems with spark plugs.dealer was contacted, and stated to the consumer that spark plugs were consumer's responsibility. *ak
05/27/2003650001
 Vehicle experienced electrical system failure that resulted in an accident. vehicle was totaled.*ak
05/22/200365000102/14/2002
 Vehicle experienced an electrical system failure, and caught on fire. vehicle was totaled. a recall was issued, but the vehicle not included due to vin. *ak the vehicle was engulfed on the passenger side in flames. the vehicle was parked the whole time prior to the fire. the fir department deemed it was an electrical problem and had become a total loss. (recall #00v205000) *scc
04/15/200336137108/17/2000
 All power doors, windows, and brake lights do not work in my 2000 kia sportage. after inspecting all fuses and light bulbs, i believe bad wiring or bad connectors to be the culprit. *jb
10/01/200268000408/22/2000
 Since oct. 2002 until april 2003, the power locks would operate erratically, making the lock and unlocking sound, and a clicking sound coming from under the dash board, vehicle has been to the dealer four times for this problem, first they thought it was the timer control unit, audio circuit, they did find four chaffered wires in the drivers side door, and some corrosion from the main door pin. two days later from picking up the vehicle, problem still exists. alarm is working funny when the vehicle locks are freaking out. service manager where i take my vehicle for service said to me upon picking up my vehicle, i hope you don't take this the wrong way, or personally, but i hope i don't see you again, you know things are either black, white, or gray and this situation is very gray. imagine that, that's what they are there for, to fix your vehicle. i have given this place 8 years of service between this vehicle and my previous car. wait until i have to call and say it is happening again. if anyone has had this problem and has found the answer, please help between march 26,2003 and april 4,2003 vehicle has been to dealer three times and once last oct,2002 i guess dealer can't find the problem. *jb
11/10/2000309/25/2000
 Consumer stated that the vehicle has a defective wire harness causing power window failure, short in switch, blowing the power window fuse and shocking passengers. also, dome light blows bulb and has been replaced 2 times, power door locks operate when steering column is adjusted,(wiring related). *yd
12/01/1999
 Electrical lights, equipment, power train all are malfunctioned.
11/10/2000309/25/2000
 Consumer stated that the vehicle has a defective wire harness causing power window failure, short in switch, blowing the power window fuse and shocking passengers. also, dome light blows bulb and has been replaced 2 times, power door locks operate when steering column is adjusted,(wiring related). *yd
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
12/12/20019914009/20/2000
 Exhaust leaks at gasket, wires shorting in harness to alternator both fixed under warranty. *nlm
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY
05/01/2001503/01/2000
 This vehicle has multiple defects in which the manufacturer/dealer is unable or unwilling to correct. car is a safety hazard. many electrical problems, failing battery, electrical shocks, multiple blown fuses for windows, fuses blown prior to purchase but discovered within the first week of purchase, pulls to the right suddenly, skids often with 'factory equipped' tires, has electrical surges,fumes come from the heating system, canary sounds from the engine after 'servicing by authorized dealer', additionally, dealer's service personnel are 'unable to duplicate' or recognize any problems
03/25/2000103/04/2000
 Connsumer was traveling 55mph on highway, and said that vehicle was turning right on highway without turning wheels. vehicle was turning on its own dealership was aware of problem. but,mechanic could not duplicate problem.*ak the vehicle had other problems also. there were electrical shocks when placing key in ignition. the battery was losing power for unknown reason. there was a clicking sound on right front of the vehicle. *yh
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY - CABLES
01/28/200886000412/12/2007
 Tl*the contact owns a 2000 kia sportage. since purchasing the vehicle, the contact has paid for numerous repairs. before driving the vehicle off the lot, she noticed a large puddle of oil underneath the vehicle. the dealer repaired the failure. the following week, while driving 55 mph, the vehicle began to shake severely. the dealer rotated the tires, but the shaking persisted. thirdly, a tire blew out and had to be changed. in addition, the vehicle began leaking transmission fluid and a new transmission line was installed. lastly, the windshield wiper motor stopped working and the entire driver's side glass caved in on the contact, but did not break. there were no injuries. currently, the glass will not roll up or down. the failure mileage was 86,000. updated 1/5/09 *cn the gas tank was falling apart. a shield was needed to rectify the problem. the drivers window was inoperative. the radiator was leaking. the vehicle was out of alignment. the vehicle would not start. the consumer discovered the cable had melted. updated 01/09/09*jb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
04/21/20022
 Fuse for power windows and a/c blower kept blowing out. vehicle been to dealer on two occasions, and problem reoccurred. feel free to provide any further information.*ak
05/01/2001503/01/2000
 This vehicle has multiple defects in which the manufacturer/dealer is unable or unwilling to correct. car is a safety hazard. many electrical problems, failing battery, electrical shocks, multiple blown fuses for windows, fuses blown prior to purchase but discovered within the first week of purchase, pulls to the right suddenly, skids often with 'factory equipped' tires, has electrical surges,fumes come from the heating system, canary sounds from the engine after 'servicing by authorized dealer', additionally, dealer's service personnel are 'unable to duplicate' or recognize any problems
11/04/2000309/30/1999
 Vehicle experiences fuse problems with stereo, powered locks, alarm, windows, and now the instrument cluster is inoperable, possible electrical fuse problem. *slc
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
07/15/2002
 The safeguard keep failing on key remote, dealer has been notified and replace the safeguard and it keep on failing. please provide further information. ts
06/01/2001108/01/2000
