2001 Kia Sportage Power Train

I HAVE A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND I AM SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN EXTENDED 10 YEAR, 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. I ONLY USE THE 4WHEEL DRIVE WHEN IT SNOWS. TWO YEARS AGO I DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW VACUUM LINES TO THE FRONT HUBS. WITHOUT VACUUM TO THE HUBS THEY WON'T ENGAGE. I HAD NO OPPORTUNITY TO VERIFY THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. IN 2008 WHEN IT SNOWED AGAIN I AGAIN FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. NOW I AM TOLD THAT I HAVE TO BUY $1500.00 WORTH OF PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX THE FRONT HUBS SO THAT THEY WILL MAINTAIN A VACUUM. THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY FIX AND BECAUSE THE PARTS NECESSARY TO FIX THE PROBLEM ARE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS ON THE VEHICLE THEY DON'T HAVE TO WARRANTY THEM. THE SAFETY DEFECT INVOLVED HERE IS THAT WHEN THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS ENGAGED THE DASH HAS AN INDICATOR THAT SAYS THE VEHICLE IS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN IN FACT IT IS NOT. THIS CAN LEAD TO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH LOSS OF CONTROL ON SNOW OR SLICK SURFACES. *TR

2001 KIA SPORTAGE 4WD DOES NOT ENGAGE. IT WORKED GOOD IN WINTER OF 2005, BUT THIS YEAR FINALLY HAVING SNOW IN JANUARY, I TRIED THE 4WD WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT SPINS, SO THE TRANSFER CASE WORKS, HOWEVER THE DRIVE ISN'T BEING INITIATED TO THE FRONT WHEELS. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH, I NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEMS OCCURRED TO SAME MAKE AND MODEL, BUT IN A DIFFERENT YEAR. IT IS ALSO STATED THAT THE DOUBLE SEALED HUBS WAS APPARENTLY SUPPOSED TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM WITH THE HUBS BECOMING FROZEN DUE TO RUST. COULD IT BE POSSIBLE THAT THIS REMEDY DIDN'T ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10MPH IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL DISLODGED FROM THE AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. IT WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION, AND HAD PASSED STATE INSPECTION IN JUNE 2005 AT 32,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIRS.

2001 KIA SPORTAGE 4 DR WITH 50,000 MILES FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF BROKEN WHEEL BEARING AND RIGHT IDLER ARM. I HAD THESE REPAIRED, FORTUNATELY, UNDER WARRANTY. I'M DISAPPOINTED AND ANGRY THAT SUCH CHEAP PARTS WERE USED IN MANUFACTURING (DISCOVERED BROKEN AT 50,000 MILES) WHICH GREATLY INCREASES THE RISK FOR AN ACCIDENT. NOT A SAFE VEHICLE AND WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER BASED ON THE QUALITY OF THE MANUFACTURING. *NM

WHEN IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE REAR WHEEL SLIPPED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHIMMIED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SHORTLY AFTER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, CONSUMER STATES' VEHICLE GEAR SHIFTER WILL JUMP UP TO NUETRAL, VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOOSES POWER. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER AT ANYTIME. COULD RESULT IN A REAR END COLLISION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

TRANSMISSION SURGES AND STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH SPEEDOMETER WOULD JUMP. COULD NOT TELL WHAT SPEED WAS DRIVING. TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER PUT IN NEW MODULATOR, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK