Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Kia Sportage owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The car had not been driven in 2 days. My daughter started the car, drove it about 1/4 - 1/2 mile when she noticed smoke coming from the console on the passenger side. She parked the vehicle, got out and ran to the passenger side to see if she could tell where the smoke was coming from and could see fire through the crack in the console where the cover over the console was joined together. Within seconds, the entire inside of the vehicle was engulfed in flames, which leads me to believe that there May have been a gasoline leak. She was in a residential neighborhood with very little traffic. Had she been on the highway or in traffic, this would have been a very different scenario. She and others would have been hurt or worse. Her pocketbook had fallen on the floor and she reached over to pick it up and that is when she saw the smoke. She had time to get out before the car imploded. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Kia Sportage. While driving 35 MPH, there was a loud noise under the hood. The contact parked the vehicle and noticed water leaking from the radiator. The fan blade detached and went through the radiator. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,477.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Kia Sportage. Since purchasing the vehicle, the contact has paid for numerous repairs. Before driving the vehicle off the lot, she noticed a large puddle of oil underneath the vehicle. The dealer repaired the failure. The following week, while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to shake severely. The dealer rotated the tires, but the shaking persisted. Thirdly, a tire blew out and had to be changed. In addition, the vehicle began leaking transmission fluid and a new transmission line was installed. Lastly, the windshield wiper motor stopped working and the entire driver's side glass caved in on the contact, but did not break. There were no injuries. Currently, the glass will not roll up or down. The failure mileage was 86,000. Updated 1/5/09 the gas tank was falling apart. A shield was needed to rectify the problem. The drivers window was inoperative. …
My 2002 Kia started leaking transmission fluid, I went to kias repair shop four different times in three different states and the problem still exists. After the fourth time of being in the shop the one dealership told me that I have a bent or dented drive shaft, even though I have only had the vehicle for six months. And I have never hit anything, taken the vehicle off road or ran over anything to dent or bend this drive shaft. The dealership notified me this was an impact problem and that it is not covered under warranty and that I would have to replace the drive shaft at a cost of approximately. $800. I just bought the car six months. Ago and I don't feel I should be liable for damages that were not caused by myself. My doors also lock by themselves repeatedly and all four dealers said they fixed the problem but they still lock by themselves. …
Tl* - the contact purchased a 2000 Kia Sportage. The contact was the original owner of the vehicle. On 1/1/2007, after driving 1.5 miles the contact's smelled gas. The vehicle was parked ,and when the contact checked the vehicle, there was fuel leaking. The contact found a significant fuel leak ,and drove the vehicle to the dealer to diagnose the leak. The contact stated that gas was leaking on the exhaust system. The dealer indicated that the screws that held the fuel pump in the gas task rusted , and was advised that the pump which fitted into the fuel tank had to be replaced. The contact called Kia, and was told there was nothing they could do since the car was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was stalling ,and was told by the dealer that a wire was lo0se and it was repaired. Prior to that the vehicle was overheated due to an oxygen sensor failure.
Consumer's vehicle has a rusted gas tank and a bad fuel pump. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the manager stated that Toyota no longer does repair on Kia vehicle. The oil pan rusted causing an oil leak. Oil leaked from the speed sensor and oil seal. The 4 wheel drive was inoperative due to an outdated hub kit. The vehicle's check engine light illuminated. The technician found that the #3 cylinder was misfiring. Phone interview update (oct 31, 2005): the repair shop personnel (dave @ thetford's auto center @ [phone]) indicated that the tank was rusted and was leaking from the seam. In addition, the fuel supply or return line was rotted at the fuel tank connection; fuel was leaking whe the fuel pump was turned on.
Heat shield broke away, muffler affected and needs replacement due to heat shield. I contacted the Kia dealership in reno, nv and the attendant stated my car is no longer under warranty. I informed him of my car, daughter's and friends vehicles all having heat shield/muffler issue. I asked who I should inform of the possible assembly line issue? He stated "the dealership". My daughter has a 2002 Kia Sportage and a friend has a 2002 Kia Sportage (all 4x4). Within 5 months all three vehicles have had the identicle failure. Am concerned the muffler and/or heat shield can harm occupants in or out of vehicle, especially on highway while traveling in the event any parts should drop off.
I own a 2000 Kia Sportage ex that has repeatedly stalled when coming to a stop or when slowing to make a turn. This has resulted in my being stopped in the middle of busy intersections/part of the way across a road, desperately trying to restart my car before being hit. It has also lost power while on the interstate, dropping from 65mph with no warning. If I do not get off the highway immediately I risk losing total power. I have taken the car to the Kia dealership in durham,nc multiple times. They can not identify the problem on their computers. Independent mechanics have been unable to identify the problem. I have had all recommended maintenance done on this car.
Auto surges and accelerates while traveling highway speeds. Have had several close calls / near accidents. Dealer "cannot duplicate" and therefore will not do anything. Manufacturer has been contacted and said there is nothing they can do "nothing to fix - if dealer can not duplicate". Have brought in to dealer 2 times. What happens when this causes an accident/injury/ or worse? How can they duplicate it then? Please note have had other failures-cooling fan fell off and ruptured radiator, 4 wheel drive has failed several times.
My 2000 Kia Sportage has been leaking gas. We haven't had it repaired, as we cant afford it. Someone suggested looking for recalls, that's when I found this site. The "heat shield" (?) has always rattled badly. In addition to the rattling and bad gas leak, the motor blower fan is not working, my 4wheel drive isn't working. Underneath it is a rust bucket! The back doors wont lock/unlock. Something really needs to be done!!! Please, someone stand up for the little guy and make Kia fix these problems!!!
Engine complaints in other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Kia Sportage, 15% of the model year's 304 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Kia Sportage engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Kia Sportage, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Kia Sportage engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.