From: HAKU20@aol.com
hello,my name is george.i have had so many problems with this kia i can't count then.the following of some...two transmission replaced,horn don't work,airbag light on,engine light on,the brakes been changed five times ,and need changing right now,transmission leaking .water pump been changed.the tires been changed.left front axle leaking ,the gas door want close./PLEASE ADD MY NAME TO THE LIST .OF THE CLASS ACTION SUIT.THANKS.PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH..

From: Itlnprncss601@aol.com
Hi, my name is Andrea. I live in New Jersey and was so excited to have found this website!! I thought I was going nuts with all the problems I've been having with my "heap." I also own a 1997 Kia Sephia GS (supposedly the "top of the line model") and its been nothing but a heartache to me and a constant worry. I now, actually fear for my life in this so called "car". I will try to keep it brief...
I started leasing my car in Nov. 1997. I was having financial difficulties then so I decided to get something cute, economical and inexpensive. I saw this car and really liked it, decided to give it a shot. Three months after having the car, my fuses were going haywire and my valve cover gasket was leaking. I thought, "well, this could happen, no big deal." After that, every couple of months I was at the dealer for service. One of the biggest and obvious problems I've seen and heard are the brakes! My brakes have been replaced twice, in a year! My dealership actually told me and I quote, "Kia put very cheap rotors in their cars and everyone is bringing them back, having the brakes replaced". I almost died, I couldn't believe they told me that and they're selling them!!
I've had these things replaced: A fuel sensor, valve cover gasket, wiring repaired (twice), fuses, O2 sensor, spark plugs, spark plug wires, timing belt, rotors and pads (twice), battery, jump starts (three) and towed to the dealer three times. All this in only 2 1/2 years!! This car is on a lease and is done as of Jan. 8th. I am getting out early (next week actually, getting a Cougar). I don't care what they do with this car, but I'm wiping my hands of it and will hopefully forget this "nightmare!" My friend just bought a '99 Sportage, I warned her but she went anyway. Now she has 15,000 miles on it and she said problems are starting.
Thank you SO MUCH for this website. Please let me know the status of your lawsuit and whats going on. If you need any help whatsoever, please let me know. Kia should reimburse all of us something for all of our inconvenience, time and headaches!! They make terribly cheap cars and are holding people's lives in their hands! They should take 100% responsibility!! By the way, go in www.edmunds.com and read everyone's review for the '97's and every year.....how embarrassing!! Keep in touch, my email address is: "Itlnprncss601@aol.com".
A FED UP KIA OWNER,
Andrea

From: MichaElaine214@aol.com
In 1997, I bought a Kia Sephia RS brand new. The brakes are the biggest complaint I have. The front rotors wore out prematurely. I was told by the dealer that they had warped. This happened less than a year after I bought it. They replaced them but a few months after that, I started having problems with them again. The brakes started to squeal. Today, my brakes are really bad. The car is no longer under warranty. I have 59,000 miles on it. I plan on purchasing higher quality rotors and pads and doing the labor myself.
Other complaints I have is the rusted muffler. The thing rusted almost immediately after I purchased the car. My battery went dead after the first year. When that happened, I just bought one of better quality. I also had some starting problems in the past. It would sound like the clutch wasnt depressed all the way, when in fact I had it touching the floor. I dont have this problem all the time, but it happens every once in a while.
Buying this Kia is the worst purchase I made in my lifetime. Could you please tell me more about that lawsuit against Kia? Please email me with more info. I'd like to participate in that lawsuit.
Sincerely,
Mike

From: Rob (R34SkylineGTR@home.com)
Hey, what's up? My name is Rob Houghtlin. I own a 99 Kia Sephia LS that is a total piece of shit. If you are serious about this lawsuit, I would love to be in it. My brakes have been fixed 6 times, 3 new batteries, AC has been worked on twice, it's just a terrible car, plus it very easily picks up dent, so I have to pay a lot of money to get them fixed. Besides that, my suspension and steering is very shaky after having alignment and new factory springs put on it.
Another Unsatisfied Kia Owner,
Rob Houghtlin

From: Pbustted@gateway.net
Great, I'm glad I'm not the only one with such luck! Where do I begin?, a couple of months ago my wife and I decided to look into a new vehicle, well we decided to look into Kia they were having this great deal that we thought we would see what they had to offer. We went in to a local dealer on a weekend, we did not even get to pick out a vehicle color, or test drive the vehicle we intended to buy instead we proceeded to do the necessary paper work, after all the paper was done and over we agreed on a price to be financed. We agreed on a 2000 Kia Sportage we were told that this vehicle was financed and the vehicle was ours, off we went in a new vehicle. We decided to go visit some family in west Texas 500 miles away, half way there the airconditioner went out in the middle of summer triple digits with a 6 year old with asthma and a 3 month baby! I pulled over to see if there was anything obvious, there was nothing to do other than to take the chance and see if the car would make it the rest of the way. Month and a half goes by and we receive a phone call from a bank that we had the previous trade in for the vehicle that we had traded for the 2000 Kia Sportage, they stated that we were behind on a payment and would like to know when we could make the payment. We explained to them that we had traded the vehicle and they should have already received the full value of the vehicle. We called the dealer that we had traded the vehicle with for the Kia Sportage, when we contacted them they told us that they had been trying to get in touch with us for three weeks to let us know that he vehicle was not financed and we should go back and fill out some more paper work. Not being to happy about the whole situation we decided to go back in, they started to tell us that the bank could not finance for what ever reason. So they said what about a 98 Kia Sportage at this point we just needed a vehicle, we test drove it and agreed on the finance, long story short the 98 has been in service twice for electric problems from the horn and lights going off and on when I unlock the door to the dash lights going out while driving, this is my wife's vehicle that she has both of my children in which is not safe to carry them around in. I have paid for the battery to be replaced. What do I do know????? I hope this all the problems that I will encounter with this vehicle. This is not to mention the embarrassment that we have gone through the thought of losing my job or when my boss is going to have enough of me having to take off to deal with our vehicle!
2000/1998 Kia Sportage
Dallas/ Carrollton

From: HJW597@aol.com
Hey-
My name is Heather Woods. My parents bought me a 1997 Kia Sephia about 1 1/2 months ago. They bought the car because they wanted a safe, reliable car with good gas mileage for myself and my 2 month old daughter. The day after the car was given to me (2 days after they bought it) the battery was completely dead. I had to buy a new battery. Then, about one week later, I had the front braking system totally replaced and had some work done on the back brakes. This cost about $200. The car had also been shaking when I pulled up to red lights and has cut off on me several times. When on the highway, the car won't accelerate when the gas is applied. I almost had an accident on the way to get it fixed because I was pulling off the exit ramp and it wouldn't accelerate. This happened on the way home from the dealership (which is 40 miles from my house) for the second time. The first time, the mechanic said that it had a faulty ground wire system which all '97 Kias experience. After several days of arguing with the Kia people, they agreed to pay for it. Two weeks later, I had the problem again. On the way home from the dealer, the check engine light came on again and all problems resumed. I can't continue to take the car to the dealer, but I also can't afford to sell it because I'll never get the money out of it that my parents invested. I class action lawsuit is a fabulous idea. Any help that I can offer is available. I can be reached at XXX-XXX-XXXX and 2048 River Heights Walk , Marietta, GA 30067.
Thanks,
Heather Woods

From: MTessa00@aol.com
We purchased our kia sportage on febuary 1999, about one month after we had it the problems started.first it was the air conditioner leaked all over the passanger side which isn;t to horribly bad then the drivers side window started leaking, it's been the shop a total of 11 times, seven for the leaking window and five times for the drivers side window sticking, you can roll it down just fine but it slides off the track and does'nt come back up, they replaced all of the tracks and seals, they just had it for 16 days and with in 2 days of getting our vehicle back it's still leasking and the window is still sticking. We live 80 miles from the nearest kia dealer and that's mileage and money that i am sick of spending. They just replaced the battery two months ago and one morning the car would not start, it got towed to the dealer and the cause was a bad battery, the cadillac converter just went out, and the latch on the back, to open the back hatch is broke. We are fed up with getting the run around and put off, we finally faxed in our paperwork to the Kia Corporation and now we are waiting on a reply. You know the dealer sure screwed us on this deal actually you can't even call it a deal it's a black and silver heaping pile.
Please keep us in touch with how things are progressing.
Thank you , Tessa & James McAlexander

From: Mncparent@gateway.net
I am another victim of the worse car on the road. I bought a 2000 sportage 4x4 in January and I am so disappointed. I bought it in CT with lifetime oil changes. We asked if that was transferable since we were moving to TX. Oh yes he said we get here guess what no lifetime oil changes. In 8 months I have bought it in 10 times! Seatbelts won't pull out, molding pushed in by the windows, check engine light 3X, windshield wipers died on me in the pouring rain. What gets me is the shop is only open from 8-5 so what? they want me to punch out and lose money to get my brand new car fixed for the 10th time? Now my center console is broke, the dash is cracked, the interior is coming lose, the convertible back window comes loose (the mechanic made me drive it with him in it and it didn't do it, he said that if he can't see it do that then he can't fix it) and it low gears it makes some loud hoopty noise. Only sometime though so if I take it and it doesn't do it then, it probably won't get fixed. I feel so taken. I have a '73 SS Nova also that has less problems than a 2000 kia? One month after I got it sitting in the shop, a dealer offered me a '97 Honda CRV it seemed crazy to me then to trade in a '00 for a '97 now I wish that I had more than anything else. I am so afraid what is to come. I can't afford to trade it in or I would. I am very interested in a suit! e-mail me mncparent@gateway.net

From: NDMINTER@aol.com
We have a client, Walter Dix, in Decatur, Georgia. He has had nothing but problems with his 1999 Kia Sephia, bought new, since the first week he purchased it. We have written letters to the Kia manufacturer and dealerships in attempts to help Mr. Dix, to no avail. We would be interested in receiving information about the Class Action lawsuit against Kia and how Mr. Dix might join. You can email our office, first. Then, if necessary I will give you a mailing address. Thank you for any assistance in this matter.
Darlene Minter, Paralegal
Fred W. Minter, Attorney
Decatur, GA
ndminter@aol.com or
fredminter@aol.com

From: djohnsn27@aol.com
I'M WRITING YOU IN REGARDS TO THE KIA SEPHIA I BOUGHT, 2 DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED THIS CAR I PICKED MY MOM UP AT THE AIRPORT WE BEGAN OUR 1200 MILE VACATION 2 HRS INTO THE TRIP I HEARD THIS TERRIBLE NOISE, I HAD THOUGHT THAT MY TIRE BLEW WHEN WE PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WE REALIZED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS COMING OUT OF THE CAR SO BEFORE WE COULD GET TO A SERVICE STATION 30MILES FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD, MY BRAKES WERE GOING OUT AND TO TOP THE CAKE THE STEREO,DOME LIGHT,HORN AND HEAD LIGHTS ALL HAD STOP WORKING,NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS VERY UPSET AND VERY SCARED. AFTER SPENDING THE NIGHT IN THIS CAR , WE GOT IT FIXED AND BEGAN HOME. I NOW HAVE SOLD THE KIA SEPHIA AND NOW I'M A PROUD OWNER OF A CHEV. MALIBU.

From: Howard Smith (csmith117@hotmail.com>)
To a friend
I am writing to you about my 1996 Kia Sephia 4dr sedan that has been giving me a lot of trouble for the past four months with the transmission and about five other problems. I have gotten no satisfaction from any of the two dealerships that I have dealt with and I have also tried going through the head office and still I came to a dead end. I have been with out transportation for the last four months. Please contact me with information about the class action law suite at this E-mail address or at:
1905 Union St
Tampa, Fl 33607

From: Nicole Kristine Condreay (NKCondreay@Student.NNU.Edu)
colio_c@yahoo.com
I purchased a 1999 brand new Kia, Sephia with a total of 13 miles on it. On aug.19,2000 I was going the posted speed limit of 70mph in Washington state. I was following a friend to make sure her used vehicle wouldn't "blow up on her. She all of a sudden put on her brakes on bolted across 3 lanes of traffic, come to find out she looked in her rear view mirror to see the underneath of my car on fire and me not knowing what was happening. In an attempt to follow her I placed my foot on the brake, only to have it go to the floor. I was driving a car that was on fire going 70mph with no way of stopping. I finally smelled a burning odor and smoke filled the inside of my car I couldn't see and besides that I could barely keep my eyes open because the heat and smoke were so much. I also couldn't breath that great either. I finally found my parking break and pulled it up in attempt to slow the car down enough to get out. By the time I got to the side of the major highway there were flames coming through the hood I got out when I could tell the car was going to stop. The next thing I could see was my friend running towards me. I just put a full tank of gas in the car so I was concerned about it blowing up. Traffic had come to a stop since the smoke was crossing all the lanes. The state trooper and firemen got there and put out the fire before it hit the gasoline tank. The car was determined totalled on the spot. My worst fear is to burn to death so I have had nothing but extreme stress and nightmares from this incident. I am 19 I shouldn't have to worry if my life is going to end when I get into a new car. This happened 2 weeks before I had to leave for college so when I went to buy a new car I was actually asked if it was going to be a kia, I replied " I would have to be suicidal to get into another one of those cars" My kia was a little over one year old and had 18,000 miles on it. Something has to be done about this!

From: "Chapple, Lisa, SrA, OL-P 11 MSS/DPMPE" (Lisa.Chapple@bolling.af.mil)
I'am now trying to file a lawsuit against Kia too. I want my money back I just have alot of thigs to go through. I will help in any way.
LISA L. CHAPPLE
EVALUATIONS SPECIALIST

From: Itsza@aol.com
I WAS THRILLED TO FIND THAT I, AM, ALONE IN THIS SITUATION!!! HELLO, MY NAME IS KEVIN I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 98 KIA SEPHIA 4 DOOR SEDAN. I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS AND NO ONE SEEMS TO TAKE ME SERIOUSLY. FIRST OF ALL I HAD A FRONT AXLE THAT BROKE. I HAD FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. I'VE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED, THE POWER STEERING BOX. EACH OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED AT LEAST THREE TIMES OR MORE. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CAR JUST CUTTING OUT. MY WIFE AND I HAD JUST LEFT THE SHOP FROM HAVING A NEW FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY LIE PUT ON. WHICH THE TECHNICIANS SAID WAS CAUSING THE CAR TO CUT OUT. SO, WE PICKED THE CAR UP THINKING IT WAS FIXED. MY WIFE AND I WERE NO MORE THAN 2 MILES AWAY FROM THE SHOP AND THE CAR CUTS OUT AND SLINGS US INTO THE MEDIAN ALMOST INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC ON ONE OF THE MOST BUSY HIGHWAY'S IN CHATTANOOGA, HIGHWAY 153. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A BAD DREAM FOR MY WIFE AND I BOTH. I WISHED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD TELL ME TO LET ME KNOW WHAT WE ALL CAN DO. I HAVE ALSO TALKED TO A LADY THAT HAS THE SAME MAKE,MODEL,AND COLOR OF OUR CAR. SHE HAS HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE AS THE REST OF US.
THANK YOU SO MUCH I HOPE TO HEAR BACK FROM YOU SOON.
KEVIN ROGERS

From: SIrishHarmony@aol.com
I apologize for the Subject Matter. But, since I purchased my KIA Sportage, I have renamed it to the above-referenced name. And advised everyone & anyone I come in contact with NEVER to consider the purchase of such a vehicle. At this rate, a horse & buggy would serve as more reliable transporation.
For the 1st seven months that I had the KIA, Criswell Chevrolet had the car more than I did. I kept telling them that I thought it was the Fuel Exhaust system. But their attitude was that I was merely a 'dumb woman' who only learned how to put the key in the ignition & start the car. I may not known exactly how to work under the hood but I have learned how a car should ride and when performance is not up to snuff.
Finally, I requested that a Service Representative from KIA meet me at the dealership for a test drive since all of Criswell's testing came up with the monotonous verbage "can't duplicate". This individual should have lost his job on the spot when he asked if I wanted him to drive the car or if I wanted to drive. Told him to get the feel of true performance it made total sense that he drive. Then he proceeds to ask "do you want me to drive it the way I would drive it or the way a WOMAN would drive". Those (employees) in the service area backed up when they saw my facial expression to that remark.
Needless to say, a year and a half later the KIA Shit is recalled for faulty fuel injection!!!!
By the way, after this unprofessional and quite ignorant representative drove the car, his advice was that "we change the tires". I looked @ him dumbfounded and told him to do what he wanted but tires were NOT the issue at hand.
I have also (months ago) with only 13,000 miles on the car had the battery replaced @ my expense. Each car I have ever owned has been in my possession as primary transporation for ten years or more. I even had a Chevy Chevette (that friends laughed at) but a dependable car that never went into shop till the 9th or 10th year of ownership. So I was the one laughing @ my friends with the more expensive and sporty cars who spent most of their time with their cars in shop.
I not only am totally dissatisfied with the KIA but Criswell dealership. Their PR is non-existant. And I have a folder full of papers that were to be used as documents for proceeding with the Lemon Law 3 months after I purchased the car. In that regard, I am quite upset with myself for not pursuing a legitimate & legal action against both KIA and Criswell.
I am only too willing to join in with the Class Action Suit should one be initiated.
Sincerely
S Adams

From: Elaine Matthews (raphael57@bellsouth.net)
Hello, and thanks for putting up this web site. I have a 2 month old 1999 Kia Sportage that has serious electrical problems, resulting in stalling and creating extremely (life threatening) dangerous driving situations. I feel that my life and those of my children are in serious jeopardy. The dealer (Folger Automotive in Charlotte, NC) is being very uncooperative, and despite the salesman's promise to provide me with another car while mine is being looked at, he was quickly over-ruled by Ric Morrison, General Sales Manager at the dealership, who told me that all this must be MY fault for putting in gasoline that has water in it, and then he asked me where I purchased my gas! I am documenting all contacts with these people but if you read my obituary in the newspaper, it'll probably be due to a terrible auto accident caused by the Kia Sportage.
Elaine Matthews

From: Frank Cerilli (efjaycee@home.com)
I bought a brand new Kia Sephia 2000. At around 3000 miles the brakes had to be replaced. They went (the pads) so quickly that they became dangerous to drive within a 24 hour period.
Now at 10 thousand miles they need to be replaced again, with the same dangerous problem . This car is the number one source of transportation and my dealer, Norwood Motors in Warwick Rhode Island does nothing to help with getting you a loaner or even a ride to and from work.
Frank Cerilli

From: Bama5828@aol.com
I was looking into buying my first car. The Kia Sportage was the first thing i looked into because of its price range. I went to the nearest dealership over 100 miles away and there was my car... It was a nice looking vehicle, the salesman really pumped up the car telling me about the great gas mileage.. He said take it for a test drive here's the keys. Well i put the key in and nothing.. The car wouldn't crank... I packed my stuff and went to the Ford place got a 2000 mustang now... THANKS KIA FOR NOT LETTING ME MAKE A BAD DECISION!!!

From: Cj4549@aol.com
I have a 1997 Sportage and i don't know where to start. Lets see seven rear ends , engine light , trany doesn't shift when cold ( dealer says that's normal ) , air stopped working , rear window doesn't go down. Oh the air works for two minutes then blows the fuses ,to which the windows won't go down. I'm glad it stops cause I would hate to think this thing is alive with the doors locking not letting me out. Dealer response is passive . They don't seem to have time to listen to your problems. It has 49000 miles on it . This is my wife's car and i hope we're not over looking something here as FIRESTONE AND FORD did. does anyone in our government care about what's going on out here. I have been talking to Kia in Atlanta. They won't do anything either.

From: ted montpetit (mope3rd@hotmail.com)
-Paint Peeling Havock-
-September 19,2000-From Ted Montpetit---Central Missouri:
-I bought my Kia Sportage-(a 2000) model- only 3 months ago - and i sware that the shop has had it more than i have. The paint started to peel off the front bumper of my sportage after i took it to a car wash. Well my dealership painted it for me, but now it is peeling again-in different places and much bigger spots. When i got the car, the finance manager talked me into getting a paint protection plan for a mere $400.00 as he put it. This was fine the first time the paint peeled-now-the dealership tells me another paint job is not covered under the paint protection plan unless i myself purchase mud flaps for my car and have them install them. The dealership feels that rock chips have caused this damage to my vehicle-how does a rock chip make paint peel all the way along the bottom of a car???? ---- My second problem has been my check engine light staying on-it supposedly has been fixed twice and just took it in for a third time for the same thing and the dealership says their is nothing wrong. That their is nothing for me to worry about with the check engine light being on-i'm sorry but if i am paying 20 thousand dollars for a car and a light stays on - i am gonna worry--wouldn't you? -my third problem is it has on several occasions acted like it wants to stall if i am parked or at a stop light. God help us for wasting our money on this brand of vehicle. I myself cannot get anyone to take it as a trade in for another vehicle.

