| Components - Details | |
|---|---|
| NHTSA Complaint Number: 005044178 | Incident Date: Oct, 23 2005 |
| Consumer's City: DURHAM | Consumer's State: NC |
| Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO | Manufacturers Name: Kia Motors America |
| Model Name: SPORTAGE | Model Year: 2000 |
| Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No | Component's Description: Fuel system, gasoline |
| Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No | Persons Injured: 0 |
| Vehicle's VIN#: KNDJA7234Y5 | Date added to File: May, 23 2021 |
| Date Complaint Received: Oct, 25 2005 | Complaint Type: IVOQ |
| Incident Reported To Police: No | Purchase Date: Dec, 03 1999 |
| Was Original Owner: Yes | Anti-lock Brakes: Yes |
| Number of Cylinders: 4 | Date of Manufacturer: - |
| Was Vehicle Towed: - | Description of the Complaints: On the weekend of october 22-23, 2005, a gaseous odor was observed around my 2000 kia sportage (purchased december 4, 1999; vin: [xxx]). puddles of gas were later spotted under my vehicle, so the following morning (october 24, 2005), i brought it to the local kia dealer for inspection. it was determined that the gas tank had "rotted/rusted" out (additionally, the bolts for the gas tank and the hose connecting the gas tank and filler tube were rusted and disintegrated, respectively, beyond repair and must be replaced), creating a hole through which gas was escaping. the vehicle was used only minimally in wi prior to august 2000, and its location since then has been chapel hill/durham, nc (all repair work and oil changes have been done by millennium kia in durham, nc, which also suggests where the vehicle has been driven since august 2000). thus, the vehicle has not been exposed to salt or other elements which may lead to this type of damage. it currently has fewer than 55,000 miles on it, which further leads me to believe that this is not the direct consequence of over- or misuse. my father [xxx] and owner of the vehicle, contacted the kia corporation and spoke with tom morales (800-333-4542, ext: 45262) regarding this issue, and a case has been opened with regard to it (case #[xxx]). we believe this damage is not only extremely hazardous, but also premature and the result of a faulty product. kia claims they can do nothing to resolve this issue, but because of its serious potential to cause injury, we believe the case merits further investigation. *nm updated 07/18/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) |