 Car loses power while in motion, taken to dealer on 4 occasions in a time span of three months, everytime they say something different is wrong with it, yet it has been the same type of failure everytime. i have been in one near fatal accident on the highway when the car lost power going 70mps, i had to drive off of the hwy so that i wouldn't be hit from behind, then my husband has almost been in atleast 4 accidents, when the car loses power while turning onto a busy intersection (car stalls in the middle of the road). dealer can't seem to find anything wrong with the car, yet i keep having the same problems. i just got the car back from the dealer this past friday, and it is still stalling out on me. is it going to take me, or one of my family members, dying in this car to see what the real problem is? please help me. i don't know where else to turn to.*ak
03/25/2000103/04/2000
 Connsumer was traveling 55mph on highway, and said that vehicle was turning right on highway without turning wheels. vehicle was turning on its own dealership was aware of problem. but,mechanic could not duplicate problem.*ak the vehicle had other problems also. there were electrical shocks when placing key in ignition. the battery was losing power for unknown reason. there was a clicking sound on right front of the vehicle. *yh
09/29/2000406/01/2000
 One numerous attempts to get these diffrent probelms fixed always something elsewent wrong with the vehicle within a hour or so of time after picking vehicle up from the dealership. i currently have a major engine probelm that still exists with a very strong odor of sulfur smell. vehicle has left me stranded along roadside with 3 children in it on at least 4 separate occasions. i have contacted the manufacter and they will not repurchase this vechile back nor do they acknowledge current engine probelms and the safety issue of this vechile. i have a techinical no partial party report about this vechile and the ( maufacture will still not repurchase this vechile from me) i need everyone to know what kind of probelms this vechile has given me as of this point only owning this for 6 months with 4000 + miles on it. *ak
09/20/2000402/15/2000
 Vehicle stalled with no warning. dealer fixed it, and said it was an electrical short. *ak the vehicle stall four times. the cause was found to be transmission going into safety mode when the vehicle was in defrost mode. *yh
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
06/01/2000
 I called kia to report the 4th time the 02 censor died.they did not give me any satisfactory answer. this vehicle has been in the garage 5 times alread. they also have to relpace the computer modulator.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH
09/30/1999009/18/1999
 When parking vehicle and pulling out the key noticed that key was very hot. glove compartment was also very hot. there was a noise in the steering wheel. when trying to turn. consumer took car to dealer, and dealer said that there was something in steering column thatwas wrong. there was too much play in steering. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY
1
 Consumer stated the starter failed. *yh
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
09/05/200749150808/23/2007
 Tl*the contact had a 2000 kia sportage. while driving 45 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. the vehicle had not been taken to a mechanic. the contact believed that the vehicle should have been included in nhtsa campaign id number 99v325000 (electrical system:wiring) because the symptoms were identical, however, kia stated that the vin was excluded from the recall. the contact has since sold the vehicle. the current and failure mileages were 49,150.
07/03/2006110/25/1999
 I have had repeated problems with fuel system on my kia sportage. i have had the fuel injectors, fuel filters (3 now), line cleaned etc. mechanic has now had to remove tank and clean it along with rest of system. gaskets won't seal while trying to finish the repair work. this has been an on-going problem for the past year. i also had to have the complete wiring harness done last year. it kept shorting out relays all through the vehicle. *jb
09/27/200303/18/2000
 Vehicle has been to the dealer for several problems, some of which was covered under the warranty. but i think that a car that i got in 2000 should not give me such major problems. now, i was driving it and the lights started to flash, horn started to blow, windshield wipers came on by themselves in a frenzy and then the whole car shut off. when i lifted up the hood, something smelled to be burning, i believe the wiring is bad and it shorted out the whole car. the mechanic said no offense but kia is not a very good build car at all. it has too many problems. *kk
02/24/2003820002
 Smoke had come out of the steering column. the vehicle was taken to the mechanic, who stated the wires in steering column caused friction. *ak the mechanic stated that eventually the vehicle would burn to the ground. the battery was replaced twice due to a corroded cable which lead to the engine. the horn was inoperative and the consumer was unsure if the air bag(s) would deploy. *scc *jb
05/01/2001503/01/2000
 This vehicle has multiple defects in which the manufacturer/dealer is unable or unwilling to correct. car is a safety hazard. many electrical problems, failing battery, electrical shocks, multiple blown fuses for windows, fuses blown prior to purchase but discovered within the first week of purchase, pulls to the right suddenly, skids often with 'factory equipped' tires, has electrical surges,fumes come from the heating system, canary sounds from the engine after 'servicing by authorized dealer', additionally, dealer's service personnel are 'unable to duplicate' or recognize any problems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD
03/14/2000411/20/1999
 Air bag light keeps coming on, vehicle been in dealer shop on four occasions for repairs; each time dealer would inform consumer repairs were completed, and each time air bag light would come back on. currently, wiring harness was replaced, but air bag check light would not come on upon starting vehicle. *ak the dealer left the air bag unhooked during the previous repair. it was hooked back up but the light began flashing again one week later. *yh
10/08/2000
 Consumer has reported eletrical problems to the dealer who has been uncorporative. there was some type of substance dripping on driver's foot & a burning smell from the inside. consumer pulled/lifted up hood and vehicle was on fire. vehicle was totaled. dealership has no concern of the problem or cause.*ak