From: CNA2384726523@aol.com
I did it too. I bought a 1998 K-- Seph--. Wish I didn't. It has been in the shop numerous times. The engine sensors went bad. They had to replace the transmission in it. I had to take it back because it got stuck in second gear after the new transmission. The recall for fuel pump. I had an exhaust leak. Then a week later the exhaust pipe fell off. They put the wrong exhaust pipe on so I had to take it back another time for the exhaust pipe. Three times just to fix the exhaust. Of course the dealership that I purchased it at does not care. It is kind of bad when you buy a car and have to take it back so many times they know you by name. I have spoken to lawyers and they say there is nothing they can do it is not a lemon because it has not been in the shop for more then three times for the same thing.

From: Aimee Berg (aberg@jelsert.com)
I want to start out by thanking you so much for having this web site up. My husband and I both own 2 98 Kia Sportages and have had the numerous problems mentioned by all of the other people on your site. Lately they seem to be in the dealer more than out. The most troubling is the check engine light going on and off all the time. We have had my husband's car in the dealer 5-6 times now just for that light and each time they say it is something different and supposedly fix it. Well, each time we get it back the light still goes on. I don't have time to go into all the repair details at this point (I am at work), but our story is very similar to rest that are out here...except we have 2 Lemons instead of just one! I am currently working with the Kia Consumer Affairs Division to get them to take back the vehicles, but they are leaning towards trying to settle with us for some measly amount of money for our inconvenience. We have been working for a couple months now to settle with them, but never can because the cars keep having problems. We have tried to trade the vehicles, even at a lost, for a new car but they don't even want the cars. At this point, I am so mad and frustrated that I am ready to take action. I want to make sure that I (and everyone else) am compensated for the crappy cars they sold us, compensated for all the time the cars were in the shop (will no loner car), and make sure that they never can sell another car again to anyone else. I will be frank, I have always been a big customer service advocate. I am always the first person to step up to the plate when my service is not good. I always follow through to make sure I get compensated to my satisfaction (free meal, discounts, etc.). My husband and I are EXTREMELY interested in being included in the class action law suit. In fact, I would like to offer my assistance in anyway possible. I would like to be one of the core members. I am so glad that you have followed through on this, because if you hadn't I would have! At this time, I would like to request that this letter not be posted on your web site. I would like to hear from you on how I can get involved. Please e-mail me and let me know what the next steps are. I would also like to talk to you about using the media as a tool to get attention on this. I AM READY TO FIGHT KIA BY ALL MEANS POSSIBLE!
Thank you,
Aimee Berg (Randy is my husband's name)
aberg@jelsert.com (mailto:aberg@jelsert.com)
Owesgo, IL

From: Michele Henry (plumcrazy@adelphia.net)
I know my son would like any info you get about a class action lawsuit, and I'm sure he would be willing to share all his problems he has had with his Kia that he has only owned since March. He is so sorry he bought it. Now he is trying to sell it and hasn't had one call on it.
Please e-mail me if you get any info and I will contact him.
Thank you

From: Makeuup821@aol.com
I bought a 99 Kia Sportage last year. My husband and I chose it because it was a cute sport utility that we could actually afford. Other than peeling paint we never had any problems. Well, the was once in July of this year...I was driving on the interstate and it heard a strange thump and jerked but the car continued on. I thought someone had hit me but no one was around. I'll tell you though, this morning, about 2 mile from home I was on the way to work. My two and four year old strapped in back. I was going 40 to 45 miles per hour when I went to move from the left to the right lane. I heard that same thump simultaneously with the jerk. My car lost all power. I could not steer. I was headed off the road toward a light pole. When I went off the road, I hit water in the ditch. It turned me slightly and headed me toward a school entrance sign instead. I crashed thru the sign. Violently smashing my front bumper, hood, windshield and roof. Needless to say the airbag never did deploy. I made sure I had the car towed to the Kia dealer. They told me they never heard of any such occurrence. I called the 800 # and they told me of 3 recalls that I had never been notified of. One being the fuel pump connector which he claims couldn't have caused it to stall. I'm left with no car, neck and back pain, and a lot of what ifs. What if the water hadn't changed my direction and I hit the utility pole. What if I was on the interstate (which is where I was headed after taking my kids to school) going 80 miles an hour when it happened. I'd be dead. I went to some of your sites to find out if this indeed has happened to others. I've e only been to 2 sites so far. I found 23 stall outs on one and 16 on the other. I wish I would have researched this before I ever bought that death trap. I am horrified to ever drive it again. What's worse is we still owe 18,ooo on it!

