2000 Kia Sportage

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2000 Kia Sportage
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2000: 304 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1995	56
1996	57
1997	181
1998	303
1999	284
2000	304
2001	228
2002	234
2003	4
2005	68
2006	111
2007	77
2008	98
2009	80
2010	20
2011	181
2012	392
2013	380
2014	122
2015	146
2016	130
2017	399
2018	162
2019	69
2020	159
2021	50
2022	45
2023	186
2024	68
2025	49
2026	26

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 27%

27% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 83 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and fuel pump.

SERVICE BRAKES 19%

19% of complaints: service brakes — 59 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY

POWER TRAIN 17%

17% of complaints: power train — 51 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing transfer case (4-wheel drive) and automatic transmission.

CRASH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15%

15% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 47 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

SNOW BECAME LODGED IN THE FAN WHICH STOPPED IT FROM TURNING AND IT ALSO CAUSED THE CONDENSER TO BURN. *JB SCC

NHTSA ODI report, 20030310

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 37 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wiring and ignition.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, BUT THE VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030617

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030617

CONSUMER HAS REPORTED ELETRICAL PROBLEMS TO THE DEALER WHO HAS BEEN UNCORPORATIVE. THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF SUBSTANCE DRIPPING ON DRIVER'S FOOT & A BURNING SMELL FROM THE INSIDE. CONSUMER PULLED/LIFTED UP HOOD AND VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20001018

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2000 — complaint volume: 304

I 20000710 — PE (closed 20000731)

INCORRECT BATTERY JUMP-START

R 20000907 — electrical system

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE. THESE VEHICLES WERE DISTRIBUTED WITH OWNERS MANUALS WITH AN INCORRECT JUMP START DIAGRAM. THE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS FOR JUMP STARTING ARE ACCURATE. HOWE

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADHESIVE LABEL WITH THE CORRECT ILLUSTRATION TO PERMANENTLY AFFIX TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS MANUALS.

Campaign 00V205000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020605 — DP (closed 20020923)

VEHICLE ROLLOVER

I 20031014 — RQ (closed 20040227)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION

I 20040227 — EA (closed 20040726)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION

R 20040816 — seat belts

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND EMITTED WHEN A BUCKLE IS BEING LATCHED,

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Campaign 04V305000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20060104 — PE (closed 20060509)

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

I 20060509 — EA (closed 20071130)

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2000 Kia Sportage — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (83 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes issues (59 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (51 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 00V205000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Verify recall 04V305000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2022 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2017 ■ 2012 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2000 Kia Sportage reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2000 Kia Sportage is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Kia Sportage?

The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2000 Kia Sportage have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.