Tank Assembly problems of the 1999 Kia Motor Sportage

1995 to 2002 kia Sportages frames are rotting out and gas tanks leaking also. Kia refuses to repair or put out a recall on this issue. Vehicles are a safety issue to the public. Ford windstars had similar problems from 1998 to 2003 back axle rotting out, they are taking action and owning up to the problem. I have been a state inspection mechanic for the state of PA. For 35yrs this defect is going to cause several crashes, maybe deaths. Kia is not concerned about this matter any help would be great. Thanks.

I own a 1999 kia Sportage and recently had it racked to see what the noise was that was coming from underneath my car. The entire undercarriage has rusted out and the fame is separating from each other, leaning on the shock absorbers on both sides, there are large holes in the fame where they have rusted through, the fuel tank and shield is rusted out and this car is a ticking time bomb, ready to fall apart, and or if anything hits the fuel tank it will disintegrate and possibly explode. This car is literally coming apart underneath. Two of the doors panels underneath have rusted away. Everything is rusted and it scares me to death to be driving it now that I have seen the undercarriage. I have many photos to submit for proof of the problem. Apparently this car has been rusting for some time and I have never noticed it. I bought it brand new in September of 1999. It has prematurely rusted out unlike most vehicles which last for many years. I was informed by my brother this past summer and he told me that there was a service campaign on the fuel tank but when I took it to the dealer, they said it was past the 10 year mark by a few months and they wouldn't do anything about it. I have been in contact with kia to gather information about recalls and service campaign notices of which I only was notified about 3 or 4 of them shortly after I purchased it.

1999 kia Sportage gas tank rotted and leaking.

The chassis of my 1999 kia Sportage is rotting out. I have had to have the railings welded together, one railing has a hole about 6 in long on the side of the railing and the gas tank has to be replace. But if the tank is removed the part of the chassis it is attached to will come off and there will be no way to attach a new one.

Fuel tank leak. Smell of gasoline when car is put in garage.

1999 kia Sportage, had a gas leak got it repaired with a new tank last year, still have a gas smell. I have taken it back several times for the smell they cannot find the problem, of course this is my regular mechanic not a kia dealer. Now the frame is busted from premature rusting and disintegration which is holding up the gas tank. Check engine light is constantly on for "evap leak" . No power when a/c is running. A/c now has leak. Constantly smell a burning smell just before the check engine light comes on. Also constantly blows fuses for power windows etc. This is a death trap for sure, you can imagine my surprise when I was advised not to drive my grandbabies in this car it is unsafe. . . And when they refused to fix it as they couldn't take responsibility for the safety of the vehicle when trying to fix a framing problem. This car has had very good maintenance, oil changes, tires etc. And only has 114,000 miles , I never dreamed I would have to find another car so soon. I really thought I should have at least another 100,000 to go!.

I own a 1999 kia Sportage. When I filed tank, gas leaked. I took my car to the repair shop and they stated that I have a leak in my gas tank.

On December 22, 2008, during vehicle inspection, found gas smell and possible leak in gas tank. Phone kia dealership, and they indicated that there was a service campaign, and to bring the vehicle in for a fuel tank inspection (along with some other recall repairs). On 1/2/2009, the vehicle was inspected by the kia dealership, and they indicated that the fuel tank was leaking from the bottom of the tank, and that this was a known issue and may be covered by a service campaign. However, the mileage on the vehicle was 137,700 miles, and the limit was 130,000 for kia to reimburse. I indicated that I had never received an notice of this problem. Further investigation showed that there were at least two (2) service campaigns (sc059 and rb001) which dated back to may 2006, and January 2008. Had I been notified, the vehicle would have had much less than the limit of 130,000 miles. I phoned and e-mailed customer support (no mailing address listed). During the phone conversation with steve, I was informed "too bad, but it is out of the mileage limit and there is nothing we can do. Not sure why you never got a notice". When I e-mailed, I received a phone reply (after the second e-mail) from steve stating "we already discussed this. Not sure why you e-mailed since this was already addressed". I feel that a problem as important as a leaking fuel tank should not be left to chance, waiting for a regular inspection or an actual leak to detect it. I feel that kia should be responsible for a recall, and should also be responsible for the cost of the repair. Currently I have repaired the tank, while looking for a replacement tank. Thank you for your time.

