2002 KIA Sportage fuel system problems

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS WHEN GOING TO THE GAS STATION TO REFUEL THE GAS TANK, WITH THE CAR STOPPED AND THE ENGINE OFF, GAS SUDDENLY SPURTS OUT THE GAS TANK AND SPLASHES ONTO ME AND MY CLOTHING. I HAVE CALLED MY KIA DEALER, BUT THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS POSTED ON THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. WHY WOULD YOU LET YOUR CONSUMERS GO THROUGH THIS?? WOULD THEY PURCHASE ANOTHER KIA? OF COURSE NOT! PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND TAKE ACTION TO RECTIFY THIS FOR ALL KIA OWNERS WHO ARE GETTING SPLASHED WITH GAS WHEN GOING TO THE GAS STATION TO REFUEL THEIR TANK. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT THIS CAN BE LEFT TO GO ON FOR SO LONG. IS A RECALL TO FIX THIS GOING TO COST TO MUCH FOR THE KIA CORP.? NOW, I CAN ONLY REFUEL BY USING A TRANSFER PUMP AND FILLING 5 GALLON GAS CANS TO TRANSFER GAS FROM WITH THE TRANSFER PUMP. THIS IS NOT RIGHT! FIX THE ISSUE ON BEHALF OF ALL KIA OWNERS.

NHTSA complaint #10979995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SHOULDER BELTS ARE FRAYED WHICH MAKES THEM UNABLE TO STAY SECURE. IT WON'T STOP UPPER BODY MOVEMENT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED QUICKLY. DRIVER SIDE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN AND MOTOR IN DOOR STILL MAKES THE NOISE LIKE ITS WANTS TO WORK BUT DOES NOT. UNABLE TO PUMP MORE THAN A COUPLE DOLLARS OF GAS BEFORE IT SPITS GAS BACK OUT. WHILE DRIVING I SMELL ELECTRICAL BURNING AND WIRES UNDER HOOD ARE BURNT BY THE FAN. MAKING THE CAR HOT DUE TO FAN NOT WORKING PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #10959476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER ON 6-6-2016 IT HAS ALL THE SYMPTOMS OF KIA'S RECALL # CS-048 THE CAR IS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE VIN [XXX] WITH 87K MILES AND ON JULY 4TH SHE STOPPED FOR A LIGHT AND THE CAR STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND THAN STOP RUNNING, SHE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND THE ROAD WAS COVERED WITH ROUGH GAS FROM HER CAR THANKFULLY THERE WAS A PATROL CAR IN BACK OF HER AND COULD REDIRECT THE TRAFFIC AND CALL FOR BACK UP TO HAND PUSH THE KIA OFF THE ROAD I CALLED THE LOCAL KIA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER THE GAS ( FIRE SAFETY CONCERN ) SC-O48 I ASKED WHAT PARTS NEEDED AND COULD NOT AN ANSWER SO IF THEY ARE DOT GOING TO FIX I COULD GET THE PARTS AND HAVE MY MECHANIC MAKE THE REPAIRS I BELIEVE THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE KIA EXPAND THIS RECALL SO THAT SOME ONE ELSE'S GRAND DAUGHTER WILL NOT BE PUT IN HARMS WAY UNDER THIS RECALL I THANK YOU FOR ANY CONSIDERATION YOU CAN MAKE REGARDING THIS MATTER. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10883079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

"TAKATA RECALL" NOTHING NEW, SAME AS THIS AND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ... COMPONENT(S): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE FUMES,AIR BAGS LIGHT STAYS ON, HOLD LIGHT STAYS ON, RUST UNDERNEATH THE CAR,WINDOWS DONT WORK, ONLY BACK LEFT DOOR OPENS, AC DONT WORK, WILL RUN HOT IF ON. CONSUMER LOCATION: CALIFORNIA ALL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS COMPLAINT EXPAND DETAILS CLOSE HELP MANUFACTURER: KIA MOTORS AMERICA SUMMARY: 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 CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER A YR.

NHTSA complaint #10876710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I BOUGHT A CAR LAST WEEK FROM A PRIVATE SELLER, AND IT HAS A GAS LEAK COMING FROM THE GAS TANK AREA. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT IN YET TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE SELLER HAD REPLACED THE FILLER HOSE, AND HAD SAID THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD REPLACED THE GAS TANK, SO HE SAID THERE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ANY ISSUES. I HAVE TWO GRANDCHILDREN THAT NEED TO BE ABLE TO RIDE SAFELY IN THIS CAR, AND I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT WITH THIS LEAK ON THERE. FROM THE OTHER REPORTS THAT I AM READING, THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE, ALONG WITH THE RUSTED FRAME ON THE CAR. KIA SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO SELL CARS WITHOUT FIXING THESE OTHER MAJOR ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #10824814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY CAR HAS RUSTED SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE.. TO THE POINT WHERE IT APPEARS THAT IT RUSTED THE FRAME AND SHOCK ABSORBERS. MY CAR WAS MADE IN KOREA... WONDER IF THESE IMPORTS HAVE TO ADHERE TO THE SAME STANDARDS AS AMERICAN MADE CARS WITH UNDERBODY TREATMENT? ALSO THE FUEL BACKS-UP OUT OF THE GAS TANK... WHEN IN TRY TO GET THE REPLACEMENT PART... I HAVE BEEN GIVE NUMEROUS PARTS WHICH DO NOT FIT FROM THE DEALER. ALSO BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND ROOTERS GROUND DOWN BUT THEY KEEP HAVING PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10778879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AN OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN, OVER THE YEARS HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING INCLUDING KIA DEALERS THAT COULD NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE UNTIL NOW. A FEW WEEKS AGO (APRIL 2015) AS I TRIED TO FILL THE CAR IT WOULD NOT ACCEPT FUEL SO I DETERMINED THE VENTING SYSTEM WAS FAULTY, I DISMANTLED IT AND FOUND THE CARBON FILLED BOX AT THE END OF THE VENT TO BE PLUGGED. AS I COULD NOT REPLACE IT I FORCED COMPRESSED AIR INTO IT AND CLEARED THE OBSTRUCTION (REPLACED IT LATER). THE STRONG SMELL HAS CEASED AND I CAN FILL WITH FUEL AGAIN. THIS COMMENT IS FOR THOSE THAT HAVE FILLED COMPLAINTS BUT HAVE NOT BEEN SATISFIED BY YOUR ORGANIZATION.

NHTSA complaint #10725145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

NOTICING STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING THROUGH THE VENTS DURING TIMES OF COLD WEATHER. IT HAS BECOME MORE OF AN ISSUE SINCE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR MORE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 MECHANICS WHO TELL ME THAT THEY HAVE NOT SMELLED THE ODOR, EVEN AFTER GIVING ONE OF THEM THE CAR OVERNIGHT. HOWEVER, MY HUSBAND HAS NOTICED IT SO I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. IT IS BEGINNING TO CAUSE ME TO HAVE NAUSEA AS I DRIVE UP TO 100 MILES PER DAY 3 DAYS PER WEEK. AS THE CAR HEATS UP AND AS THE WEATHER WARMS THROUGHOUT THE DAY THE FUEL SMELL DOES GO AWAY. HOWEVER, I HAVE 2 CHILDREN RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT AND AM CONCERNED FOR THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY AS WELL. AS I RESEARCH, I HAVE REALIZED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE AND THE ISSUE CAN BE EASILY FIXED. MY HUSBAND AND I WILL BE TAKING STEPS TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM OURSELVES, BUT I CANNOT SEE HOW WHEN THIS IS SUCH A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION, AND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE, THAT THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT HAVE RECALLED THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE ON BEHALF OF THE MANUFACTURER AND REFLECTS POOR BUSINESS PRACTICES.

NHTSA complaint #10693450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AROMA OF FUEL WAS PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE FUEL SCENT VANISHED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED UP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES DURING THE WINTER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10683279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE PRESENT IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,180.

