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2005 Kia Sportage

Component

Suspension:Automatic Stability Control (Asc)

Consequence of Defect

on certain sport utility vehicles equipped with electronic stability program (esp), the yaw rate sensor may become too sensitive and may recalibrate inaccurately. while driving the esp program may cause the engine to reduce power and may cause a brake at one of the wheels to be inappropriately.

Corrective Action

brake application caused by inadvertent esp activation may result in loss of control and a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will reprogram the esp hydraulic electronic control unit free of charge. the recall began on april 13, 2005. owners may contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.

2005 Kia Sportage

Component

Parking Brake

Consequence of Defect

on certain sport utility vehicles, the parking brake lever ratchet pawl was not properly manufactured and my damage the teeth of the parking brake lever ratchet. damaged parking brake lever ratchet teeth may prevent the parking brake from engaging or may allow the parking brake to release after it has been engaged.

Corrective Action

the inability to engage, or the inadvertent release of, the parking brake lever may allow your vehicle to roll while it is parked and may result in a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the parking brake lever assembly. the recall began on august 1, 2005. owners may contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.

2005 Kia Sportage

Component

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage

Consequence of Defect

on certain sport utility vehicles, fuel may leak from the o-ring into the internal vapor chamber located in the fuel tank at full tank conditions.

Corrective Action

the engine may stall when coming to a stop. it will be hard to fill the gas tank and external fuel may leak from the evaporative air filter inlet. fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank and replace the charcoal canister free of charge. the recall began on may 31, 2005. owners may contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.

2002 Kia Sportage

Component

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan

Consequence of Defect

on certain vehicles, the heat generated by the engine causes repeated bending deformation of the polypropylene cooling fan including its retaining ring, which stresses the polypropylene thereby initiating cracking of the blades. the centrifugal forces generated by the rotation of the blades can cause the cracks to propagate until complete separation occurs.

Corrective Action

separation of the fan blade(s) can create a risk of personal injury.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the engine cooling fan with a fan made of improved material. the recall began on june 11, 2007. owners may contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.

2000 Kia Sportage

Component

Electrical System

Consequence of 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.

Corrective Action

this could cause potential serious injury to bystanders.

Recall Notes

owners will be provided with an adhesive label with the correct illustration to permanently affix to their respective owners manuals.

2000 Kia Sportage

Component

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly

Consequence of 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.

Corrective Action

the latch can then pull out of the buckle when tension is applied.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace both front seat belt buckles. the recall began august 16, 2004. owners should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.

1999 Kia Sportage

Component

Electrical System:Wiring

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. the wires connected to the c123 and c124 connectors can be put under tension by movement of the engine, thus pulling the wires and connectors, loosening them and resulting in a loss of circuit continuity.

Corrective Action

this condition can cause engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will install spring clips to lock the connectors together. in addition, the dealers will be instructed to solder a splice in the wire harness.

1999 Kia Sportage

Component

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly

Consequence of 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.

Corrective Action

the latch can then pull out of the buckle when tension is applied.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace both front seat belt buckles. the recall began august 16, 2004. owners should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.

1999 Kia Sportage

Component

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: sport utility vehicles without an anti-lock braking system (abs). the steering intermediate shaft coupling can contact a hydraulic brake pipe causing fluid leakage.

Corrective Action

this condition can cause a loss of rear brake increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect and, if necessary, increase the clearance between the brake pipe and steering intermediate shaft coupling.

1998 Kia Sportage

Component

Electrical System:Wiring

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. the wires connected to the c123 and c124 connectors can be put under tension by movement of the engine, thus pulling the wires and connectors, loosening them and resulting in a loss of circuit continuity.

Corrective Action

this condition can cause engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will install spring clips to lock the connectors together. in addition, the dealers will be instructed to solder a splice in the wire harness.

1998 Kia Sportage

Component

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: sport utility vehicles without an anti-lock braking system (abs). the steering intermediate shaft coupling can contact a hydraulic brake pipe causing fluid leakage.

Corrective Action

this condition can cause a loss of rear brake increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect and, if necessary, increase the clearance between the brake pipe and steering intermediate shaft coupling.

1998 Kia Sportage

Component

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly

Consequence of Defect

on certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle may "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.

Corrective Action

in the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Recall Notes

owner notification began december 20, 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.

1997 Kia Sportage

Component

Electrical System:Wiring

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. the wires connected to the c123 and c124 connectors can be put under tension by movement of the engine, thus pulling the wires and connectors, loosening them and resulting in a loss of circuit continuity.

Corrective Action

this condition can cause engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Notes

dealers will install spring clips to lock the connectors together. in addition, the dealers will be instructed to solder a splice in the wire harness.

1997 Kia Sportage

Component

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: passenger vehicles. a microswitch on the rear hatch lock cylinder can malfunction causing the power door locks to unlock inadvertently.

Corrective Action

should this occur, security from unwanted intrusion into the vehicle is lost.

Recall Notes

dealers will modify the rear hatch door unlock circuit.

1997 Kia Sportage

Component

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly

Consequence of Defect

on certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle may "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.

Corrective Action

in the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Recall Notes

owner notification began december 20, 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.

1996 Kia Sportage

Component

Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal

Consequence of Defect

the accelerator pedal assembly could bind or stick during operation.

Corrective Action

this condition can cause the accelerator to hold the throttle partially open, resulting in loss of vehicle control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.

Recall Notes

dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly.

1996 Kia Sportage

Component

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock

Consequence of Defect

vehicle description: passenger vehicles. a microswitch on the rear hatch lock cylinder can malfunction causing the power door locks to unlock inadvertently.

Corrective Action

should this occur, security from unwanted intrusion into the vehicle is lost.

Recall Notes

dealers will modify the rear hatch door unlock circuit.

1996 Kia Sportage

Component

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly

Consequence of Defect

on certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle may "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.

Corrective Action

in the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Recall Notes

owner notification began december 20, 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.

1995 Kia Sportage

Component

Suspension:Rear

Consequence of Defect

the nuts attaching the rear axle bearing oil seal retainers and brake backing plates to the rear axle housing may be under- torqued causing these units to loosen or fall off.

Corrective Action

this condition can cause (1) oil leakage into the rear brake and onto the brake linings; (2) rear brake damage from the axle nutsfalling into the rear brake drums; or (3) separation of the rear wheel/axleshaft from the vehicle resulting in an increased potential for a vehicle accident.

Recall Notes

dealers will inspect and retorque the rear axle bearing oil seal retainer nuts.

1995 Kia Sportage

Component

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly

Consequence of Defect

on certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle may "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.

Corrective Action

in the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Recall Notes

owner notification began december 20, 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.