The automatic locking hubs on my '99 kia sportage have failed again. This is 4 times in 4 years. I have had a vacuum line replaced and the entire front assembly replaced. Last year they would not work during a snow storm , causing me to almost get stuck in a snow drift. Had the vehicle to the dealer a week later---and they were working. Temperatures were warmer when the dealer looked at them. During recent snow storm (12/5/03) hubs once again would not engage. Indicator light is on, but the rear wheels spin in the snow. Don't know what to do. Would like kia to replace with manual locking hubs. Any help would be appreciated.
1999 Kia Sportage transmission complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 57, newest first, as owners wrote them.
When attempting to engage 4-wheel drive, the light illuminates, but 4-wheel drive is not engage. Ph
We bought a 1999 kia in november of 1999. Since then we have had nothing but trouble with it. Every six months there is something gone wrong with it.
Consumer states that muffler is noisy, gas tank and fuel pump are being replaced.
While trying to engage four wheel it did not work. Vehicle was sliding in snow. Also, only back wheels were turning.
Was driving in snow when 4wd light came to indicate it was engaged, but 4wd was not working. Took to dealership twice, and had it repaired. Mechanic is refusing to repair it for a third time.*ak consumer states vehicle was all over the road due to 4wd not working.
The vehicle makes noise when starting in the morning. First, said it was end play in the crank then the water pump, then its the alternater then they replace the valve. After all this the cause was the hydraulics are bleeding down and that was the ticking noise comes and it was on recall 98v‑222.the vehicle was at the shop several times for the same problems.
Was driving up a small hill when the car suddenly loss power...and speed dropped.
Front bearings were disentergrated, causing tires to wobble while driving. Dealer has replaced bearings and hub. *ak
While driving heard a noise, then steering was very hard to turn, and brakes went to the floor. Consumer had to use transmission to slow vehicledown.*ak 4 wheel drive failed. Wife of this vehicle's owner also has exact same vehicle, VIN [xxx] with 4 wheel drive failure, also consumer experienced power window failure and has experienced electrical problems ever since. *slc information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The driver side wiper arm broke off during a rainstorm. (attorney for client)
Ever since first day of ownership when going from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive there is a grinding noise coming from front end, and will continue during normal operation. When consumer applies brakes, noise will randomly disappear. Dealership cannot determine what causes defect.
Many safety problems please help. Vehicle has stalled 4 times at highway speeds and the dealer says they cannot duplicate the problem somebody is going to be killed or seriously injured. 4 wheel drive inoperable during severe snowstorm. Blower motor for the heater has been replace twice now both times subzero weather. The starter was rewired once and then replace twice, every time vehicle was inoperable and had to be towed.catalytic convertor replaced once so far. Driver side wiper arm broke off at 55 MPH during rainstormspare tire release replaced two times now first time couldn't open it, second time it wouldn't shut. Water coming in from somewhere running along the bottom of the glove box dealer doesn't have time to look at it. Muffler assembly replaced as well as the battery after all the starter problems. I hpe somebody does something with these vehicles before some major tradgedies occur, I already saw at least one fatality on the complaint board while skimming over it. I have called the district manager several times only to be told I was the only one complaining about these safety issues and the last time I spoke with him he hung up on me. I have two small children and I am not sure how safe this vehicle really is
While driving 65mph in rain driver's side windshield wiper stopped. Then, passenger's side windshield wiper stopped as well. Dealer found driver's side windshield wiper had broken. Replaced both windshield wipers. On january 10, 2001 while snowing, very same thing happened again. Had windshield wipers replaced again. While driving to dealer's lot driver's windshield wiper arm flew off. *ak the complete 4 wheel drive kit was replaced by the dealer but the 4 wheel drive did not engage resulting in bumping, grinding noise and no traction. The consumer stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. *yh 4 wheel drive was never in working order in vehicle, consumer put vehicle in 4 wheel drive and got stuck. There was a loud grinding sound. Light indicating this option was working had been on. Dealer found 4 wheel drive had not been working in vehicle since purchase. Dealer replaced 4 wheel drive. Now same problem with 4 wheel drive, same grinding sound back.
Front rotors failed. Nlm
4 wheel drive does not engage.
4 wheel drive went out. Vehicle has been at dealer since then. According to dealer,part is on backorder, not known when will be available. *ak the dealer denied the vehcile was on recall but fixed the problem after long delay.
4-wheel drive does not always engage, both front hubs were replaced and pass operation cable adjusted, dealer claims the problems is fixed, however consumer states there is no difference once vehicle is repaired. Check engine light illuminated. Power window inoperable, dealer replaced window motor.
Oxygen sensor and air flow sensor failed. Nlm
Front hub will not lock up, causing four wheel drive to become inoperable. Dealer can not correct the problem.
Engine check light keeps coming on which is a reoccurring problem. Also, due to defect vehicle has stalled twice; once in reverse gear, and in drive gear. Dealer had vehicle on numerous occasions, and claimed that a sensor was the cause.
4-wd not working, hubs not locking. Engine is straining as if in 4wd, indicator light is lit, leading you to believe you are safely in 4wd, but the back tires are spinning and the front tires are not turning. The dealer has checked the truck and ordered parts...that was 2 weeks ago, and dealer has no idea when the parts will be in. Kia has not responded to the dealer's inquiry. The wire harness that was replaced took a week because kia sent a faulty harness as a replacement and the part had to be reordered.
While driving twice in light snow 4-wheel drive unit kick out of gear spontaenously. *ak the 4 wheel drive kick out forced the vehicle to spin 180 degrees. After the third failure, the consumer rented a vehicle, but had a serious accident in which the rental vehicle was totaled.
No lights on dashboard came on .this is one time engine check light did not come on. Oil all over motor. Around area of dip stick.pressure from motor blew out dip stick has anyone else had to replace motor on these cars? Also have had brakes replaced 5 times. Wiper assembly replaced. Fourwheel drive hose replaced. Windsheild replaced. Emissons replaced. Rotors 5 times. Seats front and back 1 time each. Soft top replaced 3 times need replaced again.smells like sulfur all the time. Will never buy one again . First I have to pay 3000.00 for a new motor and pay this one off.asked for help from kia they said no.they will not replace motor. I bought extended warrenty . Don't buy it doesn't cover brakes or rotors or hubs.had headlight switch by motor replaced no headlights they would go off when I put them from high beam to low beam or low to high. Then they stopped working alltogether had to hold switch to see to get home.
The heat shield on my catalytic converter rusted off,the manifold cracked,the muffler rusted through within a year,the widshield wiper transmission broke and was replaced,while the kia sportage is engaged in 4wd it pops out into two wheel drive and causes the driver to lose control of the vehicle.this has happened to me numerous times this winter and the recalled parts have now failed again causing kia to put in manual hubs from 1997 into my 1999 SUV.I feel this is a danger to all who own a kia sportage and I have contacted a lawyer to look into possible litigation against kia.I have found a recall on a previouse modle from 1998 but the components seals are failing in the replacment parts hubs .thank in advance for your time and letting me inform you of this dangerouse situation...ed geisler.
4-wheel drive gets stuck which causes consumer to pull over and turn off vehicle. There is a recall for this problem. Please provide further information.
Four-wheel drive unit seals went bad. Consumer tried to put in 4-wheel drive, and vehicle did not respond. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer repaired. But, claimed thatseals will go bad again.
While driving front passenger's wheel bearing broke off, causing wheel to bent inwards/ sparks flying, and fire started. Driver stopped vehicle and found that wheel almost fell off from the axle. Please provide further information.
When driving consumer noticed vibration coming from front end, also, upon depressing brake pedal or when releasing brake pedal, consumer noticed a noise coming from vehicle. Problem felt like sticky calipers. Consumer believed that problem was linked to the driveshaft. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer was unable to determine the cause of the problem. Please provide any further details.
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.
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