43 of the
6,792 complaints filed about the KIA Sportage
are about the doors, latches and locks —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while attempting to open to the front driver's side door from the inside of the vehicle, the contact heard an unknown part inside the door fall, and the door required to be opened manually by pulling on the exterior door handle. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected, and the contact was informed that the vehicle would not be repaired unless the manufacturer contacted the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,841.
NHTSA complaint #11701684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while attempting to enter the vehicle through the rear doors, the rear doors were inoperable. The contact was unable to open the rear doors from inside or outside the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11690994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while attempting to enter the vehicle through the rear doors, the rear doors were inoperable. The contact was unable to open the rear doors from inside or outside the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11690994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the driver's side front door failed to open as needed. While using the key fob, all the other doors were unlocked. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was like a limited extended warranty coverage. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #11610949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We purchased a new 2023 Kia Sportage a month ago (January). There are several issues we’ve encountered. One week after purchase, the doors on the vehicle would lock on it’s own and we weren’t able to unlock them. The key fob nor trying to unlock the doors manually would not work. At times, we weren’t able to lock or unlock the doors and had to do it remotely from the Kia app on the phone. I spoke with the salesperson and manager from the dealership on two separate occasions. I was told to change the batteries in the key fobs, but the problem continues. The second issue is that we noticed the back seat on the driver’s side popped forward. At one point, the seatbelt warning would alarm when no one’s sitting there. The third problem is the airbag warning sign illuminating which started today. This is a major concern. The Kia service depart where we purchased the vehicle said it could be 3 months or more before they could check the vehicle. I called another dealership and they’re going to see service the vehicle next week.
NHTSA complaint #11507139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD FAILED TO OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATCH THAT LOCKED THE HOOD WAS RUSTED AND THAT THE WHEEL AND THE FRONT FENDER NEEDED TO BE TAKEN APART IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE LATCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000.
NHTSA complaint #10959754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD LATCH WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE ROUTINE OIL MAINTENANCE PERFORMED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 06/13/17*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10957811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2000 KIA SPORTAGE HAS BEEN LEAKING GAS. WE HAVEN'T HAD IT REPAIRED, AS WE CANT AFFORD IT. SOMEONE SUGGESTED LOOKING FOR RECALLS, THAT'S WHEN I FOUND THIS SITE. THE "HEAT SHIELD" (?) HAS ALWAYS RATTLED BADLY. IN ADDITION TO THE RATTLING AND BAD GAS LEAK, THE MOTOR BLOWER FAN IS NOT WORKING, MY 4WHEEL DRIVE ISN'T WORKING. UNDERNEATH IT IS A RUST BUCKET! THE BACK DOORS WONT LOCK/UNLOCK. SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE!!! PLEASE, SOMEONE STAND UP FOR THE LITTLE GUY AND MAKE KIA FIX THESE PROBLEMS!!!
