2001 Kia Sportage Suspension Problems

Which parts fail

• Front
  4
• Front › Wheel bearing
  3
• Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
  1
• Front › Hub
  1
• Multiple axle › Torque arm
  1
• Rear
  1

Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  327%
• 25k–50k
  218%
• 50k–75k
  19%
• 75k–100k
  218%
• 100k–150k
  218%
• 150k+
  19%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Kia Sportage owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I purchased a Kia Sportage from a dealership who said the vehicle still had its full power train warranty bumper to bumper for 7 years. The Kia has low mileage and still does due to the fact it has been setting at the Kia garage and they will not do anything to the vehicle. The vehicle had multiple issues with problems from the exhaust, front suspension, moto, and the 4wd transfer system. I cannot get the Kia dealership to fix the vehicle saying they cannot replicate the problem. I have had to pay my local mechanic $100.00 to find the problems and said they definitely needed fixing or the vehicle would run into more expense as time lingers on. The head gasket is blown and leaking oil, loosing compression and eventually the motor will fail to operate. …

As my wife was driving home from work she noticed the rear of the SUV was swaying upon further inspection of myself and an auto mechanic we found a crack in the rt rear frame the mechanic told us to park it and contact Kia. Told by Kia as this car was now over 100,000 miles that it was no longer covered and there was nothing that could be done or it . Well we welded on a few pieces of steel and it lasted only another 3 months and it started again this time we checked and found that the frame was rotted from the passenger door to the back end of the vehicle you could put your finger thru it car is now parked and wont be driven again. Kia will do nothing about this. I went to the bone yard to see if they had a frame and the 7 kias that I checked all had the same problem if I were you and I owned a Kia I would check this out before I drove another mile.

I was hearing a clunk every time I started going forward and backwards and got underneath the car to notice the frame crossmember was totally separated from the frame. It is the frame crossbar that holds the rear axle support to the frame. The affected frame cross member goes underneath the gas tank and would require 2 days labor to fix at my local repair shop. To remove the gas tank is one project and to have a new welded support bar is another project and will cost alot to fix. I called Kia for possible recalls and they said "oh its out of warranty" goodluck with that!!! This car is unsafe and could have caused serious damage.

Tl contact owns a 2001 Kia Sportage. While driving approximately 30 MPH, a crack formed in the exhaust manifold. The stabilizer bar disconnected from the right ball joint while traveling at approximately 5 MPH; at that point, the contact was unable to turn the steering wheel to the left. There were no warnings before the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed but no repairs had been performed when the complaint was filed. The current mileage was approximately 121,600. The failure mileage was approximately 121,500. Updated 05/18/10.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Kia sportgage. The contact was driving 40 MPH when she lost control of the vehicle and experienced a difficult time steering straight. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic. The mechanic stated that the track bar, which was connected to the rear axle, was corroded and needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified and the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 65,500. And the current mileage was 65,600. Updated 01/10/12 updated 01/10/12

Vehicle's engine and A/C failed. The consumer had to replace two engines within a 40000 mile usage. The vehicle stopped dead on a very busy us route 1 hwy. The sudden stop caused a traffic tie up and the vehicle was nearly rear ended by a air conditioning, the vehicle needed a complete engine replacement, valve cover gasket, front wheel bearings, drive belts out of tension, cruise control, v belts replaced, brakes and rotors, exhaust system.

Stabilizer connected to the chasis rotted from the frame and the brakes stopped working because where the brake line was connected to the frame was rotted. Brought the car to an independent mechanic to find this out. Cannot drive the vehicle in current condition as it is extremely unsafe. I was lucky I wasn't going fast and was able to get the car off the road. People should be notified to have this checked immediately, it could save someone's life.

2001 Kia Sportage suffered two complete engine failures. Along with the engine failures, there were problems with the radio, battery and the terminals, front brakes, a sensor knock, exhaust system, air condition, valve cover gasket, front wheel bearings, front pads and rotors, cruise control, and a defective idler arm.

My 2001 Kia Sportage seems to have the same recall defect as the 2001-2004 optima. The car only has 45,000 miles on it and was just declared unfixable at the dealership due to the rear suspension rotted off the frame. The service technician said it was the second one he saw today, same model/year.

2001 Kia Sportage 4x4 with 76K miles. Within the last 3 weeks I have had to have the front brakes totally replaced, alternator and 2 belts replaced, muffler tailpipe rusted thru, and both front bearing hubs need to be replaced (wobbly).

Suspension complaints in other Sportage years