NHTSA Complaint #10161481 — 1999 KIA SPORTAGE

I HAVE A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE WITH LESS THAN 35,000 MILES ON IT AS OF JULY 5, 2006. IN NOVEMBER OF 2005 I STARTED NOTICING A REALLY STRONG FUEL SMELL. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. I TOOK IT IN AROUND THANKSGIVING TO FIND OUT THAT THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAD TO PAY ALMOST $1,000 FOR THIS REPAIR. ALSO, IN MAY OF 2006 POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED ALL OVER MY GARAGE WHILE THE CAR WAS IN SUMMER STORAGE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT IS DUE TO THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE DAMPING PIPE RUSTING OUT. THIS CAR HAS ALSO ALREADY HAVE TO GET NEW FRONT BRAKE ROTORS (RUSTED/WARPED) AS WELL AS A NEW EXHAUST PIPE SINCE THE PREVIOUSLY ONE RUSTED OFF THE MUFFLER. WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE YEARS ONE OF THE BEARINGS WENT BAD AND THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE WHOLE FRONT AXLE UNIT. THIS CAR HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND WITH LESS THAN 35,000 MILES ON IT BASICALLY MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH. I AM REPORTING THIS TO YOU AFTER READING ON WWW.KIA.COM TECHNICAL/OWNERS SECTION ABOUT A "SERVICE CAMPAIGN" FOR THE LEAKING FUEL TANKS IN MAY 2006. NOBODY HAS NOTIFIED ME AND I JUST HAPPENED TO RUN INTO MYSELF AS I WAS RESEARCHING INFORMATION RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM SINCE THAT STARTED LEAKING IN MAY 2006. *JB