Frame And Members Problems of Kia Motor Sportage

I am the original owner of a well taken care of, 59,000 miles, 2002 kia Sportage. I took the car for inspection and was informed the right frame rail at the mount is completely rusted so bad that you can put your fist through the hole. This is my only car and have to drive it to work. I have taken to avoiding any bumps or pot-holes in the road and have been keeping my speed under 40 mph. I am a little scared to drive the vehicle but have no choice. I am dealing with Kia Motors America consumer assistance center currently, hoping they will resolve the problem.

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2002 kia Sportage.

I just repaired my exhaust on my 2002 kia Sportage 4x4 today as it keeps rusting out on me. Today I noticed the entire frame on the back end is extremely rusted to the point it's literally falling apart brackets have detached for the exhaust as well as holes in it. I was shocked! the metal is literally splitting and falling apart! this is a serious problem and going to be dangerous to even drive the car. I am sure the car won't even pass inspection if they see this! if you even touch it your fingers go through the frame! something needs to be done about this I feel kia should be responsible to pay for the damages! there is only 40k miles on the car. I have never experienced this with any of my other vehicles either that are older as well as have many more miles on them! something must be done!!!!!.

The contact owns a 1999 kia Sportage. While driving 50 mph, the contact stated that the vehicle began to sway back and forth. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic where they advised that the vehicle had rusted from the chassis on the rear passenger side. The mechanic also advised that the failure was non-repairable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but was unable to assist. The failure and current mileage was 88,000. Updated 9/16/11 updated 2/9/12.

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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. Put car up on jack stands to remove gas tank and found the frame had broken above left rear coil spring, the cross member just in front of the rear bumper has a 3-4 inch gap (rotted through-no metal left) and the rear axle has shifted over about 4" causing the right rear tire to rub against the shock. I am shocked that a car can rot this bad in only 10 years and there is still no recall. Wtf!!!!!.

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The frame is rotted away above the rear spring on the passenger side (broken in two).

The frame on my 2002 kia Sportage has rusted through. I can stick my finger through it literally. This vehicle has been taken care of and not abused. Now the frame is cracked on both sides!!!!!!!!!.

Frame rotted out.

At 245k,only right side frame rot inside out. Therefore showing no notice of deteriorating with original engine and original transmission.

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.

My 2001 kia Sportage began to swerve and was all over the road. I brought it to a repair shop that told me the frame was rotted were the stabilizer connected to the chassis. Honda has the same problem and recalled the vehicle.

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The contact owned a 2000 kia Sportage. The vehicle was sold to another person who called the contact and stated that she had been informed that the entire frame under the frame had rotted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 95,000. The VIN was unavailable.

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.

1 2001 kia Sportage driving on highway. Dry pavement. Rear of vehicle sways side to side notice clunking sound intermittent 2. Chassis is rotted everytime vehicle driven failure occurs. Turning corners, accelerating, or if bags or luggage are loaded in rear of vehicle. Vehicle sways or feels like you are driving on very low tires in the rear of vehicle. 3. Nothing can be done to correct the failure. The rear of the chassis is completely rotted on both chassis rails, also the cross member that stabilizes the rear of the chassis is so rotted there is a 5" oval hole through the cross member. Please look into this problem. The vehicle has been maintained looks great from the top but from underneath you can literally poke holes in the chassis with a screwdriver. Mechanic recommendation : unfit/unsafe for travel on public roads. Vehicle is presently sitting in yard undrivable. I have pics of the rot to send to NHTSA if this will help get investigation started.

The contact owns a 2001 kia Sportage. While the contact was driving approximately 50 mph, the rear end of the vehicle began to fish tail. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and inspected. The vehicle resumed normally at a reduced speed. The failure occurred intermittent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection where they detected the main frame exhibited excessive rust corrosion near the fuel tank area. Also, the rear brake line was severely corroded. The main frame was ultra thin and damaged beyond repair. The technician replaced the brake line and advised that the vehicle not be driven due to the safety hazard. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000. The VIN was unavailable.

The contact owns a 1999 kia Sportage. When the mechanic was changing the oil he notified the contact that the rear frame had decayed. The vehicle was driveable but had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 115,000. Updated 02/10/11 updated 03/11/jb.

Entire undercarriage rusted out. Rust start with the shroud over gas tank. Then the neck of the gas fill pipe corroded. Now the entire chaise is rusted. I realize the car is 10 years old but it only has 54,500 original miles on it. Kia should have been made to recall all of the 2000 Sportages and forced to fix them. There are far too many of these still on the road and they have become a safety hazard. This not a matter of lack of maintenance, the car has been well care for. This is a matter of a manufacture being allowed to get away with selling an inferior product. Time the NHTSA steps in and protects the american consumer.

