Oil was being diluted by fuel seeping in from the injectors and the high pressure fuel pump. Vehicle was brought in twice to fix the problem. During the 24-27 Feb 26 repair the high pressure fuel pump was diagnosed and replaced. On 16 Mar 26 I noticed the oil level had risen on the dip stick (after driving ~300 miles) about 5 mm and brought the car back to the Kia dealer for diagnosis and repair. The high pressure fuel pump was diagnosed again as bad and replaced as were all four fuel injectors after they were also determined to be leaking fuel.
Kia Sportage fuel leak problems
99 of the 4,730 owner complaints about the Kia Sportage describe fuel leak, most of them for the 2000 model year.
- owner complaints
- 99
- worst model year
- 2000
- typical mileage
- 80,000
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel smell 30Fuel pump 23Stalling 4Check engine light 4Misfire 3Fire or smoke 3Knocking 3Fuel gauge 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P0430 1P0420 1P0305 1P0303 1P0300 1P0273 1P0170 1
What owners say
I leased my 2020 Kia Sportage LX in August 2019 and purchased the Vehicle after the lease. In April 2025, the Vehicle started emitting a strong gas smell after filling. Often, the pump would stop short around 8-10 gals instead of the usual 13-14 gals. I attributed both to perhaps cheap gas and faulty pumps. On September 23, 2025, I went to the dealership to check the gas odor and possible gas leakage and ticking engine noise. I ended up having to replace the entire fuel tank. The car is now 6 years old and, of course, out of its 5-year warranty. The report indicates that the leak was from the top of the tank and in the cabin; therefore, nothing was caused by normal wear or damage. Upon searching, I found that in January of 2019, previous years were recalled to replace the fuel tank due to similar issues (Gas Tank Recall # SC172). Some of these models had recalls for the KSDS as well, and my vehicle had been recalled and repaired. My concern is that this is my 3rd Kia and 6th car total in life. Never have I had to replace a gas tank. I firmly believe some of these 2020 vehicles were built at the end of 2018 with the same parts in the 2019 recall; however were missed due to recall time and manufacturing rollouts.
[XXX] Kia Dealer replaced the 2015 Kia Sportage engine under an extended warranty not a recall. (10 months ago) Kia failed to notify us there was a connection issue of the high pressure fuel line on replacement motors. [XXX] daughter drove from Boston to Maine when she arrived home gas vapors were coming out the front grill and between the hood and windshield. When I removed the plastic engine cover and had her start the car fuel sprayed out everywhere. 2-6-24: Kia dealer wont repair the leak because the engine was replaced under an extended warranty and not a recall. 2-7-24: Charles, a supervisor at Kia Customer Care said the same thing, sorry but nothing I can do. So let me understand what you are saying. If two 2015 Kia Sportage come in and both get the engines replaced , one under a recall the other under an extended warranty and then it is discovered that the pipe that connects to the high pressure fuel pump may have been damaged , misaligned or improperly fastened during replacement could result in a fuel leak and fire. Only the owner that had the engine replaced under the recall would be notified. The other owner will be driving around a potential Kia Fireball. He said that unfortunately is the case and our car is out of the warranty period. 18V‑907 / SC172 Recall Summary Kia Motors America is recalling certain 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V‑224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak. This recall affects only some Sportage vehicles. Specifically, it impacts any vehicles that had an engine replacement completed. This could have happened under a different recall or due to a warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My check engine light came on several monthsago. I replaced the gas cap three times! This did not seem to remedy the problem. The check engine light would come on shortly thereafter. I've been parking my car away from buildings and home and I have noticed that the grassy area where I park has died on the left hand side (the driver side) where I park. There must be a leak. I can hear gurgling from the gas tank! There is a a ping sound shortly after I shut off the vehicle. I'm very worried that my car is going to catch fire! You can hear gurgling (soon after engine is running) I have had the oil changed and asked if they could look at the undercarriage to see if there was anything unusual going on they did not see anything. Also, the throat of the fuel tank keeps getting rusty. The outter entrance always gets grimy. I guess water and or rain must be leaking down into the entrance. I have never owned a car where I had to continuously maintain the gas fuel tank entrance area! In summary, there are three problems. An emissions problem related to the fuel tank gurgglng and leaking fuel. Second, the throat of the fuel tank keeps rusting. Three, the entrance of the fuel tank. it's always dirty, and grimy as if something has leaked inside! it needs constant attention. I will be taking my car in to do recall replacement repairs soon. I will ask them to check the fuel emissions problem as well at Crain Kia in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Since I took delivery of the Sportage on 1/18/20, there has been a fuel leak. On three occasions, I asked Kirby Kia to check it and they said there was no problem. I notice that they did not include on their paperwork my requests to inspect this problem. The gas fumes are so strong that if I'm idling or stopped in traffic, I have to close all my windows and set air to recirculate. I am a senior and need someone to step in and help with this issue. Thanks.
