NHTSA Complaint #10229162 — 2002 KIA SPORTAGE

DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC LAST WEEK AND CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND THE SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CAR WAS NOT SMOKING, THERMOSTAT WAS NOT SHOWING OVERHEATING. I TRIED TO MAKE IT TO THE OFF RAMP LESS THAN 1.5 MILES. DEALER SAYS THAT THE RADIATOR HAS A HOLE IN IT AND THE HEAD HAS TO BE REBUILT AND THEY SAY THAT I MUST REPLACE THE TIMING BELT AND PULLEY'S . I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT WAS A BAD THERMOSTAT. THE HEAD ASSEMBLY, CYLINDER HEAD, SPARK PLUGS, HOSES WERE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR REPLACED. I ALSO HAVE REPLACED THE TIMING BELT, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND AS OF MAY 15 2008 A NEW FAN CLUTCH. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SHOWS ANY SIGNS OF OVERHEATING ON ANY GAUGES, AND DOES NOT SMOKE. YOU CAN ONLY HERE THE SOUND OF BOILING WATER IN THE RADIATOR. HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS THAT CAN DO OVER $4000 DAMAGE TO A MOTOR WITH 55K MILES AND 5 YEARS OLD . CASE NUMBER --K14040462. *TR