1999 Kia Sportage: fuel leak

Filed Sep 28, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 333,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 kia sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted strong fuel fumes on the exterior and the interior. The dealer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in a manufacturer's recall and the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact also stated that the timing belt failed three times and was replaced by a mechanic. The drive train failed once and was replaced by a mechanic. The crank shaft was also replaced once. The contact also was experiencing a transmission failure in which the gears slipped randomly and were slow to change over. The vehicle was taken to the dealer more than three times and they were not able to remedy the failure. The contact replaced the seals due to the transmission failure. The fuel leak continued and was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The failure mileage was 333,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2014 · Fuel system · 124,971 miles · GA

I had just filled gas tank with unleaded gas. When I noticed a strong gas smell. The car sits all day. I only move it for emissions each year I work from home. They tested and told me evap emission control sys malf. The guy said he could see gas leaking from my fuel line. He said it was a recall on this to check with kia. Kia told me my VIN number did not match the recall. This car does not see alot of action there is no reason other than a few good snows that may have rusted the tank other wise why would my tank all of a sudden leak gas. This is a hazard that I think kia should be responsible for. I am the second owner of the car and have had it longer than the first. I have experienced first hand some issues this model has had which kia took care of. But they refuse this.

Filed Jun 29, 2009 · Fuel system · 112,307 miles · MA

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.

Filed Jun 20, 2009 · Fuel system · 89,000 miles · OH

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!

Filed Jan 13, 2009 · Fuel system · 137,700 miles · PA

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.

Filed Jan 23, 2008 · Fuel system · 57,800 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 kia sportage. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact began to smell gas from somewhere around the vehicle. He then noticed gas leaking from the top of the oil tank, which began to leak underneath the tank. As a result, the bottom of the tank began to rot and form holes. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they noticed that the hoses of the fuel pump also rotted from the leak in the oil pan. There is a technical service bulletin (kt2006050901) issued by kia that lists the exact same defect the vehicle was experiencing. Service campaign inspection number sc059 was referenced. The failure mileage was 57,800 and current mileage was 58,739.

Filed Aug 8, 2006 · Fuel system, Locks · 63,559 miles · PA

Dt*: 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.

Filed Aug 4, 2006 · Fuel system · 59,000 miles · PA

Dt*: 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.

Filed Jul 5, 2006 · Brakes, Engine · 28,000 miles · MI

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. I am reporting this to you after reading on www.kia.com technical/owners section about a "service campaign" for the leaking fuel tanks in may 2006. Nobody has notified me and I just happened to run into myself as I was researching information related to the power steering system since that started leaking in may 2006.

Filed Aug 5, 2005 · Electrical, Fuel system · IL

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. *jb phone interview update (oct. 31, 2005): no fuel leak; however, the tank was so badly rusted. She agreed to email pictures of the tank.

Filed Aug 15, 2000 · Fuel system, Transmission · OH

Vehicle was leaking gasoline, and fuel line was defective. There was a trail of gasoline miles away, and vehicle just stopped without prior warning. Also, speedometer didn't work, and she didn't know how fast she was going. Consumer felt that vehicle was very unsafe to drive.