Kia Sportage fuel gauge problems

Filed May 26, 2021 · Electrical · PA

My vehicle ran out of fuel, before the fuel gauge came close to "empty". The light had just come on in the past five miles, which usually indicated I had about ~30+ miles before the gauge hit "empty". It is not an electronic speedometer. I have never had that issue before. Surprisingly, I had never had this issue before. I refueled it, and it was seemingly okay. That was Sunday. Friday of the following week, I had my vehicle state inspected (PA), where it did not pass. They had to fix several issues with the rear rotor (reoccurring issue). Once it was fixed, they passed the vehicle. I had asked them to investigate the fuel issue I had. Two days later, my vehicle was less than half on the fuel gauge. I was on the highway, and suddenly I couldn't accelerate anymore. The fuel, battery, and engine lights all appeared on my dashboard. I smelled burning briefly. I went to the side of the highway and waited hours for AAA to jump my car and fuel it back. None of the options worked. I towed the car from AAA to Kia Wexford, at AAA's recommendation to get the car inspected to see if this issue was related to the recall. When the dealership finally looked into the issue, they said they wouldn't even investigate the engine issue, because I had not had the software update for the engine "downloaded" in time. The car was transferred to my name after this time period. They did state the engine would need to be replaced, paid for by me, for a total of $8k. I feel taken advantage of.

Filed Sep 5, 2018 · Engine · 91,411 miles · UT

Abrupt catastrophic engine failure- I was driving approximately 75 MPH on interstate I-80 heading westbound in wyoming at approximately milepost 77. The car suddenly began shaking for about one second and then a large short puff of black smoke. The car then immediately shut off and the oil, engine, and battery warning lights turned on. Luckily I was able to safely pull over to the side of the freeway. The temperature gauge was in the normal range. I got out of the car to inspect what the problem was. I notice a significant amount of engine oil dripping from the engine and that engine oil had sprayed over various parts of the car. I did not try to restart due to the significant amount of oil loss. I was in a remote location with poor cell phone reception. I had to climb up a nearby hill to contact roadside assistance. I had the vehicle towed to the nearest town to spend the night. I then had the vehicle towed to a kia dealership first thing in the morning. After the kia dealership inspected the vehicle, they stated that there was a hole in the engine block and the engine needed to be replace. I had the vehicle serviced regularly with full synthetic oil. I also checked the oil and fuel levels before I left on my trip 4 days earlier and they were all at normal levels and the oil was a normal color.

Filed Jul 12, 2011 · Fuel system · 110,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 kia sportage. The contact stated the fuel tank was corroded causing a leak in the fuel tank. The contact found a large puddle of gasoline fuel under the vehicle and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the fuel sending unit would need replacing at the contact's expense. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no other assistance. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Nov 30, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 69,000 miles · NY

I purchased my kia used, from a dealer, less than a year ago, and it passed the electronic systems check for vehicle inspection. I immediately had to have dealer replace the gasoline tank after smelling gasoline. This car is used solely for light usage to transport myself and my children to and from dr's and grocery stores. After owning the car for less than two months, check engine light came on, reporting issue with catalyst. Found a recall on this issue and am trying to get original dealer to fix. Now experiencing loss of power to engage inclines or hills, causing a hazard to other drivers. Also back brakes simply "blew"! Without any forewarning, with my children in the car, I lost all braking abilities. Thank goodness I was not going fast and have a standard to quickly downshift. My mother was killed due to loss of brakes, and it was an absolute panicking situation for me emotionally. Being a single mother I rely on mechanics to do all my work, and I had just had all my fuel levels topped off and my pads checked, without any issue found. I have also had an intermittent issue with the front seat belts remaining engaged. The dealer warranty expired and I am stuck with recalls nobody seems to want to fix!

Filed Mar 24, 2008 · Fuel system · 68,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 kia sportage. The contact smelled a strong odor of gasoline and the fuel gauge went from a full tank to half a tank. She found a puddle of gasoline underneath the vehicle. The dealer stated that the fuel tank was corroded. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance because the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The VIN, number of cylinders, engine size, and dealer information were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 68,000.

Filed Aug 7, 2007 · Fuel system · 110,000 miles · NY

While driving my 2000 kia sportage I started smelling gas I pulled over and looked under the vehicle and found gas leaking I had a mechanic look at it and he informed me gas was coming out of the top of my gas tank by where the fuel pump and gas gauge wiring goes in. I then went on the internet to see if there was any reported problems with this and found there was a recall from kia for the same reason. I the contacted a kia dealer in my area to get it fixed and he told me that the recall doesn't pertain to my vehicle and he but me in touch with kia consumer affairs and the next day (today) they told me that my sportage is not covered by the recall and I'm going to have to pay out of pocket for the repair. Is there anything you people can do or I'm I or someone else going to have to die in this vehicle to make them honor their screw up. Thank you in advance for your help. If need be I'll go to the press with this problem.

Filed Dec 11, 2006 · Fuel system · 86,150 miles · OH

Dt*: when the vehicle was started, the cab of the vehicle filled with the smell of gasoline. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact noted that there was a moderate fuel leak in the fuel tank cover. The vehicle was not seen by a dealer. Updated 01/19/07. *jb the fuel sending unit was replaced.

Filed Dec 11, 2006 · Fuel system · 44,320 miles · NY

Fuel sending unit (fuel pump/gauge) and fuel tank failed (began leaking) due to premature corrosion condition.

Filed Aug 24, 2006 · Fuel system · 85,000 miles · VT

Dt*: the contact stated a very strong gasoline smell was noticed inside and outside of the vehicle. The dealership determined there was a hole in the gas tank. The parts were not in and when the contact returned to a different dealership to have the hole repaired, the contact noticed the hole had deteriorated even more. Updated 9/13/006 - the fuel tank was replaced along with the fuel sending unit and pump. The pressure sensor was also affected by the corrosion.

Filed May 15, 2000 · MD

The vehicle fuel gauge fails intermittently. Nlm