Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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. …
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. …
Dt: a 2000 Kia Sportage station wagon. The bottom of the vehicle rusted. The fuel tank had a hole in it. While the consumer was driving on the highway the fuel had slowly leaked out. The consumer was unaware of this until she drove vehicle home and noticed that there was fuel under it. Consumer took vehicle to a local fuel station; they told consume rbecause there was no one to work on it to bring it back the next day. She had the vehicle towed to them the next day. They replaced the fuel pump, tank, lines, and everything on the bottom of the vehicle. The fuel had leaked all over the bottom of the vehicle and made it hard to fix the vehicle. The mechanic told her that they had the same problem with other kiaes concerning this. The consumer is very concerned with the safety of this. …
I own a 2000 Kia Sportage ex [4x4] and add I done more research on this I never would've purchased it. Like all sportages apparently the 4wd doesn't work. I live in cleveland ohio and we normally get 6months of snow. There is no way I can drive a vehicle with only rear wheel drive. It's incredibly dangerous and a safety hazard because the back wheels always spin out during bad weather conditions. Kia has been aware of this problem for years and hasn't recalled this unsafe vehicle for some strange reason. I won't complain about some of other minor defects of this SUV, but something has to be done about the faulty 4wd!!!! Recently I got stuck in 2inches mud in my backyard and it took 4 hours of rocking, lifting the SUV with a jack and 2x4's, and clever idea's to get unstuck. Keep in mind I recently purchased 4 brand new tires and had the SUV in 4wd the entire time. …
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. …
Dt: first got car seemed to drive good, but in the winter the 4-wheel drive didn't work. Kia fixed it, and this happened again, Kia fixed it again. This seemed to happen when in high speeds and then slowing, the wheels would shake. At the first attempt to fix it, Kia dealer said they changed the kit that puts it into 4-wheel drive. On the second attempt to fix it, they didn't know what they did, but it had to do with 4-wheel drive. At third attempt Kia said the hoses were clogged. Took hoses off and cleaned them and put them back on. Also, said there was a new kit into the cars, but he did not put it into consumer's car. He assured consumer that the car would be fine. About three months later the 4-wheel drive and transmission iwere not working right. The last time this happened the front wheeles locked up and slid.
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.
The 4wd of my vehicle has stopped working on several occasions. However, it was not noticed until after I had been in a circumstance whereas the 4wd was needed such as snow and ice. One once occasion I narrowly avoided an accident and became stuck. I have had the vehicle submitted for repairs at the dealership and subsequently informed the repairs were required due to a malfunctioned vacuum line. The repairs were required three times before I finally returned the vehicle and demanded a more thorough investigation of the problem. I was then informed parts would need to be ordered for correction of the deficiency. I have still not received the vehicle back from repairs.
While driving my Sportage, I accidentally hit the gear control on the floor. To my surprise, it moved forward from the drive position to the neutral position. I found an isolated street and tested it again and it happened again. The gear handle does not properly lock into each position as it should. The safety button on the gear lever does not provide any sort of protection. I did not want to damage my car by testing to see if I could shift from drive into reverse using this newly-found problem. I'll leave that one to the automotive professionals. Please investigate this problem and determine if this is an isolated case or a vehicle design flaw. Thanks for your help!
Kia Sportage was making a metal on metal banging sound intermittently while normal opertion in 2 wheeel drive. Kia dealer found one front wheel hub and vacumm line were locked to engage 4 wheel drive. Hubs and line were replaced however there is a national stock outage on update kit for a recall by Kia. Already have waited 3 weeks for parts. Can not get information from Kia on when parts will be available. Many other Kia owners also on waiting list for parts with the same problem at brenner dealership in harrisburg, pa. Can not use 4 wheel drive until parts are installed.
Transmission complaints in other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Kia Sportage, 13% of the model year's 304 complaints. The component named most often is transfer case (4-wheel drive) (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Kia Sportage transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.