From: Ray Weimer (raw@cvns.net)
Yes, I want to be a part of the Lawsuit. I purchased a Kia Sportage in 1998, It spends more time at the dealership than in the driveway. Since it was new there has been an annoying rattle in the car. We were told by the dealership "they all rattle" and nothing was done. The car has started to fail to start at times. Eats gas like a big car. I agree with the title of the web site "I HATE KIA"!!!
Ray & Rose Weimer
raw@cvns.net

From: PAMELAPamelalee@aol.com
I purchased my Kia last August purely by accident. I went to the car lot in search of a Lumina and because my car Century had just died, I was kinda desperate and so the only other car was this Kia. I to have been to the repair shop on on more than one occasion, and I thank God until this day that I had the sense to purchase an extended warranty. I am going to trade my in with in the next year but I'm afraid that no one wants it and again I don't want anyone else to go though what I've gone though. Any additional info about the Kia and how to get rid of it please let me know. Thanks,
Pamela

From: Imigrant58@aol.com
I own a 1995 kia sportage and I will never ever buy another kia again.......the biggest piece of crap on the market today.....i've had 4 brand new transmissions put in ( all covered by warranty, thank god!) and the lifters needed to be adjusted along with the fuel injectors and so on.....this piece of crap has cost me time and money......its the biggest lemon out on the market....I have spent around 3,000 on service repairs and things of that nature for that junker...not even the resale value is worth anything. I am going to sell it to the first interested person just to get it off my hands.

From: Tea42fairy@aol.com
Thank you for this site, I was thinking of buying a K--, and decided to do a search online and your site came up first. My I say no need to search further. The last thing I need is a K--.
Thank you ,
very grateful.

From: LVQMRP1@aol.com
i went on to the web because my kia had been acting up...a 98 sportage..the battery went dead after only a year...electrical problems up the rear...the lock locking and unlocking on their own...the air conditioning leaking on the floor. the idle always reving real high then bottoming out...the engine light going off and on for no reason...the inside light and the air conditioning control panel going off and on for no reason..yes...i would like to know what you have been doing and what the status of your class action suit is...please e mail me back at lvqmrp1.aol.com
thanks
mary goodwin

From: MFChismar@aol.com
My problems with my 1997 Kia Sportage began approximately 6 months after I leased it. My break light kept coming on with moderately hard breaking. My driveway is a hill and when backing out I had seriously diminished breaking power. My car drifted into the middle of my street with my break pedal floored. When I took it to the dealer I was told my break fluid was low! The break light doesn't come on any longer but the breaks are mushy and the car still doesn't hold on my driveway, especially in the morning.
My sportage has been in for repair of the check engine light 4 times. I'm convinced they disconnected the light after the 4th time because they didn't know how to fix it. Since April 2000 till early Aug it has been in for warranty repairs 6 times. Beside the check engine light my hood release cable was replaced twice, the spare tire cable was replaced & Automatic locks replaced. My battery was dead after a weeks vacation in mid August and was my tail pipe fell off and I discovered that my entire exhaust system is rusted out and needs to be replaced.
I have owned many cars and collectively I haven't had the problems I have with this sportage. By the way on my last visit to the dealer the service manager said to me "You should look into buying a new Sportage, the're making them better now." You could imagine my response.

From: CANDYZIES4@aol.com
I also have a 1998 kia and my care have been in the shop over 5 times I have had the car for over a year and it has been nothing but problems. I drove it to Reno and I almost got stuck in the mountains. My children and I were terrified. I have had so many problems with this car I cant even explain them all. I would not reccomend kia to no one.

From: CANDYZIES4@aol.com
I WOULD LOVE TO GET THESE BASTARDS. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND A NURSING STUDENT AS SOON AS I GRADUATE I AM GOING TO GET RID OF IT IF IT IS THE LAST THING THAT I DO!

From: WeeeezyInBlack@aol.com
I purchased a used 97 Kia Sephia about 2 years ago. This car I bought was for someone else who had no credit & I was selling it to her.
Problems so far ................ Idle , sudden acceleration, electrical shorts , battery, tape player and some of these were replaced or fixed more than once. This car was in 2 accidents (1 was very minor), hit from the front. The airbags DID NOT release, yet the dealership claimed they were in working order.
This is the most poorly made car I have ever seen. I feel the company has a responsibility to either reimburse the public for the poor craftmanship , or just recall the car itself.
Thanks

From: cathy harvey (aharvey@localnet.com)
I bought a 98 Sephia on Sept 22 of 98. On Sept 25 I stopped to get gas on my way to work & it wouldn't start when I was done. After being pushed away from the pump & eventually towed to the dealership, I was informed by the service department that it was "a shorted ground wire to the fuel pump". After that it was fine until after the first of the year, when the temperature dropped below 10 degrees (I live in upstate NY where this is VERY common). After having the roadside assistance call a tow truck & them trying to jump it (I told them it didn't sound like the battery) they again towed it to the dealership. Once inside the garage & warmed up it started just fine & they saw no reason why it shouldn't have started earlier. (When I bought the car I wanted a block heater or lower hose heater put in as I've always had these on my cars due to where I live, but was told there weren't any that could be put on a Kia). Periodically throughout the next 2 winters when the temperature dropped below 10 degrees it wouldn't start & they could never find a problem & suggested I was doing something wrong. (I'm 47 years old have had umpteen cars and lived in this area my whole life & never had these kind of problems before). Eventually after I complained long enough & asked for a block heater for the hundredth time they "found" a technical service bulletin regarding a computer chip that sends false info indicating the fuel pump is sending gas when in fact its not when the temperature is too low. During this time I was on my way to work on a winter morning when my drivers side wiper became loose & not moving. Luckily I wasn't on the thruway yet & not far from the dealership & was able to safely get there & get it fixed (loose nut, much later received a recall on same item).At a little over 30,000 miles the rear brakes needed replacing & I was told by the service manager that all of them would need replacing in about another 30,000 miles. Also this was supposedly not covered by the 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warrantee I bought. I drive highway miles and have never had to do anything with the brakes on any other car I've had for at least 70,000+ miles, also they tried to suggest that I must "ride the brakes" (the car I traded in on this piece of useless excrement was a 94 Eagle Talon with 119,000 miles on which I had just replaced the rear brakes...Yeh sure I ride them...I also found another web sight that has info regarding the bankruptcy and closing of the company that supplied the brakes to Kia). Since I bought the car I've lost count of the # of times it's been towed, it has had 2 technical service bulletins and 2 recalls (that I know of...they don't tell you about the former unless your a complaining witch). The most ironic part is that 3 days ago on Sept 22, I stopped on my way home from work at the same gas station & same pump. When I was done & went to start the car...whirrr, whirrr, nothing. Tried again...not even a click. Called the Kia roadside assistance & was told I would have to pay for the towing as the 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warrantee only covered towing for 3 years 36,000 miles....this is NOT what I was told when I bought the car. God only knows what it is this time. One more thing, on a routine service visit I was informed that there was a hole in the pipe between the catalytic converter and muffler which was also "not covered" & would cost over $350 to replace, (At the time the car had 69,000 miles on it), they said they would order the part & call me when it came in. They never called. Now the car has 89,000 miles. They probably realized it was still under warrantee so stalled. Well, this is my Kia horror story hope it helps. I would be VERY interested in being part of a class action suit. My E-mail address is mcftclarey at hotmail.com. cat