I purchased my kia used, from a dealer, less than a year ago, and it passed the electronic systems check for vehicle inspection. I immediately had to have dealer replace the gasoline tank after smelling gasoline. This car is used solely for light usage to transport myself and my children to and from dr's and grocery stores. After owning the car for less than two months, check engine light came on, reporting issue with catalyst. Found a recall on this issue and am trying to get original dealer to fix. Now experiencing loss of power to engage inclines or hills, causing a hazard to other drivers. Also back brakes simply "blew"! without any forewarning, with my children in the car, I lost all braking abilities. Thank goodness I was not going fast and have a standard to quickly downshift. My mother was killed due to loss of brakes, and it was an absolute panicking situation for me emotionally. Being a single mother I rely on mechanics to do all my work, and I had just had all my fuel levels topped off and my pads checked, without any issue found. I have also had an intermittent issue with the front seat belts remaining engaged. The dealer warranty expired and I am stuck with recalls nobody seems to want to fix!.

Gas tank leaks!.

I own a 1999 kia Sportage. It has developed a leak in the gas tank. It has corroded prematurely.

Vehicle was towed to shop / no start fuel pump inoperative, rust found in fuel filter, fuel tank leaking externally ( rusted through ).

: the contact stated there was a smell of gas and a fuel leak observed under the vehicle. It was driven to an independent repair shop who replaced the fuel tank and the fuel lines. The dealer has been alerted. The fuel tank and fuel lines had rusted and were leaking gasoline. Updated 08/25/06.

: the contact stated the vehicles gas tank was leaking. A certified independent mechanic determined the cause to be a defect. The vehicle was not ta ken into dealers for confirmation.

: 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.

I have a 1999 kia Sportage with less than 35,000 miles on it as of July 5, 2006. In November of 2005 I started noticing a really strong fuel smell. Shortly thereafter I noticed fluid leaking from the rear of my vehicle. I took it in around thanksgiving to find out that the gas tank had to be replaced. I had to pay almost $1,000 for this repair. Also, in may of 2006 power steering fluid leaked all over my garage while the car was in summer storage. Upon further investigation it is due to the power steering pressure hose damping pipe rusting out. This car has also already have to get new front brake rotors (rusted/warped) as well as a new exhaust pipe since the previously one rusted off the muffler. Within the first couple years one of the bearings went bad and they ended up replacing the whole front axle unit. This car has had many problems and with less than 35,000 miles on it basically makes me sick to my stomach. . Read more...

The contact smelled gas fumes approximately one week ago. He took the vehicle to a local mechanic, and he found the skid plate on the bottom of the tank held moisture against the tank, and caused it to rust. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time.

In December of 2000 I purchased a kia Sportage 1999 from mcgrath in elgin, IL. From the beginning the front seat belt buckle did not always lock and the interior & exterior lights flickered. I took the vehicle to a local repair shop but they could not find why the lights flickered. On August 2, 2005 my vehicle died in front of a marathon gas station/repair shop in rolling meadows, IL. The mechanic called me and told me I needed a new fuel pump. I told him to do the repair. The next day, the mechanic calls me to tell me that the fuel tank is so rusted it needs to be replaced and he has already called the kia dealer and the fuel tank is in "stock". I told him to do the repair. (please reference complaint #10131393). When I went to pick up the vehicle, it kept blowing the fuses and dying. I never got out of the gas station parking lot. I left the vehicle with them. On August 4, I had the vehicle with the original fuel pump and fuel tank towed to the mcgrath kia dealer in elgin, IL. In the meantime, I got on the internet and did a search for kia recalls. My vehicle has 3 recalls- one for the front seat belt buckle campaign #04v305000, one for the electrical system wiring campaign #99v32500, and one for service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components: hoses, lines/piping and fittings campaign #98v222000. All of these recalls were in effect before I purchased the vehicle. I have asked the mcgrath kia dealer to fax me copies of the repairs for the recalls, but have not received anything in writing that these recalls were repaired before they sold me the vehicle. Now I am waiting for the kia dealer to look at my vehicle. I was told it could be days. Phone interview update (oct. 31, 2005): no fuel leak; however, the tank was so badly rusted. She agreed to email pictures of the tank.

Vehicle failed state inspection. Fuel tank was leaking, and needed to be replaced. Dealer notified. Please provide further information.

Fuel tank is corroding from the inside out. Fuel system is contaminated and the structural integrity of the tank is in question.