Underbody Shield Problems of Kia Motor Sportage

Kia Motor Sportage owners have reported 10 problems related to underbody shield (under the structure category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Kia Motor Sportage based on all problems reported for the Sportage.

1 Underbody Shield problem of the 2002 Kia Motor Sportage

Failure Date: 08/11/2014

The contact owns a 2002 kia Sportage. While having the vehicle inspected, the contact was informed that the underbody frame was rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

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2 Underbody Shield problem of the 2002 Kia Motor Sportage

Failure Date: 01/05/2014

The frame at the point of connection with the rear differential is completely rusted through and I am unable to get it repaired. I have contacted kia and they said that the vehicle is beyond it's warranty. I was driving and heard a thumping sound. The sound got louder and the car began to shake terribly. A mechanic looked at it and told me that the frame was broken.

3 Underbody Shield problem of the 1999 Kia Motor Sportage

Failure Date: 10/18/2013

I was driving on the interstate and hit a bump when my car began swaying back and forth from side to side. I had a very hard time maintaining control. I slowly drove home and upon further inspection underneath my 1999 kia Sportage I discover the frame is totally rusted to the point of falling apart. The passenger side of the frame is almost non existent and the drivers side isn't much better there are holes and pieces of the frame gone. I have been reading on line that this is a huge problem my 11 year old daughter or myself could have been killed because of this defect, please do something so others will not have to worry about this.

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4 Underbody Shield problem of the 2001 Kia Motor Sportage

Failure Date: 09/28/2011

Stabilizer connected to the chasis rotted from the frame and the brakes stopped working because where the brake line was connected to the frame was rotted. Brought the car to an independent mechanic to find this out. Cannot drive the vehicle in current condition as it is extremely unsafe. I was lucky I wasn't going fast and was able to get the car off the road. People should be notified to have this checked immediately, it could save someone's life.

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5 Underbody Shield problem of the 2000 Kia Motor Sportage

Failure Date: 06/03/2010

2000 kia Sportage. Consumer states several problems with vehicle the consumer stated he had problems with the 4-wheel drive not operating properly. When the 4-wheel drive would engage, it would cause tremendous friction which caused the vehicle to slow down drastically. Also, when it was engaged in a turning mode, the front gear would slip. The gas tank shield was three quarters of the way rotted due to rust and there seemed to be minor gas seepage under what was left of the tank shield. The chassis frame rails, both rear sides were approximately 85% rotted out by rust. The consumer was informed by several repair shops that the rails could not be repaired due to the fact that there was very little good metal to repair and strengthen the vehicle frame.

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6 Underbody Shield problem of the 1999 Kia Motor Sportage

Failure Date: 03/17/2008

Cracked chassis in a 1999 kia Sportage due to corrosion.

7 Underbody Shield problem of the 1999 Kia Motor Sportage

Failure Date: 02/26/2007

The contact owns a 1999 kia Sportage. The contact constantly heard loud noises when her 4 wheel drive was activated. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they discovered that the cross member in the rear differential rotted and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle is currently unable to be driven. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 119,000 and failure mileage was 101,000.

8 Underbody Shield problem of the 1999 Kia Motor Sportage

Failure Date: 11/27/2004

While driving home at the end of novemeber with my 4 children 13,12, 2 and18 month old twins my car began to rock from side to side out of control. I pulled over and figured it was a flat tire. It was not. I proceeded to drive home and thought maybe it was my power steering. In order to drive the car home I had to drive about 2 miles an hour. Luckily I was only a few miles away . . After I had a friend come by to check out the car and that is when we realized that the back sway bar was hanging to the ground. It had completely broken off the frame at the bracket where it was welded to the frame. There was about a 10-12 inch hole in the frame and both the bracket and the frame where broken were covered inside and out with rust. I called the dealer and they said that my warranty was up. I asked them to reference where in the handbook they would warranty the frame. After going back and forth with them for the last 3 months they have done nothing for me. They keep saying that it is not a warranty item. I had my insurance company come look at the car. They took digital pictures and he said that is clearly a manufacture defect and a terrible insufficient weld job and it was not sealed would explain the rust. No one will fix it not even the dealer because they said that it is not safe to fix. The insurance company also said that the other side is beginning to rust as well. This could have caused a horrific accident if this would have happened 5 minutes prior while I was driving on a highway 70 mph. They refused to give me any answers or help and keep telling me to refer to my warranty.

9 Underbody Shield problem of the 1998 Kia Motor Sportage

Failure Date: 11/11/1999

While accelerating in reverse vehicle cuts off. Vehicle has been brought to the dealership 3 times for this problem. Fuel injection system was changed twice. Also, the moulding around the sparks plugs broke loose, and it was replaced. Consumer is still experiencing stalling problems. Shield over the catalytic converter replaced. The rear latch for the spare cable rusted and came out upon pulling, the mounting for the rear wheel has released itself while vehicle is in motion.

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10 Underbody Shield problem of the 1998 Kia Motor Sportage

Failure Date: 10/07/1998

Bug deflector came loose and caused damage to hood.


Other Common Structure related problems of Kia Motor Sportage


Safety Ratings of Sportage Cars
Fuel Economy of Sportage Vehicles
Sportage Defect Investigations