Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
My Kia began having electrical problems about 3 years ago. Long story made short: the dealer wanted me to pay $3000 plus for it had all its electrical system melted down. I found a recall and after a battle with the dealer and manufacturer I got it fixed when I found out there was a recall. Next nightmare: July 2008 no one died luckily. I lend my car to a friend and he is driving his 2 year old daughter and the car falls to the ground. Axle broke down, wheels spun inwards and Kia is not working again. Luckily these friends were going at 20 miles an hour otherwise they would not have told the story. Got it fixed cost me $$ apparently it was a defective Kia part center link replaced. Have the part still in my car as a nice memory. Final nightmare: April 2009 I was the main character: again the axle feels weird and clicks when I turn. Problem: tie rod is broken. …
I purchased this Kia Sportage in November of 2004 with 36000 miles. Noticed tranmission slipping during cold start up. Brought back to dealer and was told this is normal. January 2005 cars idle and handling is becoming a hazard. Car fishtales regardless of degree of turn or amount of dampness on the road. Car is also shuddering when put into four wheel drive. March of 2005 was driving at about 50 when I heard a grinding noise from the left front wheel which got louder as I drove to get to the side of the road. As I pulled over the wheels locked and I heard a snapping sound as I skidded to a stop. I could not move the car, tried a few times and finally did get the car home. Brought to atlantic Kia and was told I needed a whole hub assembly. The inner seals were rotted and this allowed water and dust to enter the assembly and cause it to fail. …
Was going off to work on 3 different snow days engaged vehicle 4x4 (at least according to the idiot light I was ) proceeded to work so I slid all over the road and got stuck in 2 inches of snow. After 3rd attempt contacted dealer to ask if it was a known cause and they told me yes that there was a TSB for a new hub assembly. Cause the inner seals are failing due to the manufactures design of the 4x4 vacuum /seal system , I asked that if this is a failure in the design should the Kia manufactures have made a recall for this defect in their workmanship, and was told "no" there is a fix for it but my 4x4 is not a safety issue it was a convenience issue and it would cost me $1000 dollars to fix , when I ask why wasn't it fixed in 2001 when I had it in for a 4x4 concern they told me that the TSB wasn't issued then but have found on different web sights that it was ..so to solve my own …
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. …
(1) noticed that the fuel tank shield is severely rotted out and is barely connected. (2) smell fuel vapors periodically while in the vehicle. (3) fuel tank appears to be rusting, afraid to mess with tank in fear of disturbing the rust and rupturing a hole in tank. (4) brake lines were so severely rusted in one area that it blew a hole in the line and prevented the vehicle from stopping and required the prompt action for repair. Other brake lines look like they May fail in near future. (5) steel portion of power steering line rusted out and blew fluid everywhere preventing the ability to turn the wheel while driving. (6) the frame has heavy rust scale and appears to be rotting in several place. (7) paint is starting to bubble which is indicating body is rusting under paint job. This is a 12 year old vehicle with very bad rotting of metal from salt corrosion. …
Car purchased new, nov 2000. Now has 29K miles. Has had brakes, pads & rotors replaced twice because of excessive wear and pulsating when stopping. Done by dealer, who said common problem with the brakes on "these small cars". Now needs replaced again; doing same thing as before. Also loses brake fluid, 1/2 pint every few weeks. Now just had left front bearing siezed up; pulled car to left into oncoming lane of traffic (no impact with other vehicles). Dealer replaced both front axles, spindles, bearings, etc., but denies this is common problem. However, checking other complaints on record, find both brakes and the bearings problem are evidently very common.
The frame where the rear stabilizer arm connects has completely rusted allowing the arm to fall away. The only thing supporting the arm now appears to be the fuel line which is attached to it. The rest of the frame is rusted out as well. There is not enough metal left to weld or repair. Had the arm broken the fuel line and sparked when it dragged on the road, this problem could have turned deadly. This is a very serious problem for a vehicle with only twelve years and 84K miles on the road.
Went to engage 4x4 in bad blizzard and got only grinding noise and no increase in traction. Dealer states hubs are corroded and vacuum seals and hoses need to be replaced. Seems to be a very common complaint. What good is a 4x4 if it is not working when you need it? Dealer does not acknowledge common complaint.
Consumer was traveling 30mph up a hill, at top vehicle jerked to left. Consumer managed to steer it back. Vehicle began doing a 180 degree turn, hit an embankment, and airbags deployed. Consumers was going 5-10mph upon impact. Dealership, after inspection, couldn't find anything wrong.
Vehicle spun around & flipped over traveling at 25-30mph. Consumer feels speed isn't the cause. Dealer is sending a representative to inspect vehicle. The consumer says the vehicle is too light and too high up underneath. It is unsafe.
NHTSA investigations
Vehicle rollover
There is no summary currently available
Suspension complaints in other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2000 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the suspension of the 2000 Kia Sportage, 8% of the model year's 304 complaints. The component named most often is front (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Kia Sportage suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to suspension 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.