Tl* the contact owns a 2001 kia sportage. While driving at various speeds, fuel fumes emitted into the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed fuel leaking from the fuel tank. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that fuel was leaking from the top of the fuel tank and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
2001 Kia Sportage: fuel leak
17 of the 228 complaints about the 2001 Kia Sportage describe fuel leak.
- owner complaints
- 17
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical mileage
- 71,057
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
Fuel leak by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 kia sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking fuel, which created fumes in and around the vehicle. The contact located the leak under the fuel tank on the passenger side of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated due to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.
Our 2001 kia sportage had a gas smell. Now we noticed gas leaking out of the tank. It seems to stop at 1/4 full. We bought in brand new in 2002.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 kia sportage. The contact stated the vehicle was parked when she smelled a strong fuel odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the exterior of the fuel tank was wet on the exterior because there was a fuel leak. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred within a few months. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 08/01/11*lj updated 08/03/11
Faulty gas tank. The gas tank leaks gas.
Fuel odor ,found gas leaks from corroded gas tank, called kia headquarters,told to take it to a dealer , car was out of warranties but kia paid to replace the gas tank, I was told it was common with this kia sportage 2001 , the tank shield under the tank collected the salt from the road while driving in the winter and sit there between the shield and the tank causing excessive corrosion,I was pleased with kia action to pay fully for the tank.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 kia sportage. The contact stated that there was a strong odor of fuel inside and outside of the vehicle. She also noticed fuel leaking on the ground underneath the fuel tank. The failure was a continuous occurrence. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the fuel tank, fuel sensor and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. There was a manufacturer recall related to the similar defect; however the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 kia sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking gasoline fuel abnormally from the top of the fuel tank. The manufacturer advised that there were no recalls on the vehicle and any repairs would be at the contacts expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was approximately 70,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 kia sportage. The contact smelled a strong odor of fuel coming from the air vents and circulating throughout the inside of the vehicle. Also, an excessive amount of fuel was leaking coming from the fuel tank. The vehicle has not been repaired for the malfunction at this time. The failure mileage was 120,000. The current mileage was 155,000.
Purchased a 2001 kia sportage with 55200 miles. Went to kia dealer because of fuel leak. Technician told me that the frame was so rotted on the vehicle and that if I hit a pot hole that the rear end could let go. The technician told me that from 1995 to 2001 kia used low grade material on the frames of their vehicles and possibly did not coat them. He told me when he put my car on the lift that there was pieces of the frame dropping on the ground. He said he slightly tapped a hammer against the frame and it made holes. He told me that I should junk the vehicle and gave me paperwork stating the vehicle was unsafe to drive. I also had spoken to the owner of a used car dealership in my area prior to this and he told me that he could not sell the 1999 kia sportage that he purchased at auction with approx. 73,000 due to the frame rotting out. I could have been seriously hurt or killed if I was on the highway if I had not had that fuel leak. I cannot understand how kia could produce a vehicle like this. Lower quality cosmetics are one thing but a frame on a vehicle is another.
Fuel leak under hood. Fumes come into vehicle through air vents when outside air is cold.
During cold weather gas leaks from underneath the manifold from a rubber hose in line with fuel line causing gas lost and fumes to emit inside vehicle.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2001 Kia Sportage fuel leak
Is fuel leak a common problem on the 2001 Kia Sportage?
17 of 228 owner complaints about the 2001 Kia Sportage (7%) mention fuel leak. The model year with the most reports is 2000.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2001 Kia Sportage?
There is no recall or service bulletin for this area of the car on record.
Other symptoms on the 2001 Kia Sportage
Check engine light 16Fuel smell 13Stalling 13No deployment 8Brake failure 6Seat belt 6Fuel pump 5
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