Two problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 2001 Kia Motor Sportage. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2001 Kia Motor Sportage based on all problems reported for the 2001 Sportage.
I was in my 2001 kia Sportage and was involved in a single automobile accident on 7/20/05. I was driving approximately 5 mph when the bolt that holds the rocker arm of my engine sheared off and the engine dropped down on the left hand side (driver's side of my vehicle) and fell onto the drive train and axle, crushing everything it hit. I was injured in this accident, as well, and kia is being extremely difficult about fixing my vehicle. If I had been driving any faster, like I had been only minutes earlier, the engine could have been yanked from underneath the SUV and separated from my vehicle, leaving me strapped into the frame of my car with no engine in it and free rolling in the frame. It is highly fortunate that I was not killed in this accident because it certainly could have been a possibility. Initially, the local dealer went ahead and repaired the axle, drive train, and engine mount repairs; however, my frame is bent badly on my vehicle and the local dealer says that they do not repair this type of problem. After reporting the accident, then going back and forth being put off multiple times by kia corporate, I now still have no vehicle five weeks after the accident. Kia customer service told that several individuals had my case and that they would call me. They never did until last night when the kia corporate national consumer affairs manager left me a message at home while I was at dinner. This is the first person to call me in five weeks, aside from the local dealership. I am extremely concerned about the safety of my vehicle going forward and my insurance company, usaa, is not willing to help me with this case because even though I reported the accident within minutes of it happening, they did not follow through and now they are saying that since kia touched the vehicle and made repairs before they could look at the exact nature of the damages they cannot help me with this problem. Call logs and all related paperwork is available if needed.
While driving, the engine on my kia will simply stop. There is no warning whatsoever, and this happens at any time - short trips, long trips, highways, back roads, there is no common denominator whatsoever. I have taken it to the kia dealership numberous times - it was there Monday through Friday last week, and was again towed there Sunday night where it is still there. Each time they give me my car back saying they can't find anything wrong with it, but the problem keeps occuring. I work on the road and I'm terrified to drive this car - afraid that someday I won't be able to get to the breakdown lane when it dies the next time. The kia service advisor tries to help, but the problem is not getting fixed and I'm told by the dealership that there is no one else I can talk to. At this point I don't want the car back until it's repaired, or replaced with a similar vehicle. I currently owe more than it's worth in the blue book, otherwise I'd trade it in.