VehicleVerdict

2000 Kia Sportage problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 462 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.7 times the median Sportage year — the 2000 model ranks #4 of 31 Sportage years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 20 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (102), brakes (61), and transmission (52), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

462

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

6

Investigations

27

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

20

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Sportage years?

Sportage NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted558 complaints1995: 88 complaints1996: 98 complaints1997: 299 complaints1998: 558 complaints1999: 493 complaints2000: 462 complaints2001: 354 complaints2002: 321 complaints2003: 4 complaints2005: 93 complaints2006: 169 complaints2007: 113 complaints2008: 138 complaints2009: 120 complaints2010: 28 complaints2011: 264 complaints2012: 454 complaints2013: 449 complaints2014: 154 complaints2015: 193 complaints2016: 182 complaints2017: 551 complaints2018: 221 complaints2019: 99 complaints2020: 199 complaints2021: 54 complaints2022: 60 complaints2023: 303 complaints2024: 93 complaints2025: 86 complaints2026: 26 complaints
Sportage NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sportage years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Kia Sportage problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System10222%
Brakes6113%
Transmission5211%
Engine5011%
Electrical System398%
Body & Structure337%
Visibility & Wipers276%
Suspension245%
Airbags184%
Other163%
Steering92%
Tires & Wheels82%
Seat Belts72%
Speed Control61%
Latches & Locks41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)31%
Child Seat10%
Seats10%
Lighting10%

Does the 2000 Kia Sportage have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

04V305000Seat BeltsJune 24, 2004 · 251,594 units

Defect

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, WHEN IT IS NOT.

Consequence

THE LATCH CAN THEN PULL OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN TENSION IS APPLIED.

Remedy

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

00V205000Electrical SystemJuly 27, 2000 · 66,482 units

Defect

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. HOWEVER, THE DIAGRAM DEPICTS THE JUMPER CABLES ATTACHED TO THE WRONG POLARITY TERMINALS. IF THE DIAGRAM WERE FOLLOWED WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE INSTRUCTIONS, THE RESULTING IMPROPER CONNECTIONS COULD CAUSE THE BATTERY TO RUPTURE AGGRESSIVELY DUE TO INCREASED INTERNAL PRESSURES.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE POTENTIAL SERIOUS INJURY TO BYSTANDERS.

Remedy

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

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN 2 DAYS. MY DAUGHTER STARTED THE CAR, DROVE IT ABOUT 1/4 - 1/2 MILE WHEN SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE CONSOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE, GOT OUT AND RAN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TO SEE IF SHE COULD TELL WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND COULD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 5, 2013 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THERE WAS A NEED FOR AN EMERGENCY STOP AND VEHICLE BEGAN SLIDING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN REAR. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.*AK *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 10, 2000 · crash

“CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE PARKED IN GEAR WITH PARKING BRAKE NOT ON, AND VEHICLE ROLLED BACK. VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER. *AK *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 16, 2001 · crash

“VEHICLE DEVELOPED AN UNDER HOOD FIRE WHILE TRAVELING AT 40-50 MPH. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH FIRE. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, AND CAUSE STILL UNKNOWN, POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *AK *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 13, 2000 · fire

“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. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE WHOLE TIME PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIR DEPARTMENT DEEMED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 22, 2003 · fire

2000 Kia Sportage — common questions

Is the 2000 Kia Sportage reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 462 complaints put the 2000 model at #4 of 31 Sportage years. It is one of the Sportage years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Sportage problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (102 complaints), brakes (61 complaints), transmission (52 complaints).

Does the 2000 Kia Sportage have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Kia Sportage. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Kia Sportage under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Kia Sportage years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sportage years to avoid are 1998, 2017, 1999, 2000, 2012, 2013, 2001, 2002, 2023, 1997, 2011, 2018, 2020, 2015, 2016, 2014, 2008, 2009, 2019, 2021, 2010. The cleanest record among Sportage years belongs to 2003.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.