Problems with 2000 Kia Sportage FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Gas tank leak and dangerous fumes - 2000 kia sportage leak occured after long trip july 2006. corrosion and leak is evident on front end of protective plate under tank. repair appointment made for july 10, 2006. no recall exists on this year, but does on 2005 kia sportage. *nm

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

Dt*: the contact stated that gasoline leaked from the vehicle's gas tank. the vehicle was taken to an independent auto shop on 06/23/06 who confirmed that the gas tank was leaking from the bottom and needed to be replaced. when the manufacturer was alerted and they advised that the vehicle should be taken to the dealer for repair. the dealer agreed to repair the defect at cost.

Dt*: the contact stated a very strong gasoline smell was noticed inside and outside of the vehicle. the dealership determined there was a hole in the gas tank. the parts were not in and when the contact returned to a different dealership to have the hole repaired, the contact noticed the hole had deteriorated even more. updated 9/13/006 - the fuel tank was replaced along with the fuel sending unit and pump. the pressure sensor was also affected by the corrosion. *nm

Dt*: the contact stated while parked in the driveway a fuel leak was noticed under the vehicle. it was driven to the dealer who determined the tank had deteriorated and the tank was replaced. updated 07/05/06. *jb

Gas leaking from the top of the gas tank on a 2000 kia sportage. gas tank rusted and leaking, sending unit bad. contacted local kia told this is a common problem with this type of vehicle 1000.00 in repair costs for new replacement parts. purchased used parts for 400.00. wrong sending unit sent still waiting on unit/parts. no fire yet. *nm

While driving the vehicle at any speed it loses power and stalls. there is a strong odor of gasoline, but no indication of a fuel leak. the vehicle immediately starts back, but still has no power to accelerate to drive the vehicle. there are no specific weather conditions that contribute to the loss of power and/or stalling. the vehicle is waited to be towed to a local mechanic. there has not been a diagnosis at this time. *nm

On the weekend of october 22-23, 2005, a gaseous odor was observed around my 2000 kia sportage (purchased december 4, 1999; vin: [xxx]). puddles of gas were later spotted under my vehicle, so the following morning (october 24, 2005), i brought it to the local kia dealer for inspection. it was determined that the gas tank had "rotted/rusted" out (additionally, the bolts for the gas tank and the hose connecting the gas tank and filler tube were rusted and disintegrated, respectively, beyond repair and must be replaced), creating a hole through which gas was escaping. the vehicle was used only minimally in wi prior to august 2000, and its location since then has been chapel hill/durham, nc (all repair work and oil changes have been done by millennium kia in durham, nc, which also suggests where the vehicle has been driven since august 2000). thus, the vehicle has not been exposed to salt or other elements which may lead to this type of damage. it currently has fewer than 55,000 miles on it, which further leads me to believe that this is not the direct consequence of over- or misuse. my father [xxx] and owner of the vehicle, contacted the kia corporation and spoke with tom morales (800-333-4542, ext: 45262) regarding this issue, and a case has been opened with regard to it (case #[xxx]). we believe this damage is not only extremely hazardous, but also premature and the result of a faulty product. kia claims they can do nothing to resolve this issue, but because of its serious potential to cause injury, we believe the case merits further investigation. *nm updated 07/18/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Dt: a 2000 kia sportage station wagon. the bottom of the vehicle rusted. the fuel tank had a hole in it. while the consumer was driving on the highway the fuel had slowly leaked out. the consumer was unaware of this until she drove vehicle home and noticed that there was fuel under it. consumer took vehicle to a local fuel station; they told consume rbecause there was no one to work on it to bring it back the next day. she had the vehicle towed to them the next day. they replaced the fuel pump, tank, lines, and everything on the bottom of the vehicle. the fuel had leaked all over the bottom of the vehicle and made it hard to fix the vehicle. the mechanic told her that they had the same problem with other kiaes concerning this. the consumer is very concerned with the safety of this. the mechanic said he had no trouble getting the tank, he figured that it might be a common problem with them. previously they replaced the 4 wheel drive unit. *ak

2000 kia sportage with 70,000 miles car always stored in garage fuel sender unit rusted out during 200 mile trip gasoline leaking out onto vehicle and ground - potential fire hazard had to replace sender unit, fuel tank and fuel pump due to rusted connections ruining each piece of equipmment.

Contact states: fuel tank is leaking, the skid plate that protects the tank is conform the wrong shape therefore is to close in certain areas and it holds debrie and moisture.

Smell of gas fumes. also a gas leak.*cn

Consumer's vehicle has a rusted gas tank and a bad fuel pump. *ts the vehicle was taken to the dealer but the manager stated that toyota no longer does repair on kia vehicle. the oil pan rusted causing an oil leak. oil leaked from the speed sensor and oil seal. the 4 wheel drive was inoperative due to an outdated hub kit. the vehicle's check engine light illuminated. the technician found that the #3 cylinder was misfiring. *nm phone interview update (oct 31, 2005): the repair shop personnel (dave @ thetford's auto center @ 607-433-0319) indicated that the tank was rusted and was leaking from the seam. in addition, the fuel supply or return line was rotted at the fuel tank connection; fuel was leaking whe the fuel pump was turned on.

Consumer stated that fuel was leaking from the top of the fuel tank onto the exhaust pipe while driving. dealer was notified. *ak the dealer replaced the fuel tank and pump. *nm

Problems with windows icing up during the cold seasons on 2000 kia sportage.*mr an air leak caused the windows to ice shut. the engine had multiple problems which caused the check engine light to illuminate. the dealer replaced several components but the problem recurred. the fuel tank, sender unit and pressure sensor had to be replaced. *nm

While driving 55 mph the vehicles muffler/tail pipe fell off without warning. the fuel line failed and the consumer had the timing belt replaced but the vehicle continued to make noise. *ak *nlm

The vehicle only got 80 miles to a half tank of gas, and the brakes collected an excessive amount of brake dust.*jb

The vehicle would not start due to egr and fuel pump relay failures,dealer replaced, also the vehicle stalled while the consumer was driving at 60 mph, the check engine light came on and stayed on due to maf circuit range problem *yh

Was driving along...stopped at a traffic light ..engine light came on ..kept flashing on and off.at this time i could smell something very hot and stinking..(not antifreeze)..i proceeded to pull the vehicle off the road barely had enough power to move it out of traffic...running very very rough at this time . *ak

Car has lost power in 1st and 2nd gears, engine light comes on, car smokes, replaced two 02 sensors, tapping noise under hood when start engine, car would not start, once started had gas smell, and blew smoke out exhaust

Tl* - the contact has a 2000 kia sportage and complaind about tjhe fuel pump and gas tank which were replaced on 1/10/07 because the gas tank was rusted and the fuel pump was leaking gas. the contact purchased the parts from the dealer and they were installed by the contact's husband. the failure milages was143500 and the current mileage is 144000. *ak