2000 Kia Sportage Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe fuel leaks and a strong gasoline smell traced to a corroded fuel tank, its protective plate, or the pump mounting hardware, frequently on vehicles exposed to road salt; many say a repair program or recall did not cover their vehicle. A second recurring theme is underside and frame rust on older, higher-mileage examples, sometimes found along with fuel or brake line corrosion. Early-life brake complaints (pulsation, grinding, master cylinder failure) and intermittent 4WD engagement problems also appear repeatedly in the sample.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel tank corrosion and gasoline leaks

   • 91 complaints (30%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (71 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2020

   Owners describe a strong gasoline smell, visible fuel dripping or a puddle under the vehicle, sometimes with fuel running onto the exhaust or the ground at a filling station. Several say a mechanic found holes or seam corrosion on the tank, or the pump retaining screws rusted through, and that the tank, pump and sending unit had to be replaced together. Some report that a dealer or the manufacturer declined coverage because the corrosion was on the top or side of the tank rather than the bottom, or because the VIN was outside the affected build range. Usually reported between roughly 40,000 and 145,000 miles on vehicles several years old, often in states that use road salt.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the fuel tank, its protective plate and the pump retaining screws from underneath for rust, damp spots or a fuel smell, and ask whether the tank has ever been replaced. A service bulletin describes fuel tank replacement on certain 1997-2000 Sportages under a repair program, so ask whether that work was done on this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving my 2000 Kia Sportage I started smelling gas I pulled over and looked under the vehicle and found gas leaking I had a mechanic look at it and he informed me gas was coming out of the top of my gas tank by where the fuel pump and gas gauge wiring goes in. I then went on the internet to see if there was any reported problems with this and found there was a recall from Kia for the same reason. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10198747, filed 2007-08, 110,000 miles

   “Noticed a strong gas smell, looked under car and noticed gas dripping from under car. Upon further looking I noticed the gas tank protective plate is rotting out which makes me believe the gas tank is too.”

   NHTSA complaint #10985044, filed 2017-05, 133,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Frame and underbody rust

   • 23 complaints (8%)
   • median 113,000 mi at 11.6 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • filed 2009–2015

   Complaints describe the frame and undercarriage rusting through, in some cases with the rear stabilizer arm or axle center link separating from the frame and the fuel line left holding parts in place. Owners often say a mechanic or dealer confirmed the rust and that there was not enough sound metal left to weld or repair. Several note that the body panels looked fine while the frame was heavily corroded, and that the manufacturer declined assistance because of vehicle age or mileage. Mostly reported on vehicles 10 to 14 years old, typically between about 80,000 and 160,000 miles.

   What to check: Have the vehicle put on a lift and inspect the frame rails, rear suspension mounts, and fuel and brake lines for perforation and flaking metal before buying; surface rust on the body is not a reliable guide to frame condition.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2000 Kia Sportage has serious frame rust. The car is only ten years old and I am the original owner. I have taken very good care of this car and can't understand why this would happen. There seem to be many of the same complaints on this. I think this should be subject to a safety recall due to the frame being structurally compromised. This is serious. The frame on the right side of the vehicle is almost broken in two pieces.”

   NHTSA complaint #10343175, filed 2010-07, 120,520 miles

   “I was told by a mechanic that worked on the brakes that the frame was rotted in the fall of 2009. I changed the exhaust myself in the fall of 2010 and saw the frame was rotted so bad that I could put my hand completely through several of the holes and noticed several cracks. In march of 2011 the center link for the rear axle broke free from the rotted frame and fell down on top of the drive shaft. I did 2 days worth of very creative welding to put it back together. In april of 2011 gas tank began to leak. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10410138, filed 2011-06, 180,475 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pulsation, grinding, and hydraulic faults

   • 33 complaints (11%)
   • median 34,259 mi at 5.5 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2013

   Owners report grinding noises and brake pulsation from warped front rotors, in some cases recurring every few thousand miles after resurfacing or replacement, with one owner told to try a different brand of rotor. Others describe a master cylinder failing at low mileage, brakes that felt ineffective with the pedal applied, and rusted front brake lines. Complaints say some of this work was done under warranty and some was charged to the owner. Reported from as little as 1,500 miles up to about 150,000 miles, with the rotor and master cylinder complaints concentrated below 30,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test the brakes from highway speed for pulsation or pulling, check pedal feel and fluid level, and have the rotors, lines and master cylinder inspected; ask for service records showing how often the front rotors have been replaced or resurfaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car has only thirty thousand miles and the master brake cylinder is broken. I spoke to many automachenics and they all said that should not have have happen to the car at with only 30k. Kia will fix it but only if I pay for it. This is a safety issue I keep my car in good condition and I shouldn't have to worry about my safety with a car that only has 30000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10033035, filed 2003-08, 30,000 miles

   “While driving, the driveshaft made a loud noise and broke. When this occurred, the consumer pulled over and called a towing company. The dealership replaced the driveshaft, but it failed again. The drive shaft was replaced three times within three years. The vehicle would make rattling sounds that would get louder and the vehicle became too loud to drive. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10076196, filed 2004-07, 28,440 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Four-wheel drive will not engage

   • 31 complaints (10%)
   • median 62,500 mi at 5.5 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • filed 2001–2011

   Owners describe the 4WD failing to engage when needed, sometimes with a grinding noise and no added traction, and in other cases a front hub or vacuum line sticking so the system stays engaged. Complaints say dealers traced it to corroded hubs, vacuum seals and vacuum lines, and that parts were sometimes on national backorder with long waits. Typically reported between about 18,000 and 85,000 miles, often noticed in snow or ice when 4WD was actually needed.

   What to check: On a 4WD example, engage and disengage 4WD on a loose surface and listen for grinding, and confirm the front hubs and vacuum lines have been serviced; ask whether hubs or vacuum components have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The 4wd of my vehicle has stopped working on several occasions. However, it was not noticed until after I had been in a circumstance whereas the 4wd was needed such as snow and ice. One once occasion I narrowly avoided an accident and became stuck. I have had the vehicle submitted for repairs at the dealership and subsequently informed the repairs were required due to a malfunctioned vacuum line. The repairs were required three times before I finally returned the vehicle and demanded a more thorough investigation of the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10007891, filed 2003-02, 18,000 miles

   “Went to engage 4x4 in bad blizzard and got only grinding noise and no increase in traction. Dealer states hubs are corroded and vacuum seals and hoses need to be replaced. Seems to be a very common complaint. What good is a 4x4 if it is not working when you need it? Dealer does not acknowledge common complaint.”

   NHTSA complaint #10184165, filed 2007-03, 85,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Stalling, no-start, and wiring faults

   • 61 complaints (20%)
   • median 70,675 mi at 6.5 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2016

   Complaints describe the engine cutting off without warning while driving, repeated no-start conditions after battery replacement, and smoke or fire from the steering column wiring. Some owners say the symptoms matched a wiring recall but their VIN was excluded, while others report the vehicle would not restart or had to be towed. Reported across a wide range, from about 49,000 to 129,000 miles.

   Recall 00V2050001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check that the battery cables and grounds are clean and tight, look for scorched or chafed wiring under the dash and in the steering column, and ask whether any electrical recall or rewiring work was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10266338, filed 2009-04, 50,000 miles

   “Brakes not working properly.,when you step on brake you can feel the brake or tire spending and your car is still rolling when your are stepping on the brake. Engine, turning the car engine on and off. When you start the engine the engines clicks but does not start. Its not the transmission. I have replaced the battery several times but still the same problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10429244, filed 2011-10, 114,000 miles

Buying note. Inspect the fuel tank and frame on a lift before purchase and get any fuel or brake line leaks repaired promptly, since these are the problems owners describe most. Ask for records of fuel tank, brake and 4WD service, and expect that rust-related repairs on a vehicle of this age may not be covered by the manufacturer.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.