NHTSA complaint #10256646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2007 KIA SPORTAGE HYDROPLANED, SKIDDED OFF THE ROAD AND FLIPPED 2-3 TIMES, LANDING ON ITS WHEELS. THE CAR WAS DAMAGED ON ALL SIDES, FRONT AND REAR. THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH 8 AIR BAGS AND NOT ONE DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER DOOR OPENED AND WAS MANGLED DURING THE OCCURRENCE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10250263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS RECENTLY INJURED WHEN USING A 2008 KIA SPORTAGE. AS I WAS OPENING THE BACK DOOR, THE RING FINGER ON MY LEFT HAND WAS CAUGHT IN THE LATCH, BELOW THE EXTERIOR METAL PORTION WHERE YOU PUSH THE DOOR SHUT. THE END OF THAT FINGER WAS CRUSHED IN THE LOCK HIDDEN UNDER THE LATCH. IT BLED PROFUSELY AND HURT TERRIBLY. IT CONTINUED TO BLEED, AND WAS HORRIFICALLY BRUISED, ALTHOUGH I HAD IT IN ICE FOR OVER AN HOUR. THE INJURY KEPT ME UP DURING THE NIGHT, AND CONTINUED TO HURT, ANY TIME THE FINGER TOUCHED ANYTHING. WE RE-BANDAGED IT, ALWAYS PUTTING NEOSPORIN ON IT, THROUGHOUT THE FOLLOWING WEEKS. THE USE OF MY HAND WAS GREATLY LIMITED FOR THAT WEEK AND WELL INTO THE THIRD WEEK AFTER THE INCIDENT. I WAS TERRIBLY INCONVENIENCED WHEN TRYING TO TYPE, OF COURSE. THE INJURY CONTINUES TO CAUSE PAIN OFF AND ON, NEARLY FOUR WEEKS LATER. DURING THE FIRST WEEK, I DID NOT SLEEP THROUGH A SINGLE NIGHT WITHOUT BEING AWAKENED BY THE SHARP PAIN CAUSED WHEN THE FINGER BRUSHED AGAINST SOMETHING. IT CONTINUES TO HURT, HOWEVER, WHEN THE HAND IS USED FOR NORMAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS GRIPPING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A SHARP TURN, PICKING ITEMS UP AT THE GROCERY STORE, WASHING MY HAIR, OR WHEN I INADVERTENTLY STRIKE MY HAND, EVEN LIGHTLY, SO THAT THE TIP OF MY HAND STRIKES A SURFACE. IT CONTINUES TO CAUSE PAIN THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND SOMETIMES EVEN NOW DURING THE NIGHT. OTHER USERS OF VEHICLES WITH MECHANISMS SUCH AS THIS SHOULD BE WARNED OF THE INJURY THEY CAN CAUSE. RENTAL CUSTOMERS, ESPECIALLY, SHOULD BE WARNED OF THIS POTENTIAL DANGER.
NHTSA complaint #10237371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IN JUNE 2008 FROM THE KIA DEALER IN REDDING. SINCE THAT TIME THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE STARTED LOCKING ON THEIR OWN AT VARIOUS TIMES. THEY LOCK AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE I AM DRIVING AND AFTER I HAVE TURNED THE CAR OFF. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD NOW THAT I HAVE TO KEEP THE KEYS WITH ME OR LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN WHEN I GET OUT OF THE CAR AND AM GOING TO GET RIGHT BACK IN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR NOW. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN A COUPLE OF TIME THE LOCKS HAVE STUCK AND I COULD NOT GET THEM UNLOCKED WHILE I WAS IN THE CAR. I HAD TO PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE AUTOMATIC KEY LOCK TO GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE IT CAN GET OVER 120 DEGREES IN THE CAR IN THE SUMMER AND IF THIS HAPPENS AND I CAN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR OR IF THE DOORS LOCK WHEN ONE OF MY GRANDCHILDREN IS IN THE CAR OR ONE OF MY PETS IT COULD BE DISASTROUS. I AM HAVING IT LOOKED AT NEXT WEEK AT THE DEALERSHIP. MY MOTHER ALSO OWNS A KIA BUT HERS IS A 1995 KIA SEPHIA WHICH SHE BOUGHT NEW. SHE HAS HAD THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH HER DOOR LOCKS AND EVENTUALLY TOOK THE DOOR PANEL OFF SO SHE COULD GET OUT OF THE CAR AS SHE WAS LOCKED IN. SHE HAS MADE THE DOOR SO THAT IT WILL NOT LOCK AT ALL BECAUSE SHE WAS AFRAID SHE WOULD GET STUCK IN OR OUT OF THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND THERE WAS NO DEALERSHIP NEAR WHERE SHE LIVED TO TAKE IT TOO. SHE STILL HAS THE CAR. SHE HAS ALSO MET ANOTHER LADY IN REDDING WHO OWNS A KIA SEPHIA (I BELIEVE A 1990'S MODEL) WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. SHE HAD TO CLIMB OUT OF HER WINDOW TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AT ONE TIME. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THE LOCK SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED AS IT POSES A SAFETY FACTOR IF A CHILD GETS LOCKED IN OR EVEN AN ADULT WHO CAN'T GET OUT THE WINDOW.
NHTSA complaint #10230212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY DEVELOPED A HOLE CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AND DETERMINED THE STORAGE ASSEMBLY ALSO HAD A LEAK WHICH COULD NO LONGER BE SEEN. GAS TOTALLY COVERED THAT AREA WHERE THE HOLE WAS LOCATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS LOCKED, THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH THE KEY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER REGARDING THE LOCK. UPDATED 10/4/2006 - THE DEALER FAILED TO FIX THE DOOR WHILE IT WAS THERE FOR SERVICE. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WAS NOT ACTIVATED ALTHOUGH THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE VACUUM LINES.