Kia is not honoring this the federal safety agency safety recall results (2) Recall information provided by the federal safety agency Fuel system, gasoline, engine Recall date 2018-12-19 Recall no. 18V907000 Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V‑224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak. View details for Fuel system, gasoline, engine Engine and engine cooling Recall date 2017-03-31 Recall no. 17V224000 Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine. View details
On November 2020 I bought my 2017 Kia Sportage 4DR FWD LX. I been having issues with the driver's and passenger windows since 05/08/2021. The driver's window will not go down, Deland Kia Dealer inspection said the rubber window channel for the driver's windows needed to be lubricated and it got fix. Now 8 months later the same situation is happening again on the the same window, the window will not go down, and the motor works because you can hear it running. On 10/18/2021 I had to get my kia Sportage for service due the right (passenger) window not going up, it was stock and will not go up at all, again the motor was working because you can heart running. I got my Kia serviced at Deland Kia and they changed the window regulator gear panel. Is working (for now) but now my left rear window will not go up and is sliding down, like it loose and the drive's windows also having the same problem. I believe all this issues are a safety concern due to; first what if that window that is sliding will break and cut someone, plus is an easy way for someone to brake into my vehicle. Also the windows not coming down, what if I had an accident and the only way to get me out will be breaking the window because it will not go down and if there was a gas leak or something I will get trap there. I looked online to multiple vehicle forums and there is multiple complains about this window issue, some believe is due to a regulator wheel malfunction or a complete regulator malfunction. At this point almost all my windows had an issue which is putting my safety and my family safety on risk.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 kia sportage. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v907000 (fuel system, gasoline, engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal odor inside of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to murray ford of kingsland, inc (2030 n georgia st 40, kingsland, ga 31548, (912) 510-3673) where the contact was informed of a fuel leak inside the engine compartment. The contact was referred to mike murphy kia (6150 altama ave, brunswick, ga 31525). The vehicle was towed to another dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Fuel tank leaking gas I believe the fuel tank is no good anymore I purchase a vehicle fill up the tank and start to leak gas I thought it was a gasket so gasket was placed and it's still leaking
Noticed a strong gas smell, looked under car and noticed gas dripping from under car. Upon further looking I noticed the gas tank protective plate is rotting out which makes me believe the gas tank is too.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles, fuel may leak from the o-ring into the internal vapor chamber located in the fuel tank at full tank conditions.
- Risk
- The engine may stall when coming to a stop. It will be hard to fill the gas tank and external fuel may leak from the evaporative air filter inlet. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank and replace the charcoal canister free of charge. The recall began on may 31, 2005. Owners may contact kia at 1‑800‑333‑4542.
Recall number 05V212000 · Recall details
Questions about the Kia Sportage fuel leak
Which Kia Sportage years have fuel leak problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2000 (40 complaints), 2001 (17 complaints) and 2002 (14 complaints).
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