The contact owns a 2000 kia Sportage. While driving at approximately 30-40 mph, the rear of the vehicle swayed back and forth. The contact noticed that the entire rear part of the frame near the rear passenger side tire had rusted and the stabilizing bar had fallen off on one side. The vehicle had not been inspected by at a dealership or repair shop at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 115,200. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

The whole underbody of a 2001 kia Sportage is rusting out , especially around the gas tank.

I notice there was something going on with the way I was turning the wheel of my car I took it to my garage and my mechanic told me to take the car home and call kia the person that made car stated the whole frame was rotten out and crack it could not be repaired the car should of not been on the road when spoke to kia they stated I needed to bring the car to the service center to look at it told them the same thing that my garage told them that the frame was crack and was unsafe to drive kia corp made me paid them $100 dollars to look at it and there mechanic did not want to put it on lift because he felt that is was going to fall apart he even advise me not to drive the car out they said they could do nothing about it because the car had over 100,000 hundred thousand miles on it. This vehicle is only 10 yrs old when this happen I feel that this kia problem my friend also has kia Sportage and the same thing happen to his car is that why kia is so cheap on there motors for sale because of the parts that they sell.

Purchased a 2001 kia Sportage with 55200 miles. Went to kia dealer because of fuel leak. Technician told me that the frame was so rotted on the vehicle and that if I hit a pot hole that the rear end could let go. The technician told me that from 1995 to 2001 kia used low grade material on the frames of their vehicles and possibly did not coat them. He told me when he put my car on the lift that there was pieces of the frame dropping on the ground. He said he slightly tapped a hammer against the frame and it made holes. He told me that I should junk the vehicle and gave me paperwork stating the vehicle was unsafe to drive. I also had spoken to the owner of a used car dealership in my area prior to this and he told me that he could not sell the 1999 kia Sportage that he purchased at auction with approx. 73,000 due to the frame rotting out. I could have been seriously hurt or killed if I was on the highway if I had not had that fuel leak. I cannot understand how kia could produce a vehicle like this. Lower quality cosmetics are one thing but a frame on a vehicle is another.

1999 kia Sportage. I have owned it since 2008. I have had the gas tank patched 3 times, then completely replaced cost of over 400 dollars. My mechanic said the tank kept rusting no matter what he tried and it was defective. All rear brakes twice and now with even new lever and other parts 420 dollars. Now the car is undriveable due to the rear frame which has cracked and separated causing the car to sway and making steering extremely difficult. I thought it was a shock that broke when I heard the clunking sound, took it to the mechanic who informed me the car was to unsafe to drive because the frame is swinging all around. I have no other vehicle and two children am a single parent. Now I can't get to work, appointments, schools ect.

My wife was driving on I-80 when the vehicle swayed very badly and almost hit a another vehicle. She immediately slowed and exited the highway. Upon inspection the frame severed and broke where the suspension attaches to the frame right behind the rear tire on the passenger side of the vehicle. This vehicle is a death trap. . . The mechanic and my insurance adjusted said my wife must have an angel watching over her.

The frame, behind the rear wheels, rusted to the point of not passing inspection in 2009. It could have led to a problem in an accident with collapse and crushing the gas tank.

Frame on my 2000 kia Sportage completely rusted out. It cost me 1,300. 00 to have it fixed. I should have called kia first but was not able to drive the car and had to get it done ASAP. I have put about 4,000 dollars into this car in the last year and a half from it rotting out.

The contact owns a 1999 kia Sportage. The contact stated that the rear driver's side frame behind the tires was beginning to rust and disintegrate. There were no recalls for the particular component. The failure and current mileages were 78,000. Updated 01-26-09 updated 01/27/09.

Vehicle started shimmying violently while going 60mph. Vehicle made a grinding noise in front end and grdually coasted to a stop. Vehicle was towed to a garage, and t frame fell to the ground. Dealer was not contacted. Please provide moe information.

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I was driving home July 14th 2010 when I began to hear a "thud" underneath my 2001 kia Sportage. It was then that the brake light warning came on. I pressed the brakes, but they were not functioning at all. I had to travel over 20 miles back home on the freeway with no brakes. Luckily, I was able to maneuver the car back with no damage to it, myself, or my two friends who were riding with me. It turns out that what happened was that the frame was rotted out and thus fell suddenly, cutting the brake line. I later learned that the rotting of the frame was due to poor and negligent design. It is completely exposed and has no ventilation to flush out water and salt. It was a miracle that this didn't happen sooner and that I was able to get home with no injuries. Kia later offered to replace the frame with an $1,800 one, but noted that it would cost over $6,000 to have it installed which is simply unreasonable. I am now without a vehicle until further notice.

While driving 20 mph back part of vehicle started to fishtail rapidly across 3 lanes. Towed to dealer who found frame welds that hold suspension had broken.

Vehicle has a water leak, water comes in and runs along the glovebox and drips onto the floor. (attorney for client).

Air leaks into vehicle at driver's side, unable to rectify.

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