1998 Kia Sportage: won't start

Filed Oct 10, 2015 · 170,000 miles · SC

My steering column doesn't lock when I turn off the engine. It has also started failing to start but when we jumpstart it it responds immediately. I have learned; that sometimes if I rock it or push it a few feet it will start right up too. It acts almost like a vapor lock because the engine is warm and just doesn't start after having set for an hour. Almost like a short or disconnect. Additionally the blower motor seems to have died too. Heat/AC works, just doesn't distribute. I'm wondering if there's a recall on either of these since they seem to be electrical or wiring harness issues.

Filed Jul 8, 2004 · Fuel system · KY

Consumer stated that when she attempted to start vehicle it would not start. She then smelled a strong gas odor. Consumer looked under the hood and discovered that the gas line popped off, and gas was spilling all over the engine.. She had the vehicle towed to the dealer, and they did not know what could had caused the leak. In order to get to the gas line consumer would have to go under the hood, and no one could get under the hood. So the problem was unexplainable.

Filed Jun 21, 2002 · Engine · NY

Premature wear of flywheel. Due to failure vehicle will not start. Dealer has been contacted.

Filed Feb 12, 2002 · Engine · NJ

Vehicle intermittently will not start. After vehicle is started and shutdown vehicle will not restart, cause unknown. Please give any further details.

Filed Sep 23, 2001 · Electrical, Suspension · CA

Continuation part 3...very slowly, there was a terrible crunching or grinding metal on metal noise when the vehicle was slowed down (not the brakes), the was a horrible groan sound when the vehicle accelerates on the freeway, there was something wrong with the hubs on the vehicle, and the vehicle would stall at any given time. When I picked the vehicle up from the dealer after being out of service for 8 consecutive days, the dealer stated that they duplicated each and every concern and addressed them all. Exactly 1 week later, the check engine light came back on and the vehicle died on me at the mall. I called a tow truck and had to get the battery boosted since something that the dealer did electrically was improper. I made it back home but was unsure whether or not I could make it to work the next day with a weal battery. Sure enough, the vehicle did not start in the morning. I immediately called the dealer, and they sent a tow truck to my house to pick up this lemon. After another 5 days out of service, I picked the vehicle up and was advised that there was a bad engine harness in the vehicle. Exactly 2 days later, the engine light came back on, the vehicle started leaking oil, the windows started moving slow again, the rear end of my vehicle started rattling, the front end of the vehicle had the metal on metal noise again, the groan noise had come back, the vehicle had lost power going up the slightest incline. Feeling like there was no other option available to me, I sent kia a letter asking for a buyback as well as all of my repair invoices and all they did was off to pay one of my car notes and told me to take the vehicle back to the dealer. I declined their offer to pay 1 car note and took the vehicle to the dealer where it stayed for 16 consecutive days. Again, all concerns were duplicated and addressed. After picking up the vehicle, I noticed that none of the instrument panel lights were coming on as they usually did when I started the vehicle.

Filed Nov 2, 1999 · Electrical · MD

Turned off vehicle to pump gas, on attempt to start the vehicle would not start. Battery was jump started, car functioned properly for 4 days. At that time the vehicle failed again when attempting to start, jumped started the vehicle & drove to service center. Dealer service center found a cell in the battery had failed & replaced the battery. Vehicle failed again, 4 weeks later, when attempting to start vehicle. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, when the service technician attempted to start the vehicle, the vehicle functioned properly. The vehicle was thoroughly checked by service manager & found no problem. The vehicle failed to start, again, 3 day later & did not respond to a jump start. The dealership is currently inspecting vehicle, I have contacted the manufacturer, I am not receiving any cooperation. A number of people have mentioned to me a consumer report that was reported by a local news station, they do not recall the complete details but do have a recognition of the report. This seems to be a repetive problem for sportage owners.

Filed Mar 3, 1999 · Body, Brakes · NY

We have an antifreeze problem still to this day; our brakes still are squealing now; it didn't start twice; ice builds up where the door and the car come together-damaging door; has iced over inside the car; windows would never clear off-couldn't see anything while driving; didn't idle properly-and still doesn't