NHTSA complaint #10650744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THERE IS A VERY STRONG RAW GAS SMELL THAT FILLS THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE UPON STARTING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT REST AND RUNNING. FUEL TANK LEAKING. SEAM AREAS AND FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT AREA DUE TO CORROSION AND VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND I HAD A HARD TIME STARTING IT. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE IT, ALL I COULD DO IS SMELL RAW GAS.------------------------ I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, ANY AND ALL PARTS ATTACHED TO FUEL TANK. (VERY EXPENSIVE). ON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE FEBRUARY 2011, I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE. IN FACT, UPON LEARNING OF MECHANICAL ISSUES I TRY TO HAVE THEM FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. (HOWEVER, I WAS GIVEN AN ORANGE TITLE. WHICH AT THE TIME, I DID NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANT.) YET, THE VEHICLE DROVE WITH JUST MINOR PROBLEMS, SUCH AS: BRAKES, TIMING BELT, FUEL FILTER, OIL CHANGES, ETC). THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST EXPENSIVE AND MOST DAMAGING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10641790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL TANK LEAKING. SEAM AREAS AND FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT AREA DO TO CORROSION AND VEHICLE WILL NOT MEET EMISSIONS STANDARDS DO TO LEAK. UNSAFE DO TO FUMES ENTERING CABIN . KIS HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SC059 FOR SPORTAGE 1996 - 2002 FUEL TANK INSPECTION FOR CORROSION BUT DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED ALSO CALLED KIA USA WAS TOLD NOT COVERED DO TO PRODUCTION DATE 10/15/2001 BUT KIA SC059 BULLETIN HAS MODEL YEAR 10/01/2000 THROUGH 9/30/2002 AS BEING COVERED.

NHTSA complaint #10633314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10561882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I PURCHASED THE 2002 KIA SPORTAGE USED ON OCTOBER 1, 2013, WITH 120,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN THE TEMPERATURES BECAME COOL, I STARTED NOTICING GAS FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN THE VICINITY OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I STARTED NOTICING GAS DRIPPING FROM THE ENGINE WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND IDLING. AFTER THREE TRIPS TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, AND ONE TO THE KIA DEALER, DURING WHICH THE FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL INJECTOR O RINGS, RUBBER FUEL LINES, AND FUEL FILTER WERE REPLACED, THE LEAK CONTINUES. BECAUSE OF THE STRENGTH OF THE FUMES, THE CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE UNLESS THE WINDOWS ARE OPEN, AND I FEAR AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10556186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4WD 2D CV GAS - 119,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN PUMPING GAS- THE GASOLINE POURS AND SHOOTS RIGHT BACK OUT. NOT A VERY GOOD EXPERIENCE AT ALL. I HAD TWO OF MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND IT SEEMED LIKE GASOLINE WAS ALL OVER ME. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED RIGHT AWAY. THIS IS NOT SAFE AT ALL!

NHTSA complaint #10535726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN IT IS COLD (WINTER SEASON) WHEN FUELING MY TANK IT SPILLS OUT, MAKING IT HARD TO FILL TANK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS OCT OF 2010. YESTERDAY (THURS) WHEN FUELING IT WOULD NOT LET ME PUT HARDLY ANY GAS IN WITH OUT SPILLING OUT. I DON'T KNOW EXACT DATE THIS WAS NOTICED BY ME BUT IT WAS IN WINTER, THIS HAPPENS EVERY COLD SEASON.

NHTSA complaint #10496031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CAR SPIT OUT GAS AS IT IS BEING FILLED. HAS HAPPENED MANY MANY TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10491586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

NHTSA complaint #10490553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

GAS FUMES ENTER VEHICLE CAB THREW AIR VENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10490579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETECTED NO SIGNS OF A FUEL LEAK. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO INFORMED THE FUEL TANK MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN UNDER NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10015753 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA complaint #10483638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10469377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10449134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10443696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10441546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10439108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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...

NHTSA complaint #10437921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10436281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.