NHTSA Complaint #10334836 — 2000 KIA SPORTAGE

2000 KIA SPORTAGE. CONSUMER STATES SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. WHEN THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WOULD ENGAGE, IT WOULD CAUSE TREMENDOUS FRICTION WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN DRASTICALLY. ALSO, WHEN IT WAS ENGAGED IN A TURNING MODE, THE FRONT GEAR WOULD SLIP. THE GAS TANK SHIELD WAS THREE QUARTERS OF THE WAY ROTTED DUE TO RUST AND THERE SEEMED TO BE MINOR GAS SEEPAGE UNDER WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE TANK SHIELD. THE CHASSIS FRAME RAILS, BOTH REAR SIDES WERE APPROXIMATELY 85% ROTTED OUT BY RUST. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS THAT THE RAILS COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE WAS VERY LITTLE GOOD METAL TO REPAIR AND STRENGTHEN THE VEHICLE FRAME. *JB