NHTSA complaint #10164972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TIRE LATCH ON THE BACK OF 2001 KIA SPORTAGE I BROKE. THIS WAS LATCH THAT HELD THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER, IT ALSO HAS TO OPEN IN ORDER FOR THE CONSUMER TO OPEN TRUCK. THE OWNERS MECHANIC HAS OILED AND FIXED THE TIRE CARRIER FOR A TEMPORARY FIX. THE OWNER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND COULDN'T FIX THE LATCH UNTIL IT WAS BROKEN, AND THEN THEY COULD REPAIR IT. THE OWNER HAS NOT CALLED KIA. THE LATCH HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. THE OWNER SUGGESTED THAT THE LATCH COULD HAVE ROTTED OUT. THE OWNER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE LAST YEAR ON JUNE 12, 2004 TO HAVE THE TAIL PIPE FIXED. THE KIA DEALERSHIP BODY SHOP THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THE TAILPIPE, DID NOT REPAIR THE TAILPIPE. THE CAR WAS RATTLING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE OWNER'S MECHANIC REMOVED THE ROTTED EXHAUST SYSTEM, THE KIA DEALERSHIP WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THIS AND DID NOT AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE ON HAD 13,623 MILES ON IT AT THIS POINT. THE DEALER IS NO LONGER WITH THE ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER THEY CLOSED DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10129298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HOOD LATCH SNAPPED AND THE HOOD FLEW OPEN. CONSUMER PULLED OVER THE LATCH THE HOOD DOWN. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK BROKEN WINDSHIELD REPAIRED, BUT DAMAGED HOOD NOT REPAIRED TO DATE. *BF
NHTSA complaint #10113415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
KIA SPORTAGE 4 DOOR. REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. DOOR OPENED FROM INSIDE. DOOR WAS THEN SHUT AND DID NOT LATCH, UPON SECOND CLOSING DOOR LATCHED. DROVE AROUND TWO MILES AND WENT AROUND CURVE AT ABOUT 10 MPH DOOR LATCH RELEASED AND DOOR FLEW OPEN. 16 MONTH OLD CHILD WAS IN CAR SEAT BESIDE THE DOOR. DOOR HAD TO BE STRAPPED TO OTHER DOOR TO KEEP SHUT. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER WHO SAID LATCH WAS RUSTED OUT. ORDERED REPLACEMENT LATCH, OTHER BACK DOOR HAS SHOWN SAME SYMPTOMS OF NOT CLOSING AND THEN CLOSING AND LATCHING, ALSO NOT OPENING FROM OUTSIDE. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS INCIDENT IF CHILD HAD NOT BEEN IN SAFETY SEAT, PROBABLY RESULTING IN A DEATH.
NHTSA complaint #10033443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONTINUAL FAILURE OF BATTERY , REPLACED 5 TIMES AND REPLACED ALTERNATOR BUT CONTIUES TO HAVE BATTERY FAILURE ALSO WINDOWS AND DOOR LCKS GO ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES.
NHTSA complaint #10028616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONTINUAL FAILURE OF BATTERY , REPLACED 5 TIMES AND REPLACED ALTERNATOR BUT CONTIUES TO HAVE BATTERY FAILURE ALSO WINDOWS AND DOOR LCKS GO ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES.
NHTSA complaint #10028616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2002 KIA STARTED LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID, I WENT TO KIAS REPAIR SHOP FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES IN THREE DIFFERENT STATES AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. AFTER THE FOURTH TIME OF BEING IN THE SHOP THE ONE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT I HAVE A BENT OR DENTED DRIVE SHAFT, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR SIX MONTHS. AND I HAVE NEVER HIT ANYTHING, TAKEN THE VEHICLE OFF ROAD OR RAN OVER ANYTHING TO DENT OR BEND THIS DRIVE SHAFT. THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME THIS WAS AN IMPACT PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY. $800. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR SIX MONTHS. AGO AND I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES THAT WERE NOT CAUSED BY MYSELF. MY DOORS ALSO LOCK BY THEMSELVES REPEATEDLY AND ALL FOUR DEALERS SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT THEY STILL LOCK BY THEMSELVES. THE ENGINE RUNS LIKE THE CAR IS ABOUT SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #10014181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.