From: Rikka White (rikkaw@hotmail.com)
Hi. My name is Rikka. I bought my Kia brand spanking new at the MY Nissan dealership on Abbott Street in Salinas Ca. I bought it Feb. of 99. The car had 13 miles on it. At 12000 miles my rotors warped so bad that my steering wheel shook and the brakes made a thumping noise. I thought my car was going to break literally into pieces from the shaking. That was the first of many problems. Since then I've had to perform 2 recalls, one on the fuel pump and the other on the wipers. I've brought it in twice more for the rotors. They've been replaced twice and resurfaced once ( I figure they'll be replaced in another 3000 miles if it goes the way it has) My brake pads have been replaced twice in 30000 miles. I've had my plate disc replaced and my electrical system had to be checked. My car is going in this week for the throw out bearing. I only have 32500 miles on this car but my throw out bearing has to be replaced. My steering is slow is all I can say. I turn the wheel and it's like the car is sluggish to respond and then all of a sudden whoom it veers across a lane. Kia says there is nothing wrong with my steering when I brought it in a month ago. They said the same about my brakes but guess what? They went in a week ago and were resurfaced. So far my warranty has covered everything. I got the 75000 mile one but what happens in 2 years when that's expired. Would it be better to drive it off a cliff and take a loss? I"m sick of this crap. I live in Colorado now and snow is coming. I'm afraid my brakes will die when I'm coming down a hill in the snow and I"ll kill myself or god forbid someone else. This car is an accident waiting to happen. OH and my fuel mileage sucks. I used to get 400 miles to the gallon. Now I get 300 if I'm extrememly lucky. This car is costing me too much time and money. I'm sick of it so if you are still doing that class act lawsuit please sign me up. I don't want this car but I don't know what I can do about it. I should have bought a Honda. Please reply and feel free to post any of this on your website. Edit as necessary. Thanks,
RIkka White

From: SHessBrit@aol.com
Just wanted to share my sob story of the 1999 Kia Sephia I brought for my daughter, I should have researched if first. About 4 months ago I bought a used 1999 Kia Sephia it had high mileage (31,000) however the sticker was $7,900 in line with what I wanted to pay. Since the onset I have had to buy a new battery and a $300.00 brake job. My daughter opened her glove compartment the other day, the door literally fell off in her hands. The engine sounds "rough", but haven't had it checked out yet. The reason I bought a nearly new car as her first car was the "low maintenance" and "reliability", this is an expensive lesson and you get what you paid for.
Re class action, I work for lawyers and if there aren't "serious personally injuries", involved lawyers really aren't interested, not enough bucks in it for them. However, I tell everyone I know that Kia's are Rubish.
Wish I had read your review before I signed the 5 year note on this car!
Regards,
Sandra Hess

From: Wumpyone@aol.com
I CANNOT BELEIVE I FOUND THIS SITE!! I WAS TRYING TO FILE UNDER THE ILLINIOS LEMON LAW WITH MY 1999 KIA SPORTAGE, AS IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES WITHIN 1 YEAR FOR BRAKE REPAIR....AND FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH DELAYED STARTING. AFTER ONE MONTH OF DEALING WITH KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS, THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY THE REPAIRS DONT ADD UP TO THE TIME FRAME ALLOWED FOR THE LEMON LAW.....THEY WANT TO SEND ME A CHECK ASAP FOR MY TROUBLES...A CHECK THAT IS ACTUALLY 4 OF MY MONTHLY CAR PAYMENTS.....LIKE THAT WILL SOLVE IT..I DONT WANT THE CAR!! MY HANDS ARE TIED!! I DONT NEED THIS HEADACHE. I FEEL THEY (the shop at the dealership) DELIBERATLY DELAYED ONE OF THE BRAKE REPLACEMENTS AS THEY KNEW I HAD ALREADY BEEN IN THERE NUMEROUS TIMES!! I DONT WANT TO SELL SOME POOR SOUL MY CAR .....AND FEEL BAD TRADING IT IN...BUT, EITHER WAY I LOOSE MONEY!! I AM READY TO PICKET AT THE DEALERSHIP, AS WELL AS DRIVE MY KIA AROUND WITH SIGNS IN EVERY WINDOW WITH THE KIA LOGO (with the slash thru it!) AND THIS WEBSITE IN BIG BOLD WRITTING. EVERYTIME I SEE A KIA, I AM PUTTING A HOMEMADE FLYER ON IT, WARNING THE CONSUMER. I AM ALSO THINKING OF PUTTING AN AD IN THE LOCAL PAPER. I AM TO GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH CONSUMER AFFAIRS TOMORROW, AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO SAY!! HELP!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING THIS WEBSITE!!! I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GO CRAZY, AND I WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH A LEMON!! ROSE KOS

From: Jeffjacqi@aol.com
A client of mine was seriously injured in a KIA sephia yesterday when her brakes failed to work - Can you put me in touch with the lawyer handling this class action - Thank Jeff

From: JanetToye@aol.com
I, too, have had many problems with my 1997 Kia, although my problems seem to have been minor in comparison to yours. However they have cost me time and money and at this point I can't afford to change my car because I would get so little for it. I also had difficulties with the dealership, who have been unable to fix some of the problems. My problems have been mostly electrical. The check engine light is permanently on, however as each problem was different I was unable to use the Lemon Law in Washington. I have since moved to Massachusetts and have not had much better service. I have sent several long letters to Kia and get all the "pat" answers. It is never their fault. I have kept all the paperwork for my repairs and would love to be involved in a class action law suit against Kia. Please keep in touch and let me know what happens.
Janet

From: NMA420@aol.com
I bought a 1997 kia sephia from a car lot in Silverdale Washington. I only bought from them because my brother works for their company. I have had nothing but problems with the darn thing I think Kia Sephia's are crap. I have had to replace the battery and the battery cables, get three new tires, replace the rotors and the brake pads, and the idle motor throttle assembly. I still have problems with it it dies all the time and the windshield wipers, headlights and the heater all only work when the want to. The car lot was good and replaced all those things for me because of my brother and now they pretty much dont even answer my phone calls. I have tried to reason with them. I have missed so many days of work because the damn thing wont start in the morning and I even had to miss my 3 year old daughters doctors appointments because of my tupid car. I had my car break down about 4 hours away from home in the middle of nowhere. I cry almost every day because I am a single mom and have to bust my ass at work to survive and missing a average of 4-5 days a week of work really makes it hard. I don't have good credit so it means I am stuck with this car unless their is a way out. I am totally willing to help in any way I can and hope that maybe there is someone out there who truly can help all of us who own these junky cars

From: Rpweath@aol.com
I would like to be a part of the kia lawsuit. I have a 1997 kia sephia and have experienced numerous problems. So far i've had to replace my battery, 4 new tires, 2 brake jobs, and the engine light comes on everytime I fill up my gas tank. My most recent problem (one that I am trying to resolve as I type this) is my car ran hot and then would not start the next day. It is currentlhy at a KIA dealer, where it has been sitting for a week. The first information I received from the dealer is that they needed to locate a part and would call back with an estimate. After not hearing from them for 2 days, we called to check on the staus of the car and was told that the entire engine went out due to a faulty coolant seal. I am now faced with the option of replacing the engine with one of 2 used engines for $1800 or $2100 or they will replace it with a new one for $2,400. My car is still under warranty however, the dealer says they will only pay half for a new engine and nopthing toward a used one. I am terribly upset about this, since if the seal wasn't faulty, I would nott need a new engine. So why should we pay $2,400 for the manufacturer's mistake. II am very interested in knowing if anyone else has had a similiar problem with Kia engines going out.
In addition to the above problems, my dash board is falling apart, one of the vents just broke iinto pieces, my dash has a large burn from the sun, and my car reclined while stopping on the highway.
Please send me any information you think could help. I can not afford to pay for a new engine for this piece of junk!!!!
Renae

From: COLTS1NFLTEAM@aol.com
i have had problems with my tires and also brakes less than 25,000 miles. it is a 98 and i have only had it for one year. my name is greg and i live in iowa. i also had a recall done on my wipers and the recall was performed and they didn't work at all. so please send me more info

From: Rob (R34SkylineGTR@home.com)
Hi, what's up? Ok I would love to be a part of this class action lawsuit against Kia. In this document I will enclose the problems of 99 Sephia that I own.
3 brake jobs: front brake system replaced because of jerky brakes that tend to go out for no reason. The back drum brakes had to be tightened at my expense to take some weight off the front brakes. Brakes starting to get jerky and very squeaky again and they were replaced not more than 2 weeks ago. they said the brake switch was out of adjustment.
2 starter jobs: bad starter both times, car starts really hard still and was worked on not more than two weeks ago to this day.
1 new battery: I was stuck out in the middle of nowhere with a fried battery. I couldn't take it to Kia because the car was not drivable.
besides those things, car has poor acceleration.
Even though all of these things are under warranty, there is no need for so many problems with this car. If this lawsuit goes down, I would very much be honored to be a part of it and get one back for all of the Kia owners that did not know what they
were buying. Make sure you send me some info back about this!!
Dissatisfied Kia Owner,
Rob Houghtlin