2000 Kia Sportage: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 304 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 304 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Fuel tank leaking gas I believe the fuel tank is no good anymore I purchase a vehicle fill up the tank and start to leak gas I thought it was a gasket so gasket was placed and it's still leaking”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2020
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2017
“No airbag in steering wheel, brakes goes down to floor, oxygen sensor bad in bank one, popping in tires. My frame can break from car at any time, dealer knew I had kids, we could get seriously hurt riding in this car.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 kia sportage. While driving 35 mph, there was a loud noise under the hood. The contact parked the vehicle and noticed water leaking from the radiator. The fan blade detached and went through the radiator. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,477.”Owner report · Engine · May 2016
“2000 kia sportage headlights go out, right frame has a huge hole, my child is at risk car needs to be recalled also locks don't work, battery dies, seatbelts suck, radio goes off ...”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 kia sportage. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, he found that the fuel tank and fuel guard was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 179,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2014
“The structure is rotten and unsafe to drive. I have seen many reports of this and cannot believe that it has not been recalled. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2014
“The fuel tank is leaking. I need to have kia to replace this tank. It is very dangerous for me to keep driving. I have children and I am concern for their safety as well as my own. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 kia sportage. The contact stated that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 101,066.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2013
“Brakes failed due to rusted front brake lines. While vehicle was on the lift the frame was found to be completely rusted thru in many places making the vehicle unsafe to drive. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 23 of these complaints and injuries in 17 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND EMITTED WHEN A BUCKLE IS BEING LATCHED, WHEN IT IS NOT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
VEHICLE 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.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADHESIVE LABEL WITH THE CORRECT ILLUSTRATION TO PERMANENTLY AFFIX TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS MANUALS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sportage by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Kia Sportage reliable?
NHTSA has 304 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Kia Sportage. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Kia Sportage problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 72,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Kia Sportage have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.