2001 Kia Sportage: brake failure

Filed Nov 20, 2015 · Body · 160,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 kia sportage. While driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle begin to shake, the brake warning indicator illuminated, and the brakes failed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the frame was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 01/12/16*lj ;updated VIN invalid 4/25/18*jb

Filed Oct 3, 2011 · Body, Brakes · 91,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Aug 4, 2010 · Body · 144,642 miles · MI

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.

Filed Nov 28, 2004 · Brakes · LA

Under normal driving conditions, fortunately happened at a parking lot, brake pedal went to the floor. Initial investigation revealed leaking brake fluid. Further investigation revealed this hose, non-reinforced in any way had split at both ends of connection to metal tube. Tube is approximately 1/8" od making id of hose approximately 1/8". Wall of hose is very thin perhaps 1/16" or less. This hose is very flexible being quite similar to vacuum hose and must be under high pressure from the braking system. This is extremely hazardous.had this vehicle been traveling on the road at a higher rate of speed and the brake petal gone to the floor as it did when leaving a parking space a dangerous accident could easily and most probably would have occured. When checking the same hose on the other side of the vehicle the hose on the front drivers side is split also. There is no clamp holding thios hose in place. It merely slips onto metal tube on both ends and is split at the end of the connection sith each tube-thats four holes (two tubes). I cannot even begin to imagine the repercussions of this poor engineering design. Step on the petal and brake fluid pours out of the splits. This could happen at any time. Very, very poor design. This requires immediate action.

Filed Aug 13, 2004 · Brakes · NY

While driving consumer applied the brake pedal and the brakes failed. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the rotors needed to be replaced, and replaced them. However, the problem recurred, and vehicle was taken back to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the rotors needed to be replaced again.

Filed Feb 2, 2004 · Brakes · 29,000 miles · PA

While driving the vehicle's brakes failed without warning. The dealer stated that the master cylinder was the cause of the failure.