2000 Kia Sportage

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2000 Kia Sportage
BUILT 2026-08-02

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	394
2018	158
2019	68
2020	153
2021	46
2022	42
2023	182
2024	64
2025	49
2026	19

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 11%

11% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 33 distinct reports on file.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 7%

7% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 22 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4%

4% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 13 distinct reports on file.

VISIBILITY 4%

4% of complaints: visibility — 12 distinct reports on file.

STRUCTURE 4%

4% of complaints: structure — 12 distinct reports on file.

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 (33 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (22 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (13 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 ▲ 2021 ▲ 2025

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 11% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2000 Kia